Objectives

To improve diabetes care through provision of group diabetes education at primary care level in nine districts of South Africa.

Approach

South Africa has the highest number of people with diabetes in Africa (2.3 million) and has prevalence figures of between 6-8%. In the Western Cape only 15% of people with diabetes achieve HbA1c a < 7%. Poor control is associated with high levels of complications – retinopathy, lower limb amputation, stroke, chronic kidney failure.

In Cape Town ‘Diabetes Lifestyle Education Collaboration and Action’ (DLECA) is currently being offered to new patients and those that are not well controlled. These patients usually attend the health centre on a monthly basis and four sessions of group education are offered sequentially on the dates of their planned visits.

The four sessions of the DLECA programme are designed to be led by a facilitator over 1-2 hours with 10-15 patients with type 2 diabetes in a venue that allows interaction. In broad terms the four sessions are focused on (1) what is diabetes (2) lifestyle change (3) understanding the medication (4) controlling diabetes and avoiding complications.

The aim of this project is to advocate and raise awareness of DLECA nationally and to support its implementation across all South African provinces.

Expected results

• 160 HCPs trained as facilitators in group diabetes education representing 80 PHCs from eight districts
• An estimated six diabetes group education courses conducted per PHC unit; 480 courses in total
• 7,200 patients targeted through diabetes education and counselling
• 18 ToTs trained
• Nine follow up workshops conducted to reinforce facilitation of group education