219516 A culturally appropriate diabetes education intervention program among Chinese Americans

Monday, November 8, 2010

Grace X. Ma, PhD , Department of Public Health, Center for Asian Health, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
Wanzhen Gao, PhD , Center for Asian Health, Department of Public Health, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
Ying Yuan, MHA , Center for Asian Health, Department of Public Health, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
Yin Tan, MD, MPH , Center for Asian Health, Department of Public Health, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
Kathy Zhou, BA , Center for Asian Health, Department of Public Health, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
Background/Significance: Asian Americans are 60% more likely to have diabetes than non-Hispanic whites. There is lack of research on diabetes prevention among Asian populations.

Objectives: This pilot study was to develop and test the feasibility and effectiveness of a culturally and linguistically appropriate education intervention on diabetes in senior Chinese American population in Philadelphia and New York City.

Methods: This study was guided by the theoretical framework of Health Belief Model (HBM) and Social Cognitive Theory. Two focus groups were interviewed to gather information for development of the education workshop. One hundred and sixty-six (166) Chinese aged 55 and above were recruited to receive diabetes education. Assessments were obtained at baseline and post-education to examine Chinese Americans' knowledge of prevention and treatment of diabetes, attitudes towards diabetes prevention, screening, and treatment, and current behaviors related to nutrition, physical activity, and utilization of healthcare.

Results: The focus-group interview suggested that having culturally appropriate diabetes education and free screening in the community would motivate Chinese seniors to learn more about diabetes and get screened. More participants could correctly identify each of the seven provided statements about diabetes knowledge post education compared with those prior to education (McNemar test P<0.01 for all comparisons). The mean of the total knowledge score increased from 3.1 at baseline to 4.5 post education (Paired t-test P<0.001).

Conclusions/Discussion: This pilot study demonstrated the feasibility and effectiveness of diabetes education in senior Chinese Americans. Based on the preliminary findings, a large-scale diabetes education study is under development.

Learning Areas:
Chronic disease management and prevention
Diversity and culture
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs

Learning Objectives:
1. Identify the risk factors, prevention and treatment of diabetes. 2. Apply results of this study to develop an intervention strategy that would reduce risks of getting diabetes in Chinese Americans.

Keywords: Diabetes, Education

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the Principal Investigator of the study to be presented.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 3344.0: Taking culture and language into account in health education and promotion