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In Uganda, approximately 22.2% of women and 7.4% of men are overweight. As a consequence, diabetes is at an increase. In urban areas the number of people living with diabetes is expected to have increased more than threefold by the year 2025.
However, the problems is not limited to urban areas; in rural areas the prevalence of diabetes is expected to double within 2025.
Concurrently, Uganda ranks among the poorest countries in the world and around 35% of the population lives below the poverty line.
Objective
The project seeks to improve the quality of life of people living with diabetes and preventing diabetes complications by creating awareness about diabetes, providing training and education, and improving diabetes care in the Arua District in north-western Uganda.
Approach
A previous WDF funded diabetes care intervention in Uganda, WDF06-180, strengthened diabetes care at the district hospital in Arua and established the Arua Diabetes Association; a branch of Uganda Diabetes Association.
Arua Diabetes Association and the team at the district hospital diabetes clinic immediately took the initiative to further strengthening diabetes awareness and care throughout the Arua district
The project will be implemented in 7 districts in the West Nile region in the north-western part of Uganda. The Arua Diabetes Association will lead the implementation while the Ugandan Ministry of Health contributes by paying staff salaries.
The 3 main goals of the project are:
- Training and educating diabetes patients, health care personnel and community leaders
- Improving diabetes care
- Creating awareness about diabetes in the communities
Initially, health care personnel will be trained to conduct diabetes screening as well as management of diabetes and diabetes education. In total, 280 health care personnel including nurses, medical officers and community health workers will be trained.
Subsequently, 7 basic diabetes clinics will be established - one in each of the target districts. At these clinics, blood glucose testing will be performed and it is estimated that 1,500 people will be screened for diabetes.
In order to improve management of diabetes, the clinics will also constitute the basis for follow-up of already known diabetes patients, including checking for complications and referred to hospitals if treatment is needed. This brings the care closer to the patients and minimises the time and cost associated with travelling to the clinic for regular check-ups.
In addition, education on diabetes will be given to people with diabetes by the health care personnel. The latter will not only improve management but also increase awareness about diabetes.
To increase awareness about diabetes in the community workshops and seminars will be arranged for community leaders in order to mobilise them in the fight against diabetes. To disseminate information about diabetes and its risk factors among the public, radio talk shows will be aired on the topic. Finally, posters will be used to make the public aware of the services available to them at the diabetes clinics.
Expected impact
- 7 basic diabetes clinics established throughout the district
- 1,500 people screened for diabetes
- 280 health care personnel trained on diabetes care
- 35 community leaders educated to deliver health promotion in their communities
Results to date
- 12 diabetes clinics have been established in the West Nile region and in Arua District. A total of 1,932 diabetes patients are registered in these clinics.
- 4,000 people have been screened for diabetes. 2,068 were found to be pre-diabetics and put on diet and exercise.
- 210 community health care workers have undergone basic training in diabetes (medical officers, clinical officers, laboratory technicians and nurses).
- 60 nurses in different units of district hospitals and health centres have been trained in creating internal referral systems within the set up of the health centres and hospitals.
- 152 diabetes patients have been trained to become peer educators. 450 people were given basic diabetes education including diet, diabetes complications and self-management of diabetes.
- 3,000 people have been screened at community awareness camps have been conducted in each district.
- 105 community leaders have undergone diabetes awareness training. A one-day sensitisation seminar on diabetes has been held for 150 people, including district leaders and health administrative personnel.
- Diabetes associations have been formed in five districts: Adjumani, Moyo and Maracha, Nebbi, and Omugo.
- Radio talk shows, sport adverts and newspapers have covered the theme of diabetes. Posters on diabetes education have been given to all diabetes clinics.
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