Type 2 diabetes prevention and self-management among Nicaraguan ethnic minorities: findings from phase 3 of a community-based participatory research study

• Published in: International journal of human rights in healthcare 2017-01, Vol.10 (1), p.28-42
• Main Authors: Newlin Lew, Kelley, McLean, Yolanda, Byers, Sylvia, Taylor, Helen, Cayasso, Karina
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 18th century; 19th century; Adults; Averages; Body height; Clinical outcomes; Community; Community based action research; Community health services; Community involvement; Community research; Cultural competence; Diabetes; Disease control; Disease prevention; Drugs; Education; Ethnic groups; Ethnicity; Exercise; Fruit; Guerrilla forces; Health facilities; Health promotion; Health services; Health status; Healthy food; Measurement; Medicine; Mental health; Military occupations; Minority & ethnic groups; Minority groups; Nurses; Obesity; Participatory research; Pregnancy; Prevention; Prevention programs; Public health; Quality of life; Questionnaires; Risk; Risk assessment; Underserved populations
• ISSN: 2056-4902; 2056-4910
• DOI: 10.1108/IJHRH-06-2016-0007

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore physical environmental, medical environmental, and individual factors in a sample of ethnic minority adults with or at-risk for type 2 diabetes (T2D) on the Atlantic Coast of Nicaragua. Design/methodology/approach The study used a cross-sectional descriptive design guided by a community-based participatory research framework. Three coastal communities in the South Atlantic Autonomous Region (RAAS) of Nicaragua were sampled. Inclusion criteria were: lay adult with or at-risk for T2D, ⩾21 years of age, self-identification as Creole or Miskito, and not pregnant. Convenience sampling procedures were followed. Data were collected via objective (A1C, height, and weight) and self-report (Pan American Health Organization surveys, Diabetes Care Profile subscales, and Medical Outcomes Survey Short Form-12 (MOS SF-12) measures. Univariate and bivariate statistics were computed according to level of measurement. Findings The sample (N=112) was predominately comprised of Creoles (72 percent), females (78 percent), and mid-age (M=54.9, SD±16.4) adults with T2D (63 percent). For participants with T2D, A1C levels, on average, tended to be elevated (M=10.6, SD±2.5). Those with or at-risk for T2D tended to be obese with elevated body mass indices (M=31.7, SD±8.1; M=30.2, SD±6.0, respectively). For many participants, fresh vegetables (63 percent) and fruit (65 percent) were reported as ordinarily available but difficult to afford (91 and 90 percent, respectively). A majority reported that prescribed medication(s) were available without difficulty (56 percent), although most indicated difficulty in affording them (73 percent). A minority of participants with T2D reported receipt of diabetes education (46 percent). A1C levels did not significantly vary according to diabetes education received or not (M=10.9, SD±2.9; M=10.4, SD±2.5; t=−0.4, p=0.71). Participants at-risk for T2D were infrequently instructed, by a provider, to follow an exercise program (4.8 percent) or meal plan (4.8 percent) and receive diabetes education (2.38 percent). MOS SF-12 findings revealed participants with T2D (M=41.84, SD=8.9; M=37.8, SD±8.5) had significantly poorer mental and physical health quality of life relative to at-risk participants (M=45.6, SD±8.4; M=48.1, SD±9.5) (t=−2.9, p