title: Cardiovascular and diabetes risk perception in a Hispanic community sample.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We examined perceptions of 10-year coronary heart disease (CHD) risk or likelihood of having undiagnosed diabetes or impaired fasting glucose (IFG) with actual risk in a community sample of Hispanic adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a survey of 183 Hispanic adults (> or =18 years) recruited at community events around Charleston, SC. Likelihood of having undiagnosed diabetes/IFG as well as 10-year CHD risk were calculated. Perceived risk was assessed with questions based on the Risk Perception Survey-Diabetes Mellitus.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Over half of respondents (54.8%) underestimated their likelihood of undiagnosed diabetes/IFG and 14.8% underestimated their 10-year CHD risk. Older and overweight respondents were more likely to underestimate their likelihood of undiagnosed diabetes/IFG. Respondents with family history of diabetes were the least likely to underestimate their likelihood of current undiagnosed diabetes/IFG. Respondents with diagnosed hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol or a family history of heart attack were more likely to underestimate their 10-year CHD risk. Men were more likely to underestimate their risk for diabetes/IFG and CHD risk.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Health education to improve accurate risk perception could improve health promotion for this population.
authors: Department of Family Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425, USA. diazva@musc.edu
authors: Vanessa A
authors: VA
authors: Diaz
authors: Arch G
authors: AG
authors: Mainous
authors: Deborah
authors: D
authors: Williamson
authors: Sharleen P
authors: SP
authors: Johnson
authors: Michele E
authors: ME
authors: Knoll
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006304:Health Status; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012306:Risk; D013022:South Carolina / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires