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.