Knowledge and perceptions of type 2 diabetes among Ghanaian migrants in three European countries and Ghanaians in rural and urban Ghana: The RODAM qualitative study
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2019
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
PLOS ONE
Abstract
African migrants in Europe and continental Africans are disproportionately affected by type
2 diabetes (T2D). Both groups develop T2D at a younger age, and have higher morbidity
and mortality from T2D and complications, compared to European populations. To reduce
risk, and avoidable disability and premature deaths, culturally congruent and context spe cific
interventions are required. This study aimed to: (a) assess perceptions and knowledge
of T2D among Ghanaian migrants in Europe and their compatriots in Ghana and (b) identify
specific perceptions and knowledge gaps that might predispose migrants to higher risk of
diabetes. Data was gathered through 26 focus groups with 180 individuals, aged 21 to 70,
from Amsterdam, Berlin and London and rural and urban Ashanti Region, Ghana. Thematic
analysis of the data was informed by Social Representations Theory, which focuses on the
sources, content and functions of social knowledge. Three key insights emerged from analy sis.
First, there was general awareness, across migrant and non-migrant groups, of T2D as
a serious chronic condition with life threatening complications, and some knowledge of bio medical
strategies to prevent diabetes (e.g healthy eating) and diabetes complications (e.g
medication adherence). However, knowledge of T2D prevention and reduction of diabetes
complications was not comprehensive. Secondly, knowledge of biomedical diabetes theo ries and
interventions co-existed with theories about psychosocial and supernatural causes
of diabetes and the efficacy of herbal and faith-based treatment of diabetes. Finally,
migrants’ knowledge was informed by both Ghanaian and European systems of T2D
Description
This article is published by Plos One and is also available at https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0214501
Keywords
Citation
de-Graft Aikins A, Dodoo F, Awuah RB, Owusu-Dabo E, Addo J, Nicolaou M, et al. (2019) Knowledge and perceptions of type 2 diabetes among Ghanaian migrants in three European countries and Ghanaians in rural and urban Ghana: The RODAM qualitative study. PLoS ONE 14(4): e0214501. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal. pone.0214501