Exploring the strategies to overcome diabetes-related stigma in patients’ family: A qualitative study

Introduction: Asian countries, including Iran, experience diabetes-related stigma. Since a stigma-free identity is necessary for optimal diabetes management, the necessity of efforts to reduce stigma has been emphasized. This study aimed explore strategies overcome at family level in Iran. Methods: Seventy-four volunteered people (people with diabetes, members, non-diabetic people, and healthcare personnel) participated qualitative content analysis extract anti-stigma strategies. Data collection was done until data saturation through unstructured in-depth face-to-face interviews, focus groups, Email, short message service (SMS), telephone interviews. All audio-recorded transcribed verbatim were analyzed using conventional approach. Results: Participants raised "empowering families diabetes" that would be possible "family education" "family-group formation". Educating about "stigmatizing behavior", "coping skills", "accepting person as main responsible disease control", "diabetes" help by creating free-stigma atmosphere. training could programmed peer groups facilitate goal achievement. Conclusion: Some obtained have suggested other stigmatizing conditions like tuberculosis or mental health. However, it must noticed every condition specific also each stigmatized unique affected complex factors. So impossible develop generic reduction interventions all health conditions. Most studies on considered part society proposed general them.