Evaluating the Feasibility and Preliminary Effectiveness of a Tailored Diabetes Education Program for Rural Residents

Diabetes is a top ten Rural Healthy People 2030 priority for health improvement among rural Americans. Socioeconomic, environmental, geographic and political barriers contribute to the type 2 diabetes (T2D) prevalence and its disparate impact in rural communities. However, promoting proper self-care behaviors via self-management education can help people with diabetes better manage their condition.

To account for the social environmental factors that affect rural residents, a tailored diabetes education program was developed, and the program's effectiveness in improving diabetes knowledge and T2D-related health outcomes was assessed. Methods: Using data collected from Appalachian Kentucky residents enrolled in a six-week, tailored educational intervention, this study used linear mixed models to assess the associations with clinical outcomes, knowledge, self-care, attitudes, and social support post intervention.

Eighteen respondents consented to participate in the study (mean age: 58.3 years). Diabetes knowledge and attitudes improved significantly at six months post intervention. Positive changes in social support were also noted in that time frame. Self-care behaviors remained consistent post intervention, yet key metabolic outcomes (e.g., HbA1c, triglycerides, and BMI) decreased significantly.

Few studies have examined the effectiveness of a self-management intervention tailored for older, rural-dwelling Kentuckians living with T2D. With these promising results, tailored interventions that incorporate social support and social determinants of health hold the potential to improve the health and quality of life of adults with diabetes, paving the way for innovative and sustainable approaches to diabetes care.