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State-Based Diabetes Prevention & Control Programs
Guam
The Guam Diabetes Prevention and Control Program (DPCP) has received
funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention since 1994.
Activities supported by the Guam DPCP include the following:
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Guidelines. The DPCP developed Diabetes Care on Guam: Guidelines
for Prevention, Early Detection and Treatment to provide primary
health care professionals with guidelines to help ensure quality care
for people with or at risk for diabetes.
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Symposium. The DPCP conducted a symposium called Diabetes
on Guam: A Community Addresses the Issues of Prevention. The purpose
of the conference was to increase awareness of diabetes to the general
public, people with diabetes, and health professionals. More than
200 participants attended the conference held in Tumon Guam on November
20-21, 1997. Participants included people with diabetes and their
family members, medical and allied health professionals, and other
diabetes advocates. Participants took part in sessions covering such
topics as defining diabetes, prevention through proper diet, exercise
and other behavioral change, and diabetes treatment and prevention
of secondary complications. The conference also had tabletop displays
from health care and health education providers, and pharmaceutical
and equipment suppliers.
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Survey. The DPCP conducted a survey that focuses on
understanding the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of Guamanians
about diabetes. The 198 people with diabetes who were surveyed believe
that diabetes is a serious disease (97%); however, a majority of the
respondents (63%) believes that it is not preventable.
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Chart review. The DPCP conducted a medical chart review
of people with diabetes to assess their level of care. The review
showed that this particular clinic did not comply with guidelines
for care 100%. One area needing improvement is documentation of each
patient visit with the physician.
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Provider survey. The DPCP conducted a Diabetes Standard-of-Care
Provider Survey to summarize the frequency of Guam's physicians adherence
to American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommendations for diagnosis
and treatment of diabetes; the survey also evaluated physician attitudes
toward different factors related to diabetes. Overall, Guam physicians
showed high self-reported compliance with ADA recommendations for
treating diabetes. ADA screening criteria showed high compliance across
all physician types and working environments. Guam’s physicians
perceived patient behavior/lack of commitment, lack of knowledge of
consequences of no treatment, and lack of health care professionals
as the greatest barriers to treatment on Guam.
Contact information
Diabetes Control and Prevention Program Coordinator
Department of Public Health and Social Services
P.O. Box 2816
Agana, Guam 96910
Phone (0-11-671) 475-0282
Fax (0-11-671) 477-7945
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Diabetes & Me