Marshallese adults experience high rates of type 2 diabetes. Previous diabetes selfmanagement education (DSME) interventions among Marshallese were unsuccessful. This study compared the extent to which two DSME interventions improved glycemic control, measured on the basis of change in glycated hemoglobin (HbA 1c). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A two-arm randomized controlled trial compared a standard-model DSME (standard DSME) with a culturally adapted family-model DSME (adapted DSME). Marshallese adults with type 2 diabetes (n = 221) received either standard DSME in a community setting (n = 111) or adapted DSME in a home setting (n = 110). Outcome measures were assessed at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and at 6 and 12 months after the intervention and were examined with adjusted linear mixed-effects regression models. RESULTS Participants in the adapted DSME arm showed significantly greater declines in mean HbA 1c immediately (20.61% [95% CI 21.19, 20.03]; P = 0.038) and 12 months (20.77% [95% CI 21.38, 20.17]; P = 0.013) after the intervention than those in the standard DSME arm. Within the adapted DSME arm, participants had significant reductions in mean HbA 1c from baseline to immediately after the intervention (21.18% [95% CI 21.55, 20.81]), to 6 months (20.67% [95% CI 21.06, 20.28]), and to 12 months (20.87% [95% CI 21.28, 20.46]) (P < 0.001 for all). Participants in the standard DSME arm had significant reductions in mean HbA 1c from baseline to immediately after the intervention (20.55% [95% CI 20.93, 20.17]; P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS Participants receiving the adapted DSME showed significantly greater reductions in mean HbA 1c immediately after and 12 months after the intervention than the reductions among those receiving standard DSME. This study adds to the body of research that shows the potential effectiveness of culturally adapted DSME that includes participants' family members.
We examined the factors associated with screening mammography adherence behaviors and influencing factors on women's attitudes toward mammography in non-adherent women. Design-based logistic regression models were developed to characterize the influencing factors, including socio-demographic, health related, behavioral characteristics, and knowledge of breast cancer/mammography, on women's compliance with and attitudes toward mammography using the 2003 Health Information National Trends Survey data. Findings indicate significant associations among adherence to mammography and marital status, income, health coverage, being advised by a doctor to have a mammogram, having had Pap smear before, perception of chance of getting breast cancer, and knowledge of mammography (frequency of doing mammogram) in both women younger than 65 and women aged 65 and older. However, number of visits to a healthcare provider per year and lifetime number of smoked cigarettes are only significant for women younger than 65. Factors significantly associated with attitudes toward mammography in non-adherent women are age, being advised by a doctor to have a mammogram, and seeking cancer information. To enhance adherence to mammography programs, physicians need to continue to advise their patients to obtain mammograms. In addition, increasing women's knowledge about the frequency and starting age for screening mammography may improve women's adherence. Financially related factors such as income and insurance are also shown to be significant factors. Hence, healthcare policies aimed at providing breast cancer screening services to underserved women will likely enhance mammography participation.
This scoping review identifies the best practices of community-based participatory research with Pacific Islanders in the United States and United States Affiliated Pacific Islands. Eighty-four articles from January 2000 to December 2017 were included in the review. Best practices included the importance of engaging Pacific Islander community leaders as research staff, community coinvestigators, and community advisory board members. Best practices also focused on removing barriers to research by using participants' native languages, conducting research within the geographic community, and spending significant time to build trust. Novel best practices included honoring Pacific Islanders' cultural practices such as protocols for engagement, reciprocity, and social and spiritual inclusiveness and honoring Pacific Islanders' collectivist cultural structure. The goal of this scoping review is to aid community-academic partnerships working to improve the health of Pacific Islanders.
Background
Type 2 diabetes is a significant public health problem, with U.S. Pacific Islander communities bearing a disproportionate burden. The Marshallese are a Pacific Islander community that has significant inequities in diabetes, yet few evidence-based diabetes interventions have been developed to address this inequity.
Objectives
We used a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach to adapt an evidence-based diabetes self-management education (DSME) intervention for the Marshallese.
Methods
Our team used the Cultural Adaptation Process Model, in addition to an iterative process consisting of formative data and previous literature review, and engagement with community and academic experts.
Lessons Learned
Specific cultural considerations were identified in adapting DSME components, including the dichotomous versus gradient conceptualization of ideas, the importance of engaging the entire family, the use of nature analogies, and the role of spirituality.
Conclusions
We identified key cultural considerations to incorporate into a diabetes self-management program for the Marshallese. The insights gained can inform others' work with Pacific Islanders.
This article illustrates how a collaborative research process can
successfully engage an underserved minority community to address health
disparities. Pacific Islanders, including the Marshallese, are one of the
fastest growing US populations. They face significant health disparities,
including extremely high rates of type 2 diabetes. This article describes the
engagement process of designing patient-centered outcomes research with
Marshallese stakeholders, highlighting the specific influences of their input on
a randomized control trial to address diabetes. Over 18 months, an
interdisciplinary research team used community-based participatory principles to
conduct patient-engaged outcomes research that involved 31 stakeholders in all
aspects of research design, from defining the research question to making
decisions about budgets and staffing. This required academic researcher
flexibility, but yielded a design linking scientific methodology with community
wisdom.
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