Background: Vietnamese migrants are the fourth largest overseas-born population in Australia¹ and the fourth largest group to have diabetes in NSW². Access to appropriate health information for these communities is limited due to language problems, low literacy levels, lack of culturally appropriate information, cost and dependence on others for transport. To address this gap, Diabetes NSW (DNSW) held a Diabetes Seminar in November 2014 at a suburb within the heart of the Vietnamese community.

Aim: To evaluate participants’ satisfaction of the seminar and their perceived impact on knowledge and confidence in diabetes self-management.

Method: The seminar was promoted in partnership with the National Diabetes Service Scheme and the local Vietnamese community. A four-hour seminar was delivered by three health professionals with an interpreter, and a Vietnamese-speaking doctor. The seminar covered diabetes self-management, hypoglycaemia, healthy eating and physical activity. All participants received a translated session feedback questionnaire at the event.

Results: 101 questionnaires were collected. 73% participants indicated to speak Vietnamese and 79% to have diabetes. Around 95% rated both the length of the session, and the resources provided to be good to excellent. 86% and 90% agreed or strongly agreed their knowledge and understanding, and the confidence of healthy lifestyle and diabetes management had improved, respectively. Nearly 90% intended to make changes within the three months in:

-       making healthier food choices (14%)

-       increasing physical activity (14%)

-       attending diabetes check-ups (10%)

-       taking medication as prescribed (10%)

-       monitoring blood glucose levels (BGL) as recommended (10%)

96% would recommend this seminar to others, while 95% wanted to be contacted again for future programs from DNSW. Suggestions for future programs are:

-       Chronic complications (20%)

-       Eating out (16%)

-       Stress management (15%)

-       Travelling (14%)

-       Hyperglycaemia and sick day management (12%)

Conclusion: The format of this Vietnamese Diabetes Seminar was culturally appropriate, improved participant’s perceived knowledge and confidence and may lead to positive behaviour changes.