A diabetic patient gets their blood sugar tested using a sugar monitor Syed zakir Hossain/Dhaka Tribune
Two out of every three persons over 30 years do not know about diabetes although almost a third of the population of that age group are either diabetics or on their way to becoming one
Sumi Begum from the Poradiya village of the Nagarkanda sub-district in Faridpur was among the millions who cannot tell if they are diabetic. Thanks to a project called D-Magic, however, the 50-year old is convinced about the benefits of a well maintained routine and healthy lifestyle.
Sumi says she never knew about the causes of diabetes; let alone how to reduce the chances of becoming a diabetic. “But we learned about it after the D-Magic project came to our village.” She said although it was a little difficult initially, the project interventions later helped everyone move forward.
Two out of every three persons over 30 years do not know about diabetes although almost a third of the population of that age group are either diabetics or on their way to becoming one, found a study by Bangladesh D-Magic (Diabetes Mellitus Action through Groups or Information for better Control).
The Bangladesh D-Magic trial was conducted between July 2015 and June 2018, under the Perinatal Care Project (PCP), - a collaboration of research work between the Diabetic Association of Bangladesh (BADAS) and the Institute for Global Health of University College London, UK.
The D-Magic study was conducted in 96 villages of four sub-districts in Faridpur (Boalmari, Madhukhali, Saltha and Nagarkanda) covering 125,000 people to identify the prevalence of diabetes and intermediate hyperglycemia (pre-diabetes) among people of 30 years and above. The study also observed any reduction in the prevalence of diabetes among participants through a participatory learning and action (PLA) which is a community mobilization intervention, as well as a health promotion and awareness intervention.
The baseline result of the survey shows that among the 12,280 participants – 10.15% were found to have diabetes while 20.25% had intermediate hyperglycemia.
Subsequently, there was a substantial reduction of diabetes among the participants of 32 villages where participatory community group meetings had been conducted. The results of the study are set to be published in the renowned journal Lancet later this month.
Director of Centre for Global Non-communicable Diseases at the University College London, Dr Edward Forttrell said the study had found “very limited knowledge and understanding” although about one in every three adults is pre-diabetic or diabetic.
He said, “Three out of every four persons are unaware about their diabetic status. But the monthly community meetings brought about some change with the motivation of our intervention teams.”
Professor of Global Health and Sustainable Development at University College London, Anthony Costello said that the interventions were successful in India. “Then why not in Bangladesh?” he said. If India can do it, then Bangladesh will certainly make it possible, he said.
