A study identified barriers encountered by older Haitian immigrants attempting to manage type 2 diabetes (T2DM). The results were published in The Science of Diabetes Self-Management and Care.
This descriptive qualitative approach study used semi-structured interviews of 20 older adult Haitian immigrants with T2DM. An iterative descriptive data analysis method was used to examine the data, compare codes, challenge interpretations, and develop themes inductively.
The results showed that T2DM impacts every aspect of older Haitian immigrants’ lives. They reported that financial hardship and social isolation were described as the major barriers to T2DM management, which forced them to choose between basic needs and healthcare, and at times, they had to forego medications or avoid seeking medical care. The study population recognized that creating and maintaining good community support was the key to self-management of T2DM.
“Financial hardship and social isolation have a tremendous impact on the ability of older Haitian immigrants to manage T2DM effectively,” the researchers concluded. “It is challenging to modify these barriers through individual efforts, and clinical, research, and public efforts may be necessary to address these concerns.”
Keywords: Pregnancy Complications, GDM, Metabolic Diseases in Pregnancy, The First Trimester FPG
