Abstract
Recently published guidelines on Psychosocial Management of Diabetes in India provide
evidence-based recommendations for the whole nation. However, they do not fully address
the myriad socio-cultural issues prevalent in the North Eastern states. The eight
North Eastern states of India house 45 million people, belonging to 220 ethnic groups
who speak an equal number of dialects, and follow distinctly unique cultures, which
impact health-related behavior. Such diversity is difficult to cover in any national
guideline. This lacuna makes it necessary to have a document, which addresses the
specific needs and requirements of diabetes care professionals in the North-east of
India. This consensus statement aims to highlight evidence- and experience-based strategies
for psychosocial management of diabetes, based upon the unique ethnographic constitution
of this part of the country. It is based upon the results of a daylong focused group
discussion, held at Sonapur, Assam, on 9th February 2013, involving key opinion leaders from most North-eastern states, including
all geographical divisions of Assam. Recommendations are classified into three domains:
General, psychological, and socio-cultural, and graded by the weight they should have
in clinical practice. Eighteen recommendations of varying strength are made, to help
professionals identify the psycho-socio-cultural determinants of diabetes, and to
explore the role of psycho-socio-cultural interventions in devising support strategies
for people with diabetes and their families. They also aid in developing core skills
needed for effective diabetes management. These recommendations provide practical
guidelines to fulfill unmet needs in diabetes management in the North-east and help
achieve a qualitative improvement in diabetes care. The guidelines may also be useful
for diabetes care professionals working with other indigenous groups across the world.
Keywords:
Diabetes - ethno-centric - north-east - psycho-social
