Type 2 Diabetes Peer Counseling Intervention Improves Knowledge and Self-Management Skills

Between 2000 and 2006 Hispanics growth rate (24.3%) was more than three times the growth rate of the total population (6.1%) in the U.S. Relative to non-Hispanic Whites, Latinos have 60% higher mortality rates due to Diabetes, are at greater risk of being hospitalized due to diabetes complications and have greater lower extremity amputation. The objectives of this study are to: 1) report participant's level of satisfaction in the intervention arm of a parallel randomized-controlled peer counseling trial and 2) show participants pre-post knowledge in response to peer counseling. The DIALBEST peer counseling intervention included 17 sessions on nutrition, diabetes and medication management. Participants' mean age was 56 ± 11.6 years and 69% were women. 89.2% of participants preferred to be counseled in Spanish and had high school or less education. Preliminary findings show that 86% of those who could not identify carbohydrates sources at baseline were able to do so after the intervention. Likewise, 83% of those who could not identify at baseline which foods were likely to increase blood sugar answered correctly after being exposed to the peer counselors. The corresponding improvement for food label understanding was 82%. 97% of participants reported that their blood sugar monitoring and medication adherence had improved after peer counseling sessions. Preliminary results from this study suggest improvements on blood sugar monitoring, physical activity and medication adherence in response to peer counseling. All participants reported feeling better prepared to take care of their diabetes needs after being exposed to the peer counselor interventions.