Lived experiences of women with type 2 diabetes in Uzbekistan: A descriptive phenomenological study

https://doi.org/10.52235/lp.v6i3.510

Authors

  • Dilshodbek Yuldashev Tashkent Medical Academy (TMA), Uzbekistan
  • Nargiza Karimova Tashkent Medical Academy (TMA), Uzbekistan
  • Aidos Nursultanov Nazarbayev University, Kazakhstan
  • Aigerim Zhanabekova Nazarbayev University, Kazakhstan

Keywords:

lived experience, phenomenology, psychosocial, type 2 diabetes, women

Abstract

Background

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) presents significant challenges beyond glycemic control, particularly for women in culturally conservative societies. In Uzbekistan, women with diabetes often face psychological burdens, social stigma, and role conflict, yet little is known about their lived experiences.

Objective

This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of women with type 2 diabetes in Uzbekistan and to understand how they interpret and cope with the condition within their cultural and social environments.

Methods

A qualitative descriptive phenomenological approach was used. Sixteen women diagnosed with T2DM for at least one year were recruited purposively from outpatient clinics in Tashkent and Samarkand. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews and analyzed using Colaizzi’s method. Lincoln and Guba’s trustworthiness criteria guided the rigor of the study.

Results

Four major themes emerged: (1) altered perception of life with diabetes, (2) psychosocial challenges and emotional burden, (3) coping strategies and spiritual resilience, and (4) disruption of family roles and responsibilities. Participants described diabetes as a constant and invisible burden, exacerbated by stigma, misunderstanding, and gendered expectations. Despite these challenges, many women relied on spirituality and structured routines to regain control and meaning.

Conclusion

Women with T2DM in Uzbekistan experience diabetes as a complex emotional and social phenomenon. Addressing their needs requires culturally sensitive interventions that integrate psychosocial support, family involvement, and gender-responsive health education.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

American Diabetes Association. (2014). Diagnosis and classification of diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Care, 37(Supplement 1), S81–S90. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc14-S081

Shahbazi, H., Nikfarid, L., Peyrovi, H., & Mehrdad, N. (2022). Lived experience of women with type 2 diabetes: A phenomenological study. Journal of Diabetes & Metabolic Disorders, 21, 435–442. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40200-022-00968-z

Habibzadeh, H., Sofiani, A., & Gharabaghi, M. (2017). Challenges of diabetes self-management in Iran: A qualitative study. Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal, 19(11), e11327. https://doi.org/10.5812/ircmj.11327

Karimy, M., Araban, M., Zareban, I., Taheri, M., & Abedi, A. (2018). The impact of family support on diabetes self-care among women in Iran: Path analysis. Women & Health, 58(8), 914–927. https://doi.org/10.1080/03630242.2017.1372840

Ghorbani, M., Malek, M., & Mohebi, S. (2014). The role of religious coping in psychological adjustment of Iranian patients with chronic disease. Iranian Journal of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 8(4), 28–35.

Namadian, M., Zolfaghari, M., & Alavi, M. (2020). The meaning of life among Iranian women with type 2 diabetes: A qualitative study. International Journal of Community Based Nursing and Midwifery, 8(1), 33–44. https://doi.org/10.30476/IJCBNM.2019.80148.0

Islam, S. M. S., Niessen, L. W., Ferrari, U., Ali, L., Seissler, J., & Lechner, A. (2021). Effects of social support on diabetes self-care and clinical outcomes: Results from a community-based study in Bangladesh. BMJ Open, 11(2), e041118. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-041118

Creswell, J. W. (2007). Qualitative inquiry & research design: Choosing among five approaches (2nd ed.). Sage Publications.

Colaizzi, P. (1978). Psychological research as the phenomenologist views it. In R. Valle & M. King (Eds.), Existential phenomenological alternatives for psychology (pp. 48–71). Oxford University Press.

Lincoln, Y. S., & Guba, E. G. (1985). Naturalistic inquiry. Sage Publications.

World Health Organization. (2016). Diabetes country profiles 2016: Uzbekistan. https://www.who.int/diabetes/country-profiles/uzb_en.pdf

International Diabetes Federation. (2021). IDF Diabetes Atlas (10th ed.). https://diabetesatlas.org/

Hill-Briggs, F., Adler, N. E., Berkowitz, S. A., Chin, M. H., Gary-Webb, T. L., Navas-Acien, A., Thornton, P. L., & Haire-Joshu, D. (2021). Social determinants of health and diabetes: A scientific review. Diabetes Care, 44(1), 258–279. https://doi.org/10.2337/dci20-0053

Kneck, Å., Fagerberg, I., Eriksson, L. E., & Lundman, B. (2014). Living with diabetes–Development of learning patterns over a 3-year period. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being, 9(1), 24375. https://doi.org/10.3402/qhw.v9.24375

Lawton, J., Ahmad, N., Peel, E., & Hallowell, N. (2007). Contextualising accounts of illness: Notions of responsibility and blame in white and South Asian respondents' accounts of diabetes causation. Sociology of Health & Illness, 29(6), 891–906. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9566.2007.01036.x

O'Brien, B. C., Harris, I. B., Beckman, T. J., Reed, D. A., & Cook, D. A. (2014). Standards for reporting qualitative research: A synthesis of recommendations. Academic Medicine, 89(9), 1245–1251. https://doi.org/10.1097/ACM.0000000000000388

Balfe, M., Brugha, R., Smith, D., Sreenan, S., Doyle, F., & Conroy, R. (2013). Why do young adults with Type 1 diabetes find it difficult to manage diabetes in the workplace? Health & Place, 24, 180–187. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2013.09.004

Nam, S., Chesla, C., Stotts, N. A., Kroon, L., & Janson, S. L. (2011). Barriers to diabetes management: Patient and provider factors. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, 93(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diabres.2011.02.002

Skinner, T. C., & Speight, J. (2020). Addressing distress in people with diabetes: A call to action. The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, 8(7), 571–572. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-8587(20)30123-5

Abubakari, A. R., Jones, M. C., Lauder, W., Kirk, A., Devendra, D., & Anderson, J. (2012). Psychosocial interventions for people with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Public Health, 57(4), 421–432. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-011-0308-9

Downloads

Published

2025-08-11

How to Cite

Yuldashev, D., Karimova, N., Nursultanov, A., & Zhanabekova, A. (2025). Lived experiences of women with type 2 diabetes in Uzbekistan: A descriptive phenomenological study. Lentera Perawat, 6(3), 483–488. https://doi.org/10.52235/lp.v6i3.510

Similar Articles

1 2 3 4 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.