Indian Journal of Ophthalmology

PERSPECTIVE
Year
: 2020  |  Volume : 68  |  Issue : 13  |  Page : 70--73

Establishing peer support groups for diabetic retinopathy in India: Lessons learned and way ahead


Anirudh Gaurang Gudlavalleti1, Clare Gilbert2, Rajan Shukla1, Uday Gajiwala3, Ajay Shukla4, G V S Murthy5, Tripura Batchu1, Sridivya Mukpalkar1, MS Bala Vidyadhar1, Azhar Sheikh4,  
1 Indian Institute of Public Health, South Asia Centre for Disability Inclusive Development and Research Hyderabad, Public Health Foundation of India, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
2 International Centre for Eye Health, Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, UK
3 Tejas Eye Hospital, Divyajyoti Trust, Mandvi, Gujarat, India
4 Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Department of Ophthalmology, Sevagram, Wardha, Maharashtra, India
5 Indian Institute of Public Health, South Asia Centre for Disability Inclusive Development and Research Hyderabad, Public Health Foundation of India, Hyderabad, Telangana, India; International Centre for Eye Health, Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, UK

Correspondence Address:
Dr. Anirudh Gaurang Gudlavalleti
Indian Institute of Public Health Hyderabad, Plot #1, Rd No 44, Masthan Nagar, Kavuri Hills, Madhapur, Hyderabad - 500 033, Telangana
India

Abstract

Purpose: Complications of diabetes mellitus (DM) are a public health problem globally. DM management entails medication and self-management. Peer support groups (PSGs) can improve self-management and promote healthy behavior. The objectives of this study were to design, establish, and evaluate two PSG models for people who had been screened for diabetic retinopathy to assess self-reported lifestyle changes, satisfaction with meetings and barriers to attendance. Methods: Peer groups were established using a pre-tested facilitator's guide in 11 locations in 3 states. Group members were oriented on diabetes management and lifestyle changes to improve control. Attendees' experiences were ascertained through semi-structured interviews and self-report. Data were analyzed using MS Excel 2017. Results: Eleven PSGs were established in 3 states, in 10 community health centers and one eye hospital. 53 sessions were held and 195 people attended on 740 occasions. Lifestyle changes most frequently reported between first and second visits were taking medication regularly and dietary modification. Attendance declined in the eye hospital group. 83% of CHCs members were satisfied or very satisfied compared with 37% of eye hospital (EH) members. The barriers included distance and lack of family support. Conclusion: PSGs held in CHCs were more sustainable than those in an eye hospital, and group members were more satisfied and more likely to report positive lifestyle changes. Findings were self-reported and hence a major limitation for the study. Further studies should focus on obtaining objective measures of control of diabetes and risk factors for diabetic retinopathy from members attending peer support groups in CHCs.



How to cite this article:
Gudlavalleti AG, Gilbert C, Shukla R, Gajiwala U, Shukla A, Murthy G V, Batchu T, Mukpalkar S, Bala Vidyadhar M S, Sheikh A. Establishing peer support groups for diabetic retinopathy in India: Lessons learned and way ahead.Indian J Ophthalmol 2020;68:70-73


How to cite this URL:
Gudlavalleti AG, Gilbert C, Shukla R, Gajiwala U, Shukla A, Murthy G V, Batchu T, Mukpalkar S, Bala Vidyadhar M S, Sheikh A. Establishing peer support groups for diabetic retinopathy in India: Lessons learned and way ahead. Indian J Ophthalmol [serial online] 2020 [cited 2024 Mar 28 ];68:70-73
Available from: https://journals.lww.com/ijo/pages/default.aspx/text.asp?2020/68/13/70/275728


Full Text



Approximately 75 million Indians are known to be living with diabetes mellitus (DM) and an almost equal number are undiagnosed.[1] DM can have micro- and macrovascular complications and evidence shows that good control of hyperglycemia and other risk factors reduce the incidence of these complications, including diabetic retinopathy (DR). DM management also includes self-management,[2] which has been described as “The tasks individuals must undertake to live with one or more chronic conditions. These tasks include having the confidence to deal with medical management, role management and emotional management of their conditions”.[3]

Peer support groups (PSGs), which have the potential to provide “support from a person who has experiential knowledge of a specific behavior or stressor and similar characteristics as the target population”,[4] can have positive outcomes in chronic conditions by improving self-management.[5] They can vary in several aspects: involve groups or one-to-one interactions; be based in clinics, hospital or in the community, and use health workers or laypersons as facilitators.[4] Heterogeneous membership in relation to characteristics such as education, duration of disease, and degree of control is encouraged, as this promotes peer-learning.

Studies indicate that PSGs can lead to a 0.76% reduction in glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C) levels among people with diabetes (PwDM),[4] increase the proportion of people with good control from 28% to 39% and PSGs with health worker participation show positive outcomes.[4] The World Health Organization advocates PSGs for PwDM in conjunction with appropriate medical management.[4] Many countries, including India, have used PSGs and have achieved positive results,[6],[7],[8] including reduced HbA1C levels and greater utilization of health care facilities. The factors limiting PSGs' success include the location and timing of sessions and lack of instructions about diabetes by experts.

Due to this, potential PSGs were pilot tested within a pilot DR project in India.[9] The objectives were to design and deliver different models of PSGs in rural India, to ascertain which model led to positive behavior change and to explore barriers to scaling up. This was an exploratory, descriptive study to identify factors associated with the establishment and sustainability (i.e., more than three sessions held) of PSGs at three sites in India.

 Methods



Mixed methods were used. A PSG facilitator guide was developed, and PSGs were established in community health centers (CHC) or in a partner eye hospital. The study lasted 9 months with PSGs meetings over 7 months. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected throughout and were analyzed using MS Excel 2017.

The study was conducted in three districts in three states (Surat district, Gujarat; Tumkur district, Karnataka; Wardha district, Maharashtra) between August 2018 and May 2019.

A team drafted the facilitator guide after reviewing the literature and capturing experiences of researchers in India via calls and e-mails. The guide included a range of topics [Table 1].[10],[11] The draft was pre-tested at a location with PSG experience and changes were made based on feedback.{Table 1}

A research team worked with three-partner nongovernment eye hospitals to establish PSGs and identify peer facilitators who could motivate other group members to attend, or re-attend if they had defaulted. PSGs were established in eye hospitals (EHs) or CHCs. Group members were selected if they had been screened for DR, and no new members joined the groups later. Identifying and motivating PwDM to attend meetings was undertaken by NGO staff for PSGs in the EH, and by NGO staff, and ASHA workers for CHC PSGs. The lead researcher, who also has DM, conducted the initial meetings in each location. At each meeting, one topic was discussed, which had been selected by members or the NGO partner and lead researcher. Initially, the PSGs were held at monthly intervals. Later, PSGs at CHCs were held every 2 months because a specialist could not be available to address monthly meetings.

To assess lifestyle changes that would improve self-management of diabetes a semi-structured, open-ended questionnaire was developed. Data were collected on sociodemographic data, lifestyle variables, visits to health facilities, and satisfaction with PSG [Table 2]. For the latter a Likert score (1–5) was used where 5 was “extremely satisfied” and 1 was “extremely unsatisfied.” For understanding lifestyle changes and barriers, open-ended questions were employed, the responses analyzed, and themes identified. To track the change in lifestyle variables at every meeting, members were asked to self-report lifestyle changes in how regularly they took their medication, their diet and daily exercise, and the number of hospital visits to obtain medication since the previous meeting. The questionnaire, which was translated into the local language and adapted and finalized after feedback from the NGO partners, was administered by a trained investigator. Lifestyle data were only included in the analysis for members who had attended for more than one session. As numbers declined over time, findings at baseline were compared longitudinally with findings at the second visit.{Table 2}

Ethical approval was obtained from the Indian Institute of Public Health, Hyderabad. Verbal informed consent was obtained from all PSG members at the first meeting by the NGO partners in the local languages.

 Results



Eleven PSGs were established, in 1 EH and in 10 CHCs. 53 of the 100 planned sessions took place [Table 3]. Only three PSG meetings were held in the EH and 50 were held in the CHCs (mean 9.6, range 9–11). 195 people attended the first sessions. Females predominated (621, 83.9%) and 75.6% were > 60 years of age [Table 4]. Members attending the EH PSG traveled an average of 45 km, which took 3 h; those attending CHC PSGs traveled an average of 25 km, which took 1 h.{Table 3}{Table 4}

Members attended on a total of 740 occasions with wide variation in the number per site and per meeting [Figure 1], which declined over time from an average of 32 to 5.3. Two PSGs ended before the 4th meeting, one at each location. The average attendance at PSGs with more than 1 session was 16/session and 67% of members attended more than one session.{Figure 1}

People attending CHC PSGs reported greater positive lifestyle changes than EH PSG members [Table 3], particularly in taking their diabetes medication more regularly (24% increase) and more frequent daily exercise (15% increase). Those attending CHC meetings were also more satisfied, with 80% reporting that they were satisfied or extremely satisfied [Table 3] compared with 37% in those attending the EH PSG. Barriers to attendance included distance, and a lack of household decision-makers to support changes such as diet modification or regular exercise, especially among older rural women.

 Discussion



In this study, CHC PSGs were more sustainable than EH PSGs, which may reflect the lower recruitment and greater distances members had to travel to attend the EH.[12] CHC PSGs members were also more satisfied and likely to report positive lifestyle changes, particularly in taking their medication more regularly. These changes are consistent with other studies.[6] However, with only one EH PSG the sample was too small to draw definitive conclusions. The PSGs in CHCs used ASHAs who are likely to know their communities and may have contributed to the higher recruitment and sustained attendance. Elderly rural women found it more difficult to attend and make lifestyle changes, which likely reflect social and cultural factors limiting their autonomy.

A limitation is that only verbal information on the member's educational status was obtained, and outcomes were self-reported. Further studies should investigate whether reported lifestyle changes translate into better control of hyperglycemia and other risk factors using objective measures. The period of time individuals need the support of a peer group and whether they can ultimately be self-sustaining are factors which affect whether PSGs are scalable.

 Conclusion



PSGs held in CHCs were more sustainable than those in an eye hospital, and group members were more satisfied and were more likely to report positive lifestyle changes. This being a study based on self-reported outcomes, future studies should focus on obtaining objective measures of control of diabetes and risk factors for diabetic retinopathy from members attending peer support groups in CHCs.

Acknowledgement

I would like to acknowledge the support and continuous effort of Dr. Krishna Murthy from VIIO, Mr. Vinuth from VIIO, Mr. Vimal Prajapati from Divyajyoti Trust for their dedication towards organizing the PSGs at their respective states. A special mention to all the Postgraduate students (ophthalmology), the interns posted at the ophthalmology department and the fieldwork staff at MGIMS, Sevagram for their dedication and efforts towards the initiation and sustenance of the PSGs in Maharashtra. I would also like to thank Dr. Dinesh, Ophthalmologist, District Hospital, Tumkur for allowing us to conduct the PSG at the district hospital, Tumkur.

Financial support and sponsorship

The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust, London, UK.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

References

1International Diabetes Federation. 8th ed. 2017. Available from: https://idf.org/e-library/epidemiology-research/diabetes-atlas.html. [Last accessed on 2018 Nov 25].
2Heisler M, Choi H, Mase R, Long JA, Reeves PJ. Effectiveness of technologically enhanced peer support in improving glycemic management among predominantly African American, low-income adults with diabetes. Diabetes Educ 2019;45:260-71.
3Adams K, Greiner AC, Corrigan JM, editors. Committee on the Crossing the Quality Chasm: Next Steps Toward a New Health Care System The 1st Annual Crossing the Quality Chasm Summit – A Focus on Communities. Washington, DC. The National Academies Press; 2004. Available from: http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11085.html. [Last accessed on 2019 Oct 05].
4World Health Organization. Peer Support Programmes in Diabetes. Geneva, 2008. p. 1-22.
5Dennis CL. Peer support within a health care context: A concept analysis. Int J Nurs Stud 2003;40:321-32.
6Dale JR, Williams SM, Bowyer V. What is the effect of peer support on diabetes outcomes in adults? A systematic review. Diabet Med 2012;29:1361-77.
7Paul G, Keogh K, D'Eath M, Smith SM. Implementing a peer-support intervention for people with type 2 diabetes: A qualitative study. Fam Pract 2013;30:593-603.
8Thankappan KR, Sathish T, Tapp RJ, Shaw JE, Lotfaliany M, Wolfe R, et al. A peer-support lifestyle intervention for preventing type 2 diabetes in India: A cluster randomized controlled trial of the Kerala Diabetes Prevention Program. PLoS Med 2018;15:e1002575.
9Gudlavalleti VS, Shukla R, Batchu T, Malladi BVS, Gilbert C. Public health system integration of avoidable blindness screening and management, India. Bull World Health Organ 2018;96:705-15.
10Partners for Health. Training of Trainers: A manual for training facilitators in participatory teaching techniques. Available from: https://www.pih.org/practitioner-resource/training-of-trainers. [Last accessed on 2019 Oct 05].
11OMNI: Toolkit for Conducting Focus Groups. In.: OMNI: 32. Available from: https://www.nyla.org/max/userfiles/Documents/D._Focus_Group_Toolkit.pdf. [Last accessed on 2019 Oct 05].
12Klug C, Toobert DJ, Fogerty M. Healthy Changes™ for living with diabetes. Diabetes Educ 2008;34:1053-61.