title: Understanding cultural issues in the diabetes self-management behaviors of Korean immigrants.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to explore potential factors affecting the self-management behaviors of Korean immigrants with type 2 diabetes mellitus (KIT2Ds).
  
  
  
  A qualitative descriptive design guided this study. Semistructured interviews lasting 45 to 60 minutes were conducted with 20 KIT2Ds in the participants' preferred language; in all cases, this was Korean. Each interview was audiotaped, transcribed, and analyzed using conventional content analysis. Data analysis was performed in two steps. The data written in Korean were initially analyzed by 3 bilingual researchers. A qualitative researcher then participated in the analysis to refine the findings for presentation to an English-speaking audience while staying true to the data and preserving the nuanced Korean meanings.
  
  
  
  The mean age of the sample was 64. 5 ± 11.6 years (9 men and 11 women). The mean years of staying in the United States and age at diabetes mellitus diagnosis were 23.6 ± 9.7 years and 52.5 ± 12.3 years, respectively. Three major ideas were identified: (1) issues on treatment regimen related to medications and diet, (2) resources that helped or hindered ability to manage diabetes, and (3) the physician-patient relationship.
  
  
  
  Important cultural nuances need to be addressed to better prepare KIT2Ds to manage their diabetes more effectively. A culture-specific program should extend beyond a diabetes self-management education delivered in Korean language. Rather, content and education methods need to consider acculturation effects on diabetes management behaviors.
authors.affiliation: Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia (Dr Cha, Ms Min, Dr Dunbar, Dr Jennings)
authors.forename: EunSeok
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cha
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Dr Yang, Dr Kim)
authors.forename: Kyeongra
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: District 2 Public Health, Gainesville, Georgia (Ms Lee)
authors.forename: Jia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia (Dr Cha, Ms Min, Dr Dunbar, Dr Jennings)
authors.forename: Jiwon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Min
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Dr Yang, Dr Kim)
authors.forename: Kevin H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia (Dr Cha, Ms Min, Dr Dunbar, Dr Jennings)
authors.forename: Sandra B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Dunbar
authors.affiliation: Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia (Dr Cha, Ms Min, Dr Dunbar, Dr Jennings)
authors.forename: Bonnie Mowinski
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Jennings
mesh_terms: D000069:Acculturation; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D044466:Asian People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000628:therapy; D004032:Diet / Q000208:ethnology*; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000193:education / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007328:Insulin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence / Q000208:ethnology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D036301:Qualitative Research; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012648:Self Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D016903:Drug Monitoring
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin