Pilot Implementation of Adapted-Family Diabetes Self-Management Education Into a Clinical Setting

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Diabetes Management
• Health Disparities

Background:

• Marshallese populations exhibit high rates of type 2 diabetes, indicating a significant health disparity.
• Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) is crucial for managing type 2 diabetes, but culturally adapted interventions are needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the preliminary effectiveness and feasibility of an Adapted-Family DSME intervention.
• To evaluate the intervention's impact on Marshallese adults with type 2 diabetes and their family members.
• To determine the suitability of delivering this DSME program in a clinical setting.

Main Methods:

• A pilot study involving 10 Marshallese adults with type 2 diabetes and 10 family members.
• Delivery of a 10-hour Adapted-Family DSME curriculum by community health workers and a certified diabetes educator.
• Collection of biometric data (HbA1c, blood pressure, cholesterol, BMI) at pre- and postintervention (12 weeks).

Main Results:

• Primary participants showed a 0.7% mean decrease in HbA1c, alongside improvements in blood pressure and cholesterol.
• Family members experienced minor improvements in HbA1c and blood pressure.
• High adherence rates were observed, with 90% of primary participants and 80% of family members completing the intervention and data collection.

Conclusions:

• The Adapted-Family DSME intervention demonstrates preliminary effectiveness and feasibility in a clinical setting for the Marshallese community.
• Findings support the adaptation of DSME for specific cultural groups to address health disparities.
• Results will guide the implementation of a larger, fully powered study to further validate the intervention.