The Region of Peel has one of the highest rates of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) in Canada, particularly in the South Asian population. Peel is home to a high number of people who have emigrated from South Asian countries and are at a higher risk of getting T2D.
Risks can be lowered through behaviour changes such as increased physical activity and improved nutrition. Culturally specific strategies developed by local service providers are needed to support individuals from diverse populations in making behaviour changes to effectively prevent and manage T2D.
This study aims to understand the influence of social and cultural factors on health behaviours related to T2D prevention and management within intergenerational South Asian families and is conducted within a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach in equitable collaboration with community based organization Indus Community Services, Punjabi Community Health Services and the hospital-based organization Diabetes Management Center at Trillium Health Partners by guiding the research questions, study design, data collection, and knowledge translation.
We are recruiting adults who live in Peel, have been diagnosed with T2D or prediabetes, live in the same household as a child/children, and whose ethno-cultural origins include Punjabi, Tamil, and/or Hindi, which are key populations for this study. Through surveys and semi-structured interviews, we will generate social network maps and descriptions about participants’ social supports, information sources, cultural values, beliefs, and practices. Findings will inform the design of culturally and socially relevant resources for T2D prevention and management that will be applied locally with our collaborators.
PARTNERHSHIPS: Diabetes Action Canada, Indus Community Services, Punjabi Community Health Services, Sheridan College, University of Toronto, McGill University, University of Rochester