Health-Promoting Lifestyle and Diabetes Knowledge in Hispanic American Adults

Abstract

This study examined the relationships among demographics, a health-promoting lifestyle, and diabetes knowledge. A descriptive study was conducted in a convenience sample of 40 Hispanic American adults. Participants were recruited from Hispanic churches in the southeastern United States. The Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II and the Diabetes Knowledge Questionnaire were used to assess participants’ health-promoting lifestyle and diabetes knowledge. Participants had low levels of a health-promoting lifestyle and a strong deficiency in diabetes knowledge. Income was found to be associated with physical activity lifestyle. Age and education were significantly related to diabetes knowledge. This study suggested that community health nurses should assess and educate Hispanic American adults for a health-promoting lifestyle and diabetes knowledge and use appropriate methods of teaching with low-literacy and audiovisual materials to provide culturally specific care to this vulnerable group.