Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of linguistically appropriate educational material, family participation, and medical team support in the control of the blood glucose level of the Latino male diabetes patient. Methodology: This study used causal comparative descriptive research. The instrument was sent to one hundred Latino adult diabetic patients selected randomly from a database of a family practice medical group operating clinics in predominantly Latino communities, and resulted in a 64 percent return. The research examined whether there was a significant difference in control of the participants' blood glucose levels when measuring the effects of: (1) the participants' knowledge of the A1c concentration test; (2) linguistically appropriate educational materials matching the participants' preference (Spanish or English); (3) family participation in the participants' regimen; and (4) medical team support. Findings: The analysis of the data showed that there was not a significant difference; only five of the sixty-four participants understood their A1c test level numbers. The researcher surmised the participants might not be educated in the importance of this test and how it relates to their daily glucose. There was no significant difference between the Spanish or English speaking participant in their receiving or using the education materials. There was no significant difference due to family participation or medical team support in controlling their blood glucose levels. Conclusions: There was confusion amongst the participants about various testing procedures to measure their diabetic condition. The researcher concluded that limited time and lack of follow-up by medical providers and health educators were factors affecting the management of their diabetic patients' blood glucose levels. Recommendations: Education to the population as a whole should be increased on the serious effects of obesity, lifestyle, nutrition, and stress that all contribute to the escalating increase of diabetes. Prevention through education is critical and Latino males and their families are in the most vulnerable positions, surrounded by fast food, lack of healthy food choices, and barriers of language and culture. Financial investments by insurance providers, hospitals, diabetes associations, universities, and medical provider corporations to increase education may positively impact the incidence of diabetes.