An evaluation of a culturally tailored presentation for diabetes education of indigenous communities of Bougainville, Papua New Guinea

Abstract

We evaluated the efficacy of culturally relevant health-promoting education about type 2 diabetes to the indigenous communities of Bougainville in Papua New Guinea. The Sugarman presentation is an interactive storytelling method that allows the causes, symptoms and risk factors associated with type 2 diabetes to be discussed. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of this program anonymous pre and post presentation written surveys were completed and analysed to determine changes in knowledge and understanding of diabetes. In the year 2010, 16 communities participated in a total of 26 Sugarman presentations. Overall, an improved understanding of the causes, symptoms and prevention of type 2 diabetes was demonstrated in these participants. The greatest improvement occurred in communities where very little was originally known about type 2 diabetes. The Sugarman presentation is a culturally sensitive education program that improved the understanding of type 2 diabetes in communities of Bougainville and can be employed more extensively.