Abstract
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to test efficacy of a family-based, culturally tailored intervention for Hispanics with type 2 diabetes and their family members. METHODS: Hispanic patients with type 2 diabetes and their family members recruited from community clinics and ethnic churches were assigned to groups (N = 186). The intervention group received an 8-week culturally tailored diabetes educational program delivered in Spanish while the attention control group received 8 weekly sessions on general health information and 2 sessions on diabetes after completion of the study. Data were collected at baseline, after intervention, and at 1- and 6-month follow-ups for both patients and families. Comparisons of change over time were performed using growth curve analyses after propensity score adjustment. RESULTS: Intervention patients improved in diabetes knowledge and diabetes self-efficacy over time (but did not sustain at 6-month follow-up). A1C was lower at 1-month follow-up. Family members had improvements in diabetes knowledge and physical health-related quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Including families in the interventions may improve glycemic control, diabetes knowledge, self-efficacy, and physical health-related quality of life. However, strategies for sustaining improvements are needed.