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Diabetes Education: An Asian Perspective
Author(s) -
Wilson E.,
Wardle E.V.,
Chandel P.,
Walford S.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
diabetic medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.474
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1464-5491
pISSN - 0742-3071
DOI - 10.1111/j.1464-5491.1993.tb00038.x
Subject(s) - medicine , diabetes mellitus , life expectancy , quality of life (healthcare) , perspective (graphical) , disease , health education , patient education , public health , asian americans , gerontology , family medicine , nursing , ethnic group , environmental health , population , artificial intelligence , sociology , computer science , anthropology , endocrinology
Asian diabetic patients often lack knowledge about diabetes and self‐management of the disease due to difficulties in communication. The introduction of a diabetes education programme specifically for Asian patients has resolved many of the communication problems, provided education which Asian patients could understand, and raised awareness of diabetes within the Asian community. Forty‐eight percent of Asian patients were unable to read, while only 26 % spoke and 20 % read English, emphasizing the need for education in Asian languages using oral and visual teaching methods. Cultural differences were identified such as the use of alternative therapy to supplement treatment (33 %) and the large number of vegetarians (61%). Public awareness of diabetes in the Asian community was increased by providing health education at social venues. The provision of diabetes education designed for the needs of Asian patients is essential to improve the quality of life and life expectancy of these patients.