Diabetes in Sub-Saharan Africa: Trends and Implications
Author Information
Author(s): Victoria Hall, Reimar W. Thomsen, Ole Henriksen, Nicolai Lohse
Hypothesis
What are the epidemiological trends and public health implications of diabetes in Sub-Saharan Africa from 1999 to 2011?
Conclusion
Diabetes poses a significant and increasing burden in Sub-Saharan Africa, with many patients facing challenges in accessing diagnosis and treatment.
Supporting Evidence
- Type 2 diabetes accounts for over 90% of diabetes cases in Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Population prevalence proportions ranged from 1% in rural Uganda to 12% in urban Kenya.
- Gestational diabetes prevalence varied from 0% in Tanzania to 9% in Ethiopia.
- Diabetes is likely to increase the risk of several important infections in the region.
- Five-year mortality proportions of patients with diabetes varied from 4-57%.
Takeaway
Diabetes is becoming a big problem in Africa, and many people don't even know they have it. We need to help them get the care they need.
Methodology
A systematic literature review of papers published on diabetes in Sub-Saharan Africa from 1999 to March 2011.
Potential Biases
Potential biases due to reliance on published studies and the exclusion of grey literature.
Limitations
The review may not capture all relevant studies, and many studies had small sample sizes or were hospital-based, limiting generalizability.
Participant Demographics
The review included diverse populations across Sub-Saharan Africa, with varying prevalence rates in urban and rural settings.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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