EXTending availability of self-management structured EducatioN programmes for people with type 2 Diabetes in low-to-middle income countries (EXTEND)—a feasibility study in Mozambique and Malawi

BackgroundGlobally, there are estimated 425 million people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) with 80% from low-middle income countries (LMIC). Diabetes self-management education (DSME) programmes are a vital and core component of the treatment pathway for T2D. Despite LMIC being disproportionally affected by T2D, there are no DSME available that meet international diabetes federation criterion.MethodsThe aims were to test the feasibility of delivering a proven effective and cost-effective approach used in a UK population in two urban settings in Malawi and Mozambique by; (1) developing a culturally, contextually and linguistically adapted DSME, the EXTending availability of self-management structured EducatioN programmes for people with type 2 Diabetes in low-to-middle income countries (EXTEND) programme; (2) using a mixed-method approach to evaluate the delivery of training and the EXTEND programme to patients with T2D.ResultsTwelve healthcare professionals were trained. Ninety-eight participants received the DSME. Retention was high (100% in Mozambique and 94% in Malawi). At 6 months HbA1c (−0.9%), cholesterol (−0.3 mmol/L), blood pressure (−5.9 mm Hg systolic and −6.1 mm Hg diastolic) improved in addition to indicators of well-being (problem areas in diabetes and self-efficacy in diabetes).ConclusionIt is feasible to deliver and evaluate the effectiveness of a culturally, contextually and linguistically adapted EXTEND programme in two LMIC. The DSME was acceptable with positive biomedical and psychological outcomes but requires formal testing with cost-effectiveness. Challenges exist in scaling up such an approach in health systems that do not have resources to address the challenge of diabetes.