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YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT DIABETES AWARENESS CAMPAIGN

The incidence of obesity and diabetes is increasing globally and particularly in developing countries. Currently, an estimated 415 million people suffer from the disease globally and this number has been predicted to about 642 million by the year 2040. In the UK, 1 in 16 people suffer from diabetes (diagnosed or undiagnosed) and about 4 million people currently live with the disease (Diabetes UK, 2016). In the United States of America, 30.3 million (or 9.4% of the population) live with diabetes as at 2015. Due to increasing effects of factors such as poor healthcare facilities, poverty, genetics and infltration of Western culture, it has been predicted that 76% of people living with the disease will be living in developing countries by the year 2030. Record keeping in many of these countries is poor and proper estimation of the incidence of the disease in many of these countries is difficult. Available records via the World Health Organization and International Diabetes Federation confirm the increasing incidence of the disease in many developing countries. For instance, the incidence of the disease in Nigeria increased 0.4% in 1971 to 2.2% in 1992 and to 3.9% by 2010. The incidence in other African countries such as Kenya, Zimbabwe, Ghana and South Africa is similar to what is obtainable in Nigeria. 

As the incidence of the disease is increasing, so are the associated cost of managing the disease and other social effects. The total cost (direct care and indirect cost) cost of managing the disease in the UK is about 10% of the total cost of healthcare in the country, amounting to about £23.7 billion. As at 2012, the total cost of managing diagnosed diabetes in the USA was $245 billion. South Africa, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Nigeria and Ghana have also been reported as the top five countries in Africa with the highest cost of managing diabetes (IDF, 2009). Mortality arising from the disease is also increasing globally. 

 

As part of global efforts addressing this problem, BREAC is collaborating with government institutions, the private sector and other stakeholders to promote the awareness of diabetes across Africa and the United Kingdom. We are also collecting empirical data on the aetiology and management of the disease in communities across Africa.

 

The first phase of the campaign exercise was carried out in Ilorin and Eruwa communities in South West Nigeria on the 11th and 25th of July, 2016 respectively. These campaigns were sponsored by an Impact Grant Awarded by University of East London, Stratford, United Kingdom reached over 500,000 residents of Ilorin and Ibarapa districts with basic and essential information on the development, treatment and prevention of diabetes. The success of the initial campaign motivated the University of East London to provide additional funding, via its Community Engagement programme, for campaign targetted at people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic groups living in London. Camopaign events have been held in Barking, Stratford, Dagenham and Romford area in London. Below are pictures from our various campaign events. 

BREAC continues to seek partners for this project. Contact admin@breacnigeria.org to donate towards this project and recieve a copy of the book, Diabetes: Basic and Essential Information written by Dr. Opeolu Ojo. Follow us on facebook for more details on our campaign train

Campaign activities includes:

  • Interractive (phone-in) campaign on local radio 

  • Distribution of campaign booklets and flyers containing basic information on the development, treatment and prevention of diabetes

  • Publication of articles on diabetes in local newspapers

  • Visit to primary and secondary schools to address students and inaugurate health clubs

  • Screening of members of selected communities for risk factors of obesity and diabetes

 

Diabetes Awareness Campaign in Eruwa and Ilorin Communities, July 11- 25, 2016

 

 

Diabetes Awareness Campaign at the University of East London, Stratford, UK, March 1, 2017 

 

 

Diabetes Awareness Campaign at Romford, March 13, 2017

 

Click here to read media coverage of the Romford Campaign by Romford Recorder Newspaper.

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