Date of Conferral

6-4-2024

Date of Award

June 2024

Degree

Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)

School

Public Health

Advisor

Richard Jimenez

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease that exerts a significant burden among communities by increasing healthcare costs, reducing productivity, higher rates for premature mortality, and tangible socioeconomic burden, which overall reduces the quality of life. The purpose of the study was to explore the perception of pregnant Asian Indian immigrants regarding diabetes self-management strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Five women were recruited via purposive sampling from Facebook groups. Data were collected via individual interviews using Facebook groups. The health belief model was used to help understand and interpret the findings. Clarke and Braun’s thematic analysis method was used to identify patterns and report themes through data of the qualitative data. The MAXQDA thematic analysis coding software was used to code and categorize the qualitative data by identifying patterns and themes of the participant interview transcripts. Major findings include: participants experienced challenges to diabetes management in general and during COVID-19; depression and anxiety negatively affected diabetes management during COVID-19; culture negatively affected response to diabetes management during COVID-19; and nuclear family structures positively affected response to diabetes management during COVID-19. Implications for positive social change include identifying gaps in diabetes self-management among the Asian Indian population and may enhance social change by educating public health professionals in the use of culturally competent approaches to promote more positive lifestyle changes among pregnant Asian Indians with pre-existing diabetes. This can result in improved quality of life for those with Type 2 diabetes.

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