Project Dulce for Arab Americans With Type 2 Diabetes

Phase

N/A

Condition

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2

Diabetes And Hypertension

Diabetes Prevention

Treatment

Project Dulce + Dulce Digital

Clinical Study ID

NCT05580536

22-7995

Ages > 18
All Genders

Study Summary

Arab Americans (AA) face many challenges in diabetes self-management due to the limited educational resources and support available for them. The cultural and linguistic barriers between patients and health care providers lead to poor diabetes management and outcomes. This study (Project Dulce Arabic) is adapted from the Project Dulce, an American Diabetes Association (ADA)-recognized Diabetes Self-Management Education Support (DSMES) program. Project Dulce Arabic comprises both peer-led diabetes education in Arabic and a 3-month text messaging program (Dulce Digital). The main aim of the study is to examine the effectiveness of a more culturally and linguistically appropriate diabetes education program in improving diabetes knowledge, beliefs, and self-management as well as hemoglobin A1C.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

Are a participant of Metro Caring
Self-identified Arab
Diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)
HbA1c ≥7.5% in the last 30 days
Able to speak, read, write, and comprehend in English and Arabic
Have access to a cell phone that can receive/send text messages throughout the study

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

Pregnant
Are currently participating in another diabetes-related study

Study Design

Project Dulce + Dulce Digital

February 17, 2023

June 30, 2026

Study Description

Although the Arab American (AA) population is at a higher risk of pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes (T2D) compared to the white non-Hispanic population, there are hardly any culturally appropriate diabetes self-management resources available for Arab Americans.

Project Dulce Arabic is a pilot study addressing both the linguistic and cultural barriers faced by the AA community in diabetes self-management while exploring the genetic background of type 2 diabetes in Arab Americans. To overcome the linguistic barriers, we adapt educational materials from the Project Dulce diabetes self-management study of Mexican Americans (A. Philis-Tsimikas et al., 2011). This 5-week peer-led educational program in Arabic aims to enhance type 2 diabetes knowledge, beliefs, and self-management behaviors as well as improving diabetes management measured by hemoglobin A1C after 3 months and 6 months in the study.

Project Dulce Arabic is incorporating genetic education as a part of its curriculum to raise the community awareness of the role of genetics in T2D development as well as the importance of early genetic risk detection for T2D prevention. We are also asking our Project Dulce Arabic participants to participate in the Scripps Bio-Repository (https://www.scripps.org/research/bio-repository). The specimens obtained from our study cohort will be used for genetic sequencing. Obtaining this genetic information will enable us to gain more insights into the genetic basis of type 2 diabetes in Arab Americans. Comparing the genetic risk of T2D, available from different biobanks, in other ethnic groups with that in Arab Americans would highlight the disease risk faced by the community and draw more attention towards the importance of early disease detection and prevention through tailored screening recommendations.

Connect with a study center

San Ysidro Health
El Cajon, California 92020
United States
Completed
Scripps Whittier Diabetes Institute
San Diego, California 92121
United States
Site Not Available
Metro Caring
Denver, Colorado 80218
United States
Active - Recruiting

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