title: Correlates of self-care in low-income African American and Latino patients with diabetes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to examine diabetes self-care (DSC) patterns in low-income African American and Latino patients with Type 2 diabetes, and identify patient-related, biomedical/disease-related, and psychosocial correlates of DSC.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed cross-sectional analysis of survey data from African Americans and Latinos aged ≥18 years with Type 2 diabetes (n = 250) participating in a diabetes self-management intervention at 4 primary care clinics. The Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities captured the subcomponents of healthy eating, physical activity, blood sugar testing, foot care, and smoking. Correlates included patient-related attributes, biomedical/disease-related factors, and psychosocial constructs, with their multivariable influence assessed with a 3-step model building procedure using regression techniques.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Baseline characteristics were as follows: mean age of 53 years (SD = 12.4); 69% female; 53% African American; 74% with incomes below $20,000; and 60% with less than a high school education. DSC performance levels were highest for foot care (4.5/7 days) and lowest for physical activity (2.5/7 days). Across racial/ethnic subgroups, diabetes-related distress was the strongest correlate for DSC when measured as a composite score. Psychosocial factors accounted for 14% to 33% of variance in self-care areas for both racial/ethnic groups. Patient characteristics were more salient correlates in Hispanic/Latinos when examining the self-care subscales, particularly those requiring monetary resources.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Important information is provided on specific DSC patterns in a sample of ethnic/racial minorities with Type 2 diabetes. Significant correlates found may help with identification and intervention of patients who may benefit from strategies to increase self-care adherence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Rosalba
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hernandez
authors.affiliation: Institute for Health Research and Policy and Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Illinois.
authors.forename: Laurie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ruggiero
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Systems Science, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Nursing.
authors.forename: Barth B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Riley
authors.affiliation: Institute for Health Research and Policy and Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Illinois.
authors.forename: Yamin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Institute for Health Research and Policy and Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Illinois.
authors.forename: Noel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chavez
authors.affiliation: Department of Biobehavioral Health Science, University of Illinois.
authors.forename: Lauretta T
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Quinn
authors.affiliation: Institute for Health Research and Policy and Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Illinois.
authors.forename: Ben S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Gerber
authors.affiliation: Institute for Health Research and Policy and Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Illinois.
authors.forename: Young-Ku
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Choi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011203:Poverty; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011584:Psychology; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology*