Table 4.

Community factors.

Theme	Quotes
Support from family and friends	“I tell my children at home, they care… the oldest one (daughter), she’s very… concerned… she said she thinks it’s a good idea, so I can take care of my health, because I am also looking after the little ones (grandchildren) at home” (Patient 13).
	“My wife and I are both diabetic… we eat our food that we buy… (It’s) A bit expensive but… You can’t not […] there are two in my family that are also diabetic… they eat and do as they please.” (Patient 8).
	“There are some who, who have the support structure and those are the ones who never have problems in general. But the majority is people who don’t have a support structure and as a result don’t comply” (Key informant 2).
Conspiracy theories about treatment outcomes	“But then you do get those that don’t want to go because they hear stories from other people […] maybe other people told them that they went and now they see worse than they did before…” (Key informant 1).
	“…she got to [the NTSS] hospital. They did her eyes. But she says she’s so satisfied, she’s back at work so satisfied, she can drive again and all of that” (Patient 8).
	“…my wife was sceptical at the time… when the doctor said I required laser treatment, and when the appointment was made, that’s when my wife started getting a bit sceptical… because the people hear things from other people…” (Patient 4).