Empowering Diabetes Care Through Social Innovation: A Community-Based Education Intervention in El Peñol, Colombia

Background: Diabetes poses a major challenge in rural communities with limited healthcare access. Using Social Innovation for Health (SIH), a community-based diabetes education intervention was implemented in El Peñol, Colombia, to enhance self-management, food security, and health literacy. Objective: To co-design and implement a health education program for diabetes management, integrating participatory approaches that empower patients, caregivers, and health promoters through knowledge improvement, behavioral changes, and community engagement. Methods: Using the SIH framework, the intervention was co-developed through a participatory process involving patients, caregivers, rural health promoters, academia, and local health authorities. A six-module curriculum was developed with input from patients, caregivers, health promoters, academia, and local authorities. Modules covered diabetes basics, nutrition and food security, treatment management, psychosocial well-being, complication prevention, and sustainability. Workshops emphasized local food consumption, traditional food preparations, and ancestral nutrients in diabetes care. Workshops were held in community centers and health facilities, using storytelling, role-playing, and practical demonstrations. The impact was assessed through pre- and post-intervention surveys, focus groups, and qualitative narratives. Results: Significant improvements were observed in diabetes knowledge, self-management behaviors, and emotional well-being. Health promoters gained confidence, caregivers increased engagement, and participants incorporated local and traditional foods into their diets. The promotion of community gardens emerged as a potential strategy to strengthen food security in future interventions. Social cohesion was a key facilitator of success. Conclusion: A SIH approach fosters community ownership, enhances self-management, and improves health outcomes. Integrating participatory education and sustainable food initiatives makes this model scalable to similar rural settings. Future efforts should focus on policy integration and long-term sustainability.

• Autores: Díaz Valencia, Paula Andrea; Maldonado Celis, María Elena; Muñoz Ruíz, Melisa Alejandra; Restrepo García, Felipe; Sánchez Rubio, Tatiana; Gómez Zapata, Lissette; Filippo, Diana Di; Taparcúa Cardona, Flor Enid; Herrera Franco, Elizabeth; Pérez Bedoya, Juan Pablo; Mesa Cifuentes, Biviana; Cañón Montañez, Wilson
• Tipo de recurso: http://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_6670
• Fecha de publicación: 2025
• Institución: Universidad de Antioquia
• Repositorio: Repositorio UdeA
• Idioma: eng
• OAI Identifier: oai:bibliotecadigital.udea.edu.co:10495/47945
• Acceso en línea: https://hdl.handle.net/10495/47945
• Palabra clave: Diabetes Mellitus; Promoción de la Salud; Health Promotion; Educación en Salud; Health Education; Participación de la Comunidad; Community Participation; Atención a la Salud; Delivery of Health Care; https://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/D003920; https://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/D006293; https://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/D003256; https://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/D003695; ODS 3: Salud y bienestar. Garantizar una vida sana y promover el bienestar de todos a todas las edades
• Rights: openAccess
• License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/