Perceptions and Intentions to Prevent Diabetes Among At-Risk Individuals: A Qualitative Study Using the Theory of Planned Behaviour.
Jun Yi Claire Teo, Ying Jiang, Cheun Wei Alvin Seah and 3 others
PMID 40183293WHAT IT FOUND
At-risk Singapore adults wanted specific, actionable diabetes prevention advice, not just sugar warnings.
Younger adults felt less vulnerable and wanted quick results; older adults were more proactive about prevention.
Key findings
01Most participants associated diabetes with excessive sugar, but they wanted precise, actionable information about diet and exercise rather than vague advice.
02Younger participants were more likely to be nonchalant about diabetes prevention, while older adults were more positive about prevention and more likely to exercise routinely.
03Barriers included family and work commitments, limited access to healthier food and exercise, and healthy choices feeling boring; participants suggested starting with small habits, making exercise fun, and using social support.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
This was a qualitative study of perceptions and intentions, so it cannot show whether any prevention approach changes behaviour or prevents diabetes. Participants were purposively sampled and may not represent all at-risk individuals in Singapore. Interviews were only in English and Chinese, and the authors note this limited Malay and Indian perspectives. The authors state that most participants were from higher income groups, so lower-income challenges may be underrepresented. Risk factors were self-declared, so participants' clinical risk was not verified. Transcripts were not returned to participants, although summaries were confirmed during focus groups. The main interviewer was an ex-nurse who acknowledged preconceived ideas about diabetes prevention.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest. The study was funded by the National Medical Research Council.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read these themes as proof that nurse-led education or gamified apps prevent diabetes. This qualitative study explored at-risk individuals' perceptions and intentions, not actual behaviour change or programme effectiveness.