RESUMEN
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of family and friends on the management of persons with diabetes and their willingness to be involved in a culturally tailored program. METHODS: This qualitative study was based within a larger quasi-experimental study that focused on the impact of a culturally tailored group intervention compared with individual standard diabetes education on the outcomes of self-management and glycemic control among rural African Americans with type 2 diabetes. Twenty-one participants were randomly assigned to an individual education group or a culturally tailored intervention group. Family members/peers (n = 6) attended invited group sessions to obtain information about diabetes and family/peer support. The facilitator of the invited group sessions used a guide to help with group discussions. The investigators used an iterative approach to enhance the examination of the responses from the discussion guide, thus identifying recurring themes within the participants' responses. RESULTS: The data revealed that family and friends made a difference in the diabetes management of individuals with diabetes. Although family and friends may have been helpful at times, they also created moments of problems and an environment that made it more difficult to care for diabetes. The data also revealed that diabetes is hard to manage and control. Participants reported that taking medications and being aware of types of foods to keep a well-maintained glucose level were often challenging. CONCLUSIONS: These findings confirm that family and peers greatly influence diabetes management among rural African Americans. The study's results will help health care providers understand the importance of involving family members and friends in the treatment and diabetes management of individuals with type 2 diabetes, particularly within rural African American communities where resources are limited.
Asunto(s)
Población Negra , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/psicología , Familia , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Población Negra/estadística & datos numéricos , Cultura , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/epidemiología , Femenino , Humanos , Relaciones Interpersonales , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Estados Unidos/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
The prevalence of type 2 diabetes among non-Hispanic African American adults aged 20 years and older is 11.4%, compared to 8.4% non-Hispanic whites. Given the high rate of diabetes in this population, it is important to determine whether African Americans use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), and if so, what kind. Such information is important to healthcare professionals who prescribe therapies and make self-care recommendations to those with diabetes. The use of CAM by African Americans with diabetes has not been well studied, however, particularly among those living in rural areas. This descriptive study was conducted in 2 rural communities in Central Virginia to explore the use of CAM therapies and the role of religion and spirituality in dealing with diabetes among adult African Americans with type 2 diabetes. Sixty-eight participants attended 1 of 8 focus group sessions in various community settings and described their use of alternative therapies. According to these sessions, the most common alternative therapies used are prayer, diet-based therapies, and natural products. The participants' descriptions enhance our understanding of CAM use among rural African Americans with diabetes.