Beliefs about diabetes and medication adherence among Lumbee Indians living in rural southeastern North Carolina
Presentation
Overview
Overview
Description
Introduction: Few studies have examined illness perceptions about having diabetes and medication adherence among Lumbee Indians living in rural North Carolina. Study AIMS include 1) identifying personal perceptions about the cause of diabetes, 2) examining relationships between demographic characteristics and diabetes beliefs, and 3) determining personal perceptions about the efficacy of diabetes medications.
Methods: Leventhal’s self-regulatory model provided the theoretical framework for this study. A total of 42 participants (21 males and 21 females) in this descriptive, cross-sectional study completed the validated Illness Perception Questionnaire-Revised (IPQ-R), based on Leventhal’s model, and the Morisky Medication Adherence Survey. Data on living with diabetes and perceptions about medication efficacy were also collected through open-ended questions.
Results: Ninety percent of the participants reported a family history of diabetes. The mean length of time since diagnosis of diabetes was 9.82 years. The average body mass index (BMI) for females was 34.76 (range=24.21-55.44) while the average BMI for males was 35.10 (range=22.71-59.71). Hemoglobin A1c levels for males were above the American Diabetes Association recommendation (7.0) at 7.67; levels for females were slightly below at 6.91. While the majority of participants held beliefs that the course of diabetes was amenable to personal control, they described difficulties in persevering with treatment expectations. They also reported more comfort adhering to prescribed medication regimes than making long term lifestyle changes.
Conclusion: In this cohort, the average BMI exceeded 30 which is diagnostic for obesity. Study findings highlight the potential for targeting illness perceptions in patient education programs.
