Diabetes Mellitus is a common condition and its frequency is rising all over the world.

• At least 171 million people worldwide have diabetes. This figure is likely to more than double by 2030.
• In developing countries the number of people with diabetes will increase by 150% in the next 25 years. In India prevalence of diabetes in increasing.

• Studies have shown that, with good management, many of the complications of diabetes can be prevented or delayed.

• Effective management includes lifestyle measures such as a healthy diet, physical activity, maintaining appropriate weight and not smoking.
• Medication often has an important role to play, particularly for the control of blood glucose, blood pressure and blood lipids.
• Through the provision of optional health care, the risk of developing diabetic complications can be reduced substantially.
• Helping people with diabetes to acquire the knowledge and skills to manage their own condition is central to their leading a full and healthy life.

The main problem in our country is that in cities, rural and in remote areas workers are not available to help and motivate diabetic patients to continue and adhere to the treatment which the patients need to make life style changes and help to modify routine within a family system. As India is having largest number of diabetics and potential diabetics are also large in numbers, it is important to have trained people at community level who will create awareness, motivate and help individuals and families.

This certificate programme has been developed to build up a community level workforce to work in diabetic clinics, health centers at community level and in diabetic clinics in hospitals.

Certificate in Diabetes Care for Community Worker is a month’s programme of 14 credits (theory 4 credits, Practical 10 credits). This programme has been developed for the health workers who would like to work in diabetic clinics or are working in the hospital or community. This programme will help to give or upgrade the knowledge about diabetes mellitus, its management and complications; prevention of diabetes mellitus etc. it will help the workers to learn various skills for assessment and care of the diabetic patient and their family members.

Objectives

The broad Objectives of the programme are to:

1. To impart knowledge about the epidemiology of diabetes
2. To provide an understanding of causes leading to diabetes
3. To give a detailed knowledge of the effect of diabetes on various organs of the body
4. To provide knowledge and skills about management of the disease in relation to diet, foot care, eye care, etc.
5. To equip learners with interpersonal communication skills this will facilitate psychological well being of patients.

Teleconferencing

Teleconferencing is a one-way video and two-way audio facility. Teleconferencing will be held every month. During teleconferencing session, you will get an opportunity to interact by phone in facility or fax with the resource persons/experts who participate in teleconferencing session and clear your doubts immediately.

The teleconferencing facility will be available at the Regional Centre and Selected Study Centres. The teleconferencing schedule will be sent to the Programme In-charge and Regional Director who would inform the students. Teleconferencing is done through Gyan Darshan Channel. Students must regularly attend these sessions. These will help them clarify doubts and interact with other learners all over the country.

Radio Counselling

Radio counselling will be held through FM and students can ask questions free of cost with phone in facilities right from their homes. A toll free telephone number 110012345 has been provided for this purpose.

Telecast

The Programme will also be telecast through DD Metro channel and schedule will be informed to students in advance.

Audio-video Programme

Audio and video programmes for each course have been prepared to support learning for the students. These Audio-video programmes in the form of cassettes are available at all Programme Study Centres. These Audio and video cassettes will be provided for viewing and listening. They can also hire the cassettes for viewing and listening.

Attendance

Students will be required to complete seventy-five percent attendance in theory counselling to become eligible for appearing in Term-end Examination. Similarly, they will be required to complete ninety percent attendance in practical contact sessions to become eligible for appearing in practical examination.

Continuous Evaluation of Theory Component

Assignments

Assignment is a means of continuing assessment of theory and practical. Assignments will help you to recapitulate the theory and go back to the text again in case students are unable to answer a particular question. Thus assignments also help to reinforce learning in distance learning system of education. These assignments consist of a set of questions and activities that you will answer at your own place by referring your blocks. The assignments will cover all types of questions (long answer type, short answer type, objective type, multiple choice questions and case studies). The assignments will carry thirty percent weightage. Students will be required to obtain fifty percent marks as pass percentage in each assignment separately. Each assignment will carry 100 marks. In the final result assignments will carry thirty percent weightage.

Term-end Examination

As stated earlier, term-end examination is the major component of the evaluation system and if carries seventy percent weightage in the Final result. The University conducts term-end examination twice a year i.e., in June and December. They can take the examination only after completion of the course, failing which students can take the same in December or June of subsequent years years within the total span of the programme. In case any student fail to get a pass score in the Tern-end Examination, the person will be eligible to reappear at the next Term-end Examination for that course as and when if is held, within the total span of the Programme.