Chinese Immigrants with Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus: Nutritional Self-Management Approach

• Main Author: Wong, Winnie Manlai
• Format: Others
• Published: NSUWorks 2019
• Subjects: Social sciences; Health and environmental sciences; Behavior changes; Chinese immigrants; Diabetes mellitus; Nutritional management; Self-management; Nursing
• Online Access: https://nsuworks.nova.edu/hpd_con_stuetd/54; https://nsuworks.nova.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1054&context=hpd_con_stuetd

Background: Chinese immigrants (CIs) with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) generally have poor control in their diet regimen. Due to the variation in body mass, physiology, and cultural differences as compare with the general American population, special attention must be conducted in treating diabetes in Cis, emphasizing culturally sensitive care and nutrition therapy that acknowledge the differences. Purpose: The purpose of this project was to assess cultural challenges in self-management for CIs living with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and evaluate the effectiveness of a diabetic nutritional self-management guide tailored to this population. Theoretical Framework: Havelock’s theory of change is a model emphasized for understanding and intervening of the possibility that people might be resistant to behavior changes. Methods: Thirty-five foreign-born CIs were selected. The project was comprised of two phases to include pretest and posttest self-assessment questionnaires in addition to pretest and posttest A1C levels to evaluate the effectiveness of a custom meal plan. Results: Result findings were non-significant. However, female CIs were noted to have superiority for diet management as compared with male CIs. The two groups had no significant difference in age and cultural characteristics. Conclusion: The goal of the implementation of this project was to improve self-care for Chinese diabetic patients through behavior training and change in policy making. Social and cultural norms were identified that had great influence on an individual’s overall health knowledge. Increasing health care providers’ overall cultural competency was expected to promote better health outcome and ease the complexity of the acculturation process. However, the management of the diet did not have a significant change for the improvement of A1c. Future recommendations include the exploration of the immensity of change in cultural diet and acculturation.