Abstract 13589: Strong African Immigrant Social Network Influences Self-Care of African Immigrants With Chronic Illness

Abstract

Background: Self-care is a fundamental component of chronic illness management. Although, there is increasing recognition that social networks can substantially impact the self-care of individuals with chronic illness, little is known about how social networks are associated with self-care among African immigrants living with hypertension, diabetes, or other chronic illness in the US. Methods: In this descriptive, cross-sectional study, we enrolled a convenience sample (n=128) of self-identified sub-Saharan African immigrants in the Northeastern U.S. age ≥ 35 years, with symptomatic chronic illness, who spoke and understood English. Self-care was measured with the Self Care of Chronic Illness Inventory measuring self-care maintenance, monitoring, and management (scores standardized 0-100, ≥70 adequate self-care). Social network was measured using four items that assess social network either with Americans or other African immigrants (e.g., “I spend my free time with African people”) using a 5-point response scale (1-Never to 5-Always); higher score=better social network. Multivariable linear regression was used to assess associations between social network and self-care adjusting for age, gender, marital status, education, employment status, and duration of US residency. Results: The sample on average was 56 years old (±11 years), male (68%), married (70%), college educated (82%), employed (66%), lived with family or others (89%), and had a long duration of residency (16±11 years). Most participants had hypertension (48%) and/or diabetes (20%). Self-care scores were adequate ( x 78.7, 79.3, 73.9 for self-care maintenance, monitoring and management). Social network as a composite score was positively associated with self-care maintenance (p=0.06). Social network with other African immigrants had a positive association with self-care maintenance (p=0.03) while social network with American people was not associated with self-care. Conclusions: In this sample of African immigrants, self-care was adequate. Having a strong social network with other African immigrants promoted self-care maintenance. Social networks of African immigrants can be used and harnessed in developing culturally concordant self-care interventions.