The project aims to finalise a Caribbean Protocol for nutritional management of diabetes, obesity and hypertension and train health care providers in its use.
Expected impact
5 national nutrition coordinators trained in use of the Protocol
5 national diabetes educators trained in use of the Protocol
300-500 doctors, nurses, nutritionists and diabetes educators in the 5 participating countries trained
Results at project completion, January 2007
Protocol adopted by Ministries of Health in 9 countries, 5 of which were funded by WDF
488 Healthcare professional trained in 9 countries
Protocol adopted by training institutions in Jamaica and Suriname
Media coverage on nutritional management of NCD's increased in 9 Caribbean Countries
Impact
Different types of university and nursing students in the West Indies, Jamaica and Trinidad and Suriname are being trained on protocol
The protocol has been integrated as part of the Caribbean Diabetes Management Protocol, the Protocol for the Management of Diabetes and Protocol for the Management of Hypertension in Jamaica
Healthcare workers and policy makers have been made aware of their personal risk factors for NCD's
The Nutrition Protocol is available for download in PDF format in English and Dutch
Project details
Obesity is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Reducing obesity through healthy nutrition and exercise helps prevent diabetes and associated diseases.
Once diagnosed with diabetes, nutrition is also a major component in the management and control of the disease.
Throughout the last 10 to 15 years various institutions in the Caribbean have developed protocols for the clinical management of diabetes. These protocols have been widely accepted and have helped standardise and improve the quality of diabetes care.
However, the nutritional component has been lacking in these protocols. No standard protocol for the nutritional management of diabetes exists in the region.
The Caribbean Food and Nutrition Institute (CFNI) has taken the initiative to develop a protocol for the nutritional management of diabetes and obesity. As many people with diabetes in the Caribbean are also hypertensive this aspect is included in the Protocol.
Approach
Training will be held at 2 levels - the first at regional level, focusing on the national nutrition coordinators and the diabetes educators from the national diabetes associations. This level of training will provide the participants with a working knowledge of the protocol. It will also equip them to train at national level.
The second level of training will be at national level where CFNI staff, the national nutrition coordinator and the local diabetes association will train a core group of health care professionals on the use of the Protocol.
All trainees will receive training in:
How to use the Protocol
When to use the Protocol
With whom to use the Protocol
The national nutrition coordinators and diabetes educators will also be trained on how to target various audiences with the information. This will enable them have a working knowledge of how to use the Protocol, while also being able to pass on the message to others.
Sustainability is planned through the presentation of the Protocol for endorsement and support at the annual Caucus of CARICOM Ministers of Health.
While this project focuses on the 5 of the poorest countries in the region, the Protocol covers the entire Caribbean region and will be disseminated throughout the region.
/Caribbean_thumb_160x105.jpg)
