Laramba Diabetes Project: an evaluation of a participatory project in a remote Northern Territory community

Issues addressed A diabetes project was implemented with the aims of increasing the knowledge of diabetes risk factors and consequences, and improving the management of diabetes in one remote Aboriginal community in the Northern Territory. Methods Quantitative research methods included an audit of clinic records, store turnover calculations, market basket surveys and review of project documentation. Qualitative data collection relied primarily on informal techniques such as participant observation in community and health centre activities, unstructured interviews and group discussions with community members and health providers. Results The audit of clinic records and the review of the project documentation demonstrated that although there was increased access to health services during the project, there was no evidence of improved biomedical control of existing diabetic conditions. The market basket surveys demonstrated that the community store increased its range of healthy food choices. Store turnover calculations demonstrated that the community's purchasing behaviour changed in favour of healthier foods. There was an increased level of community-directed program activity in the area of diabetes prevention.