Partners in Care Diabetes Self-management Intervention

This is a feasibility study using a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design in which 100
Native Hawaiians (NHs) and other Pacific Islanders (PPs) will be randomized to either a
3-month diabetes self-management group (DSMG; N=50) or a delayed intervention control group
(CG; N=50). Participants in the DSMG will receive culturally-tailored, group diabetes
self-management education delivered in a community setting by trained community peer
educators. To meet this objective, we have partnered with four community-based
organizations: 1) Hawai`i Maoli Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, 2) Ke Ola Mamo Native
Hawaiian Health Care System, 3) Kokua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Services, and 4)
Kula No Nā Po`e Hawai`i. These four organizations provide services to a large number of
Pacific People to include, but not limited to, Native Hawaiians, Samoans, Filipinos, and
Chuukese. They already have intervention research experience as members of the PILI 'Ohana
CBPR Project. The 3-month face-to-face intervention will be community-based and
community-led by trained community peer educators from these four partnering community
organizations. Individuals with a hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c; average blood sugar levels) >=8%
will be recruited for the study because they represent the most at-risk for diabetes-related
complications.

Over a 1-year accrual period, the community partners will recruit and enroll 100 eligible
NHs and PPs (25 participants per a participating community), as well as deliver and evaluate
the intervention in their respective community settings. The primary outcomes of our study
are hemoglobin A1c and self-reported diabetes specific quality of life. Secondary outcomes
are cholesterol levels (including HDL, LDL, total cholesterol, and triglycerides), blood
pressure, body mass index, and psychosocial adaptation.