Currently, 25.8 million (8.3%) of people in the US are living with diabetes. This study assessed the need for a diabetes intervention program through community health screening.
Method:
Participants (n=323) responded to the Diabetes Intervention and Community Education (DICE) Program Brief Questionnaire. Participants were between the ages of 17 and 69 (M=46.36, S=15.29). The majority were Non-Hispanic White (64.1%) followed by African-Americans (22.1%), Hispanic/Latino (7.4%), and Other (3.7%). Eighty percent were female, 93.8% stated English was their primary language, and 11.1% were diabetic.
Analysis/Results:
Differences based on gender and family history were observed. A significantly higher number of males indicated they were diabetic, χ2(1, N=306)=8.83, p=.003. A greater than the expected number of participants had a diabetic parent, χ2(1, N=301)=6.18, p=.013, a grandparent with diabetes, χ2(1, N=294)=7.16, p=.007, or a sibling with diabetes, χ2(1, N=296)=14.56, p=.000.
Diabetics indicated they received medical tests during the past year compared to non-diabetics. A significant number of diabetics had seen a doctor for a medical check-up, χ2(1, N=307)=8.48, p=.004. Diabetics had higher numbers of blood sugar tests, χ2(1, N=303)=45.71, p=.000. A significant number of diabetics had blood cholesterol tests during the past year χ2(1, N=302)=27.53, p=.000.
The overall health of diabetics was poor. A greater than expected number of diabetics considered themselves to be overweight, χ2(1, N= 299)=5.06, p=.024. Higher numbers of diabetes had been told they had high blood pressure (71.9% and most were receiving treatment), high cholesterol levels (55.9% and most were receiving treatment), and high blood sugar levels (over 50% checked blood sugar levels daily, but 31.3% did not check blood sugar levels daily, χ2(1, N=298)=33.60, p=.000, χ2(1, N=297)=15.56, p=.000, and χ2(1, N 299)=160.65, p=.000, respectively.
During the last year, 56.7% of diabetics had not participated in diabetes education classes, with33.3% participating in one diabetes education class. Most (74.2%) had not received nutrition or meal planning education from a dietician during the last year and few (9.1%) stated they used tobacco products with cigarettes and cigars being the most frequently used. Many (71.9%) received a dilated eye exam and 67.7% received a flu shot during the last year.
Conclusions:
Results indicate the need for a comprehensive community diabetes education and intervention program that includes nutrition, exercise, testing, and prevention. Additionally, comprehensive Health and Physical Education classes are necessary to assist in the prevention of diabetic related conditions.