Metabolic Syndrome-Related Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behavior among Indigenous Communities in Taiwan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Shu-Fen Lo (), Fang-Tsuang Lu, An-Chi O. Yang, Jia-Ling Zeng, Ya-Yu Yang, Yen-Ting Lo, Yu-Hsuan Chang and Ting-Hsuan Pai
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Shu-Fen Lo: Department of Nursing, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970374, Taiwan
Fang-Tsuang Lu: Charity Development Department, Tzu Chi Charity Foundation, Hualien 971067, Taiwan
An-Chi O. Yang: Department of Nursing, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970374, Taiwan
Jia-Ling Zeng: Dianthus Medical Group, Taoyuan 320032, Taiwan
Ya-Yu Yang: Department of Nursing, Taipei Guang En Elderly Medicare Center, New Taipei City 231040, Taiwan
Yen-Ting Lo: Department of Nursing, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970374, Taiwan
Yu-Hsuan Chang: Nursing Department, Lo-Hsu Medical Foundation, Lotung Poh-Ai Hospital, Yilan 265501, Taiwan
Ting-Hsuan Pai: Nursing Department, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City 220216, Taiwan

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 3, 1-11

Abstract: Background: Metabolic syndrome is characterized by cardiovascular and chronic disease risk factors that cause health problems. Inequalities in medical resources and information present a challenge in this context. Indigenous communities may be unaware of their risk for metabolic syndrome. Aims: This study explored factors associated with metabolic syndrome-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors among Taiwanese indigenous communities. Methods: For this descriptive cross-sectional survey, we collected anthropometric data and used a self-administered questionnaire between 1 July 2016, to 31 July 2017, from a convenience sample of an indigenous tribe in eastern Taiwan. The response rate was 92%. Results: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was as high as 71%, and the average correct knowledge rate was 39.1%. The participants’ self-management attitudes were mainly negative, and the self-management behaviors were low in this population. Stepwise regression analysis showed that knowledge, attitude, age, perception of physical condition, and body mass index, which accounted for 65% of the total variance, were the most predictive variables for self-management behaviors. Conclusions: This is the first study to report the relationship between metabolic syndrome knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors in an indigenous population. There is an urgent need to develop safety-based MetS health education programs that can provide access to the right information and enhance self-management approaches to lessen the growing burden of MetS in indigenous communities.

Keywords: metabolic syndrome; knowledge; attitude; self-management behavior; indigenous (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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