title: A community-based parish nurse intervention program for Mexican American women with gestational diabetes.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Providence Holy Cross Medical Center, Mission Hills, CA 91335, USA. Sherri.mendelson@providence.org
authors.forename: Sherri Garber
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Mendelson
authors.forename: Donna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McNeese-Smith
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Koniak-Griffin
authors.forename: Adeline
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nyamathi
authors.forename: Michael C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Lu