A STUDY ON THE PREVENTION OF TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS IN PRIMARY CARE

Abstract

Non-communicable chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2), represent one of the main public health challenges today and are frequently characterized by long asymptomatic periods, which delays diagnosis. In this context, routine examinations are a central strategy for early diagnosis and disease control. This study aimed to analyze the knowledge of users of a Basic Health Unit regarding the performance of routine examinations for the early diagnosis of chronic diseases, with an emphasis on DM2, in the context of an educational intervention. This is a descriptive study with a quantitative approach, characterized as an experience report combined with field research, developed in a Basic Health Unit in the municipality of Cachoeiro de Itapemirim, Espírito Santo, Brazil. A structured and anonymous questionnaire was applied to 16 users. The results showed that half of the participants had not undergone any examinations in the last year, and a significant proportion only undergo them when experiencing symptoms. Among the main reasons for not undergoing examinations, lack of time and the perception that examinations were unnecessary stood out. Nevertheless, most participants recognized the importance of examinations, which enabled the identification of different chronic conditions, notably diabetes and prediabetes, present in approximately one-third of participants. It is concluded that health education and the strengthening of screening in primary care are essential to expand early diagnosis and reduce complications of chronic diseases, especially DM2.