title: Black Men's Perceptions and Knowledge of Diabetes: A Church-Affiliated Barbershop Focus Group Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States and disproportionately affects racial and ethnic minorities. These disparities persist despite educational efforts to reduce the prevalence of diabetes. Receptiveness of educational efforts for Black men needs to be studied.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study assesses Black men's receptiveness to a barbershop-based program focused on diabetes prevention and awareness in a church-affiliated barbershop in Rochester, Minnesota.
  
  
  METHODS
  The pastor and barber of a church-affiliated barbershop and academic medical researchers designed a community-engaged research study to determine Black men's perception of diabetes. Recruitment for the 90-minute focus group included flyers (n=60), email, and in-person. Units of analysis included focus-group audio recording, transcripts, and field notes. Using traditional content analysis, we categorized data into themes and sub-themes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirteen Black men participated (Group 1, n=6; Group 2, n=7) having a mean age of 40.3 years (range 19 to 65), and employed full-time (77%). Themes included diabetes prevention, treatment, prevalence, risks, and health education. Participants identified diet and exercise as essential components of diabetes prevention. Additionally, participants mentioned that family history contributes to diabetes. Participants agreed that barbershops are an appropriate setting for data collection and health education on diabetes for Black men.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings indicate that Black men are generally aware of diabetes. The community-engaged research process allowed for development of a culturally appropriate research study on diabetes. This study is the foundation for developing a culturally appropriate health education program on diabetes for Black men.
authors.affiliation: Mayo Clinic, Center for Clinical and Translational Science, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
authors.forename: Joyce
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Balls-Berry
authors.affiliation: Meharry Medical College, School of Medicine, 1005 Dr Db Todd Jr Blvd, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.affiliation: Dental Public Health Resident, Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic, Yakima, Washington, USA.
authors.forename: Sandeep
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kadimpati
authors.affiliation: Vision Church and Vision Barbershop, 3270 19th Street NW, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
authors.forename: Andre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Crockett
authors.affiliation: Mayo Clinic, Center for Clinical and Translational Science, 200 First Street SW Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
authors.forename: Essa A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Mohamed
authors.affiliation: Meharry Medical College, School of Medicine, 1005 Dr Db Todd Jr Blvd, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
authors.forename: Italo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.affiliation: Mayo Clinic, Center for Clinical and Translational Science, 200 First Street SW Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
authors.forename: Miguel Valdez
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Soto
authors.affiliation: Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
authors.forename: Becky
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sanford
authors.affiliation: Mayo Clinic, Department of Radiation Oncology, 13400 E Shea Boulevard, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Halyard
authors.affiliation: Ball State University, Department of Physiology and Health Science, Cooper Science Building, CL 325, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, USA.
authors.forename: Jagdish
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Khubchandani
authors.affiliation: Mayo Clinic, Center for Clinical and Translational Science, 200 First Street SW Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
authors.forename: Lea
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dacy
authors.affiliation: Arizona State University, Hugh Downs School of Communication, Southwest Interdisciplinary Research Center, Arizona State University, 411 North Central Avenue, Suite 720, 1151 S. Forest Ave., Mail Code: 43201205, Phoenix, Tempe Arizona, USA.
authors.forename: Olga Idriss
authors.initials: OI
authors.lastname: Davis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D001461:Barbering; D003159:Community-Institutional Relations; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice / Q000208:ethnology*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008910:Minnesota; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012067:Religion; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Barbershop; Black Men; Church; Diabetes; Focus Group