Data from: 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，第一代中国移民糖尿病患者仍难以获取、处理及理解糖尿病相关健康信息的成因。
研究设计：本质性研究采用目的抽样法，共开展6组焦点小组访谈与2次个人访谈。每组讨论时长约90分钟，以半结构化及开放式问题作为访谈指引。
研究场景：数据采集于美国加利福尼亚州洛杉矶的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年的中国移民。
研究结果：共识别出8项核心主题，这些主题可能影响中国移民获取、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的决策制定。上述主题可归纳为三大类别：文化因素、结构性障碍与个人障碍。
研究结论：本研究结果凸显了在为第一代中国移民糖尿病患者提供服务时，文化敏感性的重要性。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。