(PS2-15) Lifestyle Intervention Preferences in Hispanic Communities: Results from a Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Formative Evaluation Trial

Hispanic adults have the highest prevalence of type 2 diabetes (22%) among major racial/ethnic groups (Cheng et al., 2019). PrevengaT2 is a Spanish-language curriculum developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for use in the National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP). The goal of the program is to prevent or delay the onset of diabetes. However, Hispanic individuals are less likely to enroll in the National DPP (Gruss et al., 2019) and the program does not benefit all participants equally (Ely et al., 2017; Gruss et al., 2019; Ng et al., 2024). The National DPP and similar programs may be too burdensome and may not adequately emphasize cultural values such as familism that are particularly important to Hispanic communities. There is an urgent need for culturally-responsive lifestyle interventions that engage Hispanic communities. The goal of the larger community-based participatory research project was to adapt PrevengaT2 to meet the needs of Hispanic families. As a first step, our academic-community research team (i.e., academic researchers, community partners, and a community advisory board) conducted a formative evaluation trial of PrevengaT2. We recruited 15 family dyads (N=30) to participate in the existing 16-class PrevengaT2 core curriculum and provide feedback on each of the modules. Community health workers delivering the intervention recorded weight, attendance, and self-reported physical activity at classes. We also collected a series of self-report questionnaires at pre- and post-program completion. Focus group feedback was collected from participants following each class. Generally, participants provided feedback on their experiences in the program and opinions of the curriculum. Focus group recordings were transcribed in Spanish and translated into English. English transcripts were then qualitatively coded by a trained researcher, using coding to identify barriers and facilitators to program participation and lifestyle change, recommendations for curriculum adaptation, and other key insights. This presentation will summarize participant feedback and adaptations the team made to better meet the needs of this community. Participant feedback highlighted the curriculum’s lack of cultural responsiveness (e.g., food and exercise examples were not relevant to the community, language was perceived as too commanding). Hispanic individuals at high risk for type 2 diabetes and their family members overwhelmingly supported including family in the intervention and consistently noted the importance of family support.  We will describe how this and other feedback was used to inform PrevenganT2, the adapted curriculum for family-based delivery in Hispanic communities.