Open AccessHaitian Immigrants and Type 2 Diabetes: An Integrative Review
Author(s) -
Cherlie Magny-Normilus,
Robin Whittemore
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of immigrant and minority health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.758
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1557-1920
pISSN - 1557-1912
DOI - 10.1007/s10903-019-00914-5
Subject(s) - ethnic group , type 2 diabetes , immigration , vitamin d and neurology , gerontology , public health , medicine , population , clinical psychology , diabetes mellitus , psychology , environmental health , nursing , psychiatry , endocrinology , archaeology , sociology , anthropology , history
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a complex, lifelong condition that is disproportionately prevalent among minority populations. Haitian immigrants (HIs) living in the US with T2D have unique factors that influence diagnosis, treatment, and self-management. The purpose of this integrative review was to provide a synthesis of the research on T2D in the HI population. In a systematic literature search, 14 studies met the inclusion criteria. Three themes were identified: risk factors for less self-management and/or worse metabolic control; protective factors for better self-management and/or metabolic control; and mixed results. HIs had higher HbA 1c , yet better self-management, different genetic profiles, and lower levels of vitamin D and hemoglobin concentration compared to other ethnic groups. HIs also reported better dietary quality, less healthcare utilization, and higher perceived emotional/psychological stress compared to other ethnic groups. This study has implications for practice for integrating the unique cultural factors when assessing and intervening with HIs.