Correlates of self-diagnosis of chronic medical and mental health conditions in under-served African American and Latino populations.
OBJECTIVE
This study examines the correlates of self-diagnosis of chronic medical and mental health conditions in under-served minority populations. The Behavioral Model for Vulnerable Populations was employed to compare the predisposing and enabling characteristics of two groups: the first group consisted of individuals who self-reported their medical conditions without a presumptive or definitive physician diagnosis, while the second group consisted of individuals who self-reported their medical conditions with a presumptive or definitive physician diagnosis of their condition.


METHODS
The sample consisted of 287 African American and Latino heads of household. This sample was obtained from a geographically defined random sample of 418 households from three urban public housing communities in Los Angeles County, California.


METHODS
This study was a cross-sectional, face-to-face, semistructured interview survey.


RESULTS
Using logistic regression techniques and controlling for demographic characteristics, the results indicate that accessibility, affordability, continuity of medical care, and financial strains were the core concepts that explain the gap between self vs physician diagnosis of medical conditions.


CONCLUSIONS
This study identifies unique characteristics of minority persons who claimed that their medical conditions had not been presented to or diagnosed by a medical provider in comparison to those who are formally diagnosed by medical providers. The study provides an entry point for further examination of correlates and sequels of self-diagnosis and its resultant effects on professional treatment-seeking in minority populations with certain medically important chronic conditions.
Ani
Chizobam
C
Department of Family Medicine, Research Centers in Minority Institutions, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, California 90262, USA. cani@cdrewu.edu
Bazargan
Mohsen
M
Bazargan-Hejazi
Shahrzad
S
Andersen
Ronald M
RM
Hindman
David W
DW
Baker
Richard S
RS
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000208:ethnology*; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000208:ethnology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012650:Self Disclosure