Evaluation of the "Take Five School": an education programme for people with Type 2 Diabetes in the Western Cape, South Africa.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the Take Five School (TFS) group education programme for patients with Type 2 Diabetes in South Africa.


METHODS
Questionnaires, administered before and after 4 sessions of an hour each of group education, measured the effect on self-care activities in 84 patients from 6 different clinics. Individual interviews with health care workers (HCWs) and focus group interviews (FGI's) with patients explored attitudes.


RESULTS
A significant improvement in adherence to a diabetic diet, physical activity, foot care and the perceived ability to teach others was seen. There was no significant change in smoking or adherence to medication. Qualitative data revealed that comprehensive education was appreciated, that the group process was deemed supportive, that HCWs doubt the effect of education in general and that a combination of group and individual sessions was seen as an option worth exploring. Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to the TFS are identified. Recommendations are made to improve the programme and its environment.


CONCLUSIONS
Significant self-reported improvements in self-care activities after a group-education programme support the view that introducing structured group education for Type 2 Diabetics in a South African public sector primary care context holds promise. Group education for diabetics, especially in resource limited settings, should be sustained and further research should focus on clinical outcomes.
Division of Family Medicine and Primary Care, Stellenbosch University, Box 19063, Tygerberg 7505, South Africa. Electronic address: albertinedoes@gmail.com.
Albertine M B
AM
van der Does
Robert
R
Mash
D000328:Adult; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006126:Group Processes; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012648:Self Care; D013019:South Africa; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
Diabetes; Group education; Primary care; Self-management skills