Diabetes risks and health literacy in southern African American and Latino women.

Minority women experience health disparities, especially related to diabetes. The purpose of this article is to examine diabetes risk in minority women. A survey design was used to recruit 52 African Americans (AA) and 48 Latina women. Participants described their health, health behaviors, and health literacy. Blood pressure and body mass index were measured. AA women had more diabetes risks than Latinas, and older women had more risks than younger women. All of the women had low health literacy. Women with higher numbers of diabetes risks had lower health literacy. Findings can be used to develop diabetes prevention and education programs.

Examining the association of health literacy and health behaviors in African American older adults: does health literacy affect adherence to antihypertensive regimens?

Health literacy is the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand the health information needed to make appropriate health decisions. The health behaviors of African American adults with inadequate health literacy skills affect their health outcomes. This study examined the association of health literacy and adherence behaviors in African American older adults (N = 121) with hypertension using a descriptive correlational design. Health literacy was measured using the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine survey, and adherence was measured using the Hill-Bone Compliance Scale. Most of the participants were functioning with inadequate health literacy. No statistically significant association was found between health literacy and adherence, but regression analysis showed that age and health status significantly predicted adherence: Those who were younger and reported poor or fair health status were less likely to adhere to treatment.

Immigrant women's cancer screening behaviors.

OBJECTIVES: Investigate the relationship between the dependent variable health outcome (perceived health status) and the independent variables population characteristics, (predisposing, which includes age, acculturation, months in the United States; enabling, which includes availability of medical insurance) and health behavior (personal health practices, which includes engaging in cancer screening of mammography, Pap smear, and breast self-exam) among immigrant women from the former Soviet Union. DESIGN: Descriptive correlational design was used with Andersen's Behavioral Model as the conceptual framework. SAMPLE: Convenience sample of 99 women, 18 years of age and older, was obtained from a community center. MEASURES: Demographic Information for Immigrants from the Former Soviet Union Survey (DIFSU) and Language, Identity, and Behavior Acculturation Survey (LIB) were used to collect data. RESULTS: Younger women were more likely to have a Pap smear and consider their health status as good or excellent; those with better English language skills were more likely to conduct breast self-exam but considered their health status as poor or fair; having insurance was positively correlated with having a Pap smear; the longer women were in the United States, the more likely they were to receive a mammogram. The model indicated that age and language acculturation significantly predicted health status. CONCLUSION: Given the incidence of breast cancer in the United States, the results highlight women in need of interventions to help them understand the value of cancer screening behaviors.

Examining the metabolic syndrome in Russia.

The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome and its components among residents of a small town in Russia. A descriptive design was used to examine the metabolic syndrome and its components among a convenience sample of adults aged > or = 18 years. Health assessments and screenings were conducted in a rural health clinic in southern Russia. Data on blood pressure, fasting glucose, HDL cholesterol, triglyceride cholesterol and central obesity were collected, as well as demographic, health history and lifestyle information. 147 persons chose to participate. The majority of participants were female and 92% were > or = 47 years of age. Many persons suffered from three or more metabolic syndrome components, with hypertension the most common metabolic syndrome component. In conclusion, patients at the clinic were at risk for developing cardiac disease. Health screening and health education for cardiovascular and diabetes risk is needed to assist this population in decreasing their metabolic syndrome and its consequential effects.

Public health nursing education in Russia.

The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1990 brought many changes to Russia, including changes in nursing education. However, the changes did not include content in public health nursing. Most health care in Russia is provided at the tertiary level in hospitals. Health promotion and health education are new concepts in Russia and are not well understood. When health education does occur, it is at the individual level, taught by physicians, and in response to new diagnoses. Health promotion at the primary level and with aggregates is not often practiced. Russia currently is in a demographic crisis where health indicators continue to decline. Russian nurses trained in public health principles, such as health promotion, health education, and providing primary and secondary prevention services at the population and aggregate level, can positively affect the current demographic crisis.

Health care utilization patterns of Russian-speaking immigrant women across age groups.

The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1989 substantially increased the numbers of refugees and immigrants to the United States from the former Soviet Union. Little research has been conducted with this population although studies found that immigrant's access to health care services are based on patterns of utilization in their countries of origin. The purpose of this study was to learn about the experiences of immigrant women from three former Soviet Republics (Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine) with women's health care services. Three focus groups of women were formed; ages 20-30, 37-46, and 60 and above. A focus-group guide was used to learn about their health care experiences. These immigrant women did access health care services based on patterns of utilization in their countries of origin. Greater understanding of immigrant populations' cultural patterns of health care utilization is needed to improve access and delivery of health care services to these populations.