HAIDA PERSPECTIVES ON LIVING WITH NON-INSULIN-DEPENDENT DIABETES

Objective: To understand the experience of Haida people living with no n-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), in order to provide a b asis for a culturally sensitive community-based approach to managing N IDDM. Design: Qualitative study using grounded theory. Setting: The vi llages of Skidegate and Old Massett in Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Is lands), British Columbia. Participants: Nine focus groups met at the b eginning and six at the end of the project. The focus groups had 8 to 12 members each and roughly the same number of men and women overall. The groups included people with diabetes, family members of people wit h diabetes, community leaders and elders. Findings: Conceptual finding s related to the participants' views on the impact of NIDDM on their l ives, their views on what life was like before the effects of NIDDM we re felt and their beliefs about the prevention and treatment of NIDDM. Six themes recurred in the discussions: fear; grief and loss; the los s of and desire to regain control; food and eating; physical and perso nal strength; and traditional ways. Conclusions: Insights into the ill ness experience of different cultural groups can inform program develo pment and the creation of culturally sensitive health care interventio ns.