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300074
Health beliefs and behavior of diabetes patients in St. Vincent and the Grenadines related to diabetes foot care
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
: 4:43 PM - 4:56 PM
Simone King, MPH
,
Master of Public Health Program, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Davie, FL
Cyril Blavo, MS, DO, MPH & TM, FACOP
,
Master of Public Health Program, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Davie, FL
Roger Duncan, MPH, MD
,
Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment, St. Vincent
Ludmilla Paul, MPH
,
Health Choice Network, Inc., Doral, FL
Diabetes is a global health issue severely affecting developing countries such as those in the Caribbean.1 Lower-extremity amputation (LEA) rates related to diabetes are elevated in blacks and Native Americans compared with whites in the U.S., but are lower in African Caribbean’s in the U.K.1 Diabetes related LEA rates in Barbados are among the highest in the world, as is the case with St. Vincent and the Grenadines.1 St. Vincent has an average of 30-50 amputations and 120 deaths attributable to diabetes per year, with many more at risk for diabetic amputations.2 The purpose of this study was to assess the health beliefs and behavior of the diabetic population in St. Vincent in order to effectively develop a program plan to prevent LEA. This study identified issues of adherence as it applies to physical activity, footwear and foot care. Fifty-three patients with diabetes were surveyed at six clinics in St. Vincent. 55% of the participants believed they had control over whether they get an amputation. Comprehensive diabetic foot care programs can reduce amputation rates by 45-85%, avoiding the cost of $20,000 to $60,000 USD per amputation.2 Therapeutic shoes have also been associated with the reductions in the rate of LEA, but there are currently issues of availability and affordability in St. Vincent.3 The findings of this study will provide a foundation on which a program can be developed to help reduce the number of amputations in St. Vincent, because where you live should not determine your health outcomes.
Learning Areas:
Chronic disease management and prevention
Diversity and culture
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Program planning
Public health or related research
Systems thinking models (conceptual and theoretical models), applications related to public health
Learning Objectives:
Identify strengths and areas of improvement in diabetes care and amputation prevention methods in a rural, low resource environment. Analyze strategies to increase patient adherence to diabetes care using the Health Belief Model. Design a program plan that integrates the skill sets of community health professionals, availability and affordability of footwear and methods of health communication in rural settings to successfully reduce lower-extremity amputations related to diabetes.
Keyword(s): Diabetes, Adherence
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I conducted several presentations on diabetes and foot care in academic settings. I have been the principal investigator for an academic research grant focusing on preventing and controlling diabetes related complications. I have conducted extensive research regarding diabetes, patient adherence, and related complications. I have worked with distinguished faculty members and health professionals to develop a program plan to help prevent amputations in diabetes patients. I have spent over 200 hours working with diabetes patients.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines,
and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed
in my presentation.
