Bangladesh is one of the top ten countries when it comes to diabetes cases and numbers will only double in the next 20 years. It is estimated that alone in Bangladesh more than two million people suffer from diabetes but are yet undiagnosed. The current prevalence of 5.5% and the expected rise to 8.2% by 2030 renders diabetes in Bangladesh a major public health problem. The prevalence of gestational diabetes (GDM) ranges from 8.2% in rural Bangladesh to 12.9%. Particularly undiagnosed cases of women with diabetes in pregnancy are a key concern in Bangladesh, where the social status of women is low resulting in inequalities regarding healthcare access and nutrition. ObjectivesTo promote a model for screening, care and follow-up of HIP at community level, identify challenges, and launch surveillance pilot model in order to improve maternal and neonatal health in Mirzapur Upazila, Tangail, Bangladesh.
This project will set up a comprehensive community-based GDM detection and surveillance model in 7 randomly selected UHFWCs (Union Health & Family Welfare Centres) of Mirzapur Upazila of Tangail District, Bangladesh and corresponding community clinics (35 in total). These will be supported by community sensitisation activities through existing community support groups. It will evaluate the effectiveness of the model through community healthcare workers based at community clinics in collaboration with family welfare and health assistants (FWA/HA) who will assure linkage of all pregnant mothers with the community clinics for GDM detection and surveillance including identification of pregnant mothers supported by the pregnancy surveillance system. It will simultaneously sensitise mothers through existing community support groups.
- Members of 40.000 households sensitised through community support groups regarding GDM screening and its importance supported by rally and IEC -materials.- Members of all households sensitised through community support groups about the importance of detecting and treating GDM- 4,000 pregnant mothers screened for GDM in the communities of Mirzapur Upazilla- Min. 400 pregnant mothers with GDM adequately monitored and managed through community based services backed up by specialist care- 105 community and sub-district providers trained in detection of GDM and glucose monitoring- Maternal and neonatal outcomes improved of mothers affected by GDM in Mirzapur, Bangladesh- Best practices shared and findings disseminated to national and international stakeholders- Community-based provision of care for pregnant women strengthened.