Community-based Diabetes Education for Latinos: The Diabetes Empowerment Education Program.
The purpose of this study was to conduct a diabetes education program delivered by community health workers (CHWs) in community settings and to evaluate its effectiveness in improving glycemic control and self-management skills in Hispanics/Latinos with type 2 diabetes.



Trained CHWs recruited Hispanic/Latino community residents with self-reported type 2 diabetes, implemented intervention in nonclinical locations, and collected data on diabetes knowledge, self-care behaviors, self-efficacy, depression, A1C, weight, and blood pressure. Classes applied participatory techniques and were delivered in 2-hour group sessions over 10 weeks. Two focus groups collected qualitative postintervention data.



Seventy participants enrolled, and 47 completed pretest and posttest data. Improvements were significant for A1C (P = .001) and systolic blood pressure (P = .006). Other positive outcomes were diabetes knowledge, physical activity, spacing carbohydrates, following a healthy eating plan, and eating fruits and vegetables. Improved behaviors also included foot care, glucose self-monitoring, and medication adherence. Depressive symptoms showed a positive trend in intent-to-treat analysis (P = .07), but self-efficacy did not change significantly (P = .142). Qualitative information reported an increase in participants' perceived competence in self-care and a positive influence of CHWs in participants' compliance with the program.



A diabetes self-management education program for Hispanics/Latinos led by CHWs can be implemented in community settings and may effectively improve behavioral skills and glycemic control.
Jane Addams College of Social Work, Midwest Latino Health Research, Training and Policy Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois (Dr Castillo, Dr Giachello, Dr Sanchez, Dr Pinsker, Mr Arrom)
Amparo
A
Castillo
Jane Addams College of Social Work, Midwest Latino Health Research, Training and Policy Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois (Dr Castillo, Dr Giachello, Dr Sanchez, Dr Pinsker, Mr Arrom)
Aida
A
Giachello
Robin
R
Bates
Global Health Division, Project Hope, Albuquerque, New Mexico (Dr Concha)
Jeannie
J
Concha
General Internal Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois (Ms Ramirez)
Vanessa
V
Ramirez
Jane Addams College of Social Work, Midwest Latino Health Research, Training and Policy Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois (Dr Castillo, Dr Giachello, Dr Sanchez, Dr Pinsker, Mr Arrom)
Carlos
C
Sanchez
Jane Addams College of Social Work, Midwest Latino Health Research, Training and Policy Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois (Dr Castillo, Dr Giachello, Dr Sanchez, Dr Pinsker, Mr Arrom)
Eve
E
Pinsker
Jane Addams College of Social Work, Midwest Latino Health Research, Training and Policy Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois (Dr Castillo, Dr Giachello, Dr Sanchez, Dr Pinsker, Mr Arrom)
Jose
J
Arrom
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003150:Community Health Workers; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011209:Power, Psychological; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods
D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin