Integrating diabetes screening into HIV services in Swaziland

Objectives

To goal of this project is to improve diabetes care and prevention through piloting of an HIV-integrated approach.

Approach

PSI/Swaziland will support the Ministry of Health of Swaziland in the implementation of its new NCD strategy of expanded and decentralised DM screening, diagnosis, and treatment by addressing barriers that low-income Swazis currently face in accessing timely and high-quality DM care and treatment. This will be done through integrating DM screening into PSI/Swaziland’s existing community-based HIV and reproductive health services and adapting PSI/Swaziland’s highly successful HIV referrals and linkages strategy to link potential DM patients to diagnosis and care. In addition, through collaboration with Diabetes Swaziland, DM patients will be linked to existing diabetes support groups.

PSI/Swaziland will also increase access to information on the importance of DM screening and prevention through training healthcare workers on counselling related to DM risk factors, nutrition, and lifestyle modification, and by adapting and rolling out DM education materials. To strengthen local capacity and ensure sustainability of high-quality DM screening and treatment services, PSI/Swaziland will work with Diabetes Swaziland and the Ministry of Health to develop and implement a DM management training package for government healthcare workers.

Results at completion

5 PSI mobile units and 3 clinics strengthened
684 nurses in public health facilities trained in diabetes screening, counselling and referral
4,931 community outreach screening sessions conducted
9,071 persons screened for diabetes/hypertension
230 patients diagnosed with diabetes