Racial/ethnic differences in multiple self-care behaviors in adults with diabetes.
OBJECTIVE
To assess racial/ethnic differences in multiple diabetes self-care behaviors.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
21,459 participants with diabetes in the 2003 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance survey.


METHODS
The study assessed self-care behaviors including physical activity, fruits/vegetables consumption, glucose testing, and foot examination, as well as a composite of the 4 self-care behaviors across racial/ethnic groups. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess the independent association between race/ethnicity, the composite variable, and each self-care behavior controlling for covariates. STATA was used for statistical analysis.


RESULTS
Overall, 6% engaged in all 4 self-care behaviors, with a range of 5% in non-insulin users to 8% in insulin users. Blacks were less likely to exercise (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.51, 0.79), while Hispanics and "others" were not significantly different from whites. Hispanics (OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.49, 0.82) and others (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.49, 0.96) were less likely to do home glucose testing, while blacks were not significantly different from whites. Blacks (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.12, 1.80) were more likely to do home foot examinations, while Hispanics and others were not significantly different from whites. Blacks (OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.36, 0.87) were less likely to engage in all 4 behaviors, while Hispanics and others were not significantly different from whites. There were no significant racial/ethnic differences in fruit and vegetable consumption.


CONCLUSIONS
Few patients engage in multiple self-care behaviors at recommended levels, and there are significant racial/ethnic differences in physical activity, dietary, and foot care behaviors among adults with diabetes.
Nwasuruba
Chiagozie
C
Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health Center at Tyler, Tyler, TX, USA.
Khan
Mokbul
M
Egede
Leonard E
LE
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015190:Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D004032:Diet; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D015438:Health Behavior; D006266:Health Education / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D044469:Racial Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012648:Self Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016353:Self-Examination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014675:Vegetables