Falling into a deep dark hole

Tongan people’s perceptions of being at risk of developing type 2 diabetes

Bibliographic Data

ID19507744
AuthorsJulienne Faletau (0000-0003-0836-8216, Epidemiology and Biostatistics Section Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences School of Population Health The University of Auckland Auckland New Zealand, corresponding author), Vili Nosa (0000-0002-7144-2805, Pacific Health Section Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences School of Population Health The University of Auckland Auckland New Zealand), Rosie Dobson (0000-0003-0122-1000, Pacific Health Section Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences School of Population Health The University of Auckland Auckland New Zealand), Maryann Heather (0000-0003-3629-2984, Pacific Health Section Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences School of Population Health The University of Auckland Auckland New Zealand), Judith Mccool (0000-0001-6646-6661, Epidemiology and Biostatistics Section Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences School of Population Health The University of Auckland Auckland New Zealand)
Year2020
Volume23
Issue4
Pages837-845
Publication date2020-08-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHealth Expectations (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1369-6513 • E-ISSN: 1369-7625
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/hex.13056
PMID32441864
OpenAlexW3027455527
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited33

BACKGROUND: Prediabetes is a precursor for type 2 diabetes. Compared to the New Zealand/European and other population groups (24.6%), the prevalence of prediabetes is higher within Pacific groups (29.8%). The diagnosis of prediabetes presents a potential opportunity to intervene to prevent progression to type 2 diabetes. OBJECTIVE: To develop an understanding of how being 'at risk' of developing type 2 diabetes is perceived by Tongan people with prediabetes living in Auckland, New Zealand. METHODS: The Kakala and Talanga Tongan methodologies underpinned this study. Twelve one-on-one, semi-structured interviews with Tongan patients who had prediabetes from a primary health-care clinic in Auckland, New Zealand, were conducted. Thematic analysis was used to identify recurrent themes from the data. RESULTS: Participants were not aware of their prediabetes diagnosis, emotions associated with the diagnosis reflected fear and disbelief and a perception of imminent danger. Family history informed perceptions of the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Participants could not differentiate prediabetes from type 2 diabetes, and recollections of being 'back in the Islands' of Tonga were consistent with healthy lifestyles. CONCLUSIONS: Prediabetes appeared to be poorly understood and was believed to be irreversible, which could discourage behaviour change, social and physical improvements in health. Appropriate culturally tailored messages to accompany a prediabetes diagnosis, including cause and management, would be beneficial for Pacific peoples

Diabetes mellitus · Environmental health · Perception · Population · Prediabetes · Qualitative research · Risk perception · Sociology · Thematic analysis · Type 2 diabetes · Cardiovascular Health and Risk Factors · Demography · Diabetes Management and Education · Diabetes, Cardiovascular Risks, and Lipoproteins · Medicine · Psychology · Endocrinology · Gerontology

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