BackgroundThe major efficacy trials on diabetes prevention have used resource-intensive approaches to identify high-risk individuals and deliver lifestyle interventions. Such strategies are not feasible for wider implementation in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a peer-support lifestyle intervention in preventing type 2 diabetes among high-risk individuals identified on the basis of a simple diabetes risk score.Methods and findingsThe Kerala Diabetes Prevention Program was a cluster-randomized controlled trial conducted in 60 polling areas (clusters) of Neyyattinkara taluk (subdistrict) in Trivandrum district, Kerala state, India. Participants (age 30–60 years) were those with an Indian Diabetes Risk Score (IDRS) ≥60 and were free of diabetes on an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). A total of 1,007 participants (47.2% female) were enrolled (507 in the control group and 500 in the intervention group). Participants from intervention clusters participated in a 12-month community-based peer-support program comprising 15 group sessions (12 of which were led by trained lay peer leaders) and a range of community activities to support lifestyle change. Participants from control clusters received an education booklet with lifestyle change advice. The primary outcome was the incidence of diabetes at 24 months, diagnosed by an annual OGTT. Secondary outcomes were behavioral, clinical, and biochemical characteristics and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). A total of 964 (95.7%) participants were followed up at 24 months. Baseline characteristics of clusters and participants were similar between the study groups. After a median follow-up of 24 months, diabetes developed in 17.1% (79/463) of control participants and 14.9% (68/456) of intervention participants (relative risk [RR] 0.88, 95% CI 0.66–1.16, p = 0.36). At 24 months, compared with the control group, intervention participants had a greater reduction in IDRS score (mean difference: −1.50 points, p = 0.022) and alcohol use (RR 0.77, p = 0.018) and a greater increase in fruit and vegetable intake (≥5 servings/day) (RR 1.83, p = 0.008) and physical functioning score of the HRQoL scale (mean difference: 3.9 score, p = 0.016). The cost of delivering the peer-support intervention was US$22.5 per participant. There were no adverse events related to the intervention. We did not adjust for multiple comparisons, which may have increased the overall type I error rate.ConclusionsA low-cost community-based peer-support lifestyle intervention resulted in a nonsignificant reduction in diabetes incidence in this high-risk population at 24 months. However, there were significant improvements in some cardiovascular risk factors and physical functioning score of the HRQoL scale.Trial registrationAustralia and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12611000262909.

Background & objective Noncommunicable Disease (NCD) risk factors are on the rise and often linked to the adoption of modern lifestyles. This study explores NCD risk factors in a rapidly modernising indigenous population in Kerala, the Kani tribe. Methods A representative sample of 298 adults of the Kani tribe in Thiruvananthapuram district was studied using the WHO stepwise framework for surveillance of NCD risk factors. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariable analysis were done using the R statistical package. Results Prevalence of hypertension (48.3%), use of tobacco (81.5%) and alcohol consumption (36.2%) were found to be higher in the Kani tribe compared to the general population in Kerala. Abdominal obesity (22.1%) is found to be higher in Kani tribes compared to other tribal groups in India. The physical inactivity level (9.7%) was similar to urban Kerala and higher than many other tribes in India. Hypertension was scientifically associated (p < 0.05) with higher age, male sex, low education levels, and tobacco intake among them. On multivariable analysis, age and alcohol consumption were found to be the prominent risk factors for hypertension and high education level was found to be a protective factor. Conclusion The major modifiable NCD risk factors were found to be higher among the people of the Kani tribe compared to the general population in Kerala. Physical inactivity level was comparable to urban Kerala, and obesity rates were higher than many other tribal communities in India. The findings warrants targeted action in these vulnerable communities for effective control of the noncommunicable epidemic.