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Multicenter Study
. 2011 Mar-Apr;37(2):227-38.
doi: 10.1177/0145721710395329. Epub 2011 Feb 22.

Pushing the envelope for cultural appropriateness: does evidence support cultural tailoring in type 2 diabetes interventions for Mexican American adults?

Rachel E Davis  1 , Karen E Peterson  1 , Steven K Rothschild  2 , Ken Resnicow  3
Affiliations
Multicenter Study

Pushing the envelope for cultural appropriateness: does evidence support cultural tailoring in type 2 diabetes interventions for Mexican American adults?

Rachel E Davis et al. Diabetes Educ. 2011 Mar-Apr.

Abstract

Purpose: This study explores the potential utility of a culturally tailored diabetes management intervention approach by testing associations between acculturation and diabetes-related beliefs among Mexican-American adults with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: Data from 288 Mexican-American adults with type 2 diabetes were obtained via a bilingual, telephone-administered survey. Participants were drawn from a stratified, random sample designed to obtain maximum variability in acculturation. The survey assessed diabetes-related beliefs, intervention preferences, and the following three acculturation constructs from the Hazuda acculturation and assimilation scales: Spanish use, value for preserving Mexican culture, and interaction with Mexican Americans.

Results: Only one outcome-preference for a program for Mexican Americans-was associated with all three acculturation variables. Spanish use was positively associated with belief in susto as a cause of diabetes, preference for expert-driven health guidance, and involvement of others in taking care of diabetes. Value for preserving Mexican culture was related to a more holistic view of health, as evidenced by an increased likelihood of consulting a curandero, use of prayer, and interest in a diabetes program with religious content. Value for cultural preservation was also related to higher suspicion of free diabetes programs. Interaction with Mexican Americans was associated with a belief that insulin causes blindness.

Conclusion: Findings from this study suggest distinct relationships between acculturation constructs and diabetes-related beliefs and preferences, thus arguing against the use of a single acculturation construct to determine diabetes intervention design. Cultural tailoring may enhance the cultural appropriateness and ultimate effectiveness of diabetes interventions for Mexican American adults.

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