How Did People with Prediabetes Who Attended the Diabetes Prevention Education Program (DiPEP) Experience Making Lifestyle Changes? A Qualitative Study in Nepal

Pushpanjali Shakya (), Monish Bajracharya, Eva Skovlund, Abha Shrestha, Biraj Man Karmacharya, Bård Eirik Kulseng, Abhijit Sen, Aslak Steinsbekk and Archana Shrestha
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Pushpanjali Shakya: Department of Public Health and Nursing, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway
Monish Bajracharya: Department of Business and IT, University of South-Eastern Norway, 3800 Bø, Norway
Eva Skovlund: Department of Public Health and Nursing, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway
Abha Shrestha: Department of Community Medicine, Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences (KUSMS), Dhulikhel 45200, Nepal
Biraj Man Karmacharya: Department of Public Health and Nursing, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway
Bård Eirik Kulseng: Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway
Abhijit Sen: Department of Public Health and Nursing, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway
Aslak Steinsbekk: Department of Public Health and Nursing, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway
Archana Shrestha: Department of Public Health and Community Programs, Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences (KUSMS), Dhulikhel 45200, Nepal

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 6, 1-14

Abstract: Diabetes can be prevented through lifestyle modification in the prediabetic phase. A group-based lifestyle intervention called ‘Diabetes Prevention Education Program’ (DiPEP) was tested recently in Nepal. The present study aimed to explore experiences of making lifestyle changes among people with prediabetes participating in the DiPEP. This qualitative study, with semi-structured interviews of 20 participants, was conducted 4–7 months following DiPEP intervention. Data analysis was performed by thematic analysis. The results included four themes, understanding that diabetes could be prevented, lifestyle changes made, hurdles to overcome, and experiencing benefits leading to sustained change. Some participants said they felt relieved to know that they had a chance to prevent diabetes. The participants talked mostly about making changes in diet (reducing carbohydrate intake) and physical activity (starting exercises). Obstacles mentioned included a lack of motivation and a lack of family support to implement changes. Experiencing benefits such as weight loss and reduced blood sugar levels were reported to lead them to maintain the changes they had made. Understanding that diabetes could be prevented was a key motivator for implementing changes. The benefits and hurdles experienced by the participants of the present study can be taken into consideration while designing lifestyle intervention programs in similar settings.

Keywords: benefits; hurdles; lifestyle changes; prediabetes; understanding (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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