Conclusions There is a dearth of evidence on the implementation of task-shifting strategies to reduce the burden of CVD in LMICs .
Objective To evaluate evidence from published r and omised controlled trials ( RCTs ) for the use of task-shifting strategies for cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) risk  reduction in low-income and middle-income countries ( LMICs ) .
Adherence to diabetes control recommendations: impact of nurse telephone calls.
BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes mellitus is increasing in incidence and research has shown that normalization of blood glucose levels can moderate the risk of microvascular and neurological complications . AIM The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of nurse telephone calls on glycosylated haemoglobin ( HbA1c ) levels and adherence to diabetes control recommendations . METHODS A r and omized design with control and experimental groups being assessed pre- and post intervention was used to assess the effectiveness of nurse telephone calls .  Twenty patients were r and omly assigned to an intervention group and 16 to a control group . The goal of the intervention was to keep blood glucose concentrations close to the normal range ( HbA1c < 7 % ) . The intervention was applied to the intervention group for 12 weeks , and consisted of continued education and reinforcement of diet , exercise , medication adjustment recommendations , as well as frequent self-monitoring of blood glucose levels . Telephone intervention was performed twice per week for the first month and then weekly for the second and third month . Participants were requested to write self-management logs including blood glucose levels , diet and an exercise diary . A dietitian analysed the diet diaries and participants were informed about their results by telephone or mail . All medication adjustments were communicated to participants ' doctors . The HbA1c and diabetes adherence were measured before and after the intervention . RESULTS Patients in the intervention group had a mean decrease of 1.2 % in HbA1c levels and those in the control group had a mean increase of 0.6 % in HbA1c levels . The intervention group had greater diet and blood glucose testing adherence than the control group . CONCLUSION These findings indicate that a nurse telephone intervention can improve HbA1c , and diet and blood glucose testing adherence
Conclusions There is a dearth of evidence on the implementation of task-shifting strategies to reduce the burden of CVD in LMICs .
Objective To evaluate evidence from published r and omised controlled trials ( RCTs ) for the use of task-shifting strategies for cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) risk  reduction in low-income and middle-income countries ( LMICs ) .