DOI: 10.5176/2315-4330_WNC16.26
Authors: Jennifer Louise Cooper
Abstract:
The UAE has a type 2 diabetes prevalence of 19{6e6090cdd558c53a8bc18225ef4499fead9160abd3419ad4f137e902b483c465} among 20-70 year olds. This prevalence ranks the UAE as 15thin the world (Martinez, 2013). The current management of type 2 diabetes mellitus among United Arab Emirates (UAE) Nationals is through a medical model approach, with very little focus on prevention and early intervention. Research shows there is good evidence that prevention strategies reduce the prevalence and incidence of type 2 diabetes (Ahmad & Crandall, 2010). In addition, type 2 diabetes is a complex chronic disease that requires careful management to limit long term complications for the individual and to reduce health care costs. A systematic review of published papers found 27 studies that focused on the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in the Gulf Region (Alyhaset al, 2012), however within this review no research explored the impact culture and lifestyle has on the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes among the UAE National population. This qualitative research study will begin to address this gap, with the aim of gaining a deeper understanding of the UAE National culture, what impact culture has on prevention, disease management, and the barriers to prevention. The findings will inform health practitioners and health service organisations to enable them to tailor services to culturally meet the needs of this population group, in addition to informing policy at an organizational level.
Keywords: Culture; Diabetes; Lifestyle; United Arab Emirates
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