Developing countries all around the world are experiencing a heavy increase in the prevalence of diabetes and other non-communicable diseases. In Bangladesh, the estimated number of people with diabetes in the adult population is currently 3 million.
Diabetes is associated with considerable socio-economic costs in all societies, and this is especially true for the more resource constrained countries such as Bangladesh. Due to the cost-effectiveness associated with prevention and early management of diabetes, a strategy with focus on these elements could be a recommendable approach in order to reduce the burden of diseases.
Nutrition constitutes a significant part of prevention as well as early management of diabetes. Despite efforts to improve the nutritional status of the Bangladeshi population, most nutritional programmes have been unsuccessful. One reason for the failure is that the programmes have not been designed specifically to the particular community and have failed to take into consideration the chemical-biological, socio-economic and cultural realities of the population they addressed.
Approach
The Biomedical Research Group of BIRDEM (the central institute of the Diabetic Association of Bangladesh) has in collaboration with the Research Department of Human Nutrition of the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Copenhagen Denmark generated considerable amounts of data on chemical, biological and socio-cultural aspects of nutrition in relation to the Bangladeshi race and society.
This project seeks to translate these nutritional data into practical tools for affecting nutritional intake of risk groups and people with diabetes.
The project has a 3-pronged approach:
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Bio-medical and socio-cultural teams will compile existing data as well as generate new data in all relevant fields.
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In collaboration with sub-contracted specialist companies, a team will develop promotional tools and strategies for improving the nutritional status of the Bangladeshi population. The promotional tools include TV/radio broadcasts, posters, calendars, billboards, caps, stickers, etc.
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The tools and strategies developed will be piloted within 20 hospitals and health care facilities. A minimum of 20,000 patients will be enrolled in the pilot study.
The tools and strategies developed in the project are expected to help as guidelines in other developing countries with similar cultural and socio-economic realities. |
