Beliefs about diabetes and medication adherence among Lumbee Indians living in rural southeastern North Carolina

• Published in: Journal of transcultural nursing Vol. 25; no. 2; p. 167
• Main Authors: Jacobs, Allison, Kemppainen, Jeanne K, Taylor, Julie Smith, Hadsell, Christine
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.04.2014
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Body Mass Index; Diabetes Mellitus - drug therapy; Diabetes Mellitus - ethnology; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice - ethnology; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents - therapeutic use; Indians, North American - ethnology; Indians, North American - psychology; Male; Medication Adherence - ethnology; Medication Adherence - psychology; Middle Aged; North Carolina - epidemiology; Young Adult; North Carolina; Lumbee Indians of North Carolina; illness representation; Native Americans; community health; diabetes; transcultural health
• ISSN: 1552-7832
• DOI: 10.1177/1043659613515718

This study assessed personal beliefs about the causes and meaning of having diabetes among the members of the Lumbee Indian tribe living in rural southeastern North Carolina. The sample included 20 males (50%) and 20 females (50%); the mean duration of having diabetes was 9.82 years. The average body mass index (BMI) for females was 34.76 (range, 24.21-55.44), whereas the average BMI for males was 35.10 (range, 22.71-59.71). Ninety percent reported a family history of diabetes. The majority of participants held beliefs that diabetes was a serious and chronic condition and that the disease was amenable to personal control. Participants perceived that diabetic medications were an essential and effective part of their treatment regimen, and they reported greater comfort in adhering to prescribed medication regimens than making long-term lifestyle changes. This study highlights the high prevalence of diabetes among Lumbee Indians and also the need for future studies in this area.