Targeting diabetes preventive care programs: insights from the 2001 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey.
BACKGROUND
Many individuals with diabetes do not receive flu or pneumonia vaccinations or dilated eye exams, despite the documented efficacy of these practices. Understanding the individual factors associated with not receiving recommended vaccinations and exams is essential to developing effective targeted promotional programs.


METHODS
Data from the 2001 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey were analyzed to identify predictors of failure to report flu and pneumonia vaccinations and dilated eye exams. Key predictors included indicators of disease severity, access to care, and demographic characteristics.


RESULTS
Significant factors varied by vaccination. For all 3 practices, failure to receive was associated with being younger, being a member of an ethnic minority group, having had no diabetes education, not taking insulin, and engaging in fewer prevention practices requiring physician contact. Other salient characteristics included having no health insurance, having less education, and reporting good general health.


CONCLUSIONS
Promotional programs should be tailored for younger, minority patients, and those messages should encourage preventive care despite general good health or less severe disease. Indirect methods of promotion may include participation in diabetes education programs and regular contact with physicians. Additionally, health care professionals may be appropriate target groups for preventive care campaigns.
Phillips
Martha M
MM
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Centers for Mental Healthcare Research, 5800 W. 10th Street, Suite 605, Little Rock, AR 72204, USA. mmp@uams.edu
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001519:Behavior; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003941:Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D022242:Pneumococcal Vaccines; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012307:Risk Factors; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D022242:Pneumococcal Vaccines