Health Transition Fund Project NA012: Diabetes Community/Home
Support Services for First Nations and Inuit
Promotion and Prevention
Definition
"Activities that target the entire
population, to increase awareness of diabetes and its complications,
promote healthy eating and active living, and encourage the
integration of traditional methods and practices with western-based
approaches. Diabetes revention and health promotion activities
that focus on the need to educate youth will decrease the likelihood
of the next generation suffering
from diabetes."
(Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative First Nations On-Reserve and
Inuit Program Framework)
Needs Assessment
While the awareness of diabetes as a serious community health
issue varied considerably among the pilot communities, all community
needs assessments mentioned the need for activities directed at
the prevention of diabetes. In articular,
the communities mentioned issues related to:
- access to healthy and affordable food choices; and
- opportunities to increase physical activity for everyone.
"...we want to
meet with them before they are diabetic, those who are glucose
intolerant, so we are now ready with this type of client also... We
try to look for ways to get their interest rather than wait
until they are sick. We want to involve them (people who are
glucose intolerant or predisposed to diabetes) now, to work
with them and their families."
Project Coordinator - Wendake First Nation
Activities and Services
Health promotion and prevention were not the major focus of this
Project. All of the communities recognized the need to involve
both leadership and membership in the assessment of needs and the
planning of services in this area. Indeed, involvement in the assessment
and planning processes often served to heighten awareness of the
need for improved care, treatment and prevention. The need for
more health promotion and prevention initiatives was more strongly
identified in the evaluation than in the needs assessment.
All of the communities implemented specific activities to increase
awareness about diabetes in the community. Examples of these activities
included:
- displays in public locations that were changed on a regular
basis (health centre, schools, store);
- regular newsletters;
- activities on Treaty Days;
- information and activities in the schools - talks on diabetes
and prevention;
- involvement of family members in discussions about diabetes
prevention for others in the family of the person already diagnosed; and
- screening clinics.
"The whole team has
come to recognize and respect the time it takes to know clients,
allow them their time (not pushing) and yet be supportive of
their diabetes management."
Home Care Nurse - Sliammon First Nation
Impact of Promotion and Prevention
In the community evaluations, there were several examples of health
promotion and prevention being impacted by the Project. This had
a spin-off effect as health staff began to expand their efforts
beyond those already diagnosed with diabetes.
- In one community, there was a demand for healthier food choices
at community meetings. For example, at one meeting with donuts
and snacks, organizers were asked about provision of healthier
choices such as fruit.
- There is more interest in schools and some school programs
have either started or expanded education about diabetes and
prevention.
- Diabetes is no longer a taboo topic and is being talked about
openly in the communities.
- Family members are seeking information, coming in for screening
and asking about lifestyle changes for themselves.
- In one community, the health staff have been able to work with
the local store and have used Canada's Food Guide as an education
tool.
- Health staff are now planning extended prevention activities
to focus on persons who have been identified as at risk of developing
diabetes.
"Learning about the
Stages of Change was very enlightening for me to learn about
how to approach people and help them to identify their own
goals. The hardest part for me was to hold back and give only
the knowledge that they are requesting."
Home Care Nurse - Red Earth First Nation
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