Perception of Educators about Quality of Diabetes Education Services at Primary Health Care Level in Khartoum State, Sudan

Introduction: Promoting positive life style is a strategy for delaying and reducing the incidence of diabetes complications.

Objective: To determine the perception of educators about the quality of education services provided to diabetic patients at the health centers in Khartoum State.

Methods: A qualitative descriptive study carried out among 22 educators working at governmental and non-governmental health centers. Mini focus groups of discussion were moderated by a qualified social researcher and a trained note taker. The guiding questions included general information and several questions about education services for diabetic patients. Ethical clearance was obtained from relevant ethical committees. Informed consent was obtained from educators. Content analysis of data was carried and organized in to themes. The themes were organized according to the dimensions of quality of care, structure, process and outcome.

Results: All educators were females. Their ages were between 25-55 years. The majority were holders of a university degree with different basic disciplines. The working duration ranged between 3 to 25 years. Ten of them were working in governmental health centers and 12 in non-governmental ones. Few educators were trained on diabetes education (structural quality care). Most of them agreed on the lack of diabetes education materials and specific education program (structural quality care). The majority agreed on the absence of team work and their role is to weight the patients. Most of educators educate individuals rather than groups (process quality care). The majority was not satisfied with education services at the health centers and most of educators reflected the poor knowledge and negative behaviour of the diabetic patients (outcome quality care).

Conclusions: Diabetes education services at primary health care are insufficient. Most of educators were not certified educators. Education services lack team work and strategic plans. Diabetic patients have poor knowledge and behaviour regarding diabetes management.