Impact of race/ethnicity and health related quality of life on the management of Type II diabetes among adults in North Carolina: Results from the 2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System

Objective: To examine the relationship between race, and health related quality of life (HRQoL) in the management of diabetes among adults in North Carolina using the 2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Methods: Logistic regression using SAS and SAS callable SUDAAN to account for the weighted complex multistage sampling design was used to determine the impact of race and HRQoL in the diabetes management in North Carolina. Parametric testing using Univariate/Bivariate/Multivariate analysis was performed to examine diabetes management in adults in North Carolina. Results: Participants with poor HRQoL had significantly increased odds of good diabetes management practices (OR=1.77, CI: 1.22, 2.56). A clear dose response relationship was observed between education and good diabetes management practices and income and good diabetes management practices. While findings on education and race were not statistically significant, they were consistent with previous research. Conclusions: The findings of this study indicate that individuals with poor HRQoL had significantly increased odds of good diabetes management practices. Individuals with no health insurance have decreased odds of good diabetes management practices. Therefore, individuals that are non-white, with less than high school level of education, and with no health insurance should be targeted and focused with increasing good diabetes management practices through educational and informational materials. The relevance of this study is important in program planning and evaluation of diabetes focused education programs targeting non-White and low SES individuals. The findings of this study warrant further investigation using more comprehensive measures of diabetes management.