Factors associated with successful completion of chronic disease self-management program (CDSMP) among Asian participants

Background. Asian Americans are a small but fast-growing population in the United States who are increasingly experiencing multiple chronic diseases. While the evidence-based Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) has been disseminated among various racial and ethnic populations, few studies specifically study Asian CDSMP participants.

Methods. The study aims to identify characteristics of Asian CDSMP participants and investigate factors related to successful workshop completion (i.e., attending 4 or more of the 6 sessions) among this population. Data were analyzed from 104,713 adults collected during a two-year national dissemination of CDSMP. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify covariates related to successful workshop completion.

Results. Asian participants accounted for 3.2% (n=3,307, mean age=68 years) of the total CDSMP participants. Approximately 54% of Asian participants reported having at least two chronic conditions. Most Asian participants attended workshops through the aging services network (26%), health care organization (17%), and residential facilities (15%). Asian participants were underrepresented in workshops delivered in rural settings (9%). Successful completion of CDSMP workshops among Asian participants was clearly associated with their number of chronic conditions (i.e., one [OR=1.36, P=0.026], two [OR=1.38, P=0.028], and three or more conditions [OR=1.51, P=0.004]). Successful completion was observed among participants who attended CDSMP workshops through the aging services network (OR=1.42, P=0.001) and in rural settings (OR=1.77, P=0.002) as compared to other delivery settings.

Conclusion. This study is the first large-scale examination of Asian Americans enrolled in CDSMP and highlights participant and delivery characteristics related to intervention dose in this under-studied minority population.