Abstract

JORDAN SEVERO, Tamine; ORAMAS GONZALEZ, René  and  GONZALEZ CARDENAS, Lilia. Evaluation of the effect of an educative intervention on the diabetic patients of four family physicians' offices. Rev Cubana Med Gen Integr [online]. 2007, vol.23, n.2. ISSN 0864-2125.

An evaluative study with a cuasi experimental intervention design was conducted to evaluate the influence of an educative intervention (based on a Basic Information Course) on the increase of knowledge and the development of abilities of the diabetic patient in relation to his self-care and control. The diabetic population over 15 from 4 family physicians' offices of “Salvador Allende” Polyclinic, in Boyeros municipality, was studied from January to December 2005. A questionnaire of knowledge was applied before and after the educative intervention. The skills were evaluated by direct observation at the two moments. Data were processed by automated means, using the EPI-INFO statistical package. A probability < 0,05 (P<0,05) was accepted as a level of significance. At the beginning, some difficulties with the knowledge and skills of the patients were detected, but once the educative intervention was concluded, significant changes were obtained regarding the level of right answers and the development of abilities. The course proved to be efficient to achieve a better understanding of the disease, and to develop skills to face the daily care.

Keywords : Diabetes mellitus; patient education; educative intervention; primary care.