The Use of Mobile Health to Assist Self-management and Access to Services in a Rural Community.

The purpose of this study was to explore the barriers to and needs for using mobile health technology to assist low-income Asian American and Pacific Islander participants living in rural Hawaii in their healthcare. Three focus groups consisting of patients, family support/significant others, and providers (N = 19) were conducted to assess the unique needs of low-income Asian American and Pacific Islander patients in rural Hawaii. The electronic health literacy scale was also used among participants in the patients and family support/significant other groups. The total electronic health literacy means were 23.57 (SD = 9.71) among participants in the patient group, 34.50 (SD = 7.78) in the family support/significant others group, and 35.67 (SD = 4.56) in the providers group. The qualitative analysis yielded categories with three main themes: value of mobile health, stumbling blocks to mobile health, and mobile health wish list and subthemes. Practice implications include uses of these findings to integrate future versions of mobile health that will promote effective communication and information specifically to diverse low-income populations.

Perceptions related to diet and exercise among Asians and Pacific Islanders with diabetes.

The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of Asians and Pacific Islanders (API) with Type 2 diabetes related to diet and exercise. A descriptive content analysis was conducted on verbalized responses from 15 participants in focus groups who were asked "What role does your culture play in what, when, and how much you eat?" and "If and/or how much you exercise and what type of exercise you do?" The participants recorded responses were transcribed verbatim and analyzed for themes utilizing the social ecological framework.The families, environment, and the local culture in Hawai'i greatly affect the dietary and physical activities of the participants. Psychosocial themes related to diet included depression, denial, and lack of self control. Physical activities were impacted by motivation and awareness of complications of diabetes. Family upbringing, social events, food portions and variety, and reciprocity contributed to eating behaviors of the participants. Family values in sports and role expectations of gender influenced physical activities.This study identified social ecological influences on health behavior among Asians and Pacific Islanders. The findings suggest various efforts for physicians and other health care providers to assist API in taking care of their diabetes.

Randomized clinical trials of self-management with Asian/Pacific Islanders.

Little has been reported in the literature about self-management strategies of chronic conditions in Asian and Pacific Islanders (APIs). The purpose of this systematic review was to investigate randomized clinical trials (RCTs) of self-management strategies of chronic conditions in APIs. Twenty-one studies were included in the final review, published between 1997 and 2010. Initially, the Jadad Scoring of Quality of Reports of Randomized Clinical Trials (JSQRRC) was used to determine the quality of RCT studies. The researchers then did a systematic review of each of the RCTs based on the JSQRRC criteria. JSQRRC scores ranged from 8 to 12, M = 9.6. Descriptive analysis indicated cognitive behavioral interventions as an effective treatment methodology for APIs. The results underscore the importance of clarifying the methodological components and reporting of RCTs. Interventions appropriate for APIs using disaggregated ethnic groups are essential to determine specific cultural responses to treatments and outcomes.