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Revised

Fatalism and knowledge associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus risk perception in the Mexican population during COVID-19 confinement

[version 2; peer review: 2 approved with reservations, 2 not approved]
PUBLISHED 07 Apr 2025
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This article is included in the Sociology of Health gateway.

Abstract

Background

Individuals with fatalistic beliefs and lack of knowledge of healthy lifestyles tend to show conformism and resignation due to their state of health. Even individuals with fatalism consider that contracting a disease is divine punishment, and this is reflected when they perform unhealthy behaviours. The relationship between fatalistic beliefs, knowledge about diabetes risk factors, and perceived risk of T2DM in Mexican adults during the COVID-19 pandemic were evaluated.

Objective

The aim of this research was to examine the association between fatalistic beliefs, knowledge of T2DM risk factors, and perceived risk of T2DM among Mexican adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

The study design was cross-sectional and correlational. The sample size was 222 individuals between 30 and 70 years of age, from a rural community in Guanajuato, Mexico. We used the Multidimensional Fatalism Scale in Spanish, Risk Perception Survey for Developing Diabetes. For the correlation analysis, Spearman’s coefficient and multiple linear regression were used to explain the perceived risk of T2DM.

Results

The average age was 29.2 years (SD = 10.5), 55% were women, 52.3% were single, 36.2% had university studies and 57.3% were working. Perceived risk of T2DM was inversely related to fatalistic beliefs. Knowledge level was positively correlated to perceived risk of T2DM. In multiple linear regression, pessimism and divine control dimensions were the only predictors of perceived risk of T2DM.

Conclusions

In young adults, knowledge increases regarding perceived risk of T2DM. But the higher the fatalistic beliefs the lower the level of knowledge and the lower the perceived risk of T2DM.

Keywords

Perception, diabetes mellitus type 2, fatalistic beliefs, knowledge

Revised Amendments from Version 1

The main differences from the original version are the following:
Added information in the introduction about the context of COVID-19 and fatalism.
Adjustments to the table regarding the direction of the relationship between fatalism and risk perception (dependent variable).
Added information in the discussion about the direction of the relationship between fatalism and risk perception.
We added a table for linear regression.
We added the study's limitations and suggestions for future research.

See the authors' detailed response to the review by Sanisah Binti Saidi
See the authors' detailed response to the review by Ola Sukkarieh

Introduction

Individuals with chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), represented one of the most vulnerable groups in terms of hospitalization rates and mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic (coronavirus disease 2019).1,2 Recent studies have reported that during emergency care, some individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 were also identified as new cases of T2DM,3,4 suggesting that many were unaware of their condition prior to hospitalization. This situation has likely heightened concerns among the general population regarding their health status and their perceived risk of developing T2DM.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus rick refers to an individual’s subjective assessment of their likelihood of developing the disease in the future. Individuals who perceive a higher risk T2DM are more to adopt healthier lifestyles and engage in preventive behaviors.5 This perception tends to be higher among women, older adults, those with a family history of diabetes, individuals who are overweight or obese, those who consume sugary beverages, those with low fruit and vegetable intake, individuals previously diagnosed with hypertension, and those with a poor self-perception of their health status.610 On the other hand, knowledge of risk factors for developing diabetes is a crucial topic, as it contributes to adopting a healthier lifestyle as a preventive measure.11 However, even when individuals demonstrate sufficient knowledge of diabetes risk factors, their perceived risk remains low.1214 Studies conducted in Alemannia and Mexico have shown that individuals with prediabetes or undiagnosed T2DM often report low risk perception.15,16 This low perception may be influenced for factors such as the belief that diseases are unpredictable or by fatalistic beliefs.17 Fatalistic beliefs are characterized by the notion that life events are determined by forces beyond human control, such as luck, fate, destiny, or divine control.18 Individuals with strong fatalistic beliefs often exhibit pessimistic or resigned behaviors, viewing death and disease are inevitable.19 These beliefs are considered a significant coping mechanism in response to chronic disease diagnoses,20 however, they are also associated with reduced healthcare utilization, treatment non-adherence, and higher mortality rates.21,22

Furthermore, fatalistic beliefs have been linked to the underestimation of health risks,23,24 as individuals with such beliefs are less likely to engage in preventive behaviors,2527 for example, preventive measures to avoid infection by COVID-19, therefore individuals with fatalistic beliefs may underestimate the risk of chronic diseases such as T2DM.

Among the Mexican population, fatalistic expressions are often used to avoid health-related responsibilities and resist lifestyle changes, even when there is a clear risk of developing diabetes.28 Consequently, fatalism may hinder knowledge acquisition, lifestyle modifications, and the recognition of diabetes risk, acting as a way to minimize concern about the future and personal health.2931

To date, the relationship between fatalistic beliefs, knowledge of T2DM risk factors, and perceived risk of T2DM remains largely unexplored. Perceptions of vulnerability to chronic diseases play a crucial role in predicting lifestyle changes and preventive behaviors. However, fatalistic beliefs may diminish both knowledge of risk factors and the perceived risk of T2DM. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the association between fatalistic beliefs, knowledge of T2DM risk factors, and perceived risk of T2DM among Mexican adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

Ethics and consent

The study followed the guidelines of declaration of Helsinki and the General Health Law on health research in Mexico, and it was approved by the Ethics and Research Committee of the University of Guanajuato, Mexico with permit number DCSI-CI 20190308-3. Written informed consent was obtained from participants before their data was collected. Ethics approval was granted in 2019.

Design and participants

The study design was cross-sectional and correlational. We had included adult men and women aged 30 to 70 years, residents of San Miguel Eménguaro, Salvatierra, Guanajuato, Mexico. We had excluded persons with a diagnosis of type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes. The sample was estimated using the statistical program G*power 3.1.4, with 95% reliability, 90% power and effect size of.08, which gave a sample of 218 individuals.

Data collection

Participants were invited through online social networks (Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram). The access link for the survey (hosted on Google Forms) was electronically shared through social networks. The invitation stated the objective of the survey, the declaration of respect for the confidentiality and anonymity of information, as well as that the survey was aimed at residents of San Miguel Eménguaro, Salvatierra, Guanajuato. When the link was opened, the informed consent form with the option to agree to participate in the study was displayed first. Subsequently, information on sociodemographic data was requested and ended with the completion of the questionnaires. We restricted surveys to only allow one entry per person. Data collection was carried out from August to November 2020. The study followed the guidelines of declaration of Helsinki and the General Health Law on health research in Mexico.

Study variables

Independent variables: fatalism and knowledge.

Dependent variable: Perceived risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Questionnaires

A sociodemographic data card was used to collect information such as age, sex, marital status, schooling, and occupation.

To evaluate fatalism, the Multidimensional Fatalism Scale in Spanish19 was used, with 30 statements grouped into five factors: fatalism, pessimism/hopelessness, internal locus, luck, and divine control with a response from 1 to 5, where 1 means frequently disagree and 5 means frequently agree, with a maximum score of 150 points and a minimum of 30 points. The higher the score, the greater the fatalism. Cronbach’s alpha in this study was .88.

In addition, we used of Risk Perception Survey for Developing Diabetes (RPS-DD), which contains 43 items that measures beliefs about one’s risk for developing diabetes. This scale has six subscales: personal control (4 items), worry (2 items), optimistic bias (2 items), personal disease risk (15 items), comparative environment risk (9 items), and knowledge of diabetes risk factors (11 items). The higher the score the higher the perceived risk of T2DM.32,33 To evaluate knowledge of risk factors, a subscale of the same instrument with 11 questions was used. Each question has 4 answers (increases the risk, has no effect on risk, decreases the risk and don’t know). The items are dichotomously scored, correct/incorrect and the total sum of the subscale is from 0 to 11, the higher the score, the greater the knowledge.33 Cronbach’s alpha in this study was .76.

Statistical analysis

SPSS version 25 was used to capture and assess data. Descriptive statistics were used for the characteristics of the participants, frequencies and percentages for categorical variables and measures of central tendency and dispersion for continuous variables. The variables of fatalistic beliefs (low 30 to 90; high 91 to 150), knowledge (low 0 to 4; high 5 to 9) and perceived risk of T2DM (low 8 to 20; high 21 to 32) were categorized according to the mean of the total score of the questionnaires. For the correlation analysis, Spearman’s coefficient and multiple linear regression were used to explain the perceived risk of T2DM.

Results

Sociodemographic characteristics

In total 222 persons participated in the survey, and 218 participants provided complete data. The average age was 29.2 years (SD=10.5), the sample was characterized by being mostly women (55%), single (52.3%), having a university education (36.2%) and having a job (53.7%), see Table 1.

Table 1. Sociodemographic characteristics.

Variable f (%)
Sex
 Female120 (55)
 Male98 (45)
Marital status
 Single114 (52.3)
 Married59 (27.1)
 Common law marriage30 (13.8)
 Other15 (6.9)
Schooling
 Elementary21 (9.6)
 Junior High51 (23.4)
 High School64 (29.4)
 University82 (37.6)
Occupation
 Works117 (53.7)
 Studies36 (16.5)
 Works and studies44 (20.2)
 Unemployed21 (9.6)

Regarding fatalism, 27.5% report high fatalistic belief scores, 83.5% have high knowledge about T2DM risk factors and 66.1% have high perceived risk of developing T2DM; the measures of central tendency and dispersion of the variables are seen in Table 2.

Table 2. Description of fatalism, knowledge, and perceived risk of T2DM.

Variables M (SD)
Total fatalism79.1 (15.2)
 Pessimism15.1 (4.0)
 Luck16.7 (3.8)
 Divine control17.2 (6.1)
 Internal locus11.8 (4.6)
 Fatalism18.1 (4.5)
Knowledge6.9 (1.9)
T2DM risk perception27.2 (3.3)

Correlation analysis

According to the correlation analysis, the level of knowledge was positively correlated with the risk perceived of T2DM (r=.178, p<.01). The risk perceptions of T2DM was inversely related to fatalism and its dimensions - see Table 3.

In Table 4 multiple linear regression was performed for perceived risk of T2DM, with fatalism dimensions and knowledge as predictor variables, but only pessimism (β=-.194, p<.01) and divine control (β=-.164, p<.05) were the only predictors, they explained 7.6% of the variance.

Table 3. Correlation between fatalism and perceived risk of diabetes mellitus type 2.

VariablesFatalismPessimismLocusLuckDivine control Total fatalism
T2DM risk perception-.160*-.230**-.197*-.171*-.210**-.257**

* p<.05.

** p<.01.

Table 4.

Multiple linear regression predicting perceived risk of T2DM

Variablesβ95% confidence interval Valor de p
Model 1LowerUpper
Knowledge.047-.109.224.497
Fatalism.031-.075.107.728
Pessimism-.192-.212-.012.028
Locus-.038-.090.052.599
Luck.000-.107.107.997
Divine control-.180-.134-.004.038
Model 5
Pessimism-.194-.192-.036.005
Divine control-.164-.114-.012.012

Discussion

The purpose of this research was to analyze the relationship between fatalistic beliefs, knowledge of T2DM risk factors, and the perceived risk of T2DM in Mexican adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. In general, we found that young adults, with less fatalistic beliefs and greater knowledge report greater diabetes risk perception during the covid-19 pandemic.

In this study, it was identified that the perceived risk of T2DM was high in comparison with other studies in the Asian population.34 This may be since the most vulnerable population to complications, hospitalization and death from SARS-Cov-2 was persons with chronic diseases.1,2,35 This situation may have generated concern in the population about feeling at risk of developing T2DM and therefore, also feeling vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus. Likewise, even though individuals with a higher perceived risk of T2DM can make lifestyle changes, it has been reported that during the pandemic, people report an increase in the consumption of alcohol, tobacco and processed foods, emotional problems, and less physical activity.36,37

Our results identified that a quarter of the respondents had above-average scores on fatalistic beliefs. Cultural beliefs are a key element in health care seeking and chronic disease prevention.38 In several studies it has been reported that people who believe that illness is a result of a supernatural phenomenon do not seek allopathic medical care, but instead seek help from healers or shamans who can help alleviate bad luck, witchcraft or perform prayers, these beliefs are common in Mexico context.39,40 This is due firstly because of the distrust they have about the negative beliefs held about treatments such as insulin or peritoneal dialysis, and secondly, because they think that allopathic medicine cannot cure or alleviate diseases that are caused by superhuman forces.

We found that there is a positive relation of level of knowledge with perceived risk of T2DM. These results are consistent with a previous study, in which it has been reported that people who have information on the main risk factors and who have family members with a history of T2DM perceive a greater probability of becoming ill.7 In this study, differences have been found between men and women with the level of knowledge and perceived risk of T2DM. Men have lower level of knowledge about risk factors and lower risk perception but have higher risk of developing T2DM compared to women. Health literacy has been considered as a relevant factor to face health problems and to know that chronic diseases are preventable,17 but studies in Latin America have indicated that although people have knowledge about T2DM risk factors, they consider that the disease cannot be prevented, that it is the responsibility of the health professional to prevent it and not of oneself.41

There was a negative relationship between fatalism and risk perception for diabetes mellitus, compared to a recent sample of university students who showed that fatalistic beliefs are negatively related to risk behaviors for diabetes mellitus.30 It also coincides with the results of another study conducted on health professionals where they showed that fatalistic beliefs have a negative relationship with the perceptions of occupational health.42

Finally, in the model regression we found that people who have pessimism and divine control predicting low perceived risk of developing T2DM. Pessimism has been considered as a negative view, attitude, or idea regarding life events. People with pessimistic ideas have fewer coping strategies, lower self-efficacy, and are carefree43 considering that positive changes in health cannot be achieved. Thus, people with a pessimistic view have greater problems in making a healthy lifestyle change when they develop chronic diseases.44 Some authors report that these ideas are since they consider disease as something fatal and that death is inevitable, so that any action they take cannot change it.40 Another important factor in the perceived risk of T2DM is the belief in divine control. From a religious point of view, beliefs about God are a key element that influences people’s behaviors. On the one hand, people with fatalistic religious beliefs allow them to cope better with health problems.4547But, on the other hand, they may consider that diseases are tests or punishments from God, and that only God can cure the disease.4850 This set of beliefs influences people to consider that it does not matter if they make changes in their way of living, because illness cannot be prevented if God does not want it. Also, people may self-perceive themselves to be at lower risk of developing T2DM by self-evaluating themselves without conflict with God.

The weaknesses of the study include data collecting conducted through electronic means and social media on the internet, which resulted in many young adult participants. It is necessary for future studies to collect data through face-to-face interactions to include participants from older age groups. The research design was cross-sectional; therefore, a cause-and-effect relationship cannot be established. As a result, the findings should be interpreted with caution and extrapolated to similar populations to those in this study. Our findings are only generalizable to a rural community in Mexico, although it is suggested future studies will be conducted among diverse cultures to replicate our findings and to further explore the influence fatalistic beliefs and perceived risk of T2DM, as well as studies of a qualitative nature are needed to explain fatalistic beliefs.

On the other hand, the strengths of the study include being one of the first investigations to link fatalistic beliefs with knowledge and perceived risk of T2DM. Additionally, it is a study conducted on a population of young adults from a rural community in Mexico, which highlights the relevance of these beliefs and their implications in identifying knowledge and health risks.

Conclusions

In young adults, knowledge increases the perceived risk of T2DM. But fatalistic beliefs decrease knowledge and risk perceived of T2DM. Fatalistic beliefs should be considered a variable that has to be dealt with by health professionals. It is necessary that health professionals consider fatalistic beliefs for the prevention of chronic diseases and improve health literacy through educational programs about the risk factors of T2DM and the benefit of lifestyle, mainly in young adult populations. It is important to provide more education in those who have low knowledge about T2DM risk factors, so that people become more aware of their risk.

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Mendoza-Catalán G, Álvarez Aguirre A, Domínguez Chávez CJ et al. Fatalism and knowledge associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus risk perception in the Mexican population during COVID-19 confinement [version 2; peer review: 2 approved with reservations, 2 not approved]. F1000Research 2025, 12:771 (https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.134266.2)
NOTE: If applicable, it is important to ensure the information in square brackets after the title is included in all citations of this article.
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ApprovedThe paper is scientifically sound in its current form and only minor, if any, improvements are suggested
Approved with reservations A number of small changes, sometimes more significant revisions are required to address specific details and improve the papers academic merit.
Not approvedFundamental flaws in the paper seriously undermine the findings and conclusions
Version 2
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PUBLISHED 07 Apr 2025
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Reviewer Report 08 Aug 2025
Nodirjon Ruzimurodov, Institute of Immunology and Human Genomics, Tashkent, Uzbekistan 
Approved with Reservations
VIEWS 2
Brief overview
I enjoyed reading this paper. The authors surveyed 222 adults from a rural community in Guanajuato during the 2020 lockdown to see whether two things—fatalistic beliefs about health and factual knowledge about diabetes—shape how people judge their ... Continue reading
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Ruzimurodov N. Reviewer Report For: Fatalism and knowledge associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus risk perception in the Mexican population during COVID-19 confinement [version 2; peer review: 2 approved with reservations, 2 not approved]. F1000Research 2025, 12:771 (https://doi.org/10.5256/f1000research.179885.r392867)
NOTE: it is important to ensure the information in square brackets after the title is included in all citations of this article.
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Reviewer Report 03 Jun 2025
Masoud Mohammadnezhad, Birmingham City University, Birmingham, England, UK 
Approved with Reservations
VIEWS 2
Thank you for the opportunity to review this paper. This study is important and employs a rigorous methodology. However, I have a few comments and questions:
First, could you please clarify the version of the questionnaire used in ... Continue reading
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Mohammadnezhad M. Reviewer Report For: Fatalism and knowledge associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus risk perception in the Mexican population during COVID-19 confinement [version 2; peer review: 2 approved with reservations, 2 not approved]. F1000Research 2025, 12:771 (https://doi.org/10.5256/f1000research.179885.r381910)
NOTE: it is important to ensure the information in square brackets after the title is included in all citations of this article.
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Reviewer Report 28 Oct 2024
Sanisah Binti Saidi, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 
Not Approved
VIEWS 22
Abstract: The problem statement is missing within the abstract. Furthermore, methods of analysis and the total number of samples are missing. 
Introduction: The concept of fatalism, i.e., the fatalistic perception of diabetes vs. fatalism due to COVID-19, is not ... Continue reading
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Saidi SB. Reviewer Report For: Fatalism and knowledge associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus risk perception in the Mexican population during COVID-19 confinement [version 2; peer review: 2 approved with reservations, 2 not approved]. F1000Research 2025, 12:771 (https://doi.org/10.5256/f1000research.147307.r335082)
NOTE: it is important to ensure the information in square brackets after the title is included in all citations of this article.
  • Author Response 07 Apr 2025
    Elizabeth Guzman, Nursing and Obstetrics, Universidad de Guanajuato, Celaya, 38050, Mexico
    07 Apr 2025
    Author Response
    We appreciate the valuable comments and suggestions on the manuscript.
    Abstract: we add aim, statistical analyses, sample size and questionnaires used
    Introduction: Fatalism is widespread in risk perception and preventive ... Continue reading
COMMENTS ON THIS REPORT
  • Author Response 07 Apr 2025
    Elizabeth Guzman, Nursing and Obstetrics, Universidad de Guanajuato, Celaya, 38050, Mexico
    07 Apr 2025
    Author Response
    We appreciate the valuable comments and suggestions on the manuscript.
    Abstract: we add aim, statistical analyses, sample size and questionnaires used
    Introduction: Fatalism is widespread in risk perception and preventive ... Continue reading
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23
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Reviewer Report 04 Sep 2023
Ola Sukkarieh, Hariri School of Nursing, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Beirut Governorate, Lebanon 
Not Approved
VIEWS 23
The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between fatalistic beliefs, knowledge of T2DM risk factors, and the perceived risk of T2DM in Mexican adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors could not present clearly the relationship between ... Continue reading
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CITE
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Sukkarieh O. Reviewer Report For: Fatalism and knowledge associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus risk perception in the Mexican population during COVID-19 confinement [version 2; peer review: 2 approved with reservations, 2 not approved]. F1000Research 2025, 12:771 (https://doi.org/10.5256/f1000research.147307.r196704)
NOTE: it is important to ensure the information in square brackets after the title is included in all citations of this article.
  • Author Response 07 Apr 2025
    Elizabeth Guzman, Nursing and Obstetrics, Universidad de Guanajuato, Celaya, 38050, Mexico
    07 Apr 2025
    Author Response
    We appreciate the valuable comments and suggestions on the manuscript.
    Abstract: We added the aim, statistical analyses, sample size and questionnaires used.
    Introduction: COVID-19 was added as a temporal factor since ... Continue reading
COMMENTS ON THIS REPORT
  • Author Response 07 Apr 2025
    Elizabeth Guzman, Nursing and Obstetrics, Universidad de Guanajuato, Celaya, 38050, Mexico
    07 Apr 2025
    Author Response
    We appreciate the valuable comments and suggestions on the manuscript.
    Abstract: We added the aim, statistical analyses, sample size and questionnaires used.
    Introduction: COVID-19 was added as a temporal factor since ... Continue reading

Comments on this article Comments (0)

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Alongside their report, reviewers assign a status to the article:
Approved - the paper is scientifically sound in its current form and only minor, if any, improvements are suggested
Approved with reservations - A number of small changes, sometimes more significant revisions are required to address specific details and improve the papers academic merit.
Not approved - fundamental flaws in the paper seriously undermine the findings and conclusions
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