The role of culture and health beliefs in type 2 diabetes self-management behaviours among the Black sub-Saharan African communities in the UK

Oyewole, D.A. ORCID: 0000-0002-7582-6806, 2018. The role of culture and health beliefs in type 2 diabetes self-management behaviours among the Black sub-Saharan African communities in the UK. PhD, Nottingham Trent University.

[img]
Preview
Text
DAMILOLA OMODARA 2018.pdf - Published version

Download (7MB) | Preview

Abstract

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes as a multifaceted public health issue has become a growing health problem, particularly among people from the Black sub-Saharan African (BsSA) communities. BsSAs self-management behaviours and choices of treatment are embedded in their cultural background and lay belief systems, often creating disengagement with the formal health care and services. When such a situation arises, they seek treatment from both conventional and unconventional care systems, reflecting the sociocultural context of diabetes management.

The research draws upon a qualitative approach to identify the significance of culture and lay belief systems on self-management behaviours among the Black African community. This study presents the narratives from semi-structured interviews with twenty-eight Black sub Saharan African living with type 2 diabetes, ten healthcare providers and six stakeholders. Analysis of data was informed by the sociocultural model and PEN-3 public health cultural model, which moves beyond individualistic and bio-medical explanations of diabetes.

The findings from the study revealed that experiences, perceptions and treatment goals vary among the BsSA communities. BsSAs seek treatment approaches that they trust and found to be livable, manageable and efficient. Thus, they develop systems of self-management and healing, suitable for their beliefs, values and personal priorities. Cultural beliefs and medical pluralism were found to be of paramount importance in self-management of diabetes among the BsSA communities. Culturally appropriate services from health care providers and the knowledge of healing through a holistic approach to health were seen as critical for diabetes intervention and informing ways of optimising health care services among BsSA communities.

The study contributes to the existing knowledge on the significant role and underlying principles of cultural values and beliefs on T2D self-management behaviours among BsSA communities. Diabetes self-management behaviours among the BsSA communities are influenced by shared beliefs, collective sense of being in an identified cultural identity and community togetherness. In addition, this study complements the use of a cultural framework and qualitative research in the interpretation of self-management and health-seeking behaviours that are culturally grounded in beliefs, norms and morals. A broader interpretation of individuals' narratives of diabetes, their social and cultural context, and their relationships with health care providers contribute to the debate on the interpretation of health between a lay belief system and medical professional knowledge within the mainstream health system. Developing engagement strategies grounded in lay belief systems lived experiences and cultural identity could facilitate the development of collaborative and culturally appropriate interventions that could promote positive self-management behaviours among people from the Black African communities.

Item Type: Thesis
Description: Author's name is now Damilola Abiola Omodara
Creators: Oyewole, D.A.
Contributors:
NameRoleNTU IDORCID
Gibson, L.Thesis supervisorCRI3GIBSOLorcid.org/0000-0002-1220-8680
Bowpitt, G.Thesis supervisorSOC3BOWPIGSorcid.org/0000-0002-0554-9444
Date: March 2018
Rights: This thesis has been submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of Nottingham Trent University for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. I agree that the re-use of information derived from this thesis should not be published without the prior consent and referencing of the author and the University. Requests or queries for any other use of this thesis, or if a more substantial copy is required for the purpose of publication, should be directed to the owner of the Intellectual Property Rights. The confirmation of the copyright is stated with the date below. Damilola Abiola Oyewole, 02/03/2018.
Divisions: Schools > School of Social Sciences
Record created by: Linda Sullivan
Date Added: 07 Jan 2019 11:12
Last Modified: 20 Mar 2024 08:08
URI: https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/35480

Actions (login required)

Edit View Edit View

Views

Views per month over past year

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year