BackgroundThe current prevalence rate of diabetes in the adult population of Nigeria is 4.6 % according to the International Diabetes Federation. Nigeria is reported to have one of the highest number of people living with diabetes in Sub-Saharan Africa (WHO Report 2014). According to the Diabetes Association of Nigeria report, Nigeria lost $7.6 billion in 2015 due to diabetes related deaths. In order to reduce the prevalence and associated diseases related to diabetes, it has been found that intensive lifestyle modification is very effective in the prevention of diabetes and could reduce prevalence by 58%. ObjectivesTo contribute to the prevention of diabetes in the target population in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria.
The project will bring together partners from the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), artisan groups, media and other stakeholders in an inter agency technical working group to guide the activities of the project. In order to prepare for the prevention activities the project will develop and review training and information materials in behaviour change communication. The project will provide training courses in diabetes prevention and behaviour change for NYSC corps members, school health and nutrition teachers, peer educators, social mobilisers and artisans associations. In order to introduce behaviour change with regard to healthy lifestyle and diabetes prevention, community awareness programmes will be rolled out through regular school sessions and community outreach, and followed up through bulk SMS messages. Behaviour change and healthy lifestyle will also be promoted through regular exercise and nutrition sessions in schools, artisan groups, communities and ‘Walk for Life’ / physical activity events. Screening for diabetes will be conducted at the awareness events by trained medical NYSC corps members and detected cases will be referred to government health facilities for diabetes treatment.
33 teachers, 211 National Youth Corps members, 186 executives of CSO/artisan groups and 115 social mobilizers/community volunteers trained in diabetes prevention.6,568 youth from 30 schools have enhanced their knowledge, attitude and practice in diabetes prevention.1,032 parent-teacher association members and 2,075 artisan group members have been reached with information through awareness activities.349,119 adults have been reached with information on diabetes prevention and behaviour change communication and through bulk SMS. 144 Community sensitisation and awareness activities were carried out through mosque meetings, Chief Palace meetings, church meetings and other community gatherings. Endline evaluation showed evidence of positive changes in both knowledge, attitude and practice regarding diabetes prevention in the target population.