ETHNIC-DIFFERENCES IN DIABETES KNOWLEDGE AND EDUCATION - THE SOUTH AUCKLAND DIABETES SURVEY

Aim. To compare the knowledge of diabetes, and diabetes education prov ision/preferences among European, Maori and Pacific Islands diabetic p atients in south Auckland. Method. The 331 European, 86 Maori and 123 Pacific Islands patients who were interviewed attended local diabetes services and a stratified subsample of general practitioners. Intervie ws included closed and open questions of diabetes knowledge, age, sex, diabetes treatment, employment status, weekly household income, schoo l/further education received and the actual and preferred format of di abetes education. Results. Pacific Islands patients knew least, and Eu ropeans most, about diabetes from both open and closed diabetes knowle dge questions. The majority of Pacific Islands patients could not name the nature, symptoms or complications of diabetes. This was unaffecte d by duration of diabetes, place of birth or time in New Zealand, alth ough insulin treated Pacific Islands patients knew more than noninsuli n treated patients (closed score 71 SD (4)% vs 61 SD (2)%p<0.05). Paci fic Islands patients were least likely to have received diabetes educa tion (European 69%, Maori 70%, Pacific Islands 49%, p<0.001). Knowledg e scores were higher in those who had received education at diagnosis. Europeans were least likely to want further education (Europeans 52%, Maori 69%, Pacific Islands 63%, p<0.01). The preferred sources for on going education were the lay educator/diabetes nurse specialist servic e (Europeans 28%, Maori 37%, Pacific Islands 76%), and the hospital ba sed clinic among Europeans (27%) and Maori (36%). No Pacific Islands p atients preferred a hospital based ongoing education service, while fe w diabetic patients of any ethnic group preferred to receive education via their general practitioner. In all ethnic groups, patients wantin g more education knew more than those who did not. Conclusion. The loc al delivery of diabetes education is uneven. Among Pacific Islands peo ple, it is grossly inadequate. In order for all patients to receive su ch education, the diabetes services need to be better coordinated and integrated with primary health care.