Health status of diabetic persons in an Asian-Pacific population: evidence from Guam.
OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study was to document the sociodemographic, physical, and psychosocial health characteristics of self-reported diabetic Asian-Pacific Americans in Guam.


METHODS
Data from Guam's 1991 Behavioral Risk Factor Survey were analyzed using analysis of variance.


RESULTS
Diabetic men are significantly more likely than nondiabetic men to be Chamorro, not to have graduated from high school, to be unemployed, and to be impoverished. Diabetic women are also significantly more likely than nondiabetic women to be impoverished. Hypertension is more prevalent among diabetic men and women than among nondiabetic persons. Diabetic men are at greater risk than nondiabetic men for heart attack, and are significantly more likely to assess their physical health as poor. Diabetic women are more likely than nondiabetic women to suffer strokes.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study indicate significant differences in the health status of diabetic and nondiabetic Asian-Pacific persons in Guam and extends our understanding of the health characteristics and service needs of this rapidly growing and under-studied population.
Pinhey
T K
TK
Micronesian Area Research Center, University of Guam, Mangilao, Guam. tpinhey@uog.edu
Heathcote
G M
GM
Craig
U K
UK
D000328:Adult; D001210:Asia, Southeastern / Q000208:ethnology; D044466:Asian People; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000208:ethnology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000401:mortality; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006141:Guam; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000208:ethnology / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008849:Micronesia / Q000208:ethnology; D010679:Philippines / Q000208:ethnology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D015996:Survival Rate; D014478:Unemployment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D044465:White People