Development, implementation and preliminary findings of a type 2 diabetes prevention program for Arabic- and Mandarin-speaking communities

The Sydney Diabetes Prevention Program (SDPP) is the largest community-based diabetes prevention intervention trial in NSW. GPs in three Divisions of General Practice have been engaged to screen and recruit people aged 50–65 years who are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Participants are referred to a lifestyle modification program comprised of an initial consultation, three group sessions and subsequent follow-up telephone calls over the course of 12 months. Each participant contact is designed to improve nutrition, increase physical activity and reduce weight, in order to delay or prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes.

In addition to the mainstream Program, a Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) stream was developed and implemented targeting Mandarin- and Arabic-speaking participants.

An Advisory Group was formed to advise on the adaptation of SDPP to ensure cultural appropriateness of program delivery and resources. Consultation with multicultural health workers was sought where appropriate. Program goals remained the same as the mainstream: to increase physical activity to at least 30 min per day of at least moderate activity; reduce daily fat intake; reduce daily saturated fat intake; increase daily fibre intake; and reduce body weight by 5% over the length of the program.

A number of differences were found between the recruitment processes and characteristics of the CALD and mainstream participants.