Public health
-
Comparative Study
Understanding of heart disease and diabetes in a South Asian community: cross-sectional study testing the 'snowball' sample method.
South Asian people living in the UK have a higher rate of heart disease and non-insulin-dependent diabetes. Research into health knowledge and beliefs around these diseases is lacking. Accessing South Asian communities is difficult and is a barrier to research. ⋯ There were important differences by sex and country of origin on the level of understanding with women and Bangladeshi people having lower levels of knowledge. Three of 20 people diagnosed with heart disease knew no preventive measure, and of 16 people with diabetes, six could not name any risk factors for diabetes. There is a major, urgent need for education within the South Asian communities on the causes and prevention of heart disease and diabetes.