title: A community-based, culturally sensitive education and group-support intervention for Mexican Americans with NIDDM: a pilot study of efficacy.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of providing a diabetes patient education and group-support intervention that was directed by a Mexican-American clinical nurse specialist (CNS), dietitian, and community worker; consistent with national standards; and designed for the Mexican-American culture. In a rural Texas-Mexico border community, subjects with diabetes were randomly selected to participate in the intervention, and a family member of each subject participated as a support person. The intervention involved 8 weeks of educational sessions with instruction on nutrition, blood glucose self-monitoring, exercise, and other diabetes self-management topics, and provided group support. Group discussion was facilitated using a series of Spanish-language videotapes that had been developed and previously tested in the target Mexican-American community. Results suggested statistically significant improvements in diabetes knowledge, fasting blood sugar levels, and glycosylated hemoglobin levels. The study documented the feasibility and potential benefits of the intervention.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Hanis
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000208:ethnology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017058:Mexican Americans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012657:Self-Help Groups / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013781:Texas