Health Education Program - Essay Example

Diabetes in Pima Indians Health Problem: Diabetes in Pima Indians PEN 3- Model 3x3 table Domains Positive Existential Negative Perceptions Fear ofcomplicationsAwareness of the diseaseUnwillingness to use professional healthcareEnablersFindings of the vast number of studies. (Knowler, 1978)Attention of the health organizations (Acton, 2002)Proven results of lifestyle changes (Bazzano,2005)Costly health care (Bazzano, 2005)Pima Indians who consume traditional diet are healthy ( National Institute of Health ).

Genetic predisposition "thrifty gene" (Savage, 1979 & National Institute of Health)Belief in Indigenous treatment (National Institute of Health)Generalization of the diseases (National Institute of Health).NurturersIn the second dimension of the PEN 3 Model Enablers are defined as “societal, systematic or structural influences (forces) that may enhance or create barriers to maintain or change health beliefs and/or practices” (Campbell, 1995). In this case following enablers in the target community were identified.

Positive enablers:Findings of the studies conductedPima Indians have become volunteers for many studies conducted about diabetes (Knowler, 1978). Findings of these studies help to understand the entire picture of the Pima Indians and identify the causes and preventive measures of the disease. These findings might change the behavior of Pima Indians towards prevention. Attention of the health organizationsSince the Pima Indians claims the highest prevalence of diabetes in the world, it has drawn the attention of health organizations around the word (Acton, 2002).

This may result in enhanced health facilities.Proven results of lifestyle changesI t has been proven that increased physical activities and low fat/calorie diets can prevent, delay or control diabetes in Pima Indians. About 85% of the Pima diabetics are obese and seem to reduce their blood glucose levels when they reduce weight. High health costIt is costly to treat diabetes and its related complications (Bazzano, 2005). Cost related to lifelong diabetes treatment may encourage people to find preventive measures.

Existential Enablers:Traditional dietAmerican Indians who consume traditional low fat diet and engage in regular physical activities are not diabetics (National Institute of Health). They have prevalence similar to the US population.Negative EnablersGenetic predispositionPima Indians are found to have gene that interfere with diabetes. This is a strong negative enabler which cannot change (Savage, 1979 & National Institute of Health)..Belief in Indigenous treatmentPima community still believes in indigenous treatments, which fail to control or prevent diabetes than modern proven treatments (National Institute of Health).

Generalization of the diseasesVery high prevalence (about 50%) of diabetes in Pima Indians makes them feel “normal” regarding the disease. This reduces their motivation of seeking treatment or preventive measures.Finally with all above facts prevention through behavioral changes such as dietary modifications and increased physical activity might be effective. Sources Acton, K.J., Burrows, N.R., Moore, K., et al. (2002). Trends in diabetes prevalence among American Indian and Alaska native children, adolescents, and young adults.

Am J Public Health, 92:1485–90.Bazzano, L.A., Serdula, M., Liu S. (2005). Prevention of type 2 diabetes by diet and lifestyle modification. J Am Coll Nutr, 24:310–9.Campbell, C. (1995). Health Education Planning Models – A Review of the Liturature – Part 2. Mississippi State University. Retrieved from http://msucares.com/health/health/appa2.htmKnowler, W.C., Bennett, P.H., Hamman, R.F., et al. (1978). Diabetes incidence and prevalence in Pima Indians: a 19-fold greater incidence than in Rochester, Minnesota.

Am J Epidemiol, 108:497–505.NIDDK. (n.d.). The Pima Indian: Pathfinders for health. National Institute of Health Retrieved from http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/pima/index.htmThe Human Genome Project and Diabetes: Genetics of Type II Diabetes. (1997). New Mexico State University. Retrieved from http://darwin.nmsu.edu/~molbio/diabetes/disease.htmlSavage, P.J., Bennett, P.H., Senter, R.G., Miller M., (1979). High prevalence of diabetes in young Pima Indians: evidence of phenotypic variation in a genetically isolated population.

Diabetes, 28:937–942.