Sidhu Tarnjit, Lemetyinen Henna, Edge Dawn
School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Research & Innovation, Manchester, UK.
Ethn Health. 2022 May;27(4):781-799. doi: 10.1080/13557858.2020.1827141. Epub 2020 Oct 6.
It is well known that Sikhs are at an increased risk of Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM) due to a genetic predisposition. High level of education is associated with lower incidence of T2DM. Young Sikhs are well educated compared to other South Asian sub-groups. Despite this, T2DM rates remain high in Sikhs. The uptake of preventative services is also low within Sikhs. At present, no research has been conducted with the young Punjabi Sikh population on diabetes awareness in the UK. To address this gap, this study explores the knowledge and awareness of T2DM and related modifiable risk factors in the UK Punjabi Sikh community. Views surrounding T2DM health-seeking behaviours are also explored. A qualitative design comprising of 1-to-1 semi-structured interviews was adopted. Thirteen Punjabi Sikh participants between the ages of 18-30 took part. Participants were recruited through a Sikh temple and University of Manchester Sikh Society using purposive and snowball sampling in West Yorkshire and North West England. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis taking a critical realist stance. Three themes were identified: (1) Perceptions of the causes of T2DM, (2) Perceptions of factors impacting physical activity and diet, and (3) Attitudes towards health-seeking behaviours. The findings show that although well educated, participants overlooked physical activity as contributing factor towards T2DM onset. Additionally, gender and cultural norms influenced physical activity and diet, as these are passed through generations to preserve the collectivist Sikh culture. Exploration of health seeking behaviours also found young Punjabi Sikhs perceived the internet to be the preferred tool to seek T2DM information. These findings hold implications for health professionals, as the information and preventative services provided to Sikhs can be tailored to be culturally appropriate and in line with cultural and gender norms, such as bhangra dancing for physical activity.
众所周知，由于遗传易感性，锡克教徒患2型糖尿病（T2DM）的风险增加。高教育水平与较低的T2DM发病率相关。与其他南亚亚群体相比，年轻的锡克教徒受教育程度较高。尽管如此，锡克教徒的T2DM发病率仍然很高。锡克教徒对预防服务的接受程度也很低。目前，尚未对英国年轻的旁遮普锡克教人群进行关于糖尿病认知的研究。为了填补这一空白，本研究探讨了英国旁遮普锡克教社区对T2DM及相关可改变风险因素的知识和认知。同时也探讨了围绕T2DM寻求健康行为的观点。采用了由一对一的半结构化访谈组成的定性设计。13名年龄在18至30岁之间的旁遮普锡克教参与者参与了研究。通过锡克教寺庙和曼彻斯特大学锡克教协会，在西约克郡和英格兰西北部采用目的抽样和滚雪球抽样的方法招募参与者。采用批判性现实主义立场，运用归纳主题分析法对数据进行分析。确定了三个主题：（1）对T2DM病因的认知，（2）对影响身体活动和饮食因素的认知，以及（3）对寻求健康行为的态度。研究结果表明，尽管参与者受教育程度较高，但他们忽视了身体活动是T2DM发病的一个促成因素。此外，性别和文化规范影响了身体活动和饮食，因为这些是代代相传以维护集体主义锡克教文化的。对寻求健康行为的探索还发现，年轻的旁遮普锡克教徒认为互联网是寻求T2DM信息的首选工具。这些发现对健康专业人员具有启示意义，因为向锡克教徒提供的信息和预防服务可以根据文化适当性进行调整，并符合文化和性别规范，比如将班格拉舞作为身体活动方式。
