Disparities in diagnosis and control of type 2 diabetes mellitus are most evident in African Americans (AAs) with lower socioeconomic status. Health literacy is an important predictor of adequate self-management and control of diabetes. The purpose of this pilot study was to test the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a health literacy-enhanced diabetes intervention -Prevention through Lifestyle intervention And Numeracy (PLAN) 4 Success-Diabetes, in inner-city, low-income AAs with uncontrolled diabetes. To evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of the intervention, the investigators conducted a pilot study with 24-week follow-up. The investigators that participation in the PLAN 4 Success-diabetes intervention would be associated with a reduction in glucose outcomes and improvements in psychosocial variables.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
19
The study intervention-PLAN 4 Success-Diabetes-consisted of four 1 to 1 ½-hour weekly health literacy training and disease knowledge education sessions for four weeks (4 in-person sessions), followed by two home visits and monthly phone counseling for over 6 months (5 phone sessions). The intervention is theory-driven and builds on von Wagner's model to incorporate key elements such as health literacy, disease knowledge, and self-efficacy for better glucose outcomes.
Wald Community Nursing Center
Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Change in Health literacy as assessed by Literacy Assessment in Diabetes (LAD).
The Literacy Assessment in Diabetes (LAD) has high reliability and validity indices. The items on the LAD are scored as correct/incorrect, with total possible scores ranging from 0 to 60. Higher scores indicated higher health literacy levels.
Time frame: baseline; 12 and 24 weeks
Change in Health literacy as assessed by the Newest Vital Sign
The Newest Vital Sign consists of four items and measures numeracy. After reviewing a nutrition label, participants are asked to answer questions based on some calculation of the nutritional information (e.g., fat, sodium) presented on the label. Total possible scores range from 0 to 4, with one point assigned for each correct response.
Time frame: baseline; 12 and 24 weeks
Change in Diabetes knowledge measured with the validated Diabetes Knowledge Test
The Diabetes Knowledge Test assesses diabetes knowledge, medications, diet, and management with questions such as "What effect will an infection most likely have on blood glucose." Correct responses are given a score of one.
Time frame: baseline; 12 and 24 weeks
Change in Diabetes self-efficacy measured with Stanford Diabetes Self-Efficacy scale
The Stanford Diabetes Self-Efficacy scale assesses participant's efficacy in managing diabetes and maintaining healthy lifestyles. The scale asks how confident participants are in managing different tasks such as eating meals every 4 to 5 hours every day or breakfast every day measured on a Likert scale of 0 "not at all confident" to 10 "totally confident." Participant scores are the means across all items in the instrument.
Time frame: baseline; 12 and 24 weeks
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.