title: Family communication as strategy in diabetes prevention: an observational study in families with Dutch and Surinamese South-Asian ancestry.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the possibility of utilizing family communication as a diabetes prevention strategy, specifically targeting high-risk families with South-Asian ancestry in The Netherlands.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a cross-sectional study, type 2 diabetes patients from Dutch (n=311) and Surinamese South-Asian (n=157) origin filled in a questionnaire assessing socio-demographic characteristics, beliefs and concerns about familial diabetes risk, primary prevention, and diabetes-related family communication.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Discussing diabetes is regarded acceptable in most families. Especially Surinamese South-Asian patients (68%) seemed motivated to convey risk messages to their relatives; they reported a higher risk perception and expressed more concern than Dutch patients. While 40% in both groups thought relatives are able to prevent developing diabetes, 46% in Dutch and 33% in Surinamese South-Asian patients were unsure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Promoting family communication appears a feasible strategy in diabetes prevention in high-risk (Surinamese South-Asian) families. Health care providers should address patients' concern and emphasize opportunities for prevention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings favor training of clinicians in utilizing a family approach as prevention strategy. Patients (particularly Surinamese South-Asians) are in need of professional help in the process of family risk disclosure. (Online) Educational tools should be made available at which patients can refer their relatives.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Psychology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. scm.vanesch@vumc.nl
authors.forename: Suzanne C M
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: van Esch
authors.forename: Martina C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Cornel
authors.forename: Petronella H L M
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Geelhoed-Duijvestijn
authors.forename: Frank J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Snoek
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D044466:Asian People; D003142:Communication; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000208:ethnology / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D010465:Perception; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013532:Suriname / Q000208:ethnology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D044465:White People