The Lebanese Population in Sydney, Australia, Essay Example

Introduction

Quality of life in diabetic patients is a significant issue in many communities where the disease is prevalent. Therefore, it is important to evaluate specific communities who recognize diabetes and its risk factors as potentially detrimental to the population. This is true of some cultures where diabetes poses a risk to patients, such as the Lebanese population. A study by Mustapha, Hossain, and O’Loughlin (2014) addresses the significance of diabetes on quality of life in a Lebanese community in Sydney. Due to the high rate of prevalence of diabetes in Australia as a top ten leading cause of death and the number of cases that have been identified and that have yet to be detected, it is necessary to examine the impact of the disease on minority groups, such as the Lebanese population (Mustapha et.al, 2014). Many members of this population face a high risk of disease due to the challenges associated with various risk factors that contribute to the rate and frequency within this population group (Mustapha et.al, 2014). Therefore, a quantitative study represents a means of developing a strategy that encompasses the need for diabetes education and self-management in order to determine how these factors impact quality of life, such as mental function, psychosocial factors, and self-efficacy (Mustapha et.al, 2014).

Analysis

The study utilized a quantitative method in order to identify the influence of diabetes on patients from the Lebanese culture, using a sample of 200 participants, both males and females, between the ages of 40-55 years, and using specific inclusion and exclusion criteria in order to accomplish the desired objectives (Mustapha et.al, 2014). For this study, human subject participation was critical and required members of the appropriate population group in order to satisfy the study criteria; therefore, advertising in the Lebanese community was conducted, as well as an evaluation of recent surgical participants in order to determine if they were eligible for the study (Mustapha et.al, 2014).

For this study, the Human Research Ethics Committee provided human subjects approval; furthermore, informed consent and confidentiality were deemed critical and therefore, communication was provided to participants through a letter provided in English and Arabic (Mustapha et.al, 2014). Participation in the study was voluntary and withdrawal was acceptable at any time without penalty (Mustapha et.al, 2014). Data collection was comprised of a questionnaire that included a series of structured questions, open-ended questions, scale-type questions, and checklists, thereby aiming to determine specific risk factors associated with diabetes, management of the disease, self-efficacy, and psychosocial wellbeing on the selected population (Mustapha et.al, 2014).

Information collected in the study included such criteria as quality of life, emotional wellbeing, age, diabetes diagnosis and treatment, and self-care, using the Perceived Diabetes Self-Management Scale (PDSMS) (Mustapha et.al, 2014).  In addition, SPSS was identified as the statistical package for evaluating the data collected in the study, including chi-square tests, t-tests, and ANOVAS (Mustapha et.al, 2014). From the participants selected, 78.5 percent were male, 92.5 percent were married, 86.5 percent were born in Lebanon, and 45 percent were employed during the time that the study took place (Mustapha et.al, 2014). The following categories generated a number of statistics for consideration: 1) self-care: 51.5 percent had blood tests 2-3 days per week and 82.2 percent took medication daily; 2) quality of life: 65.5 percent did not have mobility issues, 51.5 percent could conduct personal care, 81.5 percent experienced housework problems, 73.5 had anxiety and depression, and 77 percent had pain or discomfort; and 3) management: older participants could not adapt to behavioral modifications but understood their importance in addressing their long-term health and wellbeing for patients (Mustapha et.al, 2014).

The study generated significant information regarding the role of diabetes in evaluating quality of life in patients, as this represents a challenge to many participants and requires ongoing interventions in order to improve circumstances for patients, including teaching programs to alleviate depression and anxiety, as well as a general improvement in wellbeing for participants (Mustapha et.al, 2014). This was an important step towards the discovery of new ideas and approaches to improve quality of life in patients who struggle to cope with diabetes and its symptoms over time (Solli et.al, 2010). Quality of life is a critical component of the diabetic condition and requires a high level understanding and acceptance of the different conditions under which there might be effective programs in place to accommodate patients and to support their quality of life (Solli et.al, 2010).

Conclusion

The quantitative study reflects the importance of developing a strategy that encompasses new ideas and considerations regarding quality of life as a critical measure of health status for diabetic patients (Mustapha et.al, 2014). In this context, it is important to identify the significance of emotional and psychosocial responses to diabetes, as these require further evaluation in treating patients and in preserving their quality of life as best as possible (Mustapha et.al, 2014). In this research study, the conditions under which quality of are examined reflect the importance of the disease and its impact on the legislative population within the Sydney area; therefore, these issues must be evaluated effectively and through a research protocol that promotes the maximum protection of human subjects participants and the need to address conditions that have an influence on these patients over the long term (Mustapha et.al, 2014). These considerations are critical in addressing quality of life and related conditions over the long term, accompanied by cultural needs and expectations that are common to the Lebanese community (Mustapha et.al, 2014).

References

Mustapha, W., Hossain, Z. S., & Loughlin, K. O. (2014). Management and Impact of Diabetes on Quality of Life among the Lebanese Community of Sydney: A Quantitative Study. J Diabetes Metab, 5(329), 2. Retrieved from http://omicsonline.org/management-and-impact-of-diabetes-on-quality-of-life-among-the-lebanese-community-2155-6156.1000329.pdf

Solli, O., Stavem, K., & Kristiansen, I. S. (2010). Health-related quality of life in diabetes: The associations of complications with EQ-5D scores. Health and quality of life outcomes, 8(1), 18. Retrieved from http://www.hqlo.com/content/8/1/18