• Item type: Scientific article
• Country: Turkey
• Language: Turkish
• Author: Sibel Karaca Sivrikaya,. Derya Çınar
• Target audience: All health professionals
• Publication Date: Jun, 2016
• Diyabet Hemfl. Forumu 2016(61.75 KB)

Diabetes, being one of the most commonly seen diseases over the world, is global

epidemic regarded as an urgent health problem of 21st century. Today; it is not

possible to eliminate diabetes with medical treatments but it is reported that Type 2

diabetes can be considerably prevented through such life style changes as losing

weight, increasing physical activities, having a healthy diet. Diabetes care is a dynamic

process that varies across individuals and requires individual based treatment

approaches. A cultural approach is necessary for the management of diabetes that

includes society in which diabetic individuals live, cultural beliefs, disease perceptions

and individual coping strategies. Nurses should provide a care that is consistent with

Cilt 8 • Say› 1 • Sayfa 30 • Ocak - Haziran 2016

the culture by knowing individuals’ cultures due to their

different beliefs, values and expectations. In a metaanalysis

and systematic review in which the effect of a

culture-based training given to ethnic minority groups

with Type 2 diabetes was assessed; it was concluded that

culture-based training improved glycemic control and

healthy life styles. Nurses should perform a medical evaluation

that includes cultural characteristics for the diabetic

individuals by using culture-based approaches in order

to offer a holistic care. Nurses should observe culture-based

behaviors of individuals, gather information

about their culture and base their care on these values

so that they can guide individuals to adapt to the disease.