The Asian American Diabetes Awareness and Education in the Community is a 5-year effort to assess diabetes prevalence in the Asian American community in Houston, develop appropriate cultural and linguistic educational materials, and develop interventions to prevent and control diabetes. The first phase of this effort was a random phone survey of 849 Chinese and Vietnamese households in Southwest Houston, conducted in native languages. RESULTS: 26% have no insurance; 71% visited a physician within the last year; 75% speak to their physicians in their native language; and 46% exercised three or more times a week. Current smoking status among males - 11% Chinese and 26% Vietnamese. Diabetes-related results reported by Chinese and Vietnamese, respectively, show: 7% and 3% diagnosed diabetes; 11% and 13% hypertension; among persons 50-70 years: 12% and 5% report diabetes, 22% and 27% hypertension. Among Chinese and Vietnamese, respectively, 34% and 54% could not name any diabetes symptoms, 44% and 65% could not name any diabetes risk factors, and 52% and 34% think that diabetes is preventable. For persons with diabetes, the most common management is exercise (40%), insulin pills (37%), and diet (35%). In the past year, 63% report having their eyes dilated; 12% report having their feet checked by a health professional. CONCLUSIONS: Lack of knowledge and awareness of diabetes may partially explain low diagnosis of diabetes. Persons with diabetes appear to be treating their disease. Results do not indicate language or medical care access as barriers. A comparison survey will be repeated in 2003.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Asian Americans, Diabetes
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Harris County Hospital District and the Asian American Health Coalition of Greater Houston
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: employee of Harris County Hospital District