STRUCTURED EDUCATION FOR TYPE 1 DIABETES UNDERSTANDING IN PAKISTAN (SETUP)

Abstract

Background
Type 1 diabetes mellitus is a lifelong condition requiring continuous education, self-management, and psychosocial support to achieve optimal outcomes. In Pakistan, the absence of nationally standardized epidemiological data, limited access to specialist care, and widespread cultural myths contribute to suboptimal disease understanding and management. International structured education programs exist, but they are often poorly aligned with local dietary practices, sociocultural beliefs, and health literacy levels. This gap underscores the need for a locally relevant, evidence-based education framework tailored to the Pakistani context.

Objective
To develop, implement, and evaluate the feasibility and educational impact of a locally tailored structured education curriculum for people living with type 1 diabetes in Pakistan.

Methods
A multidisciplinary team developed an evidence-based structured education curriculum, Structured Education for Type 1 Diabetes Understanding in Pakistan (SETUP), adapted from international guidelines and refined through local needs assessment and expert peer review. The curriculum was produced in English and Urdu. Curriculum-based interactive workshops were conducted in Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi. Individuals with type 1 diabetes were enrolled through community networks. Structured pre- and post-session questionnaires and module-wise feedback forms were used to assess changes in participant knowledge and perceived understanding.

Results
A total of 180 individuals with type 1 diabetes participated in the workshops, including 64 from Islamabad, 55 from Lahore, and 61 from Karachi. Most participants were accompanied by a parent or sibling, extending education to family members. Post-session feedback demonstrated consistent improvement in participant knowledge across all core domains, including dietary management, basic carbohydrate counting, hypoglycaemia recognition, and sick-day rules with diabetic ketoacidosis awareness. High acceptability and engagement were reported across all sites.

Conclusion
SETUP proved to be a feasible and well-accepted structured education initiative that effectively improved knowledge among people living with type 1 diabetes in Pakistan. The program offers a scalable, culturally appropriate model for national diabetes education and peer support, with future evaluation planned to assess long-term clinical outcomes.

Keywords:
Diabetes Education, Diabetes Mellitus Type 1, Pakistan, Peer Support, Quality of Life, Self-Management, Structured Education