Diabetes self management: are Cuban Americans receiving quality health care?
OBJECTIVE
We investigated the relationship among factors predicting inadequate glucose control among 182 Cuban-American adults (Females = 110, Males = 72) with type 2 diabetes mellitus (CAA).


METHODS
Cross-sectional study of CAA from a randomized mailing list in two counties of South Florida.


METHODS
Fasted blood parameters and anthropometric measures were collected during the study. BMI was calculated (kg/m2). Characteristics and diabetes care of CAA were self-reported Participants were screened by trained interviewers for heritage and diabetes status (inclusion criteria: self-reported having type 2 diabetes; age > or = 35 years, male and female; not pregnant or lactating; no thyroid disorders; no major psychiatric disorders). Participants signed informed consent form. Statistical analyses used SPSS and included descriptive statistic, multiple logistic and ordinal logistic regression models, where all CI 95%.


RESULTS
Eighty-eight percent of CAA had BMI of > or = 25 kg/m2. Only 54% reported having a diet prescribed/told to schedule meals. We found CAA told to schedule meals were 3.62 more likely to plan meals (1.81, 7.26), p < 0.001) and given a prescribed diet, controlling for age, corresponded with following a meal plan OR 4.43 (2.52, 7.79, p < 0.001). The overall relationship for HbA1c < 8.5 to following a meal plan was OR 9.34 (2.84, 30.7. p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The advantage of having a medical professional prescribe a diet seems to be an important environmental support factor in this sample's diabetes care, since obesity rates are well above the national average. Nearly half CAA are not given dietary guidance, yet our results indicate CAA may improve glycemic control by receiving dietary instructions.
Huffman
Fatma G
FG
Florida International University, USA.
Vaccaro
Joan A
JA
Nath
Subrata
S
Zarini
Gustavo G
GG
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003462:Cuba / Q000208:ethnology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000208:ethnology*; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000208:ethnology*; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D001786:Blood Glucose