A community-based parish nurse intervention program for Mexican American women with gestational diabetes.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effects of a Parish Nurse Intervention Program (PNIP) on maternal health behaviors, glycemic control, and neonatal outcomes among Mexican American women with gestational diabetes.


METHODS
A randomized controlled trial comparing care as usual (CAU) with a supplementary 1-hour education session for diabetes education reinforcement by a Parish Nurse.


METHODS
An outpatient treatment clinic for gestational diabetes within a 250-bed tertiary care, non-profit hospital with a Parish Nurse partnership.


METHODS
One hundred Mexican American women were included in the study with randomization into Parish Nurse Intervention Program (n=49) and care as usual (n=51) groups.


METHODS
The Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP II) and two measures of glycemic control pre- and post-intervention, as well as newborn size, and days of maternal and neonatal hospitalization.


RESULTS
Outcomes indicate significantly improved Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II scores in the Parish Nurse Intervention Program group post-intervention compared with the Care As Usual group. No significant differences between groups regarding glycemic control, macrosomia, or days of maternal or neonatal hospitalization were found.


CONCLUSIONS
A Parish Nurse Intervention Program for pregnant women of Mexican descent with gestational diabetes is effective in leading to improved self-reported health promoting behaviors.
Mendelson
Sherri Garber
SG
Providence Holy Cross Medical Center, Mission Hills, CA 91335, USA. Sherri.mendelson@providence.org
McNeese-Smith
Donna
D
Koniak-Griffin
Deborah
D
Nyamathi
Adeline
A
Lu
Michael C
MC