An empowerment-based diabetes self-management education program for Hispanic/Latinos: a quasi-experimental pilot study

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the effects of a culturally sensitive, empowerment-based diabetes self-management education program for Spanish-speaking Hispanic/Latinos.

Methods: A prospective quasi-experimental repeated measures design tested the effectiveness of the ¡Si, Yo Puedo Controlar Mi Diabetes! diabetes self-management education program. In sum, 144 persons residing in 2 Texas counties at the Texas-Mexico border (Starr and Hidalgo) served as participants. Two groups were formed, an intervention and a control (wait list). Clinical (A1C), cognitive, attitudinal, behavioral, and cultural assessments were collected at baseline and 3 months.

Results: Demographic characteristics for the intervention and control groups were similar. Both groups were predominately female, low income, older than 40 years, and minimally acculturated. Baseline and posttest findings showed that the intervention group had a significant reduction in A1C values; median difference was 0.3 (n = 45), especially for those with higher baseline values. Participants in the intervention group also improved in their self-efficacy and self-care scores.

Conclusions: Findings from the study suggest that additional dissemination of a diabetes self-management education program for Spanish-speaking Hispanic/Latinos is warranted to improve clinical outcomes and associated diabetes self-efficacy and self-care behaviors.