An Exploratory Mixed Methods Study of Diabetes self-management in Blind Americans

Authors

• Nazanin M. Heydarian, The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyFollow
• Allyson S. Hughes
• Osvaldo F. Morera, University of Texas at El Paso

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-2021

Abstract

This study used mixed methods to investigate the experiences of 33 participants who are blind (PWB) and have diabetes in managing their diabetes, support (or lack thereof) from their health care providers, and diabetes distress as PWB. Participants most frequently reported barriers to check blood glucose (55%), maintaining a healthy diet (45%), and distress due to their intersectional status of having blindness and diabetes. Those who mentioned intersectional distress of managing diabetes as a PWB tended to be Braille illiterate and less likely to use mobility tools that are symbolic of blindness (e.g., white cane, guide dog). These results illuminate heterogenous characteristics of PWB with diabetes, an understudied population of public health significance, to be considered when setting priorities for diabetes self-management support and health care coverage policy.

Recommended Citation

Heydarian, N., Hughes, A. S., & Morera, O. F. (2022). An Exploratory Mixed Methods Study of Diabetes self-management in Blind Americans. Western journal of nursing research, 44(9), 830–837. https://doi.org/10.1177/01939459211019421  

Publication Title

Western journal of nursing research

DOI

10.1177/01939459211019421