Living with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the Kingdom of Tonga: a qualitative investigation of the barriers and enablers to lifestyle management

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Taumoepeau, Jennifer
Knight-Agarwal, Catherine R
Tu'i, Esiteli AP
Jani, Rati
Osuagwu, Uchechukwu Levi
Simmons, David
Griffith University Author(s)
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2021
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Abstract

Background: Despite the increasing prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) in the Kingdom of Tonga, little is known of non-communicable disease experiences among adults living in this location. This investigation aimed to explore the barriers and enablers to healthy lifestyle in a group of men and women living with T2DM residing in this Pacific Island nation. Methods: This qualitative study consisted of three semi-structured focus groups (n = 16), conducted at the only Tongan Public Hospital located at Nuku’alofa, capital of Tonga (north coast of the island of Tongatapu). Discussions were audio-recorded, transcribed, cross-checked for consistency, and entered into a word processing document for analysis. Thematic analysis was employed to synthesise results. Results: Four main themes were identified: (1) Knowledge and Support; (2) Fear and Motivation; 3) Physical and Psychological Environment; and (4) Faith and Culture. Conclusions: The qualitative findings from this study will assist the future development and information dissemination of culturally appropriate lifestyle-related for men and women living with T2DM in the Kingdom of Tonga. The need for collaboration between practitioners at the hospital, the church, family members, and local traditional healers is important if the lifestyle-related needs and wants of this group of people are to be met.

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BMC Public Health

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21

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1

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© The Author(s). 2021 Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made.

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Public health

Endocrinology

Health policy

Epidemiology

Health services and systems

Science & Technology

Life Sciences & Biomedicine

Public, Environmental & Occupational Health

Type 2 diabetes mellitus

Non-communicable disease

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Taumoepeau, J; Knight-Agarwal, CR; Tu'i, EAP; Jani, R; Osuagwu, UL; Simmons, D, Living with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the Kingdom of Tonga: a qualitative investigation of the barriers and enablers to lifestyle management, BMC Public Health, 2021, 21 (1), pp. 1307

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