Type 2 diabetes mellitus management among Ghanaian migrants resident in three European countries and their compatriots in rural and urban Ghana – The RODAM study. (February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bijlholt, Margriet; Meeks, Karlijn A.C.; Beune, Erik; Addo, Juliet; Smeeth, Liam; Schulze, Matthias B.; Danquah, Ina; Galbete, Cecilia; de-Graft Aikins, Ama; Klipstein-Grobusch, Kerstin; Owusu-Dabo, Ellis; Spranger, Joachim; Mockenhaupt, Frank P.; Amoah, Stephen K.; Bahendeka, Silver; Stronks, Karien; Agyemang, Charles
• Is Part Of: Diabetes research and clinical practice. Volume 136(2018)
• Page Start: 32
• Page End: 38
• Publication Date: 2018-02
• Subjects: Type 2 diabetes mellitus -- Ethnic minority groups -- Migrants -- Ghana -- Sub-Saharan Africans -- RODAM study; Diabetes -- Periodicals; Diabetes Mellitus -- Periodicals; 616.462
• DOI: 10.1016/j.diabres.2017.11.032
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0168-8227

Abstract

Highlights: T2D management outcomes among Ghanaians differ between geographical locations. European and urban Ghanaians are more often aware of their T2D status. Similarly, European and urban Ghanaians are more often treated for T2D. However, T2D control is lower in London and urban Ghana compared to other sites. Abstract: Aims: To compare Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) awareness, treatment and control between Ghanaians resident in Ghana and Europe. Methods: Comparisons were made for the 530 participants of the Research on Obesity and Diabetes among African Migrants (RODAM) study with T2DM (25–70 years) living in Amsterdam, Berlin, London, urban Ghana and rural Ghana. We used logistic regression to assess disparities with adjustment for age, sex and education. Results: T2DM awareness was 51% in rural Ghana. This was lower than levels in Europe ranging from 73% in London (age-sex adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 2.7; 95%CI = 1.2–6.0) to 79% in Amsterdam (OR = 4.7; 95%CI = 2.3–9.6). T2DM treatment was also lower in rural Ghana (37%) than in urban Ghana (56%; OR = 2.6; 95%CI = 1.3–5.3) and European sites ranging from 67% in London (OR = 3.4; 95%CI = 1.5–7.5) to 73% in Berlin (OR = 6.9; 95%CI = 2.9–16.4). In contrast, T2DM control in rural Ghana (63%) was comparable to Amsterdam and Berlin, but higher than in London (40%; OR = 0.4; 95%CI = 0.2–0.9) and urban Ghana (28%; OR = 0.3; 95%CI = 0.1–0.6). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that improved detection and treatment of T2DM in rural Ghana, and improved control for people with diagnosed T2DM in London and urban Ghana warrant prioritization. Further work is needed to understand the factors driving the differences.