Awareness regarding diabetes and its complications is alarmingly low in Uganda. It’s stated that 75% of people with diabetes in Uganda aren’t diagnosed. In order to reduce this high rate, it will be crucial to educate the common population about the complications of the disease and how to reduce the risk of development. The two targeted districts, Mbarara and Isingiro, are located in Western Uganda and have a total population of 900,000 people.The objective of the project is to implement primary prevention, regarding obesity and diabetes. A number of initiatives are made in order to reach this objective, but promotion of healthy lifestyle and education of diabetes at selected schools is among the important ones.
To secure high effectiveness there will be established a project monitoring group. Besides steering the project, this group will also prepare education, health promotions and awareness materials. To guide the project impact, an initial KAP-survey will be conducted.In order to reach the desired goals, the project activities includes the following:Training of teachers, parents and students (10-18 year old children) as educators and peers in basic concepts about diabetes. This is done on one-day training camps where educational materials and the training will be adapted to suit each group.Promotion of physical activity. Each school will be provided with basic sport equipment and video material. In addition, schools will be encouraged to build playgrounds.Furthermore there will be introduction of food gardens in school compounds. The locally grown food products are intended to encourage the school canteen staff in serving healthy foods, as well as to empower and mobilize communities to consume healthy food.Weekly health educations at schools by the trained educators will take place.Organization of six health camps (17 schools per camp) where students, teachers and parents can receive free health checks. Furthermore, free glucose screenings will be offered to teachers and parents. Selected students will be included in screening activities. Those who are diagnosed with diabetes will be referred to Mbarara Community Hospital.Besides the school related activities, there will be produced and broadcasted a series of educational TV and radio spots on diabetes prevention, risk factors and healthy lifestyle choices.
• 998 students, 400 parents and 392 teachers trained as peer educators in diabetes prevention• 19904 students sensitised on diabetes risk factors, signs and symptoms, complications and prevention• 1188 teachers sensitised on diabetes risk factors, signs and symptoms, complications and prevention• 3506 parents sensitised on diabetes risk factors, signs and symptoms, complications and prevention• School food gardens established in 100 schools • 750,000 people reached by TV programs, media campaign and other diabetes awareness activities• 7 reports published• 3 competitions at schools conducted• Base-line and end-line KAP surveys conducted showing substantial improvement in diabetes knowledge, increased daily vegetables and fruits consumption, increased daily physical activity