The impact of socioeconomic factors on patient preparation for bariatric surgery.
BACKGROUND
Socioeconomic factors (SEF) influence bariatric surgery access and outcomes perhaps because of variations in patient knowledge and behaviors. This study examines the associations between income, formal education, race, health insurance, employment status, and patient self-educational and behavioral activities prior to bariatric surgery.


METHODS
From March 2005 through January 2006, we surveyed 127 individuals who contacted our office seeking bariatric surgery. Study participants were asked to report their income, formal education, health insurance, employment status, height, weight, and standard demographic data. The type and number of self-educational resources utilized were elicited; a description of current eating and exercise behaviors was obtained; and an objective assessment (OA) of knowledge of the risks of both obesity and bariatric procedures was completed.


RESULTS
The most valuable self-educational resource cited by respondents was the internet (41.2%) and was unaffected by SEF. Individuals who were employed, privately insured, white, and earning>or=$20,000/year reported using a greater number of self-educational resources than their peers, while subjects who were privately insured, had higher formal educational levels, and earned>or=$20,000/year demonstrated greater proficiency on the OA instrument. Engagement in healthy eating and exercise behaviors was unaffected by any SEF. On multivariate analysis, higher income was the sole significant factor directly related to the number of educational resources utilized and proficiency on OA.


CONCLUSIONS
Obese patients from lower-income households may benefit from additional preoperative education. All individuals, regardless of socioeconomic factors, must be encouraged to implement healthy eating and exercise behaviors preoperatively.
Balduf
Lisa M
LM
Presbyterian General Surgery, Albuquerque, NM, USA.
Kohn
Geoffrey P
GP
Galanko
Joseph A
JA
Farrell
Timothy M
TM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D050110:Bariatric Surgery / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D019458:Insurance Coverage / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000601:surgery*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012648:Self Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult