Symptom-related self-care of Mexican Americans with type 2 diabetes: preliminary findings of the Starr County Diabetes Education Study

Starr Country Texas, a Texas-Mexico border community, was the site of a study involving culturally-appropriate education and group support for Mexican Americans with type 2 diabetes. Data were collected from 63 subjects on frequency of diabetes-related symptoms during the previous month and on self-...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Diabetes educator 1998-05, Vol.24 (3), p.331-339
Main Authors: Brown, S.A. (The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX.), Upchurch, S.L, Garcia, A.A, Barton, S.A, Hanis, C.L
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
AUTOGESTION
DIABETE
DIABETES
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - ethnology
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - metabolism
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - prevention & control
ETHNIC GROUPS
Female
FEMME
GROUPE ETHNIQUE
GRUPOS ETNICOS
HOMBRES
HOMME
Humans
Male
MEN
Mexican Americans - psychology
Middle Aged
Models, Educational
MUJERES
NON-INSULIN DEPENDENT DIABETES MELLITUS
Nursing
PATIENT EDUCATION
Patient Education as Topic
Pilot Projects
Self Care - methods
SELF MANAGEMENT
Self-Help Groups
Surveys and Questionnaires
TEXAS
WOMEN
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Summary:Starr Country Texas, a Texas-Mexico border community, was the site of a study involving culturally-appropriate education and group support for Mexican Americans with type 2 diabetes. Data were collected from 63 subjects on frequency of diabetes-related symptoms during the previous month and on self-care symptom treatments. On average, subjects were 57-year-old females, diagnosed with diabetes for 10 years, and exhibiting HbA 1c levels of 12.5%. Almost 50% experienced excessive urination, excessive thirst, shakiness/nervousness, and numbness and/or tingling in their extremities. More than 50% of those who experienced symptoms did not view them as serious. Only one subject checked blood sugar levels when symptoms occurred. Significantly higher mean glycosylated hemoglobin levels were found for individuals who experienced dizziness and/or chest pain compared with those who did not. A variety of self-care treatments were employed, including over-the-counter medications and home remedies.
ISSN:0145-7217
1554-6063
DOI:10.1177/014572179802400308