Recruitment and retention of rural African Americans in diabetes research: lessons learned.

Purpose: The purpose of this article was to describe lessons learned about recruitment and retention of rural African Americans from published literature, the authors' research, and research experience. Two rural, community-based research studies with African Americans with diabetes are used to illustrate different issues and strategies in recruitment and retention.

Methods: Relevant MEDLINE articles and clinical studies were reviewed, and the design, implementation, and results of the 2 community-based studies were evaluated.

Culturally competent dietary education for southern rural African Americans with diabetes.

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to describe a culturally competent, dietary self-management intervention designed to improve physiological outcomes, diabetes self-management, and costs of care for high-risk African Americans with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: A longitudinal, quasi-experimental design was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention for 23 adult African Americans from a physician practice group in rural South Carolina. The intervention consisted of 4 low-fat dietary education classes, 6 discussion groups, and follow-up.