A Voice To Be Heard. Social Barriers Impacting on Dietary Modification: The Experiences of Women of African Descent with Type 2 Diabetes
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Date
2010-05-10
Authors
Bruhier, Deborah
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Abstract
Although Nova Scotia has one of the highest populations of people of African descent in
Canada, health research on this population is limited. Women of African descent have a high risk
of developing type 2 diabetes, and are also at increased risk of experiencing greater difficulty
with the physiological management of diabetes, which can lead to serious complications. While
careful attention to dietary choices can help manage type 2 diabetes, social barriers often arise
for women of African descent when considering food choices.
The purpose of this research was to examine the social barriers affecting dietary
modification of type 2 diabetes experienced by women of African descent in the Halifax
Regional Municipality. This qualitative study used the methodology of phenomenology to
understand African women’s experiences with type 2 diabetes. Purposive sampling was used to
interview nine women in a face-to-face interview. Black feminist thought as a critical social
theory was the theoretical framework used to guide analysis of the data.
Ten themes were identified as barriers in the literature and confirmed by the women in
this study. Of the ten themes, the following four: (1.) Poverty/Low Socio-Economic Status; (2.)
Role of Women in Families (Gender)/Family Relationships and Norms; (3.) Racism and its
Effects on Health; and (4.) Cultural Meaning of Food/Taste of Food provided the largest amount
of data. Although these four themes were identified as separate barriers, data from the women
revealed that many themes intersected with one another, especially race, class and gender.
Particularly, this study revealed that racism was a key barrier affecting African women’s lives as
they live with type 2 diabetes. This research highlights the importance of cultural competence.
Cultural competence is required not only at the individual level, provided by the heath care
professional, but also at the organizational and system level, to better meet the health care needs
of African women living with type 2 diabetes.
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Keywords
Non-Insulin-Dependant Diabetes , Diet Therapy , Racism - Health Aspects , Nova Scotia , Black Women