The impact of promotoras on social support and glycemic control among members of a farmworker community on the US-Mexico border.
The purpose of this study is to describe the effect of a promotora-driven intervention to build social support as a means to affect self-management behaviors and clinical outcomes in a farmworker community on the US-Mexico border.



Promotoras implemented a community-based intervention that included support groups, home/hospital visits, telephone support, and advocacy to people with diabetes. A 12-month pre/post study design was used to investigate the relationship between promotora contact, perceived support, and clinical outcomes. Clinical data were gathered from 70 participants during routine physician visits. A pre/post questionnaire was used to measure perceived support and self-management practices.



Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels decreased 1% among high-risk participants. Improved HbA1c level was associated with promotora advocacy and participation in promotora-led support groups. Participants reported increased support from family and friends and more comfort speaking about diabetes (la enfermedad) with family and friends.



These findings document improvement in both clinical and social health indicators for Mexican Americans in a farmworker community when a promotora model is used to provide and facilitate culturally relevant support for diabetes self-management practices.
Ingram
Maia
M
The Mel and End Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson (Ms Ingram, Ms Bradford)
Torres
Emma
E
Campesinos Sin Fronteras, Somerton, Arizona (Ms Torres, Ms Redondo)
Redondo
Flor
F
Campesinos Sin Fronteras, Somerton, Arizona (Ms Torres, Ms Redondo)
Bradford
Gail
G
The Mel and End Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson (Ms Ingram, Ms Bradford)
Wang
Chin
C
Sunset Community Health Center, Somerton, Arizona (Dr Wang)
O'Toole
Mary L
ML
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Diabetes Initiative, National Program Office, St Louis, Missouri (Dr O’Toole).
D000368:Aged; D000383:Agriculture; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D003153:Community Health Services; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017058:Mexican Americans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin