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 |