Patient beliefs and sense of control among Spanish-speaking patients with diabetes in northeast Colorado.
OBJECTIVE
Latinos have higher diabetes prevalence and complication rates with lower use of self-management compared to other populations. This study evaluated perceived barriers to diabetes control among Spanish-speaking only patients in rural Colorado.


METHODS
Thirty-five Spanish-speaking patients with diabetes were randomly sampled and interviewed about their attitudes and beliefs concerning diabetes, self-management activities, and the care they received.


RESULTS
Patients perceived a high level of control over their diabetes. A minority of patients were adherent to recommended dietary changes or levels of exercise. Use of herbal home remedies to maintain glycemic control was common. Almost half of respondents felt that susto played a role in the development of their diabetes. Three fourths of those testing their glucose felt their physician was not interested in reviewing their blood sugar log.


CONCLUSIONS
Diabetes management programs should recognize the barriers patients may have to self-management and help patients incorporate traditional beliefs into a workable treatment regimen.
Sullivan
Loretta V
LV
VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Hicks
Paul
P
Salazar
Gilda
G
Robinson
C Kelet
CK
D000069:Acculturation; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003120:Colorado / Q000453:epidemiology; D003142:Communication; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D019458:Insurance Coverage; D007389:Internal-External Control; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D015995:Prevalence; D012424:Rural Population; D012648:Self Care; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin