Texas-Mexico Border Intervention by Promotores for Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of a promotores-led diabetes self-management program by comparing the outcomes (knowledge, beliefs, and HbA1c level) of Mexican American patients with type 2 diabetes who received usual diabetic care in a wait-list control group to those who received self-management education and follow-up by promotores in consultation with clinic providers and staff. METHODS: This randomized control study compared the results of 63 patients who attended a promotores-led culturally sensitive diabetes self-management course at a community clinic with 68 patients in a wait-list, usual-care control group. Participants were Mexican Americans with type 2 diabetes who were patients at the clinic and at least 18 years of age. At baseline, 3 months, and 6 months, the Diabetes Knowledge Questionnaire (DKQ), Health Beliefs Questionnaire (HBQ), and HbA1c levels (drawn by the clinic laboratory) were collected. RESULTS: There was a significant improvement in the intervention group's DKQ scores over time and in treatment by time. The baseline HbA1c level was 7.49 and did not change over time in either group. The DKQ, HBQ, and HbA1c results were significantly affected by age; the DKQ and HbA1c were affected by years with diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: The promotores-led diabetes self-management course improved the knowledge of patients with diabetes. Participant baseline HbA1c level was close to therapeutic level (much lower than reported in previous studies), suggesting participants received good medical care within the community clinic.