Stress, culture and 'home': social context in Turkish and Arabic-speaking Australians' views of diabetes prevention.
OBJECTIVE
A high prevalence of type 2 diabetes and diabetes risk factors exists among Middle East-born communities, largely attributed to modifiable lifestyle factors. Understanding the interplay between individual behaviour and societal and environmental factors would assist in planning interventions to reduce diabetes prevalence in these groups. This study explores the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of diabetes and its prevention in Turkish and Arabic-speaking communities in metropolitan Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.


METHODS
Turkish and Arabic-speaking people with risk factors of developing diabetes were invited to attend focus groups. Discussions were audiotaped and transcribed with the assistance of interpreters and then analysed by two researchers independently to ensure validity. Common themes were drawn upon and reported.


RESULTS
Fifty-two people (41 females and 11 males, mean age=58.8 years) participated in five focus groups. Understanding of diabetes and potential for reducing risk of diabetes is closely linked to social context. Individual behaviours around diet and exercise, while partly influenced by cultural factors, are framed by concerns about public safety and food quality, which are themselves closely linked to experiences of social exclusion and marginalisation.


CONCLUSIONS
These factors limit potential for individual behaviour change and are implicated in the way chronic stress acts as a common pathway through which individual health comes to embody social context.
Sulaiman
Nabil D
ND
Department of General Practice, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Furler
John S
JS
Hadj
Elaine J
EJ
Corbett
Helen M
HM
Young
Doris Y L
DY
D000328:Adult; D018912:Arabs; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006266:Health Education / Q000458:organization & administration; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012931:Social Environment; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D014421:Turkey / Q000208:ethnology; D014739:Victoria / Q000453:epidemiology