Health Promot J Austral. 2019;30:317–323. wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/hpja | 317 © 2019 Australian Health Promotion Association Received: 29 September 2018 | Accepted: 12 March 2019 DOI: 10.1002/hpja.240 SHORT RESEARCH ARTICLE Samoan migrants’ perspectives on diabetes: A qualitative study Yasin Shahab MBBS, FRACGP 1 | Olataga Alofivae-Doorbinnia MBBS, FRACGP 1 | Jennifer Reath MBBS, MMed, FRACGP 2 | Freya MacMillan PhD, BSc 3 | David Simmons MD, FRACP, FRCP, MD 2 | Kate McBride PhD, MPH(Hons) 4 | Penelope Abbott PhD, MBBS (Hons, MPH, FRACGP) 2 1 School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia 2 School of Medicine and Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia 3 School of Science and Health, and Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia 4 Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia Correspondence Yasin Shahab, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag, Penrith, Australia. Email: yas.shahab@gmail.com Abstract Issue addressed: The Samoan community in Australia has one of the highest rates of diabetes in Australia. We explored the experiences and perceptions of Samoan pa- tients living with diabetes and their family members. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with adults from a Samoan background living in Australia who had diabetes and their family members. Participants were recruited from a single general practice with a high proportion of Pacific Islander patients, through self-response to waiting room flyers. Inductive the- matic analysis was conducted using a constructivist-grounded theory approach. This qualitative project was part of the developmental phase of a larger project aiming to promote healthy lifestyles and decrease diabetes in the Samoan community in Sydney, Australia. Results: Twenty participants, aged 36–67 years, were interviewed. The majority was men (n = 13) and all were migrants to Australia. Participants reported a range of bar - riers to early detection and self-management of diabetes, including dietary practices common within their culture and the role of church and religion. They identified that pride in their heritage and role within families could be a barrier to care but also pro- vided an opportunity for health promotion. Conclusions: The cultural factors which influence the risk and management of diabe- tes in the Samoan community in Australia can be the barriers to health change but also provide opportunities for culturally targeted diabetes education and health promotion. So what? These findings will inform the development of approaches for the preven- tion and management of diabetes within the Samoan-Australian community. These include health-promotion initiatives which take into account the role of cultural die- tary practices, diabetes stigma, cultural pride and working with churches. KEYWORDS Australia, diabetes mellitus, Pacific Islands, qualitative methods, Samoan