The RAPIA is structured as a multi-level assessment of the elements that influence the patients’ access to insulin and diabetes care in a given country. The framework of the RAPIA studies the path of insulin from its arrival in the country to the point that it reaches or fails to treat the patient effectively and thereby identifies how and where the system works and/or fails.

The Rapid Assessment Protocol approach has been used extensively to assess services for communicable diseases, including malaria, tuberculosis and STDs, for the purpose of developing interventions.

In order to achieve the broad aim, RAPIA has the following objectives:

• To provide a range of data collection tools, from which research teams can select those appropriate to their own situation;
• To provide suggestions of data items to collect;
• To provide suggestions on data sources, data collection, analysis and presentation for each tool.

The RAPIA provides the tools to enable a research team to collect information on the structure and functioning of insulin supply services/practices and to conduct an assessment of the quality of care currently provided to people with Type 1 diabetes. This information can then be used to improve services.

The RAPIA is divided into 3 components:

• Macro – aimed at the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Trade, Ministry of Health, Private Sector, National Diabetes Association, Central Medical Store and Educators
• Meso – Regional and District Health Officers, “Health Care Settings” (Hospitals, Clinics, Health Centres) and Pharmacies/Dispensaries.
• Micro – carers and patients are analysed to study the constraints to accessing care.

The Meso and Micro levels of the RAPIA are carried out in 3 distinct areas of the country - capital city, large urban centre and predominantly rural area - to get an overall picture of the situation in the country.

The RAPIA provides information on:

• Health service structure and functioning medicine procurement, diabetes management
• Diabetes policies written and enacted
• Reported and observed practice for Type 1 diabetes management
• Availability of insulin, syringes and monitoring equipment
• Existence of distribution networks for insulin
• Insulin supply related knowledge and attitudes amongst patients and their carers.

The RAPIA is available in English, French and Portuguese. If you would like more information about this tool, please click here.