Risk of Having Prediabetes and Attitudes About Health Risks in Predominately Spanish-Speaking Latino Immigrants

Background: Based on evidence that type 2 diabetes (T2DM) can be delayed or prevented through lifestyle modification, and the disproportionate impact of T2DM in Latino populations, focused attention is warranted toward primary prevention of T2DM in Latino adults with prediabetes who are immigrants and predominantly Spanish-speaking. Perception of risk of developing diabetes is viewed as a key, mediating factor between cognitive intentions to lower actual risk of developing diabetes and primary preventive health actions. The purpose of this study was to develop a cross-cultural adaptation of the Risk Perception Survey for Developing Diabetes (RPS-DD) for predominately Spanish-speaking Latino adult immigrants in Northern California, and to examine the association between having prediabetes and perception of risk of developing diabetes.

Methods: This study began with an initial phase to create a Spanish language cross-cultural adaptation of the RPS-DD for predominately Spanish-speaking Latino immigrants in Northern California, of which the vast majority are Mexican American. Evidence of equivalence with the original English RPS-DD was tested using cognitive interviewing in a focus group of 11 Promotores with experience serving the target population. A synthesis of the process and findings was presented to the developer of the original RPS-DD who granted permission to use the adapted RPS-DD in a cross-sectional survey. The second phase of the study is a cross-sectional survey in the target population, using the adapted RPS-DD, to collect demographics, risk perception of developing diabetes, fruit and vegetable intake, and leisure time and occupational physical activity data. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels are being measured to assess prediabetes status.

Results: The cross-cultural adaptation of the RPS-DD phase was led by a bilingual nurse researcher assisted by a native Spanish speaking nurse researcher, and an experienced Mexican American translator. Results showed the adaptation retained equivalence to the English language original. Recruitment of 134 participants for the cross-sectional survey is taking place between July and October 2014. Regression analyses will be used to explore the factors contributing to the perception of risk of developing diabetes in the sample population. Evidence of construct validity of the cross-culturally adapted version of the RPS-DD in the target population will also be assessed.

Conclusions: A Spanish language RPS-DD cross-culturally adapted for predominately Spanish-speaking immigrant Latinos in Northern California the majority of which are Mexican American has been developed and tested and shown to be equivalent to the original English version RPS-DD.