Information was provided with flip-chart support and interactive discussion pertaining to
information pertinent to the targeted group of Puerto Ricans. Topics included:
• Prevalence rates of diabetes and related complications among Puerto Ricans
• Monitoring carbohydrate intake
• Portion size control
• Intervals between and spacing of meals (several small meals)
• Physical inactivity, activity, and lifestyle choices
Motivation was targeted throughout the session via motivational interviewing strategies
designed to enhance motivation (positive attitudes toward diabetes self-care, and a sense of
social support for adopting these behaviors), including:
• Personalized feedback on self-care activities
• Open-ended query and exploration of diabetes self-care attitudes and beliefs
• Affirmation of strengths (existing diabetes self-care behaviors)
• Identification of barriers and reliance on patient direction/selection of intervention goal
• Frequent reflection on normalcy of concerns and acceptance of patient’s ambivalence
• Interactions focused on other sources of social support for diabetes self-care behaviors
Behavioral skills important in Puerto Rican populations with diabetes were specifically targeted
through skills building and teach-back strategies, including how to:
• Identify the carbohydrate content of foods
• Read food labels for serving size and carbohydrate counts
• Control carbohydrate portion size
• Implement low- or no-cost diabetes self-care behaviors at home
• Introduce higher levels of physical activity into a patient’s daily routi