Volume 31, Issue 3: June, 2004

Abstract

Views and Preferences of Low-Literate Hispanics Regarding Diabetes Education: Results of Formative Research

Milagros C. Rosal, PhD, Karin Valentine Goins, MPH, Elena T. Carbone, DrPH, RD, LDN, Dharma E. Cortes, PhD

Hispanics are twice as likely as non-Hispanic Whites to have diabetes and are also at higher risk for diabetes-related complications and poorer outcomes. The prevalence of diabetes is inversely related to educational status. Low literacy is common, especially among older Hispanics. Little literature exists on formative research to create diabetes education materials for this audience. Two focus groups assessed views and preferences for diabetes education of low-literate, low-income, non-English-speaking urban Caribbean and Central American Hispanics with diabetes, as well as utility of materials developed specifically for this population, as part of the preliminary work for a pilot study of a diabetes intervention. Implications for practitioners and researchers are discussed.