A new study explores medication-taking among Australians with type 2 diabetes of Vietnamese background
By Fatima Siddiqui
Around 5% of Australians live with type 2 diabetes (T2D). This prevalence is much higher in some population groups. For example, up to 11% of Australians of South Asian origin live with T2D. Other groups, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, Pacific Islanders, and Middle Eastern populations, also experience higher rates of T2D compared to the general population.
For many living with T2D, taking medications are an important part of staying well. Yet Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds often face extra barriers to diabetes self-care. To reduce these barriers, we need care and research that are culturally specific, so that support is meaningful, respectful, and effective.
Led by Dr Olumuyiwa Omonaiye, a team of researchers from Deakin University’s Institute for Health Transformation are exploring what helps – and what gets in the way – of medication-taking for adults with T2D from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. The team includes the centre’s own Dr Elizabeth Holmes-Truscott. Here, we share findings from their study with Vietnamese Australian adults living with T2D.
What did the study involve?
The team spoke with 23 adults with T2D through one-on-one interviews held in either English or Vietnamese. They also ran focus groups with health professionals, giving them the chance to share their experiences in group discussions. This included seven doctors, six diabetes educators and three pharmacists.
To make sense of what they heard, the researchers used the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). This is a well-established tool that helps identify the different factors — social, emotional, practical, and personal — that influence health behaviours such as taking medication.
What did the study find?
The study showed that many different factors shape whether people with T2D of Vietnamese background their medicines regularly. In fact, the researchers found that 13 of the 14 TDF domains influenced medication-taking — showing just how many factors are at play.
Environment and available resources: People with diabetes and health professionals felt that the high cost of medication was a big problem. It made it hard for many people to pay for and take their medication. However, for some, subsidised medications were easy to access.
Emotions and belief: For some people with diabetes the fear of health problems pushed them to take their medication. Others, however, worried about the possible side-effects of taking medications. A few also shared that because they did not notice any immediate effect from missing a dose, it was easy to slip into the habit of skipping their medication.
Social influences: Family played a big role. Participants said their family helped them remember to take their medicine, especially children and grandchildren. Others said they had very little support at home or felt pressure from family and friends to use traditional or alternative remedies instead.
Knowledge: Participants’ understanding of their medication varied. Some knew why they needed it and how it worked. Others only followed their doctor’s guidance.
Memory and decision-making: Some participants found ways to adjust to medication-taking such as setting timers. Others found it difficult to remember to take medication which caused them to skip or take medication irregularly.
Why does this matter?
This study highlights that taking diabetes medicines is about much more than just “remembering” or “being motivated.” It is shaped by emotions, finances, family roles, beliefs, and cultural context. By understanding these factors, researchers and health professionals can design strategies that respect cultural beliefs, family involvement, and daily routines — making diabetes care more effective and supportive for diverse communities.
Interested to learn more?
The research team has also explored medication-taking among Chinese Australians living with T2D, with similar findings. A national survey of Australians with T2D of Chinese heritage adds further evidence. They found that around 1 in 4 had missed taking their diabetes medication in the past week. Importantly, people who believed strongly in the necessity of their medicines and had fewer concerns were more likely to take them as prescribed.
Together, these studies show how vital it is to understand people’s beliefs and cultural context when supporting medication-taking.
References:
- Omonaiye O, Holmes-Truscott E, Rasmussen B, Hamblin PS, Mc Namara K, Tran J, Steele C, Lai J, Manias E. Individual, Social and Environmental Factors Influencing Medication-Taking Among Adults of Vietnamese Heritage With Type 2 Diabetes Living in Australia: A Qualitative Study. Clinical Theraupeutics, 2025; Vol 47(5): e1 – e11
- Omonaiye O, Mekonnen A, Gilfillan C, Wong R, Holmes-Truscott E, Manias E, Rasmussen B, Mc Namara K, Lai J, Huang L, Considine J. Barriers to, and enablers of, medication taking among Chinese adults living with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Australia: a qualitative study. International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy. 2025 Jun 24:1-2.
- Omonaiye O, Mekonnen A, Gilfillan C, Wong R, Rasmussen B, Holmes-Truscott E, Mc Namara K, Manias E, Lai J, Considine J. Evaluation of diabetes mellitus medication-taking behavior among first-and second-generation Australians of Chinese heritage: A nationwide cross-sectional study. Exploratory Research in Clinical and Social Pharmacy. 2025 Jun 1;18:100600.
The Vietnamese Study
This work was supported by the Deakin University Institute for Health Transformation Seed Grant.
The Chinese Study
This work was supported by the Deakin University Institute for Health Transformation Seed Grant and the Eastern Health Foundation Research and Innovation Grants.
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