Optimizing Diabetes Literacy: Lessons from African Canadians in Calgary about Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosis

• Published in: Canadian journal of diabetes Vol. 37; no. 4; pp. 231 - 236
• Main Authors: Ekong, Jane I., PhD, Psych, Russell-Mayhew, Shelly, PhD, R Psych, Arthur, Nancy, PhD, R Psych
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Canada Elsevier Inc 01-08-2013
• Subjects: Adult; African Canadians; African Continental Ancestry Group; Afro-Canadiens; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Alberta; Cohort Studies; community-specific factors; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - diagnosis; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - ethnology; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - prevention & control; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - psychology; diabète de type 2; Endocrinology & Metabolism; experiences; expériences; facteurs propres à la communauté; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health Literacy; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Other; primary prevention; prévention primaire; prévention secondaire; Religion; secondary prevention; sensibilisation au diabète de type 2; type 2 diabetes; type 2 diabetes awareness; Alberta; sensibilisation au diabète de type 2; secondary prevention; type 2 diabetes awareness; prévention primaire; prévention secondaire; experiences; community-specific factors; type 2 diabetes; primary prevention; diabète de type 2; Afro-Canadiens; expériences; facteurs propres à la communauté; African Canadians
• ISSN: 1499-2671; 2352-3840
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcjd.2013.05.003

Abstract Objective With the aim of optimizing diabetes education, type 2 diabetes awareness, primary prevention and secondary prevention, we studied how African Canadians experience type 2 diabetes. Specifically, we studied stories told by African Canadians living in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, about significant events and experiences at the time of their diagnosis with type 2 diabetes. Methods From recorded interviews, we extracted themes from stories about diagnosis, using hermeneutic phenomenology. Participants included 11 African Canadians older than age 18 and at least 1-year post-diagnosis. Transcribed stories were analyzed for units of meaning describing significant themes/experiences about the diagnosis. Extracted units of meaning were organized into themes that were presented to a focus group of African Canadians in Calgary to garner their perspective on the findings, discuss the implications and make recommendations for improvements. Results All participants reported experiencing shock, disbelief, fear and a sense of helplessness immediately after their diagnosis. These rendered them unable to think clearly or start their treatment regimen until propelled by additional forces. Also, 73% of participants reported experiencing anger/denial about the diagnosis for some time, whereas 18% reported a short-lived relief that they could finally put a name to their symptoms. However, the overarching issue associated with all of the themes appeared to emanate from a lack of type 2 diabetes awareness. Conclusions Emotions experienced by participants seemed precipitated by a lack of type 2 diabetes awareness. Some community-specific factors contributed to the lack of type 2 diabetes awareness, which appeared to impede primary and secondary prevention among participants. Recommendations for ameliorating these factors are presented.