Developing countries worldwide are witnessing a significant increase in the prevalence of diabetes and other non-communicable diseases. In Bangladesh, the estimated number of adults with diabetes is 3 million. Diabetes is associated with substantial socio-economic costs in all societies, with a particularly pronounced impact on resource-constrained countries such as Bangladesh. Given the cost-effectiveness of prevention and early diabetes management, a strategy focusing on these elements could prove invaluable in reducing the disease burden.Nutrition plays a crucial role in the prevention and early management of diabetes. Despite efforts to improve the nutritional status of the Bangladeshi population, most nutritional programs have fallen short. One key reason for this failure is the need for more specific community-centred designs and a failure to consider the population's chemical-biological, socio-economic, and cultural realities.The project's primary goal is to develop culturally sensitive educational tools and strategies to promote better nutrition among the general population in Bangladesh.
The Biomedical Research Group of BIRDEM, the central institute of the Diabetic Association of Bangladesh, in collaboration with the Research Department of Human Nutrition at the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Copenhagen, Denmark, has generated substantial data related to the chemical, biological, and socio-cultural aspects of nutrition concerning the Bangladeshi population and society.The project aims to translate this nutritional data into practical tools for influencing the nutritional intake of at-risk groups and people with diabetes.The project adopts a three-pronged approach:1. Data Compilation: Bio-medical and socio-cultural teams will collate existing data and generate new data across all relevant fields.2. Tool Development: In collaboration with specialist companies, a team will create promotional tools and strategies to enhance the nutritional status of the Bangladeshi population. These tools include TV and radio broadcasts, posters, calendars, billboards, caps, stickers, and more.3. Pilot Study: The tools and strategies developed will be piloted in 20 hospitals and healthcare facilities, enrolling a minimum of 20,000 patients. The tools and strategies developed in this project are expected to serve as guidelines for other developing countries with similar cultural and socio-economic realities.
- Nutrition education has been provided (by group and individual sessions) to 15061 diabetic patients and their family members using the tools developed through the Project.- Awareness/Promotional, Advocacy, Campaigns have been conducted through printed/electronic media, seminars/symposia among health care professionals, organizers and opinion leaders.- 3 training sessions had been arranged for health professionals: 337 classes were arranged for diabetic subjects and a series of dissemination seminars for health professionals were held in 9 major district level cities around the whole country.- A good volume of biological and socioeconomic data was generated to enrich the existing body of knowledge on local nutritional issues.