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Perceptions and experiences of taking oral hypoglycaemic agents among people of Pakistani and Indian origin: qualitative study

BMJ 2005; 330 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.38460.642789.E0 (Published 26 May 2005) Cite this as: BMJ 2005;330:1247
  1. Julia Lawton, research fellow (J.Lawton{at}ed.ac.uk)1,
  2. Naureen Ahmad, research associate1,
  3. Nina Hallowell, lecturer2,
  4. Lisa Hanna, research fellow1,
  5. Margaret Douglas, consultant in public health medicine3
  1. 1 Research Unit in Health, Behaviour and Change, School of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9AG
  2. 2 Public Health Sciences, School of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Edinburgh
  3. 3 Lothian NHS Board, Edinburgh EH8 9RS
  1. Correspondence to: J Lawton
  • Accepted 14 April 2005

Abstract

Objective To explore British Pakistani and British Indian patients' perceptions and experiences of taking oral hypoglycaemic agents (OHAs).

Design Observational cross sectional study using in-depth interviews in English or Punjabi.

Setting and participants 32 patients of Pakistani and Indian origin with type 2 diabetes, recruited from primary care and community sources in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Results Respondents reported complex and ambivalent views about OHAs, which reflected their ambivalent attitudes towards Western drugs in general. Respondents considered OHAs to be an important part of the diabetic regimen because they perceived British healthcare professionals to be competent and trustworthy prescribers, and they considered the medicines available in Britain to be superior to those on the Indian subcontinent. Despite this, some respondents made deliberate efforts to reduce their tablet intake without being advised to do so. Reasons for this included perceptions that drugs worked by providing relief of symptoms and concerns that OHAs could be detrimental to health if taken for long periods, in conjunction with other drugs, or without traditional foods.

Conclusions British Pakistani and Indian patients' perceptions of their OHAs may partly derive from popular ideas about drugs on the Indian subcontinent. Cultural factors need to be understood and taken into consideration to ensure that these patients are given appropriate advice and to avoid unnecessary changes to prescriptions.

Footnotes

  • Contributors JL, LH, and MD designed the study. NA collected the data. JL, NA, NH, and LH analysed the data. JL drafted the paper. NA, NH, LH, and MD helped to write the paper. JL is the guarantor.

  • Funding This study was funded by the Chief Scientist Office, Scottish Executive Health Department. The funder played no role in the study design; in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; in the writing of the paper; or in the decision to submit the paper for publication. The views expressed in the paper are those of the authors.

  • Competing interests None declared.

  • Ethical approval Lothian Research Ethics Committee. Ref: LREC/2001/3/20.

  • Accepted 14 April 2005
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