African immigrant parents' understanding of their teenagers' newly diagnosed diabetes status in Perth, Western Australia

Abstract

The aim of this investigation was to develop insight into what a sample of migrant African parents now residing in Western Australia knew about, and were able to provide in relation to the dietary needs of their recently-diagnosed diabetic teenager through an exploration of family food habits.In recent years, Western Australia has seen a sharp increase in the size of its African population due to both economic and refugee migration. A rise in the numbers of teenagers of African origin diagnosed with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes and associated complications has been noticeable. A different ethnic background is a known risk factor for poor metabolic control, and this trend is reflected in recent studies wherein people of African origin have been found to have a high risk of developing diabetes. What is also clear from the health promotion literature is that parents of teenagers with a chronic health condition, when they are well informed about that condition, play a key part its management. Little is known, though, about what African migrant parents’ understand about diabetes and its dietary controlTwelve parents from five different countries of origin participated in this survey. Despite all participants having received education on the topic from a dedicated paediatric diabetes nurse, it was evident from their families’ food habits that either an understanding of or the capacity to accommodate the dietary requirements of their diabetic teenager was minimal.The results of this small survey indicate a need to revise the information provided to African migrant parents of diabetic teenagers to more closely accommodate cultural preferences. Further work is necessary to determine the most effective approach to health education with this group of health care consumers.