Community awareness of diet needs associated with hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus in Hatcliffe, Zimbabwe

Abstract

BackgroundDiet is an important modifiable risk factor for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like hypertension (HTN) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A NCD is a disease that cannot be transmitted from person to person. Dietary risk factors account for 5.8% of all-cause mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). There has been an increase in the consumption of ‘westernized ‘diets in SSA. The westernized diets consumed in low-income countries are usually high in salt content, fatty, processed and fast foods; and hence accelerate the development of HTN and T2DM. Previous studies carried out in Zimbabwe showed low levels of knowledge and awareness of HTN and T2DM; and the dietary needs for patients with those conditions. The aim of this study was to explore the dietary habits and awareness of HTN and T2DM of both males and females in a high-density area (HDA) of Zimbabwe.MethodsWe conducted household-based cross-sectional study in a high density area of Hatcliffe, which has a population of close to 50,000 residents. Face to face interviews were conducted using hand-held mobile devices loaded with KoBo Toolbox. We selected two consenting adults, a male and female, from every fourth household in selected areas of Hatcliffe.ResultsIn this study all the 492 participants that were interviewed responded. Eighty eight point 6% (88.6%) of the participants in the study did not know if they were hypertensive or not. In addition, 91.7% of the participants had never voluntarily checked for hypertension. Similarly, 97.6% of the participants did not know if they had T2DM or not. Ninety eight percent (98%) of the participants had not voluntarily checked their blood glucose level.ConclusionsThe majority of the participants in the study were not aware if they had HTN or T2DM. The participants in the study perceived that the salt they consume is the right quantity. There is a high consumption of vegetable oil in most meals prepared.

The Nexus Between Adherence to Recommended Lifestyle Behaviors and Blood Pressure Control in Hypertensive Patients at Mutare Provincial Hospital, Zimbabwe: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…37 Thus, the economic situation might have masked the true picture in terms of the actual connection between adherence to diet and hypertension control which was noted to be poor in another local study. 38 Despite the relationship between fat intake and BP control not being statistically significant, nearly seven in every 10 of the participants never/rarely consumed food with saturated fats like deep fat fried food, while 49% never consumed boiled meat with high-fat content and 93% rarely/never ate from fast-food outlets or restaurants in this study. This concurs with a study conducted in Ethiopia, where almost all participants rarely or never consumed food that contained high saturated fat.…”

“… 37 Thus, the economic situation might have masked the true picture in terms of the actual connection between adherence to diet and hypertension control which was noted to be poor in another local study. 38 …”

Association Between Nursing Discussions, Resilience, Workplace Social Support and Burnout: A Quantitative Study in Japan

“…18 In addition, our previous cross-sectional study targeting the same group of participants found an association between resilience and social support and burnout. 6 Previous studies have found a positive association between resilience and social support among nurses 19 but, although decline in social support during the COVID-19 crisis is considered a risk factor for nurse burnout, 20 there is little research that looks at these factors together; namely, resilience intervention, social support, and nurse burnout. In particular, when addressing burnout in the COVID-19 pandemic, the utilization of online interventions can help prevent face-to-face droplet infection and contact transmission.…”

Non-communicable diseases among people living with HIV at Chitungwiza central hospital in Zimbabwe.

“…A three-fold increase in reported cases of diabetes occurred during the 1990s in Zimbabwe [44]. In Zimbabwe, lifestyle changes caused by urbanisation and the westernisation of diets have been contributing to increases in Type 2 diabetes [45]. Development of combined antiretroviral therapy has led to the increase in the life span of PLHIV with treatment, similar to the expected age of the general population.…”

“…With longevity, however, PLHIV are developing other chronic medical conditions, and one of these chronic comorbidities is diabetes mellitus [46]. Lifestyle-related risk factors which account for about 5.8% of all-cause mortality in sub-Saharan Africa are modifiable, unlike genetic-related risk factors [45]. Thus, the identified risk factors associated with the development of diabetes in PLHIV that are similar to persons without HIV, such as older age, heredity, higher Body Mass Index [BMI], higher triglyceride and hypertension.…”