A qualitative study exploring the health literacy issues in the care of Chinese American immigrants with diabetes

Objectives: To investigate why first-generation Chinese immigrants with diabetes have difficulty obtaining, processing and understanding diabetes related information despite the existence of translated materials and translators. Design: This qualitative study employed purposive sampling. Six focus groups and two individual interviews were conducted. Each group discussion lasted approximately 90 min and was guided by semistructured and open-ended questions. Setting: Data were collected in two community health centres and one elderly retirement village in Los Angeles, California. Participants: 29 Chinese immigrants aged ≥45 years and diagnosed with type 2 diabetes for at least 1 year. Results: Eight key themes were found to potentially affect Chinese immigrants' capacity to obtain, communicate, process and understand diabetes related health information and consequently alter their decision making in self-care. Among the themes, three major categories emerged: cultural factors, structural barriers, and personal barriers. Conclusions: Findings highlight the importance of cultural sensitivity when working with first-generation Chinese immigrants with diabetes. Implications for health professionals, local community centres and other potential service providers are discussed.

研究目的：探讨尽管存在翻译材料与翻译人员，第一代华裔糖尿病患者仍难以获取、处理及理解糖尿病相关信息的原因。
研究设计：本研究为质性研究，采用目的性抽样法，共开展6次焦点小组讨论与2次个人访谈。每组讨论时长约90分钟，以半结构化、开放式问题为讨论指引。
研究地点：数据采集于美国加利福尼亚州洛杉矶市的2家社区卫生中心与1处老年退休社区。
研究对象：29名年龄≥45岁、确诊2型糖尿病至少1年的华裔移民。
研究结果：本研究识别出8个核心主题，这些主题可能影响华裔糖尿病患者获取、交流、处理及理解糖尿病相关健康信息的能力，进而改变其自我照护决策。其中可归纳为三大类别：文化因素、结构性障碍与个人障碍。
研究结论：研究结果凸显了针对第一代华裔糖尿病患者开展工作时文化敏感性的重要意义。本文还探讨了该研究对卫生专业人员、当地社区中心及其他潜在服务提供者的实践启示。