Predictors of diabetes-specific knowledge and treatment satisfaction among Costa Ricans.
The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of disease-specific knowledge and patient satisfaction among adult Costa Ricans with type 2 diabetes. Knowledge differences between Costa Ricans and Spanish-speaking US Latinos also were tested. The psychometric viability of a Spanish-language diabetes knowledge and client satisfaction measure with Costa Ricans was reviewed.



The Diabetes Knowledge Questionnaire (DKQ) and the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ) were administered to 162 Costa Rican adults with type 2 diabetes who were receiving services in the greater San Jose area. Sociodemographic, medical history, and anecdotal information also was collected.



More years of education, younger age, longer diabetes duration, and home glucose monitoring predicted diabetes knowledge. Home glucose monitoring and treatment with only oral hypoglycemics predicted significantly lower patient satisfaction. Costa Ricans exhibited greater diabetes knowledge than respondents in an earlier study with Spanish-speaking Latinos. CSQ psychometric limitations with Costa Ricans were identified.



The greater diabetes knowledge among Costa Ricans than US Latinos is likely due to more consistent, stable, and accessible care. Older, less educated, and newly diagnosed Costa Rican diabetes patients require more focused attention.
Firestone
Daniel N
DN
School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego
Jiménez-Briceño
Luis
L
Clínica Médica Los Pinares, Costa Rica
Reimann
Joachim O
JO
San Diego State University Graduate School of Public Health, California
Talavera
Gregory A
GA
San Diego State University Graduate School of Public Health, California
Polonsky
William H
WH
School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego
Edelman
Stephen V
SV
School of Medicine, the Department of Medicine/Diabetes and Endocrinology, University of California, San Diego
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003364:Costa Rica; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000208:ethnology / Q000628:therapy; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000592:standards*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000208:ethnology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011594:Psychometrics; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*; D014481:United States