Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of PRECEDE model for health education, in the metabolic control and the reduction of cardiovascular risk factors, in type 2 diabetic patients followed for over two years in primary health care services.
Materials and methods: PRECEDE model for health education was used in 318 patients with type 2 diabetes, from five primary health care centres. The study was conducted during two years of monitoring.
Results: After two years of follow-up was observed decrease in diastolic and systolic pressures (p < 0.05), as well as in levels of total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol (p < 0.05). Patients with good metabolic control (glycated hemoglobin A1c < 7% and LDL cholesterol < 100 mg/dl), increased from 9.9% to 16.8% (p < 0,05). On the other hand, 27% of patients improved their level of therapeutic adherence, and there was a decreased in the number of patients with microalbuminuria from 8.4% to 6.3% (p = 0.05). Finally, we found no differences in levels of glycated hemoglobin A1c, BMI and cardiovascular risk. Mortality after two years was 0.7%.
Discussion: PRECEDE model for health education is a useful method in the management of type 2 diabetes, that reduce the levels of blood pressure both systolic and diastolic, decrease the lipid levels, and improve the level of therapeutic adherence in type 2 diabetic patients, followed for two years.