I express my deep and sincere thanks to everyone involved in making this study a success. This study also discusses how women receive information at the clinic about how to manage their diabetes.
Background and significance of the study
Ingram, Gallegos and Elens (2005:6) state that "those most affected by diabetes are often those who also face health disparities". This situation is not conducive to a person afflicted with a disease, Coodavia, Jewks, Barron, Sanders and Mclntyre emphasize that "overcrowding, inadequate sanitation, malnutrition and stress cause the health of the black population to deteriorate".
Rationale/motivation for the study
They add that "the markedly increased risk of hypoglycemia almost certainly contributes to the fact that adults with diabetes who cannot afford adequate food have five more medical appointments per year than their counterparts who can afford adequate food" Seligman and Schillinger (2010:7). It becomes difficult for the sick person to maintain and manage diabetes alone, as there are too many aspects to the treatment of the disease.
The statement of the research problem
Through proper and thorough education they are able to learn new ways of managing their diabetes. A study conducted by Ingram, Gallegos, Elens in (2005:1) proved that, with thorough education, patients and families are able to manage diabetes properly.
Key research questions
"Diabetes educators play a vital role in training patients to manage their diabetes, thereby reducing patients' risk of diabetes complications and hospitalization." Education of family members should be emphasized more strongly by nurses or other diabetes educators so that they fully understand how the patient should live.
Objectives of the study
Overview of literature on the subject
Theoretical framework
Social capital is "the fruit of social relationships, and consists of the anticipated benefits derived from the preferential treatment and cooperation between individuals and groups" (Bowles and Gintis, 2002). The introduction includes the background of the study and its significance, the rationale and motivation behind the study, the statement of the research problem, key research questions, the study objectives, an overview of the literature on the topic and the theoretical framework.
Introduction
Do they understand what it is and the effects it has on the body, can they use glucometers and can they read them?
Cultural meanings attached to diabetes
According to Kum Awa and Phillimore, some believe that diabetes can be caused by a shock. People who believe their diabetes is due to witchcraft have preferred options for dealing with and managing their disease.
Information received by black diabetic women at the clinic
High quality of care was strongly related to the duration of routine consultations, the size of the practice (large practices tend to provide better diabetes care) and the location of the practice (preventive care was worse in low socioeconomic areas). This study indicates that the quality of care for people with chronic diseases tends to be related to the frequency of patients' visits to the clinic.
Coping mechanisms put in place to manage diabetes
People with diabetes need to eat large amounts of vegetables to keep their blood sugar levels under control. Poor people have to eat what is available to them, they don't have funds to buy what the doctors and nurses at the clinic prescribe.
The importance of exercise
To manage diabetes properly, patients suffering from it should eat healthy foods that will be low in starches, fats and sugars. Ngamlana (2006) says that "not only has an effect on the development and management of DM, but it is clear that DM also has serious economic consequences", as people have to spend money on medication and healthy food, which are expensive. .
Understanding diabetes and its complications
Thomas, Elliot and Naughton (2009:2) explain that "Exercise improves blood glucose control and this effect is evident even without weight loss. Patients with glucose intolerance have a better understanding of their glucose levels as the glucose meter is able to show them when their glucose levels have risen too high.
Social networks within the community that assist black diabetic women manage their
Social networks are a necessity during illness, as they provide the patient with much-needed support. Many, if not all, diabetes management strategies require the patient to change their entire lifestyle.
Conclusion
Some people think that the disease is some kind of punishment from God, while others think that it is just God's plan and that he will help them get through the disease.
Introduction
I also gained a better understanding of the participants and how they live in their natural environments. According to Silverman, "the use of qualitative research has an added advantage for the researcher because the priority of the research is to use observation as their primary research tool."
Population of the study and how the sample was chosen
Ethnography is useful in the present study because it helped me to understand the culture and way of life of the people I studied. It was during the monthly visits that the researcher was able to observe people who were suitable to represent the rest of the population in the study.
Instruments used in the study
As a researcher, there was a great need to respect and understand the participants' conditions and different situations. Two interview techniques allowed me as the researcher to focus on the participants' perspectives and experiences.
Data analysis
Using the four levels of grounded theory helped me analyze the data, as I was able to see the research findings from all angles. Using the four levels of the grounded theory system allowed me to see the least important information from the research findings.
Ethical considerations
Ethical measures were taken for the purpose of the research and to protect the participants. At no time did I share any private information with other people not involved in the research without the participant's knowledge, and I also had to make sure that I did not reveal the subjects' names.
Challenges faced during the research
I never had a problem talking to the patients while visiting with the Diabetes South Africa representatives. After a while I had to go back on myself and had problems with the nurses getting permission to talk to the patients.
Conclusion
Introduction
Cultural meanings and beliefs given to diabetes
She had this faith because of the community, culture and beliefs she was born into. When it became known that she was pregnant, her grandmother was sure that she was bewitched by someone because of the pregnancy.
Diabetes coping mechanisms
Healthy eating behaviour
Ntombi said she didn't have all the money in the world, but she did everything to try and balance her diet. Thembi, a 4-year-old mother of two, admitted that she had become more selective about foods and noted that her sugar levels were under control and she was feeling good.
Medication compliance
All the participants knew and understood the importance of medication adherence, whether it was medicine from the clinic or from the healer. She trusted that her husband did not understand that they were not allowed to use alternative medicine for diabetes.
Exercise
Beatrice began recommending an IV to the woman that she was taking for diabetes. She felt like people would make fun of her and that she had never seen anyone in the family exercise.
Networks
She would buy them some of the recommended food that they were told to eat. Some of the groceries were separate, Clair and her mother had their own Flora margarine while the others ate Rondo margarine.
Doctor/nurse patient relationship
I sometimes find it difficult to talk to the nurses because some of them do not have a respectful approach to our patients. The clinic was always full of patients and the nurses were always up and down looking after the patients.
Conclusion
It is very rare that I yell at the patients; When I do that, it's always for a good reason. Some patients don't listen. This month you tell them to follow the guidelines on how to manage their diabetes so they can control their sugar levels. They come back the next month with a glucose level of > 10 mmol/L, which is an indication that they are not following the guidelines we give them” (nurse B).
Introduction
Cultural meanings given to diabetes
Participants consulted traditional healers when they felt they would receive an appropriate diagnosis for their illness. Other participants believed that traditional medicine worked better than the pills they received from the clinic.
Coping mechanisms that women adopt for dealing with diabetes
All the participants complained that the virgin oil they were advised to buy was very expensive and that they could not afford it. Participants were concerned about their starch intake because the whole wheat they were advised to buy was comparatively more expensive.
Family and community support system for diabetic women
However, the participants felt that their family members did not know much about diabetes and its proper management. Participants felt that the information their families knew was what they were told by the participants.
The clinic as a source of information on how to manage diabetes
Many participants mentioned that drinking water before and after meals is important to prevent overeating. Participants said they were taught not to put their medication in a container with other different medications because it made the medication less effective.
Diabetes South Africa
Participants were encouraged to bring medication to the clinic and sometimes even went with the participants. Financial constraints prevented participants from consuming the foods recommended at the clinic because they were too expensive for the participants.
Limitations of the study
For some of the participants, buying two sets of groceries is impossible because their financial situation does not allow this. The lack of comparable South African studies on this topic made it difficult to compare the findings with studies conducted recently.
Conclusion
Introduction
Summary of findings
- Cultural and religious beliefs given to diabetes
- Coping mechanisms
- Networks
- Doctor/nurse patient relationship
Patients were afraid of the nurses because of the generalization that nurses are rude and yell at patients. The relationship that nurses and participants had built had a major influence on the participants' medication compliance.
Recommendations
Do you work; if so, does your employer know about your diabetic condition and how they help. Do you use traditional herbs or medicines; do you see a difference in using them if you do.
