Cultural Factors Affecting African Americans of Caribbean Descent with Type II Diabetes

Type II diabetes is a significant problem in the United States that had affected almost 10% of the American population and over 13% of African Americans. Although culturally competent diabetes education and treatment programs have been significantly more successful, little is known about the cultural factors affecting type II diabetes in African Americans of Caribbean descent (AACD). The purpose of this qualitative, phenomenological study was to explore the cultural factors relevant to the treatment and prevention of type II diabetes among AACD. The theoretical framework for the study consisted of cultural adaptation theory and the transtheoretical model. Data collection consisted of in-depth, qualitative semistructured interviews. For the first research question, findings indicated that AACD viewed dietary and exercise regimens as challenging to implement. For the second question, findings indicated that AACD viewed medical advice related to diabetes as valuable and helpful, and AACD fully appreciated and perhaps even exaggerated the seriousness of diabetes, a factor that might incentivize preventative behaviors. Findings from the present study could inform new diabetes treatment and education for AACD that addresses specific cultural factors, which could lead to lower diabetes rates for this population