TY - JOUR
T1 - Implementation and evaluation of a low health literacy and culturally sensitive diabetes education program
AU - Swavely, Deborah
AU - Vorderstrasse, Allison
AU - Maldonado, Edgardo
AU - Eid, Sherrine
AU - Etchason, Jeff
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2013 National Association for Healthcare Quality.
PY - 2014/11/1
Y1 - 2014/11/1
N2 - Low health literacy is more prevalent in persons with limited education, members of ethnic minorities, and those who speak English as a second language, and is associated with multiple adverse diabetes-related health outcomes. This study examined the effectiveness of a low health literacy and culturally sensitive diabetes education program for economically and socially disadvantaged adult patients with type 2 diabetes. A pre-post prospective study design was used to examine outcomes over 12 months. Outcome measures included diabetes knowledge, self-efficacy, and self-care, measured using reliable and valid survey tools, and A1C. Over this period of time 277 patients were enrolled in the program, with 106 participants completing survey data. At the completion of the program patients had significant improvements in diabetes knowledge (p < .001), self-efficacy (p < .001), and three domains of self-care including diet (p < .001), foot care (p < .001), and exercise (p < .001). There were no significant improvements in the frequency of blood glucose testing (p = .345). Additionally, A1C values significantly improved 3 months after completing the program (p = .007). In conclusion, a diabetes education program designed to be culturally sensitive and meet the needs of individuals with low health literacy improves short-term outcomes.
AB - Low health literacy is more prevalent in persons with limited education, members of ethnic minorities, and those who speak English as a second language, and is associated with multiple adverse diabetes-related health outcomes. This study examined the effectiveness of a low health literacy and culturally sensitive diabetes education program for economically and socially disadvantaged adult patients with type 2 diabetes. A pre-post prospective study design was used to examine outcomes over 12 months. Outcome measures included diabetes knowledge, self-efficacy, and self-care, measured using reliable and valid survey tools, and A1C. Over this period of time 277 patients were enrolled in the program, with 106 participants completing survey data. At the completion of the program patients had significant improvements in diabetes knowledge (p < .001), self-efficacy (p < .001), and three domains of self-care including diet (p < .001), foot care (p < .001), and exercise (p < .001). There were no significant improvements in the frequency of blood glucose testing (p = .345). Additionally, A1C values significantly improved 3 months after completing the program (p = .007). In conclusion, a diabetes education program designed to be culturally sensitive and meet the needs of individuals with low health literacy improves short-term outcomes.
KW - diabetes education
KW - low health literacy
KW - socially and economically disadvantaged patients
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U2 - 10.1111/jhq.12021
DO - 10.1111/jhq.12021
M3 - Article
C2 - 23799918
AN - SCOPUS:84940653486
SN - 1062-2551
VL - 36
SP - 16
EP - 23
JO - Journal for healthcare quality : official publication of the National Association for Healthcare Quality
JF - Journal for healthcare quality : official publication of the National Association for Healthcare Quality
IS - 6
ER -