ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Community health workers are community members who provide education and care for patients for a broad range of health issues, including diabetes mellitus. However, few community health workers are trained for diabetes education and little is known about the effectiveness of their interventions. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of a diabetes education program delivered to community health workers in improving the metabolic control of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: Eight community health workers, providing care for 118 patients, were randomized in two groups to receive a 1-month diabetes education program (intervention, patients n = 62) or an education course in other health issues (control, patients n = 56). Each community health worker was responsible for transmitting the acquired knowledge to patients. Primary outcome was changed in HbA1C 3 months after the intervention. RESULTS: PARTICIPANTS: Mean age was 61 ± 11 years, 35% were men and 62% were whites. HbA1c levels reduced in both groups (intervention: 9.1 ± 2.2 vs. 7.9 ± 1.9%; control: 9.1 ± 2.1 vs. 8.4 ± 2.5%, p < 0.001), but no statistically significant differences were observed between groups (p between groups = 0.13). Total cholesterol (intervention: 192 ± 43 vs. 182 ± 39 mg/dl; control: 197 ± 44 vs. 191 ± 45 mg/dl, p between groups = 0.035) and triglycerides (intervention: 158 [106-218] vs. 135 [106-215]; control: 128 [100-215] mg/dl vs. 146 [102-203] mg/dl, p between groups = 0.03) reduced overtime only in intervention group. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, a significant decrease in HbA1c was observed during patients' follow-up, but it was similar in intervention and control groups. The diabetes mellitus education course delivered to community health workers was able to improve patients' lipid profile.
