Background : UNRWA provides primary healthcare for around 5.9 million Palestine refugees (PRs) in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and Gaza. In 2015, UNRWA started, in cooperation with Microclinic International (MCI), to implement an innovative diabetes program, aiming at improving awareness about diabetes care among PRs with Diabetes Mellitus (DM). This program takes advantage of a unique model of “microclinic” MCI social network program, a novel social network based on diabetes education intervention. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted to evaluate the impact of the UNRWA-MCI program in 115 UNRWA’s HCs in Jordan, Lebanon, West Bank and Gaza. 1000 participants were randomly selected from around 60,000 participants in the program. After training 996 nurses on UNRWA-MCI diabetes care modules, groups of 10 - 15 participants with their social networks (around 20 participants in each group) attended eight weekly sessions, during which the program was introduced. Anthropometric and blood pressure (BP) measurements were collected on weekly basis, while glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was tested before involvement in the program and after completion of sessions with a three month period between both measurements. SPSS Version 22 was used for data analysis. The study protocol was reviewed and cleared by UNRWA, Health Department ethical committee. Results: Out of 1000 patients randomly selected for the evaluation of the impact of the program, 969 (81.9% females, 18.1% males) have completed the study. The average weight loss was 2.0 ± 4.6 Kg and significant improvements were seen in waist circumference (WC), HbA1c and BP (p ≤ 0.001 for all). Overall drop in HbA1c was 0.6 ± 1.2 with 8.5% increase in patients with HbA1c < 7.0 and 9.8% decrease in those with HbA1c ≥ 7.0. About 10.0% of patients with abnormal BP (higher than 140/90 mg/dl based on UNRWA’s criteria for BP of diabetics) had shifted to normal BP. Conclusions and Recommendations: UNRWA-MCI program improved anthropometric measurements, HbA1c and BP in diabetic PRs. It improved diabetes care management for PRs, and led to the involvement of their social networks to support their behavior change for a healthy lifestyle.
Conflict and natural disasters have forcibly displaced more people than ever before; thus, creating effective strategies to address health needs of displaced populations have become a key global health priority [
As in many countries across the world, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have emerged as the main cause of mortality among refugee populations [
UNRWA conducted 2 rounds of Clinical Audits on Diabetes care in Jordan, Lebanon, West Bank and Gaza with a sample size of 1600 diabetic patients. The first audit was conducted in 2012 followed by second round in 2015 using same methodology. The results of both audits revealed that there is a need for comprehensive and standardized training materials to be used by health staff across all fields, in addition to the need for capacity building of staff and for raising awareness among patients on the management of the disease and the avoidance of its complications, and raising the awareness of community members about the risks that lead to the development diabetes and the importance of a healthy life style practices. Microclinic approach was adapted and implemented accordingly [
Healthcare in a refugee camp setting is particularly challenging. Refugee camps often have even greater barriers to care than other settings in the developing world [
Previous studies show that social networks can be harnessed to impact people’s health behavior. Since diabetes is a chronic disease which requires extensive behavioral changes and adherence to a complex diet and healthy behaviours, social support is considered as one of the influential and important factors for performing self-care and for adherence to the treatment and disease control [
This program aimed to improve diabetes education and self-management and to empower patients through the novel Microclinic education intervention involving patients and their social networks. The MSN framework has proven effective around the world [
In June 2015, the UNRWA and MCI partnered to bring the MSN program to 115 UNRWA health centers (HCs) in Jordan, Lebanon, West Bank and Gaza aiming to:
1) Improving the level of awareness about diabetes care and self-management among Palestine refugees with DM; and
2) Building the capacity of UNRWA healthcare providers to better deliver diabetes care and management to PR diabetic patients attending UNRWA HCs.
This study was conducted to evaluate the UNRWA-MCI joint effort and partnership to deliver the MSN program to Palestine refuges with DM in UNRWA’s HCs.
A quasi-experimental design was used in this study to compare pre-intervention and post-intervention measurements without a control group (one-group pretest-posttest design). This is because our aim was to demonstrate the potential relationship between the intervention (MSN model) and the aimed outcomes.
Inclusion criteria: Patients attending selected UNRWA HCs with confirmed DM condition based on the UNRWA adopted diagnostic criteria which states that in order to establish the diagnosis of diabetes or otherwise, patients should have a fasting blood sugar level (FPG) falling between 100 - 125 mg/dl and are required to perform another FPG test within a week. If the value is still between 100 - 125 mg/dl, then a glucose tolerance test (OGTT) should be performed using a load containing the equivalent of 75 gms of oral anhydrous glucose solution. Diabetes is diagnosed if plasma glucose is evaluated to be ≥200 mg/dl two hours after the challenge. Moreover, the cut-off value for confirmation of diagnosis of diabetes is a FPG level > 126 mg/dl on at least two consecutive tests within one week [
Participants gave verbal informed consent, and they expressed their commitment to participate in all the planned education sessions and measurements.
Exclusion criteria: Non-Palestine refugees with DM and/or Palestine refugees who are not registered at UNRWA health centers were excluded.
Over two years, about 60,000 Palestine refugees with DM have participated in the UNRWA-MCI program in groups (Microclinics) each of 10 - 15 patients. For over an average of 19 weeks, each group attended eight educational sessions about diabetes care and management using 8 modules that were adapted from the MSN framework. Late in 2017, a sample of 1000 patients; 250 from each of the four participating fields, who were involved in the MCI sessions were randomly selected to participate in the evaluation of the impact of the UNRWA-MCI program.
A Total of 32 Nurses (8 from each Field) were offered a three-day training-of-trainers (ToT) workshop on the curriculum. The training workshops included the introduction of the concept of MCI which says that “health is contagious” and the concept of 4 Ms (meals-having healthy diets, movement-being physically active, medicines-taking medicines as prescribed and measurements-measuring sugar regularly at home). This has been done through a series of eight sessions using interactive and systematically constructed PowerPoint presentations that are supported by a facilitator’s guide and a set of tools, health education videos and relevant comics. In addition, the participants were trained on communication and counselling skills. All the materials were presented in Arabic and were adapted for the use in the cultural context in the five Fields. Afterwards, each trained nurse conducted a series of training workshops on the program for all the other nurses in all HCs over the following 12 months.
In total, 996 nurses were trained on the eight MSN modules and have recruited eligible DM patients at their HCs to deliver the modules to them. Groups of 10 - 15 DM patients were formed and requested to attend the eight DM educational sessions where the MSN program was introduced. Each patient was requested to invite their social network members; such as friends, family members and neighbors making each group’s size around 20 participants. For each group, the leading nurse conducted a series of 8 diabetes education sessions over 19 weeks. Sessions were scheduled once every week or two weeks depending on the health center’s circumstances (availability of staff, place, space and other factors). They took place at the health center or at a nearby facility. Each session lasted for 1 - 2 hours and covered one module followed by 20 minutes of light physical exercise. After finishing seven sessions, typically in seven weeks, participants were asked to apply what they have learnt over the next two months (8 weeks), then to join the last 8th session on week 19 for graduation and evaluation of the program.
The measurements of body weight, waist circumference (WC), blood pressure (BP) were taken for the 1000 patients in each session in an excel file, while HbA1c was checked in the first session and at the end of the last session; i.e. within a minimum interval of 3 months between both. Height was measured once at the start of the program.
The major components of the curriculum included: 1) health education to promote knowledge about diabetes prevention and treatment; 2) promotion of social network support through improving the skills of participants about their disease management, healthy lifestyles practices, and self-monitoring techniques; 3) the preparation of trained UNRWA-MCI ambassadors who convey what they learn to their social network and community members; and 4) conducting moderate physical activity exercises for 20 minutes in each session.
The study was approved by UNRWA’s Health Department and the legal office at UNRWA.
As was mentioned before, data was entered into excel work sheet; participants with missing baseline data, or who had inconsistent values between the variables; for instance, height or waist circumference measure was not consistent with the other readings for the same participant, were excluded. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 22. A descriptive analysis for the quantitative variables (presented as mean and standard deviation) and for qualitative variables (presented as frequencies and percentages) was conducted. Categorization of the results for certain variables was done; such as overall obesity using Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI was calculated in kilograms per meter squared and readings for the participants were categorized as follows: underweight, BMI < 18.5, normal weight, 18.5 ≤ BMI < 25; overweight, 25 ≤ BMI < 30; obesity class I, 30 ≤ BMI < 35; obesity class II, 35 ≤ BMI < 40; and, extreme obesity (class III), BMI ≥ 40 [
Out of the 1000 participants randomly selected for the evaluation, 31 who had some missing or inconsistent data were excluded from the consequent analysis. The average age of the 969 patients included in the data analysis was 54.2 ± 11.7 years, including 795 females (82.0%) and 174 males (18.0%).
Average of body weight, waist circumference, blood pressure and HbA1c values taken in session 1 and in session 8 separated by an average period of 19 weeks;
Field | Number & percentage |
---|---|
Jordan | 207 (21.4%) |
Lebanon | 234 (24.1%) |
Gaza | 243 (25.1%) |
West Bank | 285 (29.4%) |
Total | 969 (100%) |
there were significant reduction (p < 0.001 for each) in the averages of the mentioned categories, as shown in
In average, participants have lost 1.9 ± 2.6 Kg of their weight;7.2% had lost more than 7.0% of their weight, and 65% lost between 0.0% and less than 7.0% of their weight, whereas 27.8% had gained or had no change in their weight.
A significant reduction in the average BMI of the participants was observed after the program (32.6 ± 5.9 before and 31.9 ± 5.8 after) (
Based on the WC data for the 969 patients, the average of the WC measurement was found to be significantly reduced by 1.7 cm (103.6 ± 15.3 to 101.9 ± 14.7) (
We have also examined the changes in the BP readings for the participants before and after the program. In general, there was a significant reduction in the averages of the BP readings including both systolic and diastolic values. At the beginning of the program the average BP for the 969 participants was 129.3 ± 15.6/79.2 ± 8.5 mmHg, while at the end of the program it was 125.3 ± 13.5/76.9 ± 7.8 mmHg (
Parameters | Session 1 at week 1 | Session 8 at week 19 | Average change | 95% Confidence Interval | P Value* |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weight (Kg) | 83.6 ± 16.4 | 81.8 ± 15.9 | −1.9 ± 2.6 | 1.7 - 2.0 | <0.001 |
BMI (Kg/m2) | 32.6 ± 5.9 | 31.9 ± 5.8 | −0.7 ± 1.0 | 0.7 - 0.8 | <0.001 |
Waist circumference (cm) | 103.6 ± 15.3 | 101.9 ± 14.7 | − 1.7 ± 3.3 | 1.5 - 1.9 | <0.001 |
Systolic blood pressure (mmHg) | 129.3 ± 15.6 | 125.3 ± 13.5 | −4.0 ± 13.0 | 3.2 - 4.8 | <0.001 |
Diastolic blood pressure (mmHg) | 79.2 ± 8.5 | 76.9 ± 8.0 | −2.3 ± 8.5 | 1.7 - 2.8 | <0.001 |
HbA1c (%) | 8.5 ± 1.9 | 7.9 ± 1.8 | −0.6 ± 1.2 | 0.5 - 0.6 | <0.001 |
*Paired t-test was applied.
BMI categories | Session 1 No. & (%) | Session 8 No. & (%) | Change No. & (%) |
---|---|---|---|
Underweight (<18.5) | 4 (0.4%) | 5 (0.5%) | +1 |
Normal (18.5 - 24.9) | 67 (6.9%) | 88 (9.1%) | +21 |
Overweight (25.0 - 29.9) | 243 (25.1%) | 270 (27.9%) | +27 |
Obesity class I (30.0 - 34.9) | 355 (36.6%) | 356 (36.7%) | +1 |
Obesity class II (35.0 - 39.9) | 207 (21.4%) | 170 (17.5%) | −37 |
Extreme obesity (class III) (equal or more than 40.0) | 93 (9.6%) | 80 (8.3%) | −13 |
Total | 969 (100%) | 969 (100%) | 0.0 |
P value* | <0.001 |
*McNemar-Bowker test was applied.
Waist circumference | Session 1 No. & (%) | Session 8 No. & (%) | Change No. & (%) |
---|---|---|---|
WC at Risk ( for both sex) | 786 (81.1%) | 761 (78.5%) | −25 (−2.6%) |
Normal WC (for both sex) | 183 (18.9%) | 208 (21.5%) | +25 (+2.6%) |
Total | 969 (100) | 969 (100) | 0.0 |
P value* | <0.001 |
*McNemartest was applied.
the cut-off point as shown in
A significant change in the average HbA1c value has be observed after implementing the program. The average HbA1c value has decreased from 8.5 ±
blood pressure categories | Session 1 No. & (%) | Session 8 No. & (%) | Change No. & (%) | P value* |
---|---|---|---|---|
Systolic not at risk (<140 mmHg) | 735 (75.9%) | 824 (85.0%) | +89 (+9.2%) | <0.001 |
Systolic at risk (≥140 mmHg) | 234 (24.1%) | 145 (15.0%) | −89 (−9.2%) | |
Total | 969 (100%) | 969 (100%) | 0.0 | |
Diastolic not at risk (<90 mmHg) | 823 (84.9%) | 909 (93.8%) | +86 (+8.9%) | <0.001 |
Diastolic at risk (≥90 mmHg) | 146 (15.1%) | 60 (6.2%) | −86 (−8.9%) | |
Total | 969 (100%) | 969 (100%) | 0.0 |
*McNemartest was applied.
1.9 to 7.9 ± 1.8, indicating an overall drop of 0.6 ± 1.2 (
The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of a social network based diabetes education program, called UNRWA-MCI program, which is based on a novel “Microclinic” model of MCI. This program is designed to raise the awareness of diabetic patients about their condition, to help them modify their lifestyle to be healthier, to help them in self-management of their condition, and to empower them and their social networks. Overall, participants in the four fields of UNRWA operations showed improvements in their body measurements and HbA1c values after the intervention.
Globally, many efforts towards making healthy lifestyle changes for patients with diabetes have been exerted. In addition, many studies have shown that patients with diabetes do not adequately manage their disease, even after receiving education about diabetes care [
HBA1c categories | Session 1 No. & (%) | Session 8 No. & (%) | Change No. & (%) |
---|---|---|---|
Controlled (HBA1c<7%) | 232 (23.9%) | 316 (32.6%) | +84 (+8.7%) |
Un controlled (HBA1c ≥7%) | 737 (76.1%) | 653 (67.4%) | −84 (−8.7%) |
Total | 969 (100%) | 969 (100%) | 0.0 |
P value* | <0.001 |
*McNemartest was applied.
pressure on health and increase of compatibility with the nervous pressure of the diabetes disease [
Social support networks may mediate the impacts of economic and environmental disadvantages by promoting increased access to social capital, with a resulting increase in self-efficacy behaviors. Social support has been examined in numerous forms, as it relates to the facilitation and hindrance of patients’ self-management of chronic diseases such as diabetes. However, social support is a complex concept which corresponds to the multiple social networks (familial, occupational, community-based, institutional, etc.) surrounding an individual patient that exert positive and negative influences on a patient’s ability to self-manage [
In order to address challenges of diabetes care at UNRWA health centers, the Agency had performed two clinical audits. The goal of both was to acquire information on current diabetes care at UNRWA health centers. During UNRWA’s clinical audit in 2012, it was revealed that over 90.0% of patients with DM were overweight or obese (the majority (64.0%) being obese). Based on UNRWA’s clinical audit recommendations, it has been decided to take several actions such as: developing a comprehensive package for healthy lifestyle support activities that can be implemented in health centers with virtually no additional cost, and implementing a systematic way for the involvement of nurses and paramedical staff in diabetes care delivery to be more proactive and to lead to improved skills to help patients’ health promotion, education and adherence [
In response to the 2012 clinical audit results, in 2013, UNRWA Health Program embarked on a campaign titled “Life is Sweeter with Less Sugar” to assist both patients and staff in changing their attitudes and behaviors in order to prevent and control DM. Thirty HCs conducted weekly group educational sessions, healthy cooking, and exercise for six months. Body measurements, blood tests and patients’ attendance data was collected on monthly basis. At the end of the campaign, 17.0% of the participants lost ≥ 5.0% of their weight, 19.0% lost between 3.0% - 5.0% and 29.0% lost 1.0% - 3.0% of their weight. Significant reduction was observed in the number of patients with high-risk waist circumference (p < 0.001). In addition, significant improvements were observed in blood sugar and cholesterol levels [
In order to sustain and improve more the healthy lifestyle awareness, practices and health care management of DM among Palestine refugees, UNRWA started, in collaboration with Microclinic International (MCI) a joint project, funded by WDF, to address diabetes type 2 epidemic among Palestine refugees. Launched in July 2015, the UNRWA-MCI program was implemented as an innovative program designed to expand awareness about diabetes care, including knowledge, attitudes and practices, among diabetic patients registered at UNRWA’s HCs and willing to participate in this program.
The MCI’s Social Network (MSN) model, that has been impelemtened at UNRWA’s HCs, was formally evaluated via RCT methodology in several settings. After 10-month randomized controlled trial in Bell County, Kentucky, the MSN intervention was evaluated. TheMSN intervention group showed decreased body weight of −6.52 lbs (95% CI: −8.57 to −4.47) compared to the control (p < 0.001) and the central adiposity has improved substantially, with a waist circumference net change of −1.24 inches (−1.85 to −0.63; p < 0.001). Furthermore, MSN participants notably lowered systolic blood pressure by −6.59 mm Hg (−12.7 to −0.48; p = 0.03). These results indicate that theMCI Social Networklifestyle intervention may be effective for weight loss management [
The MSN intervention was also implementedin Jordan, and the effectiveness of such a socialnetwork program for sustaining long-term health gainswas assessed inpatients with diabetes or prediabetes that have been enrolled in the 4-month MCI program and followed up for 2 years. 216 (69.6%) patients out of 315 participants returned for the 24-month follow-up. It was shown that participants maintained an average weight loss of −1.60 Kg (−2.67 to −0.54; p = 0.003) after 2 years from baseline, −0.43 (−0.82 to −0.05) reduction in BMI, and −0.97% (−1.12 to −0.81; p < 0.0001) reduction in HbA1c. Such a social network based intervention may be a promising tool to propagate healthy behaviors for diabetes and obesity prevention throughout a community [
Other studies were conducted in low-income countries toinvestigate the impact of social support in diabetes care. For example, an evaluation of the effectiveness of peer-led self-management education in improving glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes was conducted inMali. As they have conducted an open-label randomised controlled trial with 151 diabetic patients, treated at the diabetes consultation units in two health centers, in which one group was allocated to peer-led structured patient education (n = 76) and the other group was allocated to conventional care alone. The intervention resulted in improvements in the glycaemic control and anthropometric parameters, including 1.05% reduction in average HbA1c levels and 1.65 Kg/m2 reduction in the average BMI readings [
Comparing these result with UNRWA’s and MCI joint project, similar improvements wereseen after 2 years of implementing the project. For example, there was an average body weight loss of −1.9 ± 2.6, and an overall BMI category shift, especially in the obese class II category and normal weight, as shown in
While to our knowledge there have been no other published studies evaluating a similar social support diabetes education program in refugee context population, there have been recent systematic reviews highlighting the lack of literature on NCD interventions in humanitarian crisis settings. For instance, a 2017 review of public health interventions for humanitarian crisis settings, found only two out of 345 studies that addressed NCDs in refugee settings [
Our study has several important strengths. This strategy highlighted many of the barriers to healthcare services within the context of refugee camp settings. The MSN model was culturally tailored to suit Palestine refugee community settings. In addition, it did not only involve patients’ social networks, but also has engaged local nurses and healthcare workers in implementing the program. A recent review evaluating the status of the diabetes epidemic among Palestinians, identified internal and external barriers to NCD care; it noted that internal factors (such as psychosocial and cultural attitudes, and interpersonal factors) were the most difficult obstacles to overcome, which is why culturally competent programs are key to effectively combatting NCDs, especially among Palestine refugees [
Our study also had some limitations. We only recruited patients from the largest UNRWA clinics at each location, only included registered Palestine refugee patients registered at these HCs in the study, and the study population mostly consisted of women. We also did not have a control group, which limits our ability to make conclusions on the effectiveness of the MSN intervention. Future studies should incorporate more male participants, and develop a study strategy to minimize bias in settings where randomized controlled studies are not feasible or ethical.
The MSN model complements existing UNRWA strategies to combat NCDs, and helps improve their impact involving patients’ social networks to support positive behavior change and spread positive lifestyle behaviors. The results of this study indicate that the MSN diabetes education model could be an effective strategy to address diabetes and related risk factors among Palestine refugees in a camp setting, and warrants further evaluation via a Randomized Clinical Trail.
The project has been funded by World Diabetes Foundation (WDF) through Microclinic International (MCI) and implemented by UNRWA in close coordination with MCI.
The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
Shahin, Y.M., Kishk, N.A., Turki, Y., Saleh, S., Ding, E.L., Zoughbie, D.E. and Seita, A. (2018) Evaluation of the Microclinic Social Network Model for Palestine Refugees with Diabetes at UNRWA Health Centers. Journal of Diabetes Mellitus, 8, 99-113. https://doi.org/10.4236/jdm.2018.84010