Cultural variations in attitudes towards family risk of diabetes.
OBJECTIVE
To examine differences in attitudes and behaviours towards familial risk of type 2 diabetes in populations in Ireland and Bahrain.


METHODS
Cross-sectional ecological study. Questionnaires were developed and administered to patients with diabetes and their first degree relatives in both Bahrain and Ireland. Data was analysed using non-parametric tests of association.


RESULTS
Responses were compared between 297 patients with diabetes from Ireland and 201 from Bahrain and between 364 relatives of patients with diabetes in Ireland and 244 from Bahrain. Relatives in Bahrain had more knowledge of risk factors for diabetes and an increased perception of the seriousness of diabetes but a more external, chance locus of control and perceived more barriers to changing lifestyles than those in Ireland. There was no difference in perception of personal risk of diabetes.


CONCLUSIONS
Knowledge of risk factors and seriousness of diabetes are higher in Bahrain than in Ireland but perception of personal risk of diabetes and intention to adopt risk reducing behaviours are no different. There is a need to develop models of behavioural change that are more relevant to the needs of the Bahraini population in reducing their risk of diabetes.
Whitford
David L
DL
Department of Family & Community Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland - Medical University of Bahrain, Adliya, Bahrain. dwhitford@rcsi-mub.com
Al-Sabbagh
Manal
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001445:Bahrain; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003469:Culture; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D007494:Ireland; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010465:Perception; D018570:Risk Assessment; D018454:Spouses; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult