Can diabetes education increase compliance in the Hispanic population of Harrisonburg?

Bridget Reilly

Abstract

At the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Free Clinic, approximately 75-80% of patients per week are seen due to complications of type II diabetes in addition to patients who are experiencing hyperglycemic crises. A large portion of the individuals attending the Free Clinic identify as Hispanic. The purpose of this educational intervention was to provide culturally-competent education for Hispanic patients with type II diabetes about a healthy diet, how to read nutrition labels, and exercise tips. Hemoglobin A1c levels for each of the participants were reviewed before providing the education. Their hemoglobin A1c levels were checked again three months after the intervention to see the effectiveness of the culturally-competent education. The post-intervention A1c levels are not yet available. However, verbal feedback from a participant indicated that the intervention was insightful and allowed her to walk away with knowledge on how she could follow a healthier diet to help manage her type II diabetes.

Keywords: Hispanic, type II diabetes, hemoglobin A1c, Harrisonburg