Online Program

328201
Results from a randomized control trial to promote diabetes prevention among New York City Koreans using a community health worker model


Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Jennifer Zanowiak, MA, 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
Simona Kwon, DrPH, MPH, Department of Population Health, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY
Linda Lee, MSW, Korean Community Services of Metro NY, Inc, Flushing, NY
Laura Wyatt, MPH, Department of Population Health, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY
Chau Trinh-Shevrin, DrPH, Department of Population Health, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY
Asian Americans have higher rates of diabetes than Non-Hispanic Whites. There are limited studies on Asian subgroups and few community-based, culturally-tailored interventions promoting diabetes prevention for Korean Americans.

Findings are presented from a community health worker (CHW) diabetes prevention intervention with New York City (NYC) Koreans.

Between May 2011 and August 2014, 5 rounds of a culturally-tailored diabetes prevention intervention were implemented in a NYC Korean community; 302 participants (58% female) were enrolled and randomized (n=153 intervention; n=149 control). The intervention group received 6 CHW-led diabetes-related education workshops and 10 follow-up phone calls. Baseline and follow-up surveys were administered to capture diabetes knowledge, behavioral change, and clinical outcomes. Analyses include chi-square tests for categorical variables and paired sample t-tests for continuous variables. Independent t-tests examine between-group differences for continuous variables.

A total of 215 participants completed baseline and 6-month surveys (n=115 intervention; n=100 control). The intervention group saw significant decreases in weight (p=0.014), mean BMI (p=0.019), and diastolic blood pressure (p=0.044); there were no significant changes in the control group on these measures. The intervention group saw significant increases in amount of physical activity (PA) per week between baseline and 6-months (p<0.001) as well as in engaging in the recommended amount of PA (p=0.034); the control group saw a significant decrease in amount of PA per week during the same period (p=0.024). Self-efficacy related to performing PA increased in the intervention group (p=0.006) and decreased in the control group (p=0.436).  Barriers related to engaging in PA decreased in both groups, but the change was significant in the intervention group (p=0.008). Diabetes knowledge improved in the intervention group (p<0.001), and decreased in the control group (p=0.02). Challenges, facilitators and lessons learned will be discussed.

Results suggest that a CHW program may be effective in promoting diabetes prevention among NYC Koreans.

Learning Areas:

Chronic disease management and prevention
Diversity and culture
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs

Learning Objectives:
Evaluate findings from a CHW intervention adapted for use in the Korean community Describe how to implement a CHW intervention designed to promote diabetes prevention

Keyword(s): Asian Americans, Community Health Workers and Promoters

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am Senior Research Coordinator at the NYU School of Medicine, and coordinated Project RICE, a five-year community health worker-led diabetes prevention intervention in the South Asian and Korean communities in NYC.
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.