645-P: Feasibility of Kanasina Gulabi, a Peer Support Intervention for Young Adults with Type 2 Diabetes in Mysore, India

• Published in: Diabetes (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 73; p. 1
• Main Authors: Gopisetty, Nikhita R, Muralidhar, Kiranmayee, Ningaiah, Nagalambika, Karnam, Raghavi, Chinnappa, Rani, Jayakrishna, Poornima, Ariely, Sumedha, Puffer, Eve S, Madhivanan, Purnima
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York American Diabetes Association 01.06.2024
• Subjects: Age; Diabetes; Diabetes mellitus (non-insulin dependent); Hemoglobin; Peer tutoring; Young adults; India
• ISSN: 0012-1797; 1939-327X
• DOI: 10.2337/db24-645-P

Introduction & Objective: To address the knowledge gap and emotional burden in young adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D), we designed a four-week education and goal-based peer support intervention, Kanasina Gulabi (Kannada: My Dream Rose), implemented in Mysore, India between June and July 2023. Methods: The Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework was used to assess feasibility. Peer navigators (n=3, mean age: 33 years) were recruited from the community and trained to deliver the intervention. Twenty-eight adults ≤ 40 years of age with T2D were recruited and quasi-randomly allocated to the intervention group (n=14, mean age: 33 years) or the control group (n=14, mean age: 33 years). Hemoglobin A1c, T2D knowledge, diabetes distress, diabetes-related stigma, depression severity, and optimism were assessed at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and at the 2-month follow-up. Attendance, fidelity, and acceptability were also assessed. Results: Intervention participants expressed high satisfaction with Kanasina Gulabi and expressed gratitude for the guided knowledge and mentorship from their peer navigators. Participants displayed excellent attendance and adherence, with an average of 5 hours of Kanasina Gulabi exposure over 4 weeks. Peer navigators delivered the intervention with 100% fidelity. Results showed reductions in diabetes distress (Intervention: 30.9%, Control: 6.5%), diabetes-related stigma (Intervention: 25.3%, Control: 14.5%), and depression severity (Intervention: 58.3%, Control: 38.5%). Both groups presented an increase in T2D knowledge (Intervention: 19.7%, Control: 25.2%). Conclusion: Implementing Kanasina Gulabi in Mysore is feasible and acceptable, with intervention participants showing more positive changes on multiple psychosocial outcomes compared to the control group. Results support a full trial to evaluate its effectiveness and sustainability in young adults with T2D.