A Family-Based, Culturally Tailored Diabetes Intervention for Hispanics and Their Family Members.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to test efficacy of a family-based, culturally tailored intervention for Hispanics with type 2 diabetes and their family members.

METHODS

Hispanic patients with type 2 diabetes and their family members recruited from community clinics and ethnic churches were assigned to groups (N = 186). The intervention group received an 8-week culturally tailored diabetes educational program delivered in Spanish while the attention control group received 8 weekly sessions on general health information and 2 sessions on diabetes after completion of the study. Data were collected at baseline, after intervention, and at 1- and 6-month follow-ups for both patients and families. Comparisons of change over time were performed using growth curve analyses after propensity score adjustment.

RESULTS

Intervention patients improved in diabetes knowledge and diabetes self-efficacy over time (but did not sustain at 6-month follow-up). A1C was lower at 1-month follow-up. Family members had improvements in diabetes knowledge and physical health-related quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS

Including families in the interventions may improve glycemic control, diabetes knowledge, self-efficacy, and physical health-related quality of life. However, strategies for sustaining improvements are needed.