A Pilot of a Chronic Disease Self-Management Programme in Moldova.

Over half of the world’s mortality is associated with chronic diseases. Living with chronic diseases can significantly affect patients’ quality of life. The daily management of these diseases falls mostly on patients themselves. Self-management interventions have become increasingly used as a complementary intervention to treatment and care. The Chronic Disease Self-Management Programme (CDSMP) is the most widespread self-management intervention. It aims to empower patients and provide them with the skills to manage their disease and prevent complications. A locally adapted CDSMP was piloted in the Republic of Moldova in 2018/2019 in five villages across three rural districts. In five groups led by peer facilitators, 63 participants were enrolled in the programme. Four participants were lost to follow-up. To evaluate the intervention, we used the Self-Efficacy for Managing Chronic Diseases six-item scale questionnaire with participants before and after the programme, along with a questionnaire to assess satisfaction with the programme. Additionally, we conducted a focus group discussion (FGD) with the 10 programme facilitators. We found that, not only did participants’ self-efficacy significantly increase between baseline and follow-up (from mean score of 5.3 to 8.3; t(58) = -12.2, <italic>p</italic> < 0.001), they also improved their knowledge on every individual item on how to manage a chronic disease (<italic>p</italic> < 0.001). Participants’ satisfaction was high, with 96% of respondents satisfied with content, format and delivery elements of the intervention. Hence, we believe the CDSMP is locally acceptable and effective at least in the short-term, and offers promises for scale-up in the Republic of Moldova. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]