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Diabetes Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviors Among Somali and Latino Immigrants

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Abstract

Persons from Somalia constitute the largest group of immigrants and refugees from Africa among whom diabetes-related health disparities are well documented. As one of the first steps toward developing a behavioral intervention to address diabetes among Somali immigrants and refugees, we administered a face to face interview-based survey to Somali and Latino adults with diabetes in a single community to assess diabetes knowledge, attitudes and behaviors. Respondents (N = 78) reported several barriers to optimal diabetes management for physical activity and glucose self-monitoring, as well as a high burden of disease and negative perceptions of diabetes. High participant engagement in disease management, self-efficacy, and social support were important assets. Similarities suggest that the shared experiences of immigration and related systemic socioeconomic and linguistic factors play a significant role in the understanding and self-management of diabetes in these populations. Together with previously collected qualitative work, the survey findings will inform development of a behavioral intervention to improve outcomes and reduce diabetes-related health disparities among immigrant and refugee groups to the U.S.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA

    Jane W. Njeru, Marcelo M. K. Hanza, Irene G. Sia & Mark L. Wieland

  2. Department of Pharmacy, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA

    Christine M. Formea

  3. Somali Community Resettlement Services, Rochester, MN, USA

    Ahmed Osman & Abdullah Hared

  4. Alliance of Chicanos Hispanics and Latin Americans, Rochester, MN, USA

    Miriam Goodson

  5. Department of Language Services, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA

    Graciela Porraz Capetillo

  6. Hawthorne Education Center, Rochester, MN, USA

    Julie A. Nigon

  7. Division of Biostatistics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA

    Stephen S. Cha

  8. Center for Clinical and Translational Science, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA

    Jennifer A. Weis

  9. Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA

    Christi A. Patten

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  1. Jane W. Njeru
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  2. Christine M. Formea
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  3. Ahmed Osman
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  9. Jennifer A. Weis
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Correspondence to Jane W. Njeru.

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Njeru, J.W., Formea, C.M., Osman, A. et al. Diabetes Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviors Among Somali and Latino Immigrants. J Immigrant Minority Health 18, 1432–1440 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-015-0335-5

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