"Can you keep it real?" : Practical, and culturally tailored lifestyle recommendations by Mexican American women diagnosed with type 2 diabetes: A qualitative study

"No sufro, estoy bien/I am not suffering, so I am doing OK": A mixed method exploration of individual and network-level factors and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) among Mexican American adults in New York City

INTRODUCTION

The prevalence of type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is 2-3 times greater among Mexican Americans than non-Latino whites, and Mexican Americans are more likely to develop T2DM at younger ages and experience higher rates of complications. Social networks might play a crucial role in both T2DM etiology and management through social support, access to resources, social engagement, and health behavioral norms.

OBJECTIVE

To quantitatively identify the social network features associated with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in a community sample of Mexican immigrants residing in New York City, and to explore the extent to which these quantitative findings converge with qualitative narratives of their lived experiences.

METHODS

This study used a convergent mixed methods design. To collect personal network data, we used EgoWeb, and obtained 1,400 personal network ties from 81 participants. HbA1c readings were collected using dried blood spots and categorized according to the laboratory criteria of the American Diabetes Association. Additional survey data were collected using Qualtrics software. To investigate the significance of the network-level factors after accounting for the socioeconomic and demographic individual-level factors that the literature indicates to be associated with T2DM, we used a multiple regression model on quantitative data sources. For the qualitative portion of the study, we selected a subset of individuals who participated in the quantitative portion, which represented 500 personal network ties from 25 participants. We conducted in-depth interviews guided by the visualization of these ties to explore who was helpful or difficult in managing their health and health behaviors.

RESULTS

Individual-level indicators associated with lower HbA1c scores were body mass index (β = -0.07, p<0.05), and healthy eating index scores (β = -0.03, p<0.02). The network-level predictor associated with higher HbA1c levels was the percentage of diabetic alters in the network (β = 0.08, p <0.001, with a 25% increase in the percentages associated 2.0 change in HbA1c levels. The qualitative data highlighted that most of the diabetes-related information diffused through the social networks of our participants was related to dietary practices, such as reducing sugar and red meat consumption, eating out less, and reducing portion sizes. Notably, even among those with elevated levels and diabetes-related health complications, HbA1c was not considered a part of the lay descriptions of good health since they were not "suffering." Participants regarded doctors as the ultimate authority in diabetes care, even if they had supportive members in their personal networks.

CONCLUSION

Our study provides quantitative evidence for the significant role of diabetic network members in the etiology and management of T2DM among Mexican Americans. Our qualitative findings suggest important ley terms for T2DM management and the importance of physicians, which could be included in in future social networks studies seeking to diffuse diabetes-related health information for T2DM prevention and management efforts in this population.

Knowing How to Ask Good Questions: Comparing Latinos and Non-Latino Whites Enrolled in a Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Study

INTRODUCTION

Latinos face unique challenges engaging with their health care providers for risk management of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

OBJECTIVE

To better understand differences in how Latinos and non-Latino whites (NLWs) experience CVD care.

METHODS

We examined self-reported activation, engagement, confidence, and communication comparing Latinos (n = 194) and NLWs (n = 208). Data were taken from baseline survey assessments of participants in the CREATE Wellness Study (NCT02302612), designed to help patients with poorly controlled CVD risk factors more actively engage in their care. The groups were compared using χ² tests and separate logistic regression models adjusting for age, age and income, and age and educational attainment.

RESULTS

Latinos in this cohort were younger, were less educated, and had lower incomes than did NLWs. In age-adjusted models, Latinos were significantly less likely to report knowing how to ask good questions about their health (71.1% vs 83.7% for NLW, p < 0.01; adjusted odds ratio = 0.49, 95% confidence interval = 0.29-0.83). Further adjustment by educational attainment or income did not attenuate this association. Latinos were also significantly more likely to report positive experiences and confidence with several measures of chronic illness care (adjusted odds ratio range = 1.57-2.01). Further adjustment by educational attainment eliminated these associations.

CONCLUSION

We found notable differences between Latinos and NLWs in their experience of health care. These results provide insights into how CVD risk management programs can be tailored for Latinos. Interventions to improve patient activation and engagement for Latinos with CVD should emphasize question-asking skills.

Demographics, A1C Testing, and Medication Use of Mexican Americans and Mexicans With Diabetes

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate diabetes rates among Mexicans 20 years and older living in the United States and Mexico in 2012 and 2016.

Methods

The national sample was the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2012, NHANES 2015-2016, Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey 2012 (ie, Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición 2012 [ENSANUT 2012]), and ENSANUT de Medio Camino 2016 (ENSANUT-MC 2016). Sex, age, A1C testing, and medication use (insulin, oral hypoglycemic agents, and both) were examined among participants.

Results

Most participants in study were female (50.7%, 53.9%, and 57.2%) and were younger (61 years, 57 years, and 60 years). A1C testing was conducted more in the United States (69.6% and 82.6%) than in Mexico (9.5% and 15.1%). More Mexicans (73.1% and 67.8% vs 54.9% and 54.9%) were using oral hypoglycemic agents, while more Mexican Americans used insulin (12.6% and 11.6% vs 6.3% and 11.1%) and used both insulin and oral hypoglycemic agents (17.1% and 15.8% vs 6.6% and 8.7%).

Conclusions

By examining and highlighting the diabetes mellitus practices and standardization of A1C testing, providers will be able to better understand and address the rising rates of diabetes in the United States and Mexico while driving practice and policy changes.