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Is "sugar" the same as diabetes? A community-based study among rural African-Americans
1Department of Internal Medicine and Diabetes Center, University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, Charlottesville 22908, USA. jbs7f@virginia.edu
Many rural African-Americans have diabetes, with over a quarter believing they have "sugar." This belief is linked to less serious perceptions and higher glucose levels, indicating a need for tailored diabetes management strategies.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Health Disparities
Background:
- Diabetes mellitus is a significant public health concern, particularly in rural African-American communities.
- Understanding health beliefs is crucial for effective disease management and intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of differing beliefs about high blood glucose.
- To examine the association between these beliefs and blood glucose control in rural African-Americans.
Main Methods:
- A community-based survey and screening of rural African-Americans.
- Inclusion of glucose and GHb measurements.
- Specific questioning regarding beliefs about diabetes, sugar-diabetes, and "sugar".
Main Results:
- High prevalence of diabetes (13.6% men, 15.5% women).
- Significant portion (29%) identified their condition as "sugar."
- Belief in having "sugar" correlated with lower perceived seriousness and elevated glucose levels compared to those identifying with diabetes.
Conclusions:
- Diabetes is highly prevalent in this population, with a notable subgroup holding distinct beliefs about the condition.
- Disparate health beliefs, such as equating diabetes with "sugar," impact perceived seriousness and glycemic control.
- Interventions must address these varied health beliefs to improve diabetes management in rural African-Americans.
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