Diabetes prevention & self-care education for vulnerable, Armenia

Objectives

Armenia is among the least developed countries in Europe. After becoming independent in 1991, Armenia’s transition to a market economy was difficult. Factors such as the 1989-94 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, earthquakes and droughts further affected the socio-economic situation. Agricultural reforms implemented after independence did not succeed in enhancing the sector's low productivity.

Today, out of a population of 3 million, close to 1 million live in poverty. 16% of the Armenians are classified as very poor or extremely poor. The national unemployment rate has remained high with official numbers at 18% and many are leaving the country in search of temporary or permanent employment.

Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) including diabetes is a growing concern in Armenia. NCDs are the leading cause of death worldwide and the main cause of mortality in Armenia as well. 85.5% of deaths in Armenia are attributed to NCDs with diabetes being the fifth leading cause of mortality in Armenia.

Objectives

To raise awareness of diabetes and promote healthy lifestyle in the general population as well as prevent diabetes and its complications through capacity building of HCPs and through creating a supportive environment by establishing self-support groups (SSGs) in 20 urban and rural areas in the Ararat region.

Approach

The project targets 20 urban and rural areas in the Ararat region, a region with high poverty and morbidity rates in the region.

Project activities include:
Development of education and training material, sensitisation of key health personnel and training of 28 doctors in the target area to increase awareness of SSG initiative and to establish linkages to primary care facilities.

Training of ARCS volunteers in basic diabetes diagnostics, screening and prevention followed by a subsequent training in diabetes self-management and facilitation of SSGs, including study visit to SSGs in Georgia.

Training of nurses from 12 health facilities in diabetes self-management and facilitation of SSGs. Training is carried out jointly with the second module of the ARCS volunteers training to establish collaboration between primary care facilities and SSGs.

Establishment of SSGs in target urban and rural areas to support diabetes patients and people at risk of diabetes in diabetes self-care and healthy living, including sensitisation of family members.

Enhancement of focus on the importance of diabetes prevention and control through awareness raising activities incl. volunteer campaigns in communities.

Results at completion

56 nurses trained in secondary prevention of diabetes, diabetes care and facilitation of self-support groups
28 doctors informed of secondary prevention, self-support groups and project objectives
64 ARCS volunteers trained in primary and secondary diabetes prevention and behavioural change communication
32 diabetes self-support groups (SSG) for persons living with diabetes established
1.500 people with diabetes reached with secondary prevention through self-support groups
1.200 family members of people with diabetes sensitised on diabetes prevention and care
313.000 people sensitised on diabetes and healthy living through awareness activities