Abstract

IntroductionThere is an increasing commitment in the African Region towards diabetes care, following acknowledgement that it is an important public health issue which needs to be addressed in order to improve population health. We conducted a situational analysis of diabetes care in Guinea Bissau in order to identify the main issues faced in the management of the disease in this country.MethodsThe study design was qualitative and data collection was done using semi directive interviews and focus groups with participants involved in primary diabetes care and management in Guinea Bissau (health care professionals, non-governmental organization staff, traditional healers) and patients. The data was analyzed using the five-phase approach of the thematic analysis framework.ResultsThe major themes identified included: the lack of specialists and properly trained healthcare personnel; no standardized care protocol for diagnosis, treatment, follow up and proper management for diabetic patients; resources poor primary health care settings; no validated epidemiological dataset on prevalence and the lack of awareness about diabetes (in general population and also in medical staff).ConclusionThis first situational analysis can serve as a baseline to develop an action plan to address the main issues identified.

Highlights

  • A fast change in the demographic status, the socio-cultural lifestyle as well as financial transitions have become the drivers for rising numbers of diabetes mellitus (DM) cases within the sub-Saharan African region [1,2]

  • That is the case of Guinea Bissau, a country characterized by a resource poor health system [5]

  • Each issue has a detrimental impact on the other issues and result in the poor quality of diabetes care that is prevalent in Guinea Bissau today

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Summary

Introduction

A fast change in the demographic status, the socio-cultural lifestyle as well as financial transitions have become the drivers for rising numbers of diabetes mellitus (DM) cases within the sub-Saharan African region [1,2]. That is the case of Guinea Bissau, a country characterized by a resource poor health system [5]. There is an increasing commitment in the country towards diabetes care, following acknowledgement that it is an important public health issue which needs to be addressed in order to improve population health. We decided to conduct a situational analysis of diabetes care in Guinea Bissau with the aim of determining what factors need to be addressed before planning and designing an effective intervention. This research study was developed based on the work experience of the researchers who wish to design an evidence-based intervention which will be viable in the particular, resource and manpower poor setting of health care in Guinea Bissau

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Conclusion

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