Online Program

326021
Lessons Learned from a Community-Engaged Intervention to Improve Diabetes Management in the NYC Bangladeshi Community using Community Health Workers


Monday, November 2, 2015

Lindsey Riley, MPH, Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY
Gulnahar Alam, Center for the Study of Asian American Health, NYU Institute of Community Health and Research, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY
Mamnunul Haq, Department of Population Health, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY
MD Taher, MPH, Department of Population Health, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY
Laura Wyatt, MPH, Department of Population Health, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY
Michael Tanner, MD, Center for the Study of Asian American Health, NYU Institute of Community Health and Research, DREAM Project Coalition, New York, NY
Purnima Naik, MD, NYU School of Medicine, Center for the Study of Asian American Health, NYU Institute of Community Health and Research, DREAM Project Coalition, New York, NY
Shahnaz Yousuf, NYU School of Medicine, Center for the Study of Asian American Health, NYU Institute of Community Health and Research, DREAM Project Coalition, New York, NY
Runi Mukherji-Ratnam, PhD, NYU School of Medicine, Center for the Study of Asian American Health, NYU Institute of Community Health and Research, DREAM Project Coalition, New York, NY
Chau Trinh-Shevrin, DPH, Department of Population Health, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY
Nadia Islam, PhD, Department of Population Health, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY
Background:  High rates of diabetes among Bangladeshi immigrants in the U.S. and U.K. have been documented. However, few culturally- and linguistically-tailored health interventions have been implemented in this community.   To address this need, a Community Health Worker (CHW) intervention was implemented to improve diabetic management among Bangladeshis in New York City (NYC) from 2008 - current.  Strategic partners were recruited for a community Coalition to help design and inform the implementation of the program.

Methods:  Coalition members meet quarterly to discuss progress and offer technical assistance to issues related to recruitment and retention.  To date, 202 participants have enrolled in the intervention; eligible individuals are identified through clinic-based and community-based sources.   CHWs familiar with cultural and religious norms implemented a six-month program in which participants received group education as well as individual assistance.

Findings:  Key lessons learned from project implementation will be highlighted.  Examples include the challenges of implementing group educational sessions in low-resourced community-based settings, as well as retaining participants employed in service industries.   Additionally, important gender- and faith-based norms around physical activity and mental health emerged as barriers to promoting exercise and stress management.  As a result, CHWs worked with partners to develop and produce an in-language, culturally tailored physical activity DVD

Conclusions:   Recruitment and retention of participants in community-based research projects can be challenging.  However, strategic p partnerships and thoughtful implementation using a CHW model can provide key resources and linkages to help support program uptake among the community of interest.

Learning Areas:

Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs

Learning Objectives:
Describe challenges implementing a CHW intervention for diabetes management in the Bangladeshi community; Evaluate strategies to increase recruitment and retention in community-based research projects

Keyword(s): Community Health Workers and Promoters, Community-Based Research (CBPR)

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: For the last 4+ years, I have led the implementation and evaluation of this program, and have coordinated the establishment of the Community Coalition noted in the submitted abstract.
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.