Culturally-Tailored Diffusion Model to Administer Diabetes Self-Management program among Cambodian, Chinese, and Vietnamese populations in Chicago, IL

Background: The Diabetes Prevention Project in Asian Communities (DPPAC) was created to provide culturally and linguistically relevant diabetes education and support to Chicago's Cambodian, Chinese, and Vietnamese communities. In Year One, trained bilingual, bicultural staff members of three community-based organizations implemented a total of six ten-week courses benefiting nearly 70 participants who manifested significant gains in diabetes knowledge, health behavior, and self-confidence.

Objective: To increase diabetes knowledge, confidence in disease management, and changes in behavior through the implementation of a peer educator diffusion model. Methods: Cambodian, Chinese, and Vietnamese immigrants living with diabetes were trained to implement the program in community settings. Participants completed pre and post tests during each 8-week course cycle to determine their understanding of diabetes management, as well as their confidence in managing their disease and changes in their health behavior. An existing evaluation tool for diabetes self-management was translated into Chinese, Khmer, and Vietnamese, and administered by the partnering organization before and after each 8-week session.

Results: Peer-educator model was shown to be effective in conducting bilingual and culturally competent education and support to limited English speaking populations living with diabetes. Implementing in community venues made the program more accessible outside agency hours for participants unable to attend during the workday. Post course surveys indicated significant changes in participants' knowledge, confidence in disease management, and health behaviors.

Conclusions: A culturally and linguistically competent peer educator model may be an effective way to administer a diabetes self-management project in traditionally hard-to-reach Asian populations.