Saba Mohamed-Bibi

Background: Pakistani women are among the most affected groups by obesity and heart failure in Catalonia. Due to cultural and linguistic barriers, their participation in standard health promotion programs is limited. To address this issue, we implemented a culturally and linguistically appropriate food education program called the PakCat Program. Methods: The study employed a community-based participatory research (CBPR) design, utilizing a two-arm, cluster-assignment, non-blinded mixed-method randomized control trial (RCT) implemented in Badalona and Santa Coloma de Gramenet, two neighboring municipalities with a substantial Pakistani population. Participants were randomly assigned to the control group (n = 67) and the intervention group (n = 70). The intervention group received ten weekly culturally and linguistically appropriate food education sessions over ten weeks, while the control group attended three general sessions. The main outcome measures included nutritional status, nutrition knowledge and skills, dietary patterns, and satisfaction with the intervention, which were assessed pre-and post-intervention combining quantitative methods based on a survey and qualitative approaches consisting of conducting focus group discussions (FGDs). Results: The quantitative analysis conducted through a two-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measures indicated a significant improvement in the study variables across the entire sample (p < 0.001 within group), with the intervention group experiencing greater improvements in nutrition knowledge and skills and dietary pattern (p <0.001 for interaction and between groups). These findings were corroborated by thematically analyzed qualitative data confirming a more pronounced improvement in the study outcomes of the intervention group. Furthermore, both groups reported a high level of satisfaction with the intervention. Conclusions: The PakCat Program effectively improved the nutrition knowledge, skills, and dietary patterns of immigrant women of Pakistani origin residing in Catalonia. However, future research involving a larger sample size and combining the behavioral and clinical parameters is needed to enhance the generalizability of the results.

(1) Background: Pakistani women are among one of Catalonia’s most affected groups by obesity and cardiovascular disease. The design of health education strategies for them has become a compelling need. This paper aims to enlighten the elaboration and evaluation procedure of culturally and linguistically tailored nutrition education materials for Pakistani women participating in the PakCat Program, which aims to evaluate the efficacy of a nutrition education strategy allowing the participants to become ambassadors of healthy eating habits for their community. (2) Methods: In this Randomised Control Trial (RCT), 137 Pakistani women (70 from the intervention and 67 from the control group) took part. We conducted 10 sessions for the intervention group and 3 sessions for the control group in the form of small groups. The sessions were conducted in Urdu and Punjabi, and the material was translated into Urdu, Catalan, Spanish and English. For some sessions, we elaborated on new materials and for others, we adapted them from the existing nutrition material in aspects of language and culture. We evaluated the nutritional material from the observation carried out by the dietician who developed the sessions, participants’ feedback at the end of the sessions and a satisfaction questionnaire. (3) Results: We summarised the elaborated material in form of two multilingual nutritional guidelines about portion size and heart-healthy foods. We also registered several materials generated for the PakCat program such as an infographic about myths and beliefs related to food, a booklet to read and interpret the food labels, a recipe book for healthy snacks, and an infographic of 10 tips for healthy eating. We also organised a PhotoVoice exhibition of 70 healthy plates elaborated by the intervention group participants. The participants highly appreciated the material in terms of visualization, cultural and linguistic adequacy, and level of comprehension through all three evaluation methods. (4) Conclusions: The design of culturally and linguistically tailored nutrition education material for Pakistani women living in Catalonia is attainable and effective to meet their specific needs. The healthy dietary recommendation can be adapted to them preserving their traditional dietary pattern, and they acquire the confidence to start following a healthy diet.

(1) Introduction: Dietary and lifestyle changes along with the cultural and linguistic barriers convert the immigrant women of Pakistani origin into a risk population for developing metabolic syndrome (MetS) and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). The objective of this project is to evaluate the efficacy of a culturally and linguistically appropriate food education program based on the Transtheoretical model that will allow the participants to become ambassadors of healthy eating habits for their community. (2) Methods: In this community-based RCT, any Pakistani adult woman with residence in Badalona and Santa Coloma de Gramenet will be able to participate. We will use a mixed model approach. From the quantitative perspective, the participants will answer a survey accompanied by a multilingual nutritionist that will help us to determine the sociodemographic, clinical, anthropometric, dietary data, and quality of life. From the qualitative perspective, we will conduct 6 focus groups (3 in each municipality) to determine the cultural and religious beliefs with the aim of tailoring the intervention to the target population. Hereafter, the participants from one municipality will randomly become the control group and from the other, the intervention group. The intervention group will participate in 10 weekly food education sessions based on the Transtheoretical model while the control group will receive 3 general educational sessions on food and health. During the evaluation procedure, we will assess the impact of the intervention considering the outcomes of the study. (3) Discussion: This study will establish intercultural bridges between health professionals and the Pakistani community living in Catalonia. The project will open the door for future interventions, and it will be sustainable in time as the participating women will become health promotion agents for the rest of their community.