Designing an Educational and Training Program for Diabetes Health Educators at Diabetic Health Centers, Khartoum State, Sudan; 2007-2010

BACKGROUND: By the year 2030 the number of diabetic patients is expected to reach 366 million worldwide (World Health Organization [WHO], 2013). METHODS: It was an intervention-facility based. The study focused on designing and implementing an educational and training program for health educators and to assess its effects on achievements of diabetes health educators; at Diabetic Health Centers in Khartoum State, Sudan; 2007-2010. The study population composed of diabetes health educators working in Diabetic Health Centers. Their total number was (36) and all were included in the study. Pre and post tests were done. Data was entered using SPSS. Parametric methods including t-test to assess result of training program before and after intervention were used. P-value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Thirty six diabetes health educators attended the program. There was a significant statistical difference (p=0.001) between mean of Pre and post test concerning knowledge of diabetes health educators. To my knowledge there were no studies done, before, in Sudan to evaluate knowledge of diabetes health educators after attending an educational program in order to compare results with. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: The designed education program improved health educators’ knowledge. Educating diabetes health educators is important in program of diabetes management. In-serving training of diabetes health educators, aiding diabetic health centers with educational materials, and more research on evaluation of impact of education on diabetes health educators; was recommended.