The Family and Diabetes
Diabetes is still a global health concern. Over 425 million people globally are living with Diabetes. More incredibly, 1 in 2 people currently living with Diabetes are undiagnosed. This undeniably underscores the need for increasing awareness, scaling up screening exercises and community sensitization about Diabetes
Sub-Saharan Africa, like the rest of the world, is experiencing an increasing prevalence of diabetes. Therefore, skewing efforts in the fight against Diabetes bearing of Africa will substantially make global gains along policy lines. This and next year's theme on Diabetes centers on integrating the roles of families in Diabetes care and prevention.
The role of family as a support entity cannot be underestimated. Studies show that ignoring the psychological needs which family plays a key role in, will not yield optimal health outcome. Again, in Africa, where patients attach lot of sensitivity and privacy to disease conditions also highlights the reason why families must be well oriented and incorporated in Diabetes care.
What can the family do in Diabetes Management?
Families are always encouraged to provide monetary support for relatives living with Diabetes. In Ghana and many parts of Africa, the cost of insulin injections, needles, glucose strips and daily Blood sugar monitoring consume half of a family's average disposable income.
Diabetes is not contagious- Families must be sensitized, and informed to decouple the stigma attached to diabetes which affects the physiological and psychological make-up of the patients leading to depressed immune system.
The family as an integral part of the treatment and support system plays a clinician role by frequently reminding patients to monitor their blood sugar, take their medications and help manage complications. Again, the family as a support system stays in the center as caregiver by assisting aged patients to access regular Hospital services. Sadly, in some instances, these old clients are neglected to suffer the various degrees of Diabetes Complications.
The HI Foundation Approach
Are we screening our pregnant women?
Research has shown that a significant number of pregnant women develop undiagnosed Gestational Diabetes and progresses further into Type II Diabetes.
What do we do?
Every Pregnant woman must check or demand to have her Blood sugar Checked during each Antenatal Attendance.
Prompt and Responsive management of Gestational Diabetes to prevent progression to Diabetes type 2.
Timeous checking of blood Sugar of mother and child immediately post-delivery.
Hospitals must make logistics available for the monitoring of blood Sugar of pregnant women.
Prevention/Treatment
Simple lifestyle measures are effective in preventing or delaying the onset of type 2 diabetes. We should:
- maintain healthy body weight;
- be physically active
- eat a healthy diet
- avoid tobacco use.
Early diagnosis can be accomplished through relatively inexpensive testing of blood sugar.
Treatment of diabetes involves diet and physical activity along with lowering blood glucose and the levels of other known risk factors that damage blood vessels. Tobacco use cessation is also important to avoid complications.
Interventions that are both cost-saving and feasible in developing countries include;
- blood glucose control, particularly in type 1 diabetes. People with type 1 diabetes require insulin, people with type 2 diabetes can be treated with oral medication, but may also require insulin;
- blood pressure control; and
- foot care.
Other cost saving interventions include:
- screening and treatment for retinopathy (which causes blindness);
- blood lipid control (to regulate cholesterol levels);
- screening for early signs of diabetes-related kidney disease and treatment.
LET'S STAY SAFE AND HEALTHY. KICK DIABETES OUT TODAY!
Contributors:
T.W.K Hinneh (BSN RN)
Patriot Ofori-Aning (BSN RN)
(WHO)
