Prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus among Haitian Americans: A Hidden Epidemic.

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus in the Haitian American population remains an important question. A recent study revealed an alarming prevalence of 39.9%. To corroborate these data, between November 2021 and September 2023 a representative sample was collected among 401 Haitian Americans in Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, and New York. Results revealed a crude prevalence rate of 36.6% (95% CI 31.85, 41.55%). The age-adjusted prevalence was 29.7% (CI 19.71%, 39.63%). This study's prevalence is nearly double the 16.8% (Z=10.48, p<.0001) rate in non-Hispanic African Americans and nearly two and a half times the 12.0% (Z=14.99, p<.0001) rate in all Americans. The crude prevalence for undiagnosed diabetes mellitus was 13.38% (CI 10.19%, 17.14%), with 17.11% age-adjusted prevalence (CI 7.53%, 26.70%). The scope of the diabetes burden, especially the high rate of undiagnosed cases, indicates a need for better strategies for the prevention, screening, treatment, and management of diabetes among Haitian Americans.

Nursing Students' Perceptions of Racism in Nursing and Health Care.

BACKGROUND: Due to the dearth of literature regarding teaching racism in health care and the commitment of nursing organizations to address racism in health care, this project examined nursing students' perceptions of racism in nursing and health care to identify effective teaching strategies for addressing racism in curricula. METHOD: This study used a mixed-methods pre- and postintervention design to examine multiple methods of teaching nursing students about racism in health care. Frequencies, descriptive statistics, and content analysis were used to analyze data. RESULTS: Sixty-six graduate and undergraduate students participated in the study. Mean responses on a postintervention survey increased for all but one item. Content analysis of student-guided reflective journal entries yielded four themes: uncomfortable topic yet necessary to discuss, new awareness, courage to advocate, and application to practice. CONCLUSION: Effective teaching methods to address this issue include open discussions, storytelling, and case studies. [J Nurs Educ. 2023;62(10):563-569.].

A Comparison of Haitian and American Bachelor of Science in Nursing Students' Perceptions of Cigarette Smoking and E-Cigarette Use.

ABSTRACT: Cigarette smoking is a global health epidemic, and smoking along with electronic nicotine delivery systems use or vaping are on the rise. Despite the effectiveness of smoking cessation strategies, healthcare providers and nursing students do not routinely recommend these strategies for patients who are smokers. This study compares the perceptions of smoking and vaping between two groups of baccalaureate degree nursing students from Haiti and the United States. The study was influenced by contemporary and past studies showing that more young people are drawn into smoking and vaping despite the prevalence of antismoking policies and awareness campaigns. In this descriptive study, surveys were used to collect data to determine the differences between the two country's nursing students on their perception of smoking and vaping. The findings indicated that, despite greater usage, the students from the United States had a higher perception of the health implications of cigarette smoking and vaping compared with those from Haiti. On the basis of the findings of this study, collaborative pedagogical research opportunities among international nursing education programs can further curriculum development to foster growth and development of future global health practitioners.

Diabetes Mellitus Prevalence Among Haitian American Afro-Caribbeans in the United States.

To measure the prevalence of diabetes mellitus among Haitian American Afro-Caribbeans, a quantitative descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using a convenience sample of 151 Haitian Americans in New York, New Jersey, and Florida. The results of the study revealed an age-adjusted prevalence of diabetes mellitus of 39.9% (95% CI 29.8% - 50.1%). This is greater than the prevalence in the U.S. population (12%) (Z = 5.54, p < 0.05) and the prevalence in the Black, non-Hispanic population (16.8%) (Z = 3.35, p < 0.05). There were 79 (52.3%) individuals with diabetes mellitus, of which 21 (13.9%) were individuals who were previously undiagnosed; and 56 (37%) were individuals who were taking medication(s) for controlling glucose. At a 39.9% prevalence rate of diabetes, Haitian Americans have an age-adjusted prevalence rate of diabetes that is more than twice the prevalence rate of diabetes in Black, non-Hispanic Americans and more than 3 times the rate in White, non-Hispanics. This rate is comparable to the prevalence rate in Native Americans of the Pima tribe. An urgent need exists to confirm these findings in a larger cohort.

Health Coaching Strategy to Improve Glycemic Control in African- American Adults with Type 2 Diabetes: An Integrative Review.

Diabetes is a complex, chronic illness requiring continuous medical care with multifactorial risk-reduction strategies for appropriate glycemic control. Type 2 diabetes remains a global epidemic secondary to increases in physical inactivity and obesity. While many populations are at risk, African-Americans bear a disproportionate burden from diabetes and its complications. Diabetes self-management education (DSME) is essential to successful diabetes treatment and complication prevention. However, diabetes management requires daily patient involvement and skills. Health coaching has been very effective in assisting patients with self-care management. There is increasing evidence of the effectiveness of health coaching in terms of patient self-efficacy, adherence to treatment, behavioral changes, health service utilization, and health outcomes. Using an integrative review of the literature, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of health coaching as a strategy to improve glycemic control among African-American adults with type 2 diabetes. Health coaching was found to be an effective strategy in addressing poor glycemic control in African-American adults with type 2 diabetes. This integrative review articulates gaps in healthcare disparities, while capitalizing on an evidence-based, cost-effective approach to making a positive impact on the current global diabetes epidemic.