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

Objectives: This study aimed 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: Twenty-nine Chinese immigrants aged 45 or older and diagnosed with type 2 diabetes for at least 1 year were recruited and participated in the study. 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 centers, and other potential service providers are discussed.研究目的：本研究旨在探讨尽管已配备翻译材料与翻译人员，第一代华裔糖尿病患者仍难以获取、处理与理解糖尿病相关健康信息的成因。 研究设计：本项质性研究采用目的性抽样法，共开展6组焦点小组讨论与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。 研究场景：数据采集工作在美国加利福尼亚州洛杉矶市的两家社区卫生中心与一处老年退休社区内完成。 研究对象：本研究共招募29名年龄45岁及以上、确诊2型糖尿病至少1年的华裔移民作为受试对象。 研究结果：研究识别出8个核心主题，这些主题可能影响华裔移民获取、交流、处理与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。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华裔糖尿病患者提供照护服务时，文化敏感性的重要价值。本文还探讨了该发现对卫生专业人员、本地社区中心及其他潜在服务提供者的实践启示。