DAFI - Objectives

The primary objective of the Diabetes Africa Foot Initiative (DAFI) is to prevent lower extremity amputations in sub-Saharan Africa.

Deliverables include:

• Developing a foot risk assessment and an intervention curriculum in the African region that respects local needs and the working environment;
• Developing a risk stratification and intervention tool to prevent complications of the foot;
• Training 3 health workers from 10 selected centres to use the risk stratification and intervention tool in their clinical practice;
• Establishing and strengthening the capacity of 10 selected centres in 10 African countries to implement the programme and to deliver diabetes foot care (e.g. health workers trained; basic foot care supplies and equipment provided; clinical environment prepared);
• Starting information gathering activities with associated patient associations;
• Establishing a foundation for community/national engagement through collaboration with health authorities.

DAFI is a two-phase programme (phase I from 2012 to 2014 and phase II from 2015 to 2017). DAFI Phase I resulted in a 20 month initiative involving health authorities, IDF Member Associations and local communities from the ten participating countries. Initially planned for one year,it was decided to extend Phase I to consolidate the programme, evaluate progress and build capacity for excellence.

The main objectives of Phase I were to:

• Support health care workers in implementing and put into practice what they have learnt during the training (and start to use the Risk Stratification and Intervention Tool).
• Collect and manage patient data and show results on the Risk Stratification and Intervention Tool in the 10 centres.
• Develop information and prevention activities with people with diabetes through IDF member associations.