Preliminary report of the Southeastern Anatolia Diabetes Project: activities of the Diabetes Nursing Association

Southeast Anatolia has the highest prevalence of diabetes and the lowest quality of patient care and treatment in Turkey. Reported severe organ damage and mortality rates are above the average of Turkey in general. The Southeastern Anatolia Diabetes Project (GAPDIAB) started in November 2000. This paper describes the development and implementation of the GAPDIAB project.The primary goals of the project were to increase awareness of diabetes in Southeast Anatolia, to educate health care professionals in the management of diabetes, and to develop appropriate diabetes services within the region. Under the leadership of the Turkish Diabetes Foundation, the Diabetes Nursing Association (DNA) took part in the project co-ordination group with six universities of this region and the Turkish Medical Association, the Turkish Pharmacist Association and the Turkish Dietetic Association. The DNA provided continuous education to nurses taking care of people with diabetes, prepared educational materials, and helped and supported the nurses who attended the courses of diabetes to work as agents of change. The DNA also participated in several activities to raise awareness of diabetes in society.During the study period, 496 nurses participated in the educational courses which were organised at different levels. Eleven of the nurses were chosen as key officials in the region. New educational materials were prepared for the nurses. Besides nurses, 1776 physicians and 67 dietitians also participated in the educational programmes. Twenty-three diabetes units and six insulin support units were established in the region. The percentage of patients with diabetes requesting regular reviews increased from 5–10% to 35–60%, and the insulin administration rate from 24% to 34–64%, depending on the area. In January 2003, responsibilities of the project were transferred to the Regional Coordination Council. With the help of a multidisciplinary approach to diabetes care in the context of a diabetes project, the number of patients with diabetes receiving care and the awareness of nurses’ role in diabetes care have been increasing in Southeastern Turkey.