Center for Global Health and Development, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA.
Diabetes Technol Ther. 2013 Aug;15(8):644-53. doi: 10.1089/dia.2012.0309.
Patients' knowledge, attitudes, and behavior play a large role in preventing and managing the risk factors making up metabolic syndrome (MetS). MetS is associated with increased morbidity and mortality per the World Health Organization criteria. The objective of the study was to examine the current health literacy levels, risk perceptions about MetS, and associated management challenges in diverse Indian settings.
This cross-sectional study was performed during the period of April-May 2012 by enrolling 125 individuals at risk of MetS from urban, rural, and slum settings in India. A convenience sample was recruited from primary care clinics. In-depth interviews were conducted using ground theory and framework analysis. Individuals 30 years old and above with confirmed diagnosis of obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, or hypercholesterolemia and willing to participate in the in-depth interviews were included in the study. Individuals involved in other research studies were excluded.
Difficulty in understanding healthcare information was commonly reported, especially in rural and slum settings. Only 10% of the individuals perceived lifestyle behaviors as a risk factor of acquiring MetS. Significant disparities were seen among urban, rural, and slum individuals about using diet and exercise as means to manage their MetS. Individuals in slum and rural settings were rarely advised about diet and exercise approaches to manage MetS. Access to appropriate information and direction from the healthcare professionals is lacking.
Different perceptions about MetS and its varied management approaches exist across the three settings. An urgent need exists to develop interactive health education programs that can enhance self-management approaches to meet the growing burden of MetS by providing access to right information applicable to individuals living in diverse Indian settings.
患者的知识、态度和行为在预防和管理构成代谢综合征（MetS）的危险因素方面起着重要作用。根据世界卫生组织的标准，MetS 与发病率和死亡率的增加有关。本研究的目的是在印度的不同环境中检查当前的健康素养水平、对 MetS 的风险认知以及相关的管理挑战。
这是一项横断面研究，于 2012 年 4 月至 5 月期间在印度的城市、农村和贫民窟环境中招募了 125 名有 MetS 风险的个体进行。采用便利抽样法从初级保健诊所招募样本。使用扎根理论和框架分析进行深入访谈。纳入研究的个体为年龄在 30 岁及以上、经确诊患有肥胖症、2 型糖尿病、高血压或高胆固醇血症且愿意参加深入访谈的个体。其他研究项目的参与者被排除在外。
普遍报告称难以理解医疗保健信息，尤其是在农村和贫民窟环境中。只有 10%的个体将生活方式行为视为获得 MetS 的危险因素。城市、农村和贫民窟个体之间在使用饮食和运动作为管理 MetS 的手段方面存在显著差异。贫民窟和农村个体很少被建议采用饮食和运动方法来管理 MetS。缺乏获取适当信息和来自医疗保健专业人员的指导。
在这三个环境中，对 MetS 及其不同管理方法存在不同的看法。迫切需要制定互动式健康教育计划，通过提供适用于生活在不同印度环境中的个体的正确信息，增强自我管理方法，以应对 MetS 日益增加的负担。
