title: A Qualitative Inquiry of Lower Extremity Disease Knowledge Among African Americans Living With Type 2 Diabetes.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate how personal illness representations of type 2 diabetes affected the level of foot care knowledge and self-care strategies among African Americans adults. Thirteen African Americans (ages 32-72 years) participated in individual semistructured qualitative interviews regarding self-care practices and lower extremity disease knowledge related to type 2 diabetes. Using phenomenological methodology, all interviews were transcribed and analyzed by the research team for themes. Three major themes emerged from the interviews: basic foot care knowledge, lower extremity disease knowledge, and patient-provider communication. The study yielded that the majority of the participants lacked understanding of basic diabetic foot care as well as how lower extremity complications can evolve from uncontrolled type 2 diabetes. Diabetes self-management education is an essential component that could aid in the improvement of poor health outcomes of African Americans. Diabetes self-management education programs should consider implementing more detailed foot care educational tools, especially those individuals who are affected with complications due to the disease and that can lead to lower extremity amputations. This study provided insight on the importance of this knowledge as it relates to making common sense assumptions about the disease and self-management strategies.
authors.affiliation: 1 Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Timethia
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bonner
authors.affiliation: 1 Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Idethia S
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Harvey
authors.affiliation: 1 Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Ledric
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sherman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications* / Q000208:ethnology; D003925:Diabetic Angiopathies / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000517:prevention & control; D004032:Diet; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012648:Self Care
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin
keywords: chronic disease; diabetes; health disparities; health education