Executive Director of YOHAN Africa launches a project to tackle hypertension and diabetes among the elderly in Nigeria's rural communities.
Author:
Nzubechukwu Ogamba
Overview of SYN-X Project
Metabolic syndrome, also known as syndrome X, has been defined by the American Heart Association as a group of five risk factors that can lead to heart disease, diabetes, stroke and other health problems. Metabolic syndrome is diagnosed when someone has three or more of these conditions:
- Elevated blood glucose (sugar)
- Reduced levels of HDL (“good”) cholesterol in the blood
- Elevated levels of triglycerides in the blood
- Large waist circumference or “apple-shaped” body
- Elevated blood pressure
Diabetes and hypertension are the two most common non-communicable diseases suffered by the elderly population in Nigeria. The morbidity and mortality from these two diseases have been on the increase in the recent past in Nigeria and they often co-exist.
Over the years, the incidence of hypertension and diabetes has risen significantly, owing to various risk factors like advancing age, obesity, lifestyle, and poor dietary habits. Among non-communicable diseases, diabetes has become a significant problem in Sub-Saharan Africa, with Nigeria being the most affected country. It is expected that the total number of people living with diabetes will rise to 336 million by 2030, compared to 171 million in 2000. In contrast, the number of adults living with hypertension is expected to reach 1.56 billion people by 2025, representing an alarming 60% increase.
The SYN-X Project Strategies and Impact:
Syn-X project was launched with two projects in rural communities, Awhum in Enugu state and Owa-Alero in Delta state to help tackle this rising epidemic using the following strategies ;
Awareness Campaigns; This focuses on delivering basic information to the beneficiaries in the most effective manner using local dialects
Screening Exercise; Fasting blood sugar is checked, blood pressure and waist circumference measured and the data adequately kept for linkage to care and follow-up.
Consultations and Counseling; Health professionals answer individual questions and offer advice on lifestyle adjustment, adherence to medications and also pay attention to other comorbidities like peptic ulcer disease, arthritis etc.
Free Medications; Donated medications are dispensed to those who need them, this helps establish the need for medication adherence to the beneficiaries. Other medications to manage comorbidities are also dispensed.
Linkage to Care; The project is carried in in collaboration with the most accessible health facility, primary or secondary to ensure adequate continued care.
The project also aims to inculcate comprehensive capacity building where it is lacking in some of the communities.
Follow-up; In addition to this, a sustainability plan spanning 9-12 months to ensure enrolled participants are properly followed up, are adherent to medications and ultimately establish behavioural change.
182 elderly people have benefited from the project with an average point prevalence rate of 89% recorded for hypertension and 14% for elevated fasting blood sugar (diabetes) and with all participants who had high blood glucose also known to have hypertension.
Future Plans and Partnership
The project is proposed to continue in rural communities to increase access to health information, diagnosis, linkage to care and follow-up.
We are also investing in innovative ideas that can best improve the current picture.
The target is to reach 10,000 elderly individuals by 2025 in at least 15 communities in Nigeria.
Community leaders, health centers, philanthropists, non-governmental organizations, religious organizations, corporate bodies, other concerned individuals and organizations are encouraged to partner with YOHAN Africa to reduce the burden of these non-communicable diseases.
Key References
Fasanmade OA, Dagogo-Jack S. Diabetes Care in Nigeria. Annals of Global Health. 2015 Nov-Dec;81(6):821-9. doi: 10.1016/j.aogh.2015.12.012.
Wild S, Roglic G, Green A, Sicree R, King H. Global prevalence of diabetes: Estimates for the year 2000 and projections for 2030. Diabetes Care. 2004 May;27(5):1047-53. doi: 10.2337/diacare.27.5.1047.