Strategic support for Brazilian diabetes associations, Brazil

Objectives

To strengthen diabetes associations and patient support in low-income areas of Brazil through capacity building and advocacy.

Approach

The proposed project seeks to build capacity of diabetes associations based on multiple interventions and approaches as follows:

1. Establishing a ‘diabetes educator’ training centre within each targeted association through training of health care professionals affiliated with the associations, linked to existing public primary health care units, based on ANBED course modules

2. Provision of basic screening equipment and differentiated training and education material to be used at association centres in collaboration with primary health care units, and notably to be used for patient education sessions and home visits

3. Roll-out of continuous ToT diabetes educator programmes also targeting community health workers (CHWs) and of patient education sessions and other awareness raising activities at community level

4. Institutional capacity building of targeted associations incl. provision of basic office equipment and material but also through tuition and provision of tools concerning fundraising and private sector engagement approaches

5. Involvement of targeted associations within wider advocacy and health policy efforts at municipal and state level and through national FENAD and ANAD networks, incl strengthening of campaign capacity and commitment, radio broadcasts, WDD activities, etc

6. Targeted associations commit to stimulate and support capacity building of more diabetes associations within their region or in their networks, incl. development of ‘teaching strategy’, based on annual meetings and other events

Expected results

36 diabetes educators (six per targeted association), and at least 60 HCPs representing 60 primary health care units trained, and with 240 CHWs subsequently trained (ToT). Permanent training/sensitisation established.
At least 7,200 registered patients enrolled and provided education and enhanced home visit support. Improved record keeping of patient attendance and adherence to be promoted.
At least 50,000 family and community members reached through awareness raising and wider education/health promotion activities.
Each targeted association has reached out to and supported at least one existing or new association per year (18 associations reached in total).