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Multicenter Study
. 2020 Feb;68(Suppl 1):S70-S73.
doi: 10.4103/ijo.IJO_1928_19.

Establishing peer support groups for diabetic retinopathy in India: Lessons learned and way ahead

Anirudh Gaurang Gudlavalleti  1 , Clare Gilbert  2 , Rajan Shukla  1 , Uday Gajiwala  3 , Ajay Shukla  4 , G V S Murthy  5 , Tripura Batchu  1 , Sridivya Mukpalkar  1 , M S Bala Vidyadhar  1 , Azhar Sheikh  4
Affiliations
Multicenter Study

Establishing peer support groups for diabetic retinopathy in India: Lessons learned and way ahead

Anirudh Gaurang Gudlavalleti et al. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2020 Feb.

Abstract

Purpose: Complications of diabetes mellitus (DM) are a public health problem globally. DM management entails medication and self-management. Peer support groups (PSGs) can improve self-management and promote healthy behavior. The objectives of this study were to design, establish, and evaluate two PSG models for people who had been screened for diabetic retinopathy to assess self-reported lifestyle changes, satisfaction with meetings and barriers to attendance.

Methods: Peer groups were established using a pre-tested facilitator's guide in 11 locations in 3 states. Group members were oriented on diabetes management and lifestyle changes to improve control. Attendees' experiences were ascertained through semi-structured interviews and self-report. Data were analyzed using MS Excel 2017.

Results: Eleven PSGs were established in 3 states, in 10 community health centers and one eye hospital. 53 sessions were held and 195 people attended on 740 occasions. Lifestyle changes most frequently reported between first and second visits were taking medication regularly and dietary modification. Attendance declined in the eye hospital group. 83% of CHCs members were satisfied or very satisfied compared with 37% of eye hospital (EH) members. The barriers included distance and lack of family support.

Conclusion: PSGs held in CHCs were more sustainable than those in an eye hospital, and group members were more satisfied and more likely to report positive lifestyle changes. Findings were self-reported and hence a major limitation for the study. Further studies should focus on obtaining objective measures of control of diabetes and risk factors for diabetic retinopathy from members attending peer support groups in CHCs.

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus; India; diabetic retinopathy; health systems; peer support; uptake.

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Conflict of interest statement

None

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Cumulative attendance at peer support group (PSG) meetings over the study period, by the site. M = Month of peer group meeting, CHC-PSG = Community health center peer support group, EH-PSG = Eye hospital peer support group
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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