Diabetes Training of Community Health Workers Serving Native Hawaiians and Pacific People

Abstract

Purpose Training of community health workers (CHWs) serving Native Hawaiian and Pacific People about diabetes prevention, control, and management was identified as a priority in a needs assessment of health agencies in Hawai`i. Methods Principles from Community-Based Participatory Research provided a framework to develop and implement a 4-hour training curriculum. The curriculum developers incorporated teaching strategies shown to be effective with this population and included culturally relevant material. Nineteen health organizations participated in the training that reached 111 CHWs over a 3-year period. Results Based on comparison of pre- and post-diabetes knowledge test results, the training participants showed significant gain in diabetes knowledge. Conclusions A culturally tailored diabetes education gives CHWs the relevant knowledge and tools to participate in the delivery of diabetes education to a minority group experiencing disparate health outcomes. A community-based method facilitated development of seminar content and delivery strategies.