A comparative study of the quality of care and glycemic control among ambulatory type 2 diabetes mellitus clients, at a Tertiary Referral Hospital and a Regional Hospital in Central Kenya

Effect of using mobile phone communication on dietary management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus patients in Kenya

Purpose

Advancements in management of non-communicable diseases using regular reminders on lifestyle and dietary behaviors have been effectively achieved using mobile phones. This study evaluates the effects of regular communication using a mobile phone on dietary management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) among patients attending Kitui County Referral Hospital (KCRH) in Kenya.

Methods

Pre/post-study design among eligible and consenting T2DM patients visiting KCRH was used for this study. One hundred and thirty-eight T2DM patients were enrolled; 67 in the intervention group (IG) and 71 in the control group (CG). The IG received regular reminders on key dietary practices through their mobile phones for six months while the CG did not. The Net Effect of Intervention (NEI) and bivariate logistic regression were used to determine the impact of mobile phone communication intervention at p < 0.05. SPSS version 24 was used to analyze the data.

Results

The results revealed an increase of respondents who adhered to the meal plan in the IG from 47.8% to 59.7% compared to a decrease from 49.3% to 45.1% in CG with corresponding NEI increasing (16.1%) significantly (p < 0.05). The proportion of respondents with an increased frequency of meals increased from 41.8 to 47.8% in the IG compared to a reduction from 52.1% to 45.1% in the CG with corresponding NEI increasing (13.0%) significantly (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Regular reminders on lifestyle and dietary behaviors using mobile phone communication improved adherence to dietary practices such as meal planning and frequency of meals in the management of T2DM.

Glycemic control and its association with sleep quality and duration among type 2 diabetic patients

Background

Poor glycemic control is the current most important tragedy in type 2 diabetic patients. Sleep has a major modulatory effect on endocrine and metabolic function. Sleep disturbance is associated with increased circulating cortisol levels, sympathetic activity, and epinephrine secretion. These physiological conditions are directly or indirectly associated with glucose metabolism in our body cells. In Ethiopia, sleep pattern association with glycemic control level is not studied yet.

Objectives

To assess glycemic control and its association with sleep quality, sleep duration and napping among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Felege Hiwot Comprehensive Referral and Specialized Hospital Northwest Ethiopia.

Method

An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 407 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients from July 1, 2020, to April 28, 2021, using a systematic random sampling technique. We drew 5 mL of blood from each patient before breakfast to determine their fasting blood sugar level. The Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index was used to assess patients' sleep quality, and the presence or absence of Obstructive Sleep Apnea was determined using the STOP-BANG questionnaire. Data were analysed using STATA version 14.1.variables with a P-value of <0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results

Glycemic control was found to be poor in 54.05% of the study participants. Female sex, poor sleep quality, and short and long sleep durations were all significantly associated with impaired glycemic control. Being female increased the odds of poor glycemic control by 2.7 times (AOR = 2.7, 95% CI: 1.23, 6.15) compared to males. T2DM patients who had poor sleep quality had 3.3 times (AOR = 3.3, 95% CI (1.16, 9.37) higher odds of poor glycemic control compared to patients who had good sleep quality. The odds of having poor glycemic control among T2DM patients who were at low risk of OSA and intermediate risk of OSA were decreased by 96% (AOR = 0.03, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.12) and 86% (AOR = 0.14, 95% CI: 0.05, 0.43) compared to T2DM patients who were at high risk of OSA, respectively. T2DM patients who had short sleep duration (<6 hours) were 8.3 times (AOR = 8.3, 95% CI: 2.66-25.85) higher chances of poor glycemic control compared to patients who had average sleep duration. T2DM patients who had long sleep duration (>8 hours) increased the odds of poor glycemic control by 2.6 times (AOR = 2.6, 95% CI (1.12-6.04) compared to those who had average sleep duration. The chances of having poor glycemic control among T2DM patients who did not take the balanced diet recommended by their physician were increased by 3.8 times (AOR = 3.8 95% CI: 1.05-13.77).

Conclusion

The prevalence of poor glycemic control in T2DM patients was high. Poor sleep quality, both short and long sleep duration, and an intermediate or low risk of obstructive sleep apnea were statistically associated with poor glycemic control. Hence, good sleep quality and appropriate sleep duration are recommended to maintain glycemic control levels in the normal range.

Glycaemic control among type 2 diabetes patients in sub-Saharan Africa from 2012 to 2022: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

There is an increased burden of diabetes globally including in sub-Saharan Africa. The literature shows that glycaemic control among type 2 diabetes patients is poor in most countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Understanding the factors influencing glycaemic control in this region is therefore important to develop interventions to optimize glycaemic control. We carried out a systematic review to determine the prevalence and factors associated with glycaemic control in sub-Saharan Africa to inform the development of a glycaemic control framework in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

METHODS

We searched five databases (African Index Medicus, Africa-Wide Information, Global Health, PubMed, and Web of Science) using the following search terms: type-2 diabetes, glycaemic control, and sub-Saharan Africa. Only peer-reviewed articles from January 2012 to May 2022 were eligible for this review. Two reviewers, independently, selected articles, assessed their methodological quality using Joanna Briggs checklists, and extracted data. A meta-analysis was performed to estimate the prevalence of glycaemic control. Factors associated with glycaemic control were presented as a narrative synthesis due to heterogeneity as assessed by the I².

RESULTS

A total of 74 studies, involving 21,133 participants were included in the review. The pooled prevalence of good glycaemic control was 30% (95% CI:27.6-32.9). The glycaemic control prevalence ranged from 10-60%. Younger and older age, gender, lower income, absence of health insurance, low level of education, place of residence, family history of diabetes, longer duration of diabetes, pill burden, treatment regimen, side effects, use of statins or antihypertensives, alcohol consumption, smoking, presence of comorbidities/complications, and poor management were associated with poor glycaemic control. On the other hand, positive perceived family support, adequate coping strategies, high diabetes health literacy, dietary adherence, exercise practice, attendance to follow-up, and medication adherence were associated with good glycaemic control.

CONCLUSION

Suboptimal glycaemic control is pervasive among patients with type-2 diabetes in sub-Saharan Africa and poses a significant public health challenge. While urgent interventions are required to optimize glycaemic control in this region, these should consider sociodemographic, lifestyle, clinical, and treatment-related factors. This systematic review and meta-analysis protocol is registered in PROSPERO under CRD 42021237941.

Non-Dietary Factors Associated with Glycemic Status among Adults Diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Malawi

We assessed glycemic status and associations with socio-demographic, biomedical, anthropometric, and physical activity (PA) levels among adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) (n = 428; urban n = 288; semi-urban n = 140) using a cross-sectional study. Multivariate linear regression was used to determine factors associated with glycosylated hemoglobin (A1C) . A1C was clinically elevated ≥8% for 60.3% of the participants. Overall, age and PA levels showed a negative association with A1C, and positively with underweight status, duration of diabetes, and participants' view of fluctuating/unstable blood glucose and blood glucose not improved compared to first diagnosed. A significant negative association with A1C was shown with PA levels and additional blood glucose monitoring (BGM) beyond that received at the public clinic in the urban area. Whilst, in the semi-urban area, there was a significant positive association with A1C with regards to duration of diabetes and insulin regimen. Determinants of A1C in this target group are multifactorial, therefore, interventions aiming to improve diabetes clinical outcomes are needed to reduce the likelihood of serious ramifications. Additionally, a team approach from healthcare professionals is needed in conjunction with active patient engagement as well as the development of more comprehensive diabetes care guidelines and policies.

Transfer of primary care patients receiving chronic care: the next step in the continuum of care

The burden of chronic conditions is increasing rapidly in low- and middle-income countries. Chronic conditions require long-term and continuous care, including for patients transferring between facilities. Patient transfer is particularly important in the context of health service decentralization, which has led to increasing numbers of primary care facilities at which patients can access care, and high levels of migration, which suggest that patients might require care at multiple facilities. This article provides a critical review of existing evidence regarding transfer of stable patients receiving primary care for chronic conditions. Patient transfer has received limited consideration in people living with HIV, with growing concern that patients who transfer are at risk of poor outcomes; this appears similar for people with TB, although studies are few. There are minimal data on transfer of patients with non-communicable diseases, including diabetes. Patient transfer for chronic conditions has thus received surprisingly little attention from researchers; considering the potential risks, more research is urgently required regarding reasons for and outcomes of transfers, transfer processes and interventions to optimize transfers, for different chronic conditions. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of health systems to facilitate successful transfers, and this issue requires increased attention from researchers and policy-makers.

Mitigating The Burden Of Diabetes In Sub-Saharan Africa Through An Integrated Diagonal Health Systems Approach

Diabetes is a chronic non-communicable disease (NCD) presenting growing health and economic burdens in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Diabetes is unique due to its cross-cutting nature, impacting multiple organ systems and increasing the risk for other communicable and non-communicable diseases. Unfortunately, the quality of care for diabetes in SSA is poor, largely due to a weak disease management framework and fragmented health systems in most sub-Saharan African countries. We argue that by synergizing disease-specific vertical programs with system-specific horizontal programs through an integrated disease-system diagonal approach, we can improve access, quality, and safety of diabetes care programs while also supporting other chronic diseases. We recommend utilizing the six World Health Organization (WHO) health system building blocks - 1) leadership and governance, 2) financing, 3) health workforce, 4) health information systems, 5) supply chains, and 6) service delivery - as a framework to design a diagonal approach with a focus on health system strengthening and integration to implement and scale quality diabetes care. We discuss the successes and challenges of this approach, outline opportunities for future care programming and research, and highlight how this approach can lead to the improvement in the quality of care for diabetes and other chronic diseases across SSA.

Medication adherence and factors associated with poor adherence among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients on follow-up at Kenyatta National Hospital, Kenya

INTRODUCTION

Medication non-adherence is a common problem facing health care providers treating adult type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Poor glycaemic control associated with increased morbidity and mortality are resulting consequences. The objective of this study was to assess medication adherence among Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study conducted at Kenyatta National Hospital from November 2015 to January 2016. 290 Type 2 diabetic patients were enrolled. A questionnaire was used for data collection. Adherence levels were determined by patient scores on Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-8 and glycaemic control by blood assay for glycosylated haemoglobin. Ordinal logistic regression modelling was done using STATA software to determine factors associated with poor medication adherence.

RESULTS

The prevalence of medication adherence low for 28.3 % [95% CI: 23.1, 33.5], medium for 26.2% (95% CI: 21.1, 31.3) and high for 45.5% (95% CI: 39.6, 51.3) of study participants. Glycaemic control was good (HbA1c < 7%) for 107 (36.9 %) of study participants. Dissatisfaction with family members support (OR = 2.99, CI = 1.12-7.98), patients with 2-10 years duration of disease (OR = 2.07, CI = 1.01-4.22), ever being admitted for diabetes mellitus (OR = 2.94, CI = 1.60-5.41), challenge in drug access (OR = 1.76, CI = 1.01-3.05) and dissatisfaction with attending clinicians (OR = 3.58, CI= 1.36 - 9.43) were factors found associated with poor medication adherence.

CONCLUSION

A majority of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients have suboptimal medication adherence. Family support, affordability of medications and good healthcare provider-patient communication are important in ensuring medication adherence.

Cost of diabetes mellitus in Africa: a systematic review of existing literature

Background

There is an increasing recognition that non communicable diseases impose large economic costs on households, societies and nations. However, not much is known about the magnitude of diabetes expenditure in African countries and to the best of our knowledge no systematic assessment of the literature on diabetes costs in Africa has been conducted. The aim of this paper is to capture the evidence on the cost of diabetes in Africa, review the methods used to calculate costs and identify areas for future research.

Methods

A desk search was conducted in Pubmed, Medline, Embase, and Science direct as well as through other databases, namely Google Scholar. The following eligibility criteria were used: peer reviewed English articles published between 2006 and 2016, articles that reported original research findings on the cost of illness in diabetes, and studies that covered at least one African country. Information was extracted using two data extraction sheets and results organized in tables. Costs presented in the studies under review are converted to 2015 international dollars prices (I$).

Results

Twenty six articles are included in this review. Annual national direct costs of diabetes differed between countries and ranged from I$3.5 billion to I$4.5 billion per annum. Indirect costs per patient were generally higher than the direct costs per patient of diabetes. Outpatient costs varied by study design, data source, perspective and healthcare cost categories included in the total costs calculation. The most commonly included healthcare items were drug costs, followed by diagnostic costs, medical supply or disposable costs and consultation costs. In studies that reported both drug costs and total costs, drug costs took a significant portion of the total costs per patient. The highest burden due to the costs associated with diabetes was reported in individuals within the low income group.

Conclusion

Estimation of the costs associated with diabetes is crucial to make progress towards meeting the targets laid out in Sustainable Development Goal 3 set for 2030. The studies included in this review show that the presence of diabetes leads to elevated costs of treatment which further increase in the presence of complications. The cost of drugs generally contributed the most to total direct costs of treatment. Various methods are used in the estimation of diabetes healthcare costs and the costs estimated between countries differ significantly. There is room to improve transparency and make the methodologies used standard in order to allow for cost comparisons across studies.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12992-017-0318-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Adequacy of control of cardiovascular risk factors in ambulatory patients with type 2 diabetes attending diabetes out-patients clinic at a county hospital, Kenya

BACKGROUND

Type 2 diabetes is associated with substantial cardiovascular morbidity and mortality arising from the high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, dyslipidaemia, obesity, poor glycaemic control and albuminuria. Adequacy of control of these risk factors determines the frequency and outcome of cardiovascular events in the patients. Current clinical practice guidelines emphasize primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetes. There is scarce data from the developing countries, Kenya included, on clinical care of patients with type 2 diabetes in the regions that are far away from tertiary health facilities. So we determined the adequacy of control of the modifiable risk factors: glycaemic control, hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity and albuminuria in the study patients from rural and peri-urban dwelling.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study on 385 randomly selected ambulatory patients with type 2 diabetes without overt complications. They were on follow up for at least 6 months at the Out-patient diabetes clinic of Nyeri County Hospital, a public health facility located in the central region of Kenya.

RESULTS

Females were 65.5%. The study subjects had a mean duration of diabetes of 9.4 years, IQR of 3.0-14 years. Their mean age was 63.3 years, IQR of 56-71 years. Only 20.3% of our subjects had simultaneous optimal control of the three (3) main cardiovascular risk factors of hypertension, high LDL-C and hyperglycaemia at the time of the study. The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors were as follows: HbA1c above 7% was 60.5% (95% CI, 55.6-65.5), hypertension, 49.6% of whom 76.6% (95% CI, 72.5-80.8) were poorly controlled. High LDL-Cholesterol above 2.0 mmol/L was found in 77.1% (95% CI 73.0-81.3) and Albuminuria occurred in 32.7% (95% CI 27.8-37.4). The prevalence of the other habits with cardiovascular disease risk were: excess alcohol intake at 26.5% (95% CI 27.8-37.4) and cigarette-smoking at 23.6%. A modest 23.4% of the treated patients with hypertension attained target blood pressure of <140/90 mmHg. Out of a paltry 12.5% of the statin-treated patients and others not actively treated, only 22.9% had LDL-Cholesterol of target <2.0 mmol/L. There were no obvious socio-demographic and clinical determinants of poor glycaemic control. However, old age above 50 yrs., longer duration with diabetes above 5 yrs. and advanced stages of CKD were significantly associated with hypertension. Female gender and age, statin non-use and socio-economic factor of employment were the significant determinants of high levels of serum LDL-cholesterol.

CONCLUSION

The majority of the study patients attending this government-funded health facility had high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors that were inadequately controlled. Therefore patients with type 2 diabetes should be risk-stratified by their age, duration of diabetes and cardiovascular risk factor loading. Consequently, composite risk factor reduction strategies are needed in management of these patients to achieve the desired targets safely. This would be achieved through innovative care systems and modes of delivery which would translate into maximum benefit of primary cardiovascular disease prevention in those at high risk. It is a desirable quality objective to have a higher proportion of the patients who access care benefiting maximally more than the numbers we are achieving now.