Understanding lived experiences of Aboriginal people with type 2 diabetes living in remote Kimberley communities: diabetes, it don't come and go, it stays!

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of Kimberley Aboriginal people with type 2 diabetes managed by remote Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services using phenomenological analysis. Semi-structured interviews formulated by Aboriginal Health Workers, researchers and other clinicians were used to obtain qualitative data from 13 adult Aboriginal patients with type 2 diabetes managed in two remote communities in the Kimberley. Together with expert opinion from local Aboriginal Health Workers and clinicians, the information was used to develop strategies to improve diabetes management. Of 915 regular adult patients in the two communities, 27% had type 2 diabetes; 83% with glycated haemoglobin A >10%. Key qualitative themes included: the need for culturally relevant education and pictorial resources; importance of continuous therapeutic relationships with healthcare staff; lifestyle management advice that takes into account local and cultural factors; and the involvement of Aboriginal community members and families in support roles. Recommendations to improve diabetes management in the remote communities have been made collaboratively with community input. This study provides a framework for culturally relevant recommendations to assist patients with diabetes, for collaborative research, and for communication among patients, Aboriginal Health Workers, community members, researchers and other clinicians. Interventions based on recommendations from this study will be the focus of further collaborative research.

Health Behavior, Level of Hemoglobin A1c, and Quality of Life Among Agricultural Workers of Various Ethnicities in Thai Border Communities

“…This phenomenon is similar to that described, who mentioned that uninformed people can make inappropriate judgments toward healthcare behaviors ( 33 ). Consistent with the results of a study, we found that participants had limited access to health services which prevented them from being aware of their health status ( 34 ). However, such participants were living in a traditional way of life ( 9 , 33 ).…”

“…We discovered that 51.5% of participants had a high level of HbA1c (>6.5). The effects of poor regulation of the HbA1c level on the body have been discussed extensively ( 23 , 33 , 34 ). Most participants in our study had a low educational level and insufficient income, which may have had a negative impact on their health behaviors.…”

“Life is Bitter and Sweet”: The Lived Experience of Ethnic Minority Elders with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Rural, Thailand

“…Routine activities for managing and controlling T2DM are required, and some participants reported that when they experienced high blood sugar levels, their children had to leave their jobs to take care of them and watch over them for complications at home or in hospital. As the literature shows, diabetes is a chronic disease, and patients may experience difficulty managing their disease as a lifelong journey and require long-term services appropriate for ethnic minority cultures and practices from healthcare providers [32,33].…”

Self-care Behaviors and Lipid Profiles among an Ethnic Minority Adult Population in Thai Rural Communities

“…Previous studies have found that more than half of ethnic minority people obtained knowledge scores at low and moderate levels [7,31,32]. Some studies have shown that language differences are a major barrier to communication among patients and health personnel [33] and can result in miscommunication and misinformation during a health visit [34,35].…”