Dataset Information

Sociocultural influences on asthma self-management in a multicultural society: A qualitative study amongst Malaysian adults.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Supported self-management improves asthma outcomes, but implementation requires adaptation to the local context. Barriers reported in Western cultures may not resonate in other cultural contexts. We explored the views, experiences and beliefs that influenced self-management among adults with asthma in multicultural Malaysia.

Methods

Adults with asthma were purposively recruited from an urban primary healthcare clinic for in-depth interviews. Audio-recordings were transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically.

Results

We interviewed 24 adults. Four themes emerged: (1) Participants believed in the 'hot and cold' concept of illness either as an inherent hot/cold body constitution or the ambient temperature. Hence, participants tried to 'neutralize' body constitution or to 'warm up' the cold temperature that was believed to trigger acute attacks. (2) Participants managed asthma based on past experiences and personal health beliefs as they lacked formal information about asthma and its treatment. (3) Poor communication and variable advice from healthcare practitioners on how to manage their asthma contributed to poor self-management skills. (4) Embarrassment about using inhalers in public and advice from family and friends resulted in a focus on nonpharmacological approaches to asthma self-management practice.

Conclusions

Asthma self-management practices were learnt experientially and were strongly influenced by sociocultural beliefs and advice from family and friends. Effective self-management needs to be tailored to cultural norms, personalized to the individuals' preferences and clinical needs, adapted to their level of health literacy and underpinned by patient-practitioner partnerships.

Patient and public contributions

Patients contributed to data. Members of the public were involved in the discussion of the results.

SUBMITTER: Koh WM

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8628588 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Sociocultural influences on asthma self-management in a multicultural society: A qualitative study amongst Malaysian adults.

Koh Wen Ming WM Abu Bakar Ahmad Ihsan AI Hussein Norita N Pinnock Hilary H Liew Su May SM Hanafi Nik Sherina NS Pang Yong Kek YK Ho Bee Kiau BK Mohamed Isa Salbiah S Sheikh Aziz A Khoo Ee Ming EM

Health expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy 20210827 6

<h4>Background</h4>Supported self-management improves asthma outcomes, but implementation requires adaptation to the local context. Barriers reported in Western cultures may not resonate in other cultural contexts. We explored the views, experiences and beliefs that influenced self-management among adults with asthma in multicultural Malaysia.<h4>Methods</h4>Adults with asthma were purposively recruited from an urban primary healthcare clinic for in-depth interviews. Audio-recordings were transc ...[more]

PMID: 34449970

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Project description:BackgroundAdjusting to life with a chronic condition is challenging, especially for people with limited health literacy, which is associated with low compliance with self-management activities and poor clinical outcomes.ObjectiveWe explored how people with limited health literacy understand asthma and undertake self-management practices.DesignWe adapted the arts-based qualitative methodology Photovoice.Setting and participantsWe sampled ethnically diverse adults with asthma and limited health literacy from four primary healthcare clinics in Malaysia. After a semistructured in-depth interview, a subset of participants took part in the Photovoice component in which participants undertook a 2-week photo-taking activity and subsequent photo-interview. Interviews, conducted in participants' preferred language, were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, translated and analysed thematically. We used the Sorensen's framework (Domains: access, understand, appraise, apply) to describe participants' experience of living with asthma, what they understood about asthma and how they decided on self-management practices.ResultsTwenty-six participants provided interviews; eight completed the Photovoice activities. Participants with limited health literacy used various sources to access information about asthma and self-management. Doctor-patient communication had a pivotal role in helping patients understand asthma. The lack of appraisal skills was significant and experiential knowledge influenced how they applied information. Self-management decisions were influenced by sociocultural norms/practices, stigmatizing experiences, and available social support.ConclusionLocally tailored multilevel interventions (interpersonal, health system, community and policy) will be needed to support people with limited health literacy to live optimally with their asthma in an ethnically diverse population.Patient/public contributionPatients were involved in the study design, recruitment, analysis and dissemination.

Project description:BackgroundEffective self-management of diabetes is crucial for improving clinical outcomes by maintaining glucose levels and preventing the exacerbation of the condition. Mobile health (mHealth) has demonstrated its significance in enhancing self-management practices. However, only 20% of Malaysians are familiar with mHealth technologies and use them for health management.ObjectiveThis study aims to explore the perceived benefits and challenges, needs and preferences, and willingness of patients with diabetes to use mHealth apps for self-management of diabetes.MethodsThe study involved one-on-one semistructured online interviews with a total of 15 participants, all of whom were aged 18 years or older and had been diagnosed with diabetes for more than 6 months. An interview guide was developed based on the constructs of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), the Health Information Technology Acceptance Model (HITAM), and the aesthetics factor derived from the Mobile Application Rating Scale. All interviews were recorded in audio format and transcribed verbatim. The interview content was then organized and coded using ATLAS.ti version 8. Thematic analysis was conducted in accordance with the recommended guidelines for analyzing the data.ResultsFrom the interviews with participants, 3 key themes emerged regarding the perceived benefits of using mHealth app support in diabetes self-management. These themes were the ability to track and monitor diabetes control, assistance in making lifestyle modifications, and the facilitation of more informed treatment decision-making for health care professionals. The interviews with participants revealed 4 prominent themes regarding the perceived barriers to using mHealth app support for diabetes self-management. These themes were a lack of awareness about the availability of mHealth support, insufficient support in using mHealth apps, the perception that current mHealth apps do not align with users' specific needs, and limited digital literacy among users. The interviews with participants unveiled 4 key themes related to their needs and preferences concerning mHealth app support for diabetes self-management. These themes were the desire for educational information, user-friendly design features, carbohydrate-counting functionality, and the ability to engage socially with both peers and health care professionals. The majority of participants expressed their willingness to use mHealth apps if they received recommendations and guidance from health care professionals.ConclusionsPatients generally perceive mHealth app support as beneficial for diabetes self-management and are willing to use these apps, particularly if recommended by health care professionals. However, several barriers may hinder the utilization of mHealth apps, including a lack of awareness and recommendations regarding these apps from health care professionals. To ensure the effective development of mHealth app support systems for diabetes self-management, it is crucial to implement user-centered design processes that consider the specific needs and preferences of patients. This approach will help create apps that are tailored to the requirements of individuals managing diabetes.

Dataset Information

Sociocultural influences on asthma self-management in a multicultural society: A qualitative study amongst Malaysian adults.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Patient and public contributions

Publications

Sociocultural influences on asthma self-management in a multicultural society: A qualitative study amongst Malaysian adults.

Similar Datasets

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