Evaluation of a community health worker pilot intervention to improve diabetes management in Bangladeshi immigrants with type 2 diabetes in New York City

• Published in: The Diabetes educator Vol. 39; no. 4; p. 478
• Main Authors: Islam, Nadia S, Wyatt, Laura C, Patel, Shilpa D, Shapiro, Ephraim, Tandon, S Darius, Mukherji, B Runi, Tanner, Michael, Rey, Mariano J, Trinh-Shevrin, Chau
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.07.2013
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Bangladesh - ethnology; Community Health Workers - statistics & numerical data; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - drug therapy; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - ethnology; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - psychology; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - therapy; Emigrants and Immigrants - psychology; Ethnicity; Exercise - psychology; Feasibility Studies; Female; Health Behavior - ethnology; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Male; Medication Adherence - ethnology; Medication Adherence - psychology; Medication Adherence - statistics & numerical data; Middle Aged; New York City - epidemiology; Patient Acceptance of Health Care - ethnology; Patient Acceptance of Health Care - psychology; Patient Acceptance of Health Care - statistics & numerical data; Patient Education as Topic; Pilot Projects; Risk Factors; Self Care - psychology; Treatment Outcome; White People - psychology; New York City; Bangladesh
• ISSN: 1554-6063
• DOI: 10.1177/0145721713491438

The purpose of this study is to explore the impact and feasibility of a pilot Community Health Worker (CHW) intervention to improve diabetes management among Bangladeshi-American individuals with type 2 diabetes living in New York City. Participants were recruited at clinic- and community-based venues. The intervention consisted of 6 monthly, CHW-facilitated group sessions on topics related to management of diabetes. Surveys were collected at baseline and follow-up time points. Study outcomes included clinical, behavioral, and satisfaction measures for participants, as well as qualitative measures from CHWs. Improvements were seen in diabetes knowledge, exercise and diet to control diabetes, frequency of checking feet, medication compliance, and self-efficacy of health and physical activity from baseline to 12 months. Additionally, there were decreases in A1C, weight, and body mass index. Program evaluation revealed a high acceptability of the intervention, and qualitative findings indicated that CHWs helped overcome barriers and facilitated program outcomes through communal concordance, trust, and leadership. The intervention demonstrated high acceptability and suggested efficacy in improving diabetes management outcomes among Bangladeshi immigrants in an urban setting. The US Bangladeshi population will continue to increase, and given the high rates of diabetes, as well as linguistic and economic barriers faced by this community, effective and culturally tailored health interventions are needed to overcome barriers and provide support for diabetes management.