Personal and cultural influences on diabetes self-care behaviors among older Hispanics born in the U.S. and Mexico

J Immigr Minor Health. 2012 Dec;14(6):1052-62. doi: 10.1007/s10903-012-9639-x.

Abstract

Older Hispanics are disproportionately affected by diabetes, but little is known about predictors of diabetes self-care among this group. This study compared the magnitude of three self-care behaviors (diet, physical activity (PA), and glucose monitoring) among older Hispanics with type 2 diabetes born in the United States (n = 59) to those born in Mexico (n = 179), and investigated the influence of personal and health indicators on each self-care behavior. Findings were based on data drawn from convenience sample data collected with a questionnaire. Self-care behaviors were moderately practiced (39.5-45.8 %) with no significant differences by nativity. Mexico-born seniors were less linguistically acculturated (P < 0.001). Being female (OR = 2.41) and PA levels (OR = 2.62) were significantly associated with diet. Being female (OR = 3.24), more educated (OR = 3.73), U.S.-born (OR = 2.84), and receiving diabetes education (OR = 3.67) were associated with PA. Diabetes education (OR = 2.41) was associated with glucose monitoring. Although acculturation influenced only PA and no other behaviors, personal and cultural factors require further investigation to design diabetes management strategies for Hispanic seniors at the border region.

MeSH terms

  • Acculturation
  • Age Factors
  • Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring / psychology
  • Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring / statistics & numerical data
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Culture*
  • Diabetes Mellitus / ethnology*
  • Diabetes Mellitus / psychology
  • Diabetes Mellitus / therapy
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / ethnology
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / psychology
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / therapy
  • Diet / ethnology
  • Diet / psychology
  • Educational Status
  • Emigrants and Immigrants / psychology
  • Emigrants and Immigrants / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Health Status
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mexican Americans / psychology*
  • Mexican Americans / statistics & numerical data
  • Middle Aged
  • Motor Activity
  • Self Care / psychology
  • Self Care / statistics & numerical data*
  • Sex Factors