Exploring Strategies to Engage Hispanic Patients in Screening for a Diabetes Prevention Program at a Local Community Health Center

There is a need for increasing diabetes screenings in high-risk adult populations, including those who are overweight/obese, have a family history of diabetes, and are members of certain ethnic groups (e.g., Hispanics). This qualitative study explored patients' willingness to attend screening for a diabetes prevention program being offered to Hispanic patients at a federally qualified health center. Telephone interviews were conducted with 36 Hispanic adults who had been invited to attend a free screening. The interview guide was based on the Health Belief Model and data were analyzed using a mixture of inductive and deductive approaches. Patients who attended health screenings, versus those who did not, exhibited different beliefs and attitudes regarding their health status and risk for chronic diseases. Future screening efforts should consider offering flexible appointment times and emphasize the benefits of diabetes prevention and early detection to enhance participation in diabetes screenings.