Do household ties matter for diabetes awareness and self-care behaviors? Insights from the Hispanic community health study/study of latinos

Abstract

Objective

Examine the association of household ties with diabetes awareness and self-care behaviors among Hispanic/Latinos.

Research Design and Methods

Data from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos were used (Visit 2; 2014–2017; n = 11,071). Household ties (none, extended, and close), sex, and loneliness were used in a cluster analysis to derive the household clusters. Diabetes awareness and diabetes self-care behaviors (among the aware only) were the outcomes.

Results

 Clusters that emerged were: (1) Females who rarely feel lonely and who mostly live with close ties; (2) Males who rarely feel lonely and who mostly live with close ties; (3) Males and females who feel lonely despite living with mostly close ties; (4) Males and females who feel lonely and mostly live alone or without familial ties. Cluster 4 had the highest proportion of diagnosed (27%) and undiagnosed diabetes (10%). In regression models, none of the clusters related to diabetes awareness. However, among the aware, glucose monitoring was only significantly higher among cluster 1 relative to cluster 4. Compared to cluster 4, all clusters were significantly more likely to know their HbA1c.

Conclusions

Household tie clusters were related to diabetes self-care behavior but not awareness.