The meaning of insulin to Hispanic immigrants with type 2 diabetes and their families.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to explore the meaning of insulin among a sample of Hispanic immigrants with type 2 diabetes and their family members/significant others.

METHOD

Forty-three Hispanics with type 2 diabetes and their family members/significant others were recruited in the southeastern United States for a family-based intervention study on diabetes self-management. Focus groups were conducted in which participants with diabetes and family members were asked to describe their perceptions of insulin. The sessions were audiotaped and transcribed, translated from Spanish into English, and analyzed using standard content analysis. This article reports the findings as well as demographic information and hemoglobin A1C levels of participants.

RESULTS

The meaning of insulin was described by both Hispanic immigrants with type 2 diabetes and their family members/significant others. Participants' perceptions were categorized into three major themes: (1) negative perceptions of insulin therapy, (2) perceived barriers to insulin therapy, and (3) positive experiences with insulin emerged from qualitative data.

CONCLUSIONS

The Hispanic immigrants with diabetes and their family members/significant others in this study described perceptions and fears of insulin indicating a lack of understanding of the diabetes disease process and the progressive nature of diabetes. Strategies and further research are necessary to dispel negative perceptions and facilitate positive experiences with insulin for patients and family members/significant others.