Perceptions of coronary heart disease risk in African American women with type 2 diabetes: a qualitative study

The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of coronary heart disease (CHD) risk in a group of southern African American women with type 2 diabetes (T2DM).

Semistructured interviews were conducted in participants' homes or setting of choice. The interviews were conducted with 6 participants from a larger study of 48 women who were stratified into levels of low, medium, and high perception of CHD risk, with 2 participants in each group. The interviews were analyzed using NVivo software; both investigators recoded and analyzed the data.

African American women with T2DM do not believe they are at risk for CHD unless they are told specifically by their primary health care provider that they have heart disease. The African American women in the study expressed that managing their diabetes to prevent heart disease can be overwhelming. Participants identified faith beliefs called not claiming the illness as a reason they did not perceive themselves at risk for CHD.

Not claiming an illness may influence health and preventive behaviors. Many African American women with T2DM may not claim their illness. Diabetes educators should acknowledge and address women's beliefs to create an appropriate plan of care.