Title: Exploring the Consequences of Health Related Stigma and Discrimination in Persons Living With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Ori Christiana Attah
Volume: 9
Issue: 5
Pages: 77-82
Publication Date: 2025/05/28
Abstract:
The increase in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has gained eminence through media influence and the general public-consciousness. This has brought about a change in perceptions of T2DM with subjective proof of social stigma and obvious discrimination such as public remarks posted on social media in response to articles in the media. Hence, the purpose of this review is to explore the consequences of health-related stigma and discrimination in person living with type 2 diabetes mellitus (Research focus). The critical appraisal skills check lists method was used to screen and select relevant studies and exclude those that are not applicable to the review. A transparency method was used to prevent bias and this entailed the researcher analysing the evidences using critical appraisal and then synthesize the results making sure that the principles of rigour and transparency are applied. Databases searched for this study includes PsycINFO, PubMed, SOCINDEX, Medline, Emerald insight, Research Gate, Science Direct, CINAHL, Discover and Google Scholar databases. It can be proposed from the findings of this review, that diabetes stigma and discrimination exists in a significant way and adversely affects the individual's overall health outcome. This is an under researched area in comparison to other chronic disease conditions. Stigma associated with diabetes is classified as concealable, specific consequences identified are psychological, behavioural and medical. Generally, individuals who are not diabetic often tend to perceive diabetes a disease without stigma. Concealable diseases such as diabetes are identified by most people to be less-stigmatized in comparison to non-concealable conditions. And most persons living with diabetes do not often report incidences of discriminations and stigmatization because they are not fully aware of being discriminated at for such behaviours are considered to be a normal aspect of some culture.