Hispanic chronic disease self-management: a randomized community-based outcome trial

Nurs Res. 2003 Nov-Dec;52(6):361-9. doi: 10.1097/00006199-200311000-00003.

Abstract

Background: In light of health disparities and the growing prevalence of chronic disease, there is a need for community-based interventions that improve health behaviors and health status. These interventions should be based on existing theory.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the health and utilization outcomes of a 6-week community-based program for Spanish speakers with heart disease, lung disease, or type 2 diabetes.

Method: The treatment participants in this study (n = 327) took a 6-week peer-led program. At 4 months, they were compared with randomized wait-list control subjects (n = 224) using analyses of covariance. The outcomes for all the treatment participants were assessed at 1 year, as compared with baseline scores (n = 271) using t-tests.

Results: At 4 months, the participants, as compared with usual-care control subjects, demonstrated improved health status, health behavior, and self-efficacy, as well as fewer emergency room visits (p <.05). At 1 year, the improvements were maintained and remained significantly different from baseline condition.

Conclusions: This community-based program has the potential to improve the lives of Hispanics with chronic illness while reducing emergency room use.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • California
  • Chronic Disease / nursing
  • Chronic Disease / therapy*
  • Delivery of Health Care / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Health Behavior / ethnology
  • Health Status
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mexican Americans / psychology*
  • Mexico / ethnology
  • Middle Aged
  • Nursing Research
  • Self Care*
  • Self Efficacy
  • Treatment Outcome