Formative Assessment of the Needs of Cooperative Extension Service County Educators Regarding Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Programming

Abstract

Due to the increase in obesity and prevalence of pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes and its complications, prevention for those at risk for type 2 diabetes or with an existing pre-diabetes diagnosis needs to be a priority for health educators and professionals. The purpose of this study was to conduct formative assessment of the needs of Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service (OCES) Family and Consumer Science County Educators regarding type 2 diabetes prevention programming (DPP). A formative assessment questionnaire using a 5-point Likert scale was developed including questions regarding the interests of the County Educators and their perception of their constituents regarding offering the existing Centers for Disease Control's (CDC) certified DPP, a modified CDC DPP, or creation of an OCES DPP program. Regarding an OCES DPP, County Educators were asked questions regarding the ideal program format such as the length of sessions, number of sessions per month, and total number of months. Other questions asked pertained to the willingness of the County Educators and their perception of their constituents regarding specific program components for a new OCES DPP program such as recording and tracking food intake, physical activity, and weight loss. Additionally, questions about interest in specific session topics were asked. This study was approved by the Oklahoma State University Institutional Review Board for Human Subjects prior to data collection. Thirty-eight County Educators voluntarily completed the formative assessment questionnaire. Data were analyzed using frequency and Chi-square procedures with PC SAS for Windows, Version 9.3. County Educators expressed interest in all of the DPP programs; however, County Educators expressed highest interest in a modified CDC DPP or a new OCES DPP. County Educators expressed highest interest in four-to-six, one-hour sessions over a two-to-three month period with food logs, physical activity logs, on-site weighing, and food demonstrations. County Educators also expressed interest in twenty-three various session topics. If an OCES diabetes prevention program is developed and piloted, further formative assessment would be necessary to create a program that best meets the needs of County Educators and their constituents.