title: Implementation and Outcomes of a Comprehensive Type 2 Diabetes Program in Rural Guatemala.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The burden of chronic, non-communicable diseases such as diabetes is growing rapidly in low- and middle-income countries. Implementing management programs for diabetes and other chronic diseases for underserved populations is thus a critical global health priority. However, there is a notable dearth of shared programmatic and outcomes data from diabetes treatment programs in these settings.
  
  
  METHODS
  We describe our experiences as a non-governmental organization designing and implementing a type 2 diabetes program serving Maya indigenous people in rural Guatemala. We detail the practical challenges and solutions we have developed to build and sustain diabetes programming in this setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conduct a retrospective chart review from our electronic medical record to evaluate our program's performance. We generate a cohort profile, assess cross-sectional indicators using a framework adapted from the literature, and report on clinical longitudinal outcomes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 142 patients were identified for the chart review. The cohort showed a decrease in hemoglobin A1C from a mean of 9.2% to 8.1% over an average of 2.1 years of follow-up (p <0.001). The proportions of patients meeting glycemic targets were 53% for hemoglobin A1C < 8% and 32% for the stricter target of hemoglobin A1C < 7%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We first offer programmatic experiences to address a gap in resources relating to the practical issues of designing and implementing global diabetes management interventions. We then present clinical data suggesting that favorable diabetes outcomes can be attained in poor areas of rural Guatemala.
authors: Wuqu' Kawoq | Maya Health Alliance, Santiago Sacatepéquez, Sacatepéquez, Guatemala.|Medicine-Pediatrics Residency Program, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America.
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Flood
authors: Wuqu' Kawoq | Maya Health Alliance, Santiago Sacatepéquez, Sacatepéquez, Guatemala.
authors: Sandy
authors: S
authors: Mux
authors: Wuqu' Kawoq | Maya Health Alliance, Santiago Sacatepéquez, Sacatepéquez, Guatemala.
authors: Boris
authors: B
authors: Martinez
authors: Wuqu' Kawoq | Maya Health Alliance, Santiago Sacatepéquez, Sacatepéquez, Guatemala.|Internal Medicine Residency Program, Saint Peter's University Hospital, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States of America.
authors: Pablo
authors: P
authors: García
authors: Wuqu' Kawoq | Maya Health Alliance, Santiago Sacatepéquez, Sacatepéquez, Guatemala.
authors: Kate
authors: K
authors: Douglas
authors: Wuqu' Kawoq | Maya Health Alliance, Santiago Sacatepéquez, Sacatepéquez, Guatemala.|Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America.
authors: Vera
authors: V
authors: Goldberg
authors: Wuqu' Kawoq | Maya Health Alliance, Santiago Sacatepéquez, Sacatepéquez, Guatemala.
authors: Waleska
authors: W
authors: Lopez
authors: Wuqu' Kawoq | Maya Health Alliance, Santiago Sacatepéquez, Sacatepéquez, Guatemala.|Division of Global Health Equity, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America.
authors: Peter
authors: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7274-8315
authors: P
authors: Rohloff
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003191:Comprehensive Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006166:Guatemala; D006801:Humans; D007197:Indians, Central American; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012424:Rural Population