Spanish Arthritis Empowerment Program: A dissemination and effectiveness study

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Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the Spanish Arthritis Empowerment Program as presented by the Arthritis Foundation, Southern California Chapter, in Orange County, California.Methods: Participants with arthritis (n = 141) enrolled in the program between October 1999 and May 2001. All materials were in Spanish. Written pretest, 6‐week posttest, and 6‐month followup tests measured pain rating, self‐report joint counts, function (modified Health Assessment Questionnaire [mHAQ]), self efficacy, self‐care behavior, and arthritis knowledge.Results: Mean age was 51 years, 92% were female, 84% were born in Mexico, 55% had sixth grade education or less, and 60% had no medical insurance. Of the 141 participants, 118 completed 6‐month followup testing. Repeated‐measures analysis of variance showed significant improvement from pretest to 6‐month followup in pain (6.0 versus 3.4); self efficacy (5.5 versus 8.4), self‐care behavior (1.7 versus 4.9), arthritis knowledge (1.6 versus 4.5), and general health (2.1 versus 2.5), all at P < 0.001. Small improvement was reported in mHAQ (0.56 versus 0.50; P = 0.024).Conclusion: The Spanish Arthritis Empowerment Program was successfully disseminated. Significant improvements in self efficacy and in arthritis symptoms were maintained at the 6‐month followup.