Access to Healthcare Issues Related to Hispanics with Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) in Rural Washington State

Abstract

Background. Hispanic Americans experience many access-to-care issues and are twice as likely as non-Hispanic whites to be diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, little is known of their unique access issues related to T2D. Purpose. To conduct an exploratory study about perceptions of access-to-care issues of Latinas with T2D in Walla Walla, Washington. Sample. Sixteen Latina women with T2D residing in Walla Walla, Washington were recruited and interviewed. This was a purposive sample using “snowball technique.” Sample included Latina immigrants, between 18 and over 60 years old, who had diabetes on average 9.31 years (SD=9.98 years), are U.S. citizens (46.2%), lived in the U.S. for an average of 27 years (SD=12.52 years), and worked part–time (33.3%). Setting. Two local churches in Walla Walla, Washington, and one home setting. Method/Design. This was a Community–Based Participatory Research (CBPR) descriptive qualitative study using focus groups. A total of three focus group discussions were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide. Data were collected through the triangulation of observations, field notes, and interviews. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and conventional content analysis. Member check was used to validate data. Results. Six main themes, nine categories, and 19 subcategories emerged from the five core questions using conventional content analysis. Implications for future research include the need to address gender-based studies, impact of work outside the home, and role of acculturation in management of T2D among Latinas who live in rural communities.