An Examination of Intervention Components that Influence Engagement in Latino Community-Based Diabetes Prevention Program

This study examined the responses of Latino community residents diagnosed with pre-diabetes using a complex convergent mixed methods design nested within a three-factor factorial design (age, language, and gender) to understand the intervention contents and activities that are most important to study participants for helping them to prevent the development and onset of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Chapter 1 introduces the topic and provides background literature. Chapter 2 systematically synthesized findings from diabetes prevention studies to identify efficacious intervention components and social contextual resources that have been used to support diabetes prevention in Latinos who are prediabetic or at risk of developing diabetes. Chapter 3 analyzed the qualitative portion of one section within the Latino Lifestyles study protocol. Based on the Integrative Mixed Methods (IMM) methodology, we conducted a thematic analysis to identify emergent themes for each of the three focus questions, as administered in individual interviews with 28 Latino and Latina participants. Chapter 4 utilized the findings from Chapter 3 to examine the levels and associations of three potential moderator variables: (a) health motivation, (b) diabetes awareness, and (c) diabetes concern among Latinos diagnosed with prediabetes. A 2x2 cross-tabulation analysis tested group differences in the mention of response phrases as examined by two levels (high versus low) of the potential moderator variables. The study results offered meaningful intervention components such as healthy cooking classes and assistance with lifestyle changes related to diet and exercise for themselves and their families, as expressed by the participants. These findings provide informative intervention components for developing a Latino community-based diabetes prevention program designed to enhance engagement and lifestyle changes for individuals diagnosed with prediabetes.