Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #110042

Neda Moayad, MA, DrPH, University of North Texas Health Science Center School of Public Health, 3500 Camp Bowie Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX 76107, (817) 735-5033, nmoayad@aol.com, Hector Balcazar, MS, PhD, Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, El Paso Regional Campus, 1100 N. Stanton, Suite 110, El Paso, TX 79902, Manuel Bayona, MD, PhD, Department of Epidemiology, University of North Texas Health Science Center School of Public Health, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76107, Guadelupe Bayona, MPH, School of Public Health, UNTHSC, 3500 Camp Bowie, Fort Worth, TX 76107, and Luis Velasco, MD, Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX 76107.

Abstract

The Hispanic/Mexican American (MA) population is the fastest growing ethnic group in Texas, representing more than 35% of the total population. There is evidence that diabetes among Hispanics/MA's has increased considerably in recent years. The prevalence of type II diabetes in Hispanics ages 45-74 is three times higher than in the non-Hispanic whites of the same age group. The goal of this research was to assess the importance of selected potential prognostic factors such as family cohesiveness, level of acculturation, socio-economic status, and cardiovascular risk factors as related to severe type II diabetes in MA patients. This study was conducted by using a cross-sectional design in which 275 MA patients with diabetes were interviewed. Data were analyzed by comparing patients with severe diabetes (Hg A1c > 7) with patients with non-severe diabetes (Hg A1c < 7) by using multiple logistic regression adjusted odds ratios. Among other findings, the results of this study show that several social factors were associated with severe diabetes. These factors include: receiving food stamps, spent childhood in Mexico, and currently smoking. Other variables that approached statistical significance include: having been educated in Mexico, preference for speaking Spanish, and family spends less time together. High family cohesiveness and low acculturation status membership reached borderline significance (p value 0.064) as being associated with the lowest likelihood of having severe diabetes. These findings indicate that family and acculturation factors may play an important role as predictors of diabetes severity among Mexican Americans.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

1.Identify some social factors as they influence severity of diabetes in the Hispanic population 2.Describe and discuss why social factors and level of acculturation affect the health of a Hispanic or Mexican American (MA)individual
• consider the study's finding when making care plans for diabetic Hispanic or (MA)patients

Keywords: Health Disparities, Latino Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.