Using path analysis to model the process of change in HbA1c among African Americans and Latinos in a community health worker diabetes intervention

•This study examined which components affected change in intermediate outcomes and HbA1c for an interactive group-based culturally tailored community health worker intervention.•Group-based healthy lifestyle class was associated with improved knowledge.•Group-based self-management class was associated with reduced diabetes distress.•Intervention class attendance was positively associated with self-efficacy.•Diabetes self-management mediated reductions in HbA1c. To examine which components of a culturally tailored community health worker (CHW) intervention improved glycemic control and intermediate outcomes among Latina/o and African American participants with diabetes. The sample included 326 African American and Latina/o adults with type 2 diabetes in Detroit, MI. CHWs provided interactive group diabetes self-management classes and home visits, and accompanied clients to a clinic visit during the 6-month intervention period. We used path analysis to model the processes by which each intervention component affected change in diabetes self-efficacy, diabetes-related distress, knowledge of diabetes management, and HbA1c. The group-based healthy lifestyle component was significantly associated with improved knowledge. The group-based self-management section was significantly associated with reduced diabetes-related distress. Intervention class attendance was positively associated with self-efficacy. Diabetes self-management mediated the reductions in HbA1c associated with reductions in diabetes distress. Path analysis allowed each potential pathway of change in the intervention to be simultaneously analyzed to identify which aspects of the CHW intervention contributed to changes in diabetes-related behaviors and outcomes among African Americans and Latinas/os. Practice Implications: Findings reinforce the importance of interactive group sessions in efforts to improve diabetes management and outcomes among Latina/o and African American adults with diabetes.