Use of diabetes preventive care and complications risk in two African-American communities

Background: We examined levels of diabetes preventive care services and gly cemic and lipid control among African Americans with diabetes in two North Carolina communities. Methods: Cross-sectional, population-based study of 625 African-American ad ults with diagnosed diabetes. Participants had a household interview to det ermine receipt of preventive care services including glycosylated hemoglobi n (HbA(1c)), blood pressure, lipid, foot, dilated eye, and dental examinati ons; diabetes education; and health promotion counseling. A total of 383 ga ve blood samples to determine HbA(1c) and lipid values. Results: Annual dilated eye, foot, and lipid examinations were reported by 70% to 80% of the population, but only 46% reported HbA(1c) tests. Rates of regular physical activity (31%) and daily self-monitoring of blood glucose (40%) were low. Sixty percent of the population had an HbA(1c) level >8% a nd one fourth had an HbA(1c) level > 10%. Half of the population had a low- density lipoprotein value > 130 mg/dL. Lack of insurance was the most consi stent correlate of inadequate care (odds ratio [OR]=2.3; 95% confidence int erval [Cl]=1.3-3.9), having HbA(1c) >9.5% (OR=2.1, 95% CI=1.1-4.2), and LDL levels > 130 mg/dL (OR=2.1; 95% CI=1.0-4.5). Conclusions: Levels of diabetes preventive care services were comparable to U.S. estimates, but glycemic and lipid control and levels of self-manageme nt behaviors were poor. These findings indicate a need to understand barrie rs to achieving and implementing good glycemic and lipid control among Afri can Americans with diabetes.