Signal Detection Analysis of Factors Associated With Diabetes Among Semirural Mexican American Adults

Abstract

Signal detection analysis was used to evaluate a combination of sociodemographic, acculturation, mental health, health care, and chronic disease risk factors potentially associated with diabetes in a sample of 4,505 semirural Mexican American adults. Overall, 8.9% of adults had been diagnosed with diabetes. The analysis resulted in 12 mutually exclusive groups, with diabetes prevalence ranging from 1.8% to 44.1%. Three groups were at the highest risk (34.5%-44.1% diabetic) and accounted for almost half of those with diabetes. Each of these groups was distinguished by their middle to older ages and presence of one or more chronic conditions (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, and/or poor mental health) in addition to diabetes. The differing composition of the groups identified by the signal detection analysis has important implications for the design and implementation of public health interventions and health care treatment programs for Mexican Americans with diabetes.