JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Type 2 diabetes remains a major public health challenge for Māori and Pasifika peoples living in Queensland. The women of these communities face a greater burden of type 2 diabetes-related mortality and comorbidities. Modification of personal behaviors through women’s wellness programs aimed at early intervention has been shown to reduce the risk of developing complications in established type 2 diabetes and may reduce hospitalization rates due to preventable complications. The Pasifika Women’s Diabetes Wellness Program (PWDWP) is a first culturally whānau (family)-centered intervention, co-designed with Māori and Pasifika women living with type 2 diabetes to promote improve diabetes management.

Objective:

This study aims to evaluate the feasibility, delivery, acceptability and effectiveness of PWDWP in partnership with Māori and Pasifika community organizations and key stakeholders in Southeast Queensland.

Methods:

This pilot study is a quasi-experimental design with two arms: an intervention and a control, to trial a 12-week intervention followed by 12-week follow up period. The study will utilise participatory talanoa (Pacific Indigenous) methodologies employing in-depth interviews, surveys, education workshops, online consultations and virtual talanoa support groups with motivational SMS text messages for the intervention. Control groups will receive usual care with their health professionals, a hard copy of the program materials, and motivational text messages. Quantitative data will quantify participants’ objective diabetes control using a haemoglobin A1c as primary measure, and qualitative data will be collected to ascertain the program’s feasibility and cultural appropriateness using talanoa focus groups.

Results:

The PWDWP was successful in securing funding through Diabetes Australia Research Program Grant and Australian Health Research Alliance (AHRA) Women’s Health Research Translation Network (WHRTN) Early and Mid-Career Researcher Funded Award in 2022. The study has recruited 50 participants with the intervention starting in February 2023. Data analysis and results reporting are expected to be completed in 2024.

Conclusions:

The PWDWP is the first culturally framed intervention co-designed and co-developed with Māori and Pasifika women living with type 2 diabetes in Queensland. This pilot study will assess the efficacy of the interventions based on quantitative values including HbA1c and body composition measurements, as well as qualitative data through focus groups talanoa with participants will determine measurement burden, acceptability, potential translation, and ease of intervention access. Clinical Trial: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) Number: 12622001100785p.