Perceptions, awareness, and barriers to care regarding obesity and diabetes among Latinx in Miami and Escambia, Florida: a qualitative geographical comparative study

Abstract

Background There are important racial and geographic disparities linked with obesity and diabetes in the USA. Latinx residing in rural areas face a unique combination of factors that can exacerbate existing healthcare disparities, increasing the prevalence of diabetes. Methods Qualitative study using focus groups was carried out between November 2014 and February 2015. The six focus groups were evenly split between Miami (Miami-Dade) and Pensacola (Escambia County) both in Florida. A total of 57 Latinx, 40 years and older, were recruited for a 60-minute session. Baseline demographic and clinical information were collected using a questionnaire before starting the focus group. Open-ended questions recorded participants’ perceptions about obesity and diabetes and barriers to health care. Theme analysis was conducted for each question and across the groups. Results While most Hispanics understood that diabetes is a serious disease, neither those in Miami nor Escambia understood the difference between type 1 and 2 diabetes. Those in Miami had more knowledge about its long-term effects and expressed less language, communication and cultural barriers compared to those in Escambia. Conclusions There is a need to promote culture-appropriate health education programs geared towards raising awareness about diabetes in both communities but especially in rural communities.