Managing Type 2 Diabetes: Beliefs and Daily Practices in First Generation Asian Indians in the United States

Abstract

Introduction Diabetes management and control remain poor in Asian Indians (AI) and is influenced by personal beliefs and cultural practices. Since AIs have a high prevalence of diabetes and are more likely develop complications earlier than any other ethnic group, understanding their beliefs and practices of diabetes management is essential. The purpose of this study was to examine and understand beliefs and practices about diabetes self-management in first-generation AI Hindus and Sikhs. Method Interpretative phenomenology was used to interview 12 first generation AI participants with type 2 diabetes to elicit beliefs and daily self-management practices of diabetes. Interpretative and thematic analysis were completed. Results Diabetes self-management was a balancing act influenced by Ayurvedic principles, allopathy and dietary practices; gender roles, insufficient knowledge and culturally inappropriate diabetes education. Discussion Culturally appropriate strategies that incorporate Ayurvedic principles, dietary practices, gender roles should be developed to improve diabetes management.

Understanding the diabetes self-care behaviour in rural areas: Perspective of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and healthcare professionals

“…It was also interestingly found that FGD participants proposed to include family members in education. This finding was consistent with the previous study [ 46 ]. Participants reported that receiving guidance and support from physicians helped them to perform optimal DMSCPs.…”

The Role of Family in Diabetes Management for Mexican American Adults

“…Park et al (2022) found that patients with T2DM trusted health information when explained by family members more than providers, which may be why promotoras previously described have improved diabetes self-management. Similar thoughts on barriers and motivators regarding family and diabetes selfmanagement have been described in qualitative literature focusing on black and South Asian communities (Deol et al, 2022;Lee et al, 2019;Rao et al, 2021). This suggests the desires expressed in our study are generalizable to other ethnic minorities facing health disparities.…”