Boosting diabetes and pre-diabetes detection in rural Ghana [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]
Background: Diabetes is a growing worldwide disease with serious consequences to health and with a high financial burden. Ghana is one of the developing African countries where the prevalence of diabetes is increasing. Moreover, many cases remain undiagnosed, when along with pre-diabetic cases they...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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F1000 Research Ltd
2019-08-01
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| Series: | F1000Research |
| Online Access: | https://f1000research.com/articles/8-289/v2 |
| _version_ | 1818198756467671040 |
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| author | Bernard Effah Nyarko Rosemary Serwah Amoah Alessandro Crimi |
| author_facet | Bernard Effah Nyarko Rosemary Serwah Amoah Alessandro Crimi |
| author_sort | Bernard Effah Nyarko |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Diabetes is a growing worldwide disease with serious consequences to health and with a high financial burden. Ghana is one of the developing African countries where the prevalence of diabetes is increasing. Moreover, many cases remain undiagnosed, when along with pre-diabetic cases they can be easily detected. The main objective of this study is to propose a novel method to increase diabetes and pre-diabetes early detection in rural areas. A secondary aim is to look for new related behavioral determinants specific to rural Ghana, by comparing subjects at risk with those already diagnosed as diabetic. Methods: The detection approach was based on tests performed pro-actively by community nurses using glucometers and mobile phone apps. As a pilot for future policies, glycemic tests were carried out on 101 subjects from rural communities in Ghana deemed at risk and unaware of their diabetic/pre-diabetic status. A comparison of dietary and lifestyle habits of the screened people was conducted in regards to a cohort of 103 diabetic patients from the same rural communities. Participants for both groups were found through snow-ball sampling. Results: The pilot screening detected 2 diabetic subjects (2% of the cohort) showing WHO diabetic glycemic values, and 20 pre-diabetic subjects (19.8% of the cohort) which showed the effectiveness of the user-friendly approach. Conclusions: Policies based on prevention screening as reported in the manuscript have the potential to reduce diabetes incidence, if actions are taken while patients are pre-diabetic, reduce complication related to late diagnosis and indirectly related health-care costs in the country. The need for further campaigns on alcohol consumption and physical activity has emerged, even in rural areas. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-12T02:10:56Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-576fbe67fbc747b09d24c4a8f31ec1a7 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2046-1402 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-12T02:10:56Z |
| publishDate | 2019-08-01 |
| publisher | F1000 Research Ltd |
| record_format | Article |
| series | F1000Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-576fbe67fbc747b09d24c4a8f31ec1a72022-12-22T00:41:55ZengF1000 Research LtdF1000Research2046-14022019-08-01810.12688/f1000research.18497.221827Boosting diabetes and pre-diabetes detection in rural Ghana [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]Bernard Effah Nyarko0Rosemary Serwah Amoah1Alessandro Crimi2African Institute for Mathematical Science, Cape Coast, Ghana, GhanaAfrican Institute for Mathematical Science, Cape Coast, Ghana, GhanaAfrican Institute for Mathematical Science, Cape Coast, Ghana, GhanaBackground: Diabetes is a growing worldwide disease with serious consequences to health and with a high financial burden. Ghana is one of the developing African countries where the prevalence of diabetes is increasing. Moreover, many cases remain undiagnosed, when along with pre-diabetic cases they can be easily detected. The main objective of this study is to propose a novel method to increase diabetes and pre-diabetes early detection in rural areas. A secondary aim is to look for new related behavioral determinants specific to rural Ghana, by comparing subjects at risk with those already diagnosed as diabetic. Methods: The detection approach was based on tests performed pro-actively by community nurses using glucometers and mobile phone apps. As a pilot for future policies, glycemic tests were carried out on 101 subjects from rural communities in Ghana deemed at risk and unaware of their diabetic/pre-diabetic status. A comparison of dietary and lifestyle habits of the screened people was conducted in regards to a cohort of 103 diabetic patients from the same rural communities. Participants for both groups were found through snow-ball sampling. Results: The pilot screening detected 2 diabetic subjects (2% of the cohort) showing WHO diabetic glycemic values, and 20 pre-diabetic subjects (19.8% of the cohort) which showed the effectiveness of the user-friendly approach. Conclusions: Policies based on prevention screening as reported in the manuscript have the potential to reduce diabetes incidence, if actions are taken while patients are pre-diabetic, reduce complication related to late diagnosis and indirectly related health-care costs in the country. The need for further campaigns on alcohol consumption and physical activity has emerged, even in rural areas.https://f1000research.com/articles/8-289/v2 |
| spellingShingle | Bernard Effah Nyarko Rosemary Serwah Amoah Alessandro Crimi Boosting diabetes and pre-diabetes detection in rural Ghana [version 2; peer review: 2 approved] F1000Research |
| title | Boosting diabetes and pre-diabetes detection in rural Ghana [version 2; peer review: 2 approved] |
| title_full | Boosting diabetes and pre-diabetes detection in rural Ghana [version 2; peer review: 2 approved] |
| title_fullStr | Boosting diabetes and pre-diabetes detection in rural Ghana [version 2; peer review: 2 approved] |
| title_full_unstemmed | Boosting diabetes and pre-diabetes detection in rural Ghana [version 2; peer review: 2 approved] |
| title_short | Boosting diabetes and pre-diabetes detection in rural Ghana [version 2; peer review: 2 approved] |
| title_sort | boosting diabetes and pre diabetes detection in rural ghana version 2 peer review 2 approved |
| url | https://f1000research.com/articles/8-289/v2 |
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