Assessing the knowledge, attitudes and understanding of type 2 diabetes amongst ethnic groups in Glasgow, Scotland

Type 2 diabetes is a growing public health problem amongst ethnic groups in developed countries. For example, people from the Indian subcontient living in the UK have a higher rate of type 2 diabetes and a poorer prognosis than that of the host population, but there is a paucity of information about knowledge and attitudes concerning control, complications and the impact of diabetes among ethnic minority groups. [We conducted a cross-sectional study in people with diagnosed type 2 diabetes in ethnic minority groups in Glasgow and a comparison group from the host population. We modified a questionnaire developed by the Diabetes Reseacrh and Training Center in Michigan, USA, and the Chinese University of Hong Kong. It was administered by the researcher (with translators when needed) to 145 type 2 diabetes patients, including British (n=27), Indian(n=33) and Pakistan (n=85) people living in Glasgow, UK. [The mean age was 58.3 (SD-11.9), 51% were male. The mean duration of diabetes was 8.5 (SD=7.4) years. The mean knowledge scores (minimum 3, maximum 25) were 17.7 (95% Cl 15.6, 19.6), 14.3 (95% Cl 12.4, 16.2), and 13.8 (95%) Cl 12.8, 14.8) in the British, Indian and Pakistan groups respectively. There were significant differences between the British and each ethnic group (p=0.002). The mean attitude scores about seriousness of type 2 diabetes were similar at 9.8 (95% Cl 8.9, 10.6), 8.2 (95% Cl 8.0, 9.3), and 9.1 (95% Cl 8.8, 9.5) respectively. The mean attitude scores about control and complications were 15.4 (95% Cl 14.5, 16.2), 13.2 (95% Cl 12.2, 14.1), and 13.9 (95% Cl 13.5, 14.2) respectively, with significant differences between the British and each ethnic group (p=0.0001). The results indicate that the knowledge of ethnic groups about diabetes is poor. Therefore an appropriate educational intervention is necessary for this group.