Table 1 Community Health Worker (CHW) Intervention Curriculum
Session Topic | Session Overview | Tailored Cultural Components |
|---|---|---|
Session 1: Diabetes Overview | 1. What is diabetes? | • Discussion of diabetes prevalence and increased risk of diabetes among South Asians |
2. Type I, Type II, Gestational Diabetes, Prediabetes | ||
3. Risk factors | • Explanation of BMI and at-risk BMI in Asian communities | |
4. Symptoms | • Dispelling common cultural misconceptions regarding diabetes | |
5. Blood sugar (high/low) | ||
6. Prevention of Diabetes, Diet, Exercise, Social Support and Goal Setting | ||
7. Myths and Facts about diabetes | ||
Session 2: Nutrition | 1. Eating a balanced diet | • Photos of typical South Asian foods |
2. Healthy eating tips | • Identifying and limiting sweets high in fat and sugar, and substituting sweets with fruits for dessert • Building a balanced plate following the Plate Method with traditional South Asian foods | |
3. Overcoming barriers (e.g., eating out and in social situations) | • Managing expectations for eating outside the home • In language role play video on eating out in South Asian social setting | |
4. Reading a Nutrition Label | • Using South Asian food labels | |
5. Goal-setting for healthy eating | • Inclusion of the family cook within session /Working with family cook to improve nutrition in the entire household | |
Session 3: Physical Activity | 1. Energy balance between foods and physical activity/ Calorie needs | |
2. Benefits of physical activity | • Discussion of the concept of “Saint-Soldier” in Sikhism, which promotes discipline in spiritual practice as well as in social responsibilities to family and community. | |
3. Forms of exercise | ||
4. Preventing injuries/safety | ||
5. Incorporating physical activity routines and goal-setting | ||
6. Overcoming barriers | • Home-based exercise/activities for women • List of free, local community exercise classes | |
Session 4: Stress Management | 1. Effects of Stress on Physical and Emotional Health | |
2. Coping with different feelings | ||
3. Stress Management Techniques | • Discussion around stigma associated with mental health problems such as depression • Herbal remedies for stress relief (e.g. fennel seed tea, ginger paste compress for the forehead) | |
4. Family Support / Happy Family Relations | ||
Session 5: Diabetes Complications | 1. Diabetes Overview | |
2. Heart Disease and Stroke | • Review of popular South Asian foods high in salt and fat and limiting these foods | |
3. Managing Diabetes | • In language role play on receiving a prediabetes/diabetes diagnosis | |
4. Staying motivated and goal-setting |