Evaluation of the 'take five school an education programme for people with type 2 diabetes in the Eden district, Western Cape

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT : INTRODUCTIONEducation, motivation and support are seen as key components in the care for people with diabetes and the use of a structured education programme is part of the recommended standard care in many guidelines. Previous research shows that routinely delivered group care is a feasible and cost-effective approach to improve metabolic control and quality of life in type 2 diabetes. The 'Take Five School programme was introduced in the Eden District by a small group of health care workers and one of the local primary care managers and aimed to provide effective small group diabetes education over four sessions.AIM To evaluate the Take Five School group education programme for patients with Type 2 Diabetes in the Eden District of the Western Cape.METHODSMixed methods were used: Qualitative methods involved individual in-depth interviews with health care workers and focus group interviews with patients. Quantitative methods measured the impact on self-management activities by a'before-and-after study. RESULTSThere was a significant improvement in adherence to a diabetic diet, physical activity, foot care and the perceived ability to teach others. There was no self-reported change in adherence to medication. Before the educational programme 25% (21/84) of the patients were smoking tobacco and this reduced to 18% afterwards (15/84) (p=0.08).Qualitative data revealed a number of strengths and weaknesses in the current programme as well as a number of external opportunities and threats to the future success of the programme.CONCLUSIONThis research has shown that structured group education of Type 2 diabetics in a South African public sector primary care context can lead to significant short term improvements in self-care activities. A number of specific recommendations are made to improve both the programme and its enabling environment. The Take Five School programme should be sustained, strengthened and evaluated further.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University