Diabetes prevention and management among minority ethnic groups in Nicaragua: Findings from Phase 2 of a community-based participatory research study

• Published in: Health education journal 2016-12, Vol.75 (8), p.939-949
• Main Authors: Newlin Lew, Kelley, Mitchell, Emma McKim, Mclean, Yolanda
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Access to Health Care; Administrator Education; Adults; At risk; Barriers; Churches; Clergy; Community action; Community based action research; Community involvement; Community participation; Community Relations; Content analysis; Coping; Coping strategies; Cultural Awareness; Cultural sensitivity; Data processing; Diabetes; Diabetes mellitus; Diabetes mellitus (non-insulin dependent); Diagnostic Tests; Disease control; Disease management; Disease prevention; Drug Therapy; Ethnic factors; Ethnic groups; Financial management; Focus Groups; Foreign Countries; Health education; Health Personnel; Health promotion; Health risks; Interdisciplinary Approach; Interdisciplinary aspects; Interdisciplinary team work; Knowledge Level; Management; Management development programmes; Medical personnel; Minority & ethnic groups; Minority groups; Nicaragua; Participatory research; Prevention; Prevention programs; Professional knowledge; Public health; Qualitative Research; Religion; Religious beliefs; Religious Factors; Risk; Sampling; Sampling methods; Self; Self Management; Selfmanagement; Type 2 diabetes mellitus
• ISSN: 0017-8969; 1748-8176
• DOI: 10.1177/0017896916638701

Objectives: To (1) describe barriers to diabetes prevention and self-management, (2) explore how religious beliefs inform diabetes prevention and self-management and (3) describe community action strategies to address the problem of diabetes locally. Design: Qualitative, descriptive design. Setting: Three Moravian Churches located, respectively, in Bluefields, Pearl Lagoon and Tasbapounie on Nicaragua’s Southern Atlantic Coast. Methods: Using convenience sampling procedures, local church pastors or leaders, health professionals and local lay adults with or at-risk for type 2 diabetes were recruited. Structured by an interview guide, focus groups were conducted. Data were analysed using Krippendorff’s content analysis method. Results: Barriers to diabetes prevention and self-management behaviours included financial constraints, inconsistent availability of diabetes medications and testing supplies, and limited diabetes knowledge. Religious faith was identified as central in coping with the daily demands of preventing or self-managing diabetes. Community action strategies to address diabetes included (1) the formation of interdisciplinary diabetes teams, (2) church-based diabetes care and (3) public health announcements. Conclusion: Findings informed culturally sensitive diabetes prevention and self-management education through the identified community action strategies.