Belmont University Research Symposium (BURS)

Publication Date

2024

College

Health Sciences & Nursing, Gordon E. Inman College of

Department

Nursing, School of

BURS Faculty Advisor

Dr. Laura Gray

Presentation Type

Poster Presentation

Abstract

Background: African American women demonstrate lower rates of attaining recommended diabetes management goals such as optimal blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure numbers compared to other racial and gender groups. As a result, they bear a disproportionate burden of the adverse outcomes associated with unmanaged type 2 diabetes, including increased complications and mortality rates compared to other demographic groups. Despite favorable quantitative findings regarding group-based interventions for African American women with type 2 diabetes, a notable gap in the literature exists regarding the women’s perceptions of a group-based medical nutritional therapy tailored to this population. Purpose: This scholarly project explored African American women's perceptions of and experiences with the impact of the Sisters Inspiring Sisters To Engage in Relevant Diabetes Self-Care (SISTER) group-based medical nutrition therapy program on their type 2 diabetes management. Methods: Nineteen SISTER study participants completed individual, semi-structured interviews via Zoom. Nine women were interviewed twelve months after starting the SISTER study, and ten women were interviewed three months after starting the SISTER study. Researchers analyzed the interviews using line-by-line open coding, leading to the identification of themes, categories, and properties. Results: Analysis of in-depth interviews revealed two distinct sets of results for the twelve-month cohort and the three-month cohort. The major findings of the twelve-month cohort can be described as (1) Group, (2) Program, and (3) Change. The major themes revealed in the three-month cohort interviews emerged as (1) Group, (2) Motivation, (3) One Size Fits All, and (4) Program. Conclusion: The participants’ experience with the SISTER study highlights the value and impact of peer support and increased access to health education specifically for African American women with type 2 diabetes. The results of this scholarly project emphasize the participants' expressed need and desire for additional research and targeted interventions specifically tailored to this population.

Key Words: Type 2 Diabetes, African American Women, Qualitative, Group Support, SISTERS

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