Symptom-related self-care of Mexican Americans with type 2 diabetes: preliminary findings of the Starr County Diabetes Education Study.
Starr County, 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 HbA1c 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.
The School of Nursing, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas (Dr Brown and Ms Garcia)
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Brown
The School of Nursing, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas (Dr Upchurch)
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Upchurch
The School of Nursing, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas (Dr Brown and Ms Garcia)
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Garcia
School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas (Ms Barton and Dr Hanis)
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Barton
School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas (Ms Barton and Dr Hanis)
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Hanis
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017058:Mexican Americans / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017145:Models, Educational; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013781:Texas