The Punjabi Diabetes Self-Management Program

Acceptability of community health worker and peer supported interventions for ethnic minorities with type 2 diabetes: a qualitative systematic review

“…The PRSIMA diagram describing study selection is shown in Figure 3 ( 47 ). In total the views and perceptions of 387 participants were described, with 15 studies conducted in the USA, one in Canada and another in Australia; of these seven focussed on Latino populations ( 48 – 54 ); five African American ( 55 – 59 ); one mixed of both populations ( 60 ), one Native American ( 61 ), one Punjabi ( 62 ); one Aboriginal ( 63 ); and one on Pacific Islanders ( 64 ). Papers were published between 2009 and 2022.…”

“…Despite the generally positive response towards CHWPs, participants across several studies were dissatisfied with CHWPs’ clinical knowledge, and inability to answer more detailed questions ( 51 , 60 , 62 , 64 , 65 ). As one participant described:…”

“…CHWPs shared or understood the cultural characteristics of participants which helped contextualise their advice and guidance ( 50 – 54 , 60 – 62 , 64 ). For example, they were able to describe how familiar foods could be used in controlling blood sugar ( 54 , 62 ). As one Latina participant from a study set in Texas, USA described:…”

“…Participants also appreciated CHWPs’ awareness of hospitality customs which present additional dietary temptations and social pressure, from well-meaning hosts ( 54 , 62 ). CHWPs gave individuals the confidence to politely decline some of the foods offered, as one Punjabi participant explained:…”

“…It is widely understood that bilingual services can further increase the cultural applicability of self-management interventions ( 69 ) and the ability of CHWPs to speak the same language as participants was not only appreciated by participants but in was some instances a necessity ( 50 , 62 ). As one Latino participant in Pennsylvania, USA described:…”