People with diabetes: knowledge, perceptions, and applications of recommendations for diabetes management

The purpose of this paper is to report results of the People with Diabetes survey conducted as part of the REACH 2010: Charleston and Georgetown Diabetes Coalition. The pilot data revealed that African Americans (AAs) (N=80) reported fewer A1c, lipid, and kidney testing, feet and eye exams, and less nutrition and diabetes self-management counseling during 1999-2000 than did Caucasians (Cs) (N=23). The survey was repeated in 2002 when data were collected from a convenience sample of 160 AAs and 150 Cs using the revised self-reported survey instrument. African Americans (AAs) were significantly likely to report that their understanding of results for the kidney function test were good as compared to Cs (P<.001) and were more likely to report receiving nutrition education (P=.003). Otherwise, there were no significant differences between AAs and Cs on the remaining items in the survey. Since REACH 2010 was actively involved in the AA community for 2 years between the pilot survey and the repeated survey, these results were anticipated and are also reflected in results of chart audits conducted within healthcare systems used by the same AA population.