P60 Effects of a Community-Based Diabetes Education Intervention on Behavioral Outcomes Among Hispanics

Abstract

Background Diabetes is a major public health problem among Hispanic population. Nutrition education interventions in the community have the potential to address diabetes-related behaviors and lifestyle factors that play a critical role in both prevention and management of diabetes. Objective To improve diabetes knowledge, attitudes towards diabetes, self-efficacy for diabetes, and dietary behaviors among Hispanic adults after a community-based diabetes education intervention (DEI) delivered in Spanish. Study Design, Settings, and Participants A pre-post design was used to assess participants’ changes in diabetes-related behaviors (diabetes knowledge, attitudes towards diabetes, self-efficacy for diabetes) and dietary behaviors after a four-week community-based DEI. The intervention was conducted among Hispanic adults living in a Mexico-Texas border city and in a West Texas city. Intervention topics included diabetes and its complications, and nutrition strategies to prevent and manage diabetes. Measurable Outcome/Analysis The measurable outcomes were diabetes knowledge, attitudes towards diabetes, self-efficacy for diabetes and dietary intake. Mean differences between pre- and post-intervention assessments of diabetes-related behaviors and dietary behaviors were determined by using linear models on change scores. Results Thirty five participants from both locations started and completed the DEI. After the intervention, there was a significant increase in participants’ scores in diabetes knowledge (P Conclusion Results of this study suggest that dietary behaviors are more likely to change when DEI target behavior mediators such as knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy. Future diabetes education interventions should target Mexican origin Hispanics at the community to develop diabetes-related preventive skills. Funding Office of International Affairs at Texas Tech University.