The influence of social networks on XXXX ' attitudes toward type II diabetes.

@entity1 @entity6 @entity102
Social networks are increasingly recognized as important determinants of many @entity102 , yet little data exist regarding the influence of social networks on @entity6 . We surveyed @entity6 @entity1 to determine how social networks affect their overall level of concern regarding @entity6 and its complications. We adapted a previously published instrument and surveyed 240 @entity6 @entity1 at two primary care practices. @entity1 recorded the number of family and friends who had @entity6 and rated their level of concern about @entity6 on a scale of 0% (no concern) to 100% (extremely concerned). Our primary outcome variable was @entity1 ' level of concern (<75% or >= 75%). We developed logistic regression models to determine the effect of disease burden in @entity1 ' social networks on expressed level of concern about @entity6 . We received 154 surveys (64% response rate). We found that for each additional family member with @entity6 , @entity1 expressed a greater level of concern about @entity6 (AOR 1.5; 95% CI 1.2-2.0) and its potential complications (AOR 1.4; 95% CI 1.1-1.7). Similarly, @entity1 with an increased number of friends with @entity6 expressed greater concern about @entity6 (AOR 1.5; 95% CI 1.2-1.9) and its complications (AOR 1.3; 95% CI 1.1-1.7). @entity1 with a higher prevalence of @entity6 within their social networks expressed greater concern about @entity6 and @entity6 complications. Determining disease burden within @entity1 ' social networks may allow physicians to better understand @entity1 ' perspectives on their disease and ultimately help them achieve meaningful behavioral change.
