Examining racial differences in knowledge and attitudes of diabetes management in newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes patients

Diabetes Mellitus is a disease that can be found in all races, ethnicities, ages, and genders for it does not discriminate. African Americans have the second largest prevalence of diabetes following Alaskan Natives or American Indians. Through the implementation of the levels of disease prevention, African Americans are typically seen in the secondary or tertiary levels due to lack of access to resources located in the primary level. Thus, African Americans are typically diagnosed with type 2 diabetes or as high risk for developing the disease when they are already showing signs and/or symptoms. Among the African American community, studies have shown that many diabetes education programs are not culturally competent, therefore do not meaningfully impact this population. As a result, African Americans often have difficulty achieving optimal diabetes control. The purpose of this study was to examine knowledge and attitude differences among African Americans and Caucasians prior to and after attending a diabetes education program. Furthermore, racial differences in knowledge and attitudes were only assessed among newly diagnosed patients with type 2 diabetes. This study examines whether racial differences were present with a program considered to be a best practice within the field of diabetes. Using a pretest, post-test format, participants (n = 100, 50 African Americans, 50 Caucasians) completed a survey testing knowledge and attitudes about diabetes before and after completion of the selected best practice diabetes education program. Implications for effective diabetes management program are discussed.