title: Diabetes in sub-Saharan Africa.
abstract: In Sub-Saharan Africa, prevalence and burden of type 2 diabetes are rising quickly. Rapid uncontrolled urbanisation and major changes in lifestyle could be driving this epidemic. The increase presents a substantial public health and socioeconomic burden in the face of scarce resources. Some types of diabetes arise at younger ages in African than in European populations. Ketosis-prone atypical diabetes is mostly recorded in people of African origin, but its epidemiology is not understood fully because data for pathogenesis and subtypes of diabetes in sub-Saharan African communities are scarce. The rate of undiagnosed diabetes is high in most countries of sub-Saharan Africa, and individuals who are unaware they have the disorder are at very high risk of chronic complications. Therefore, the rate of diabetes-related morbidity and mortality in this region could grow substantially. A multisectoral approach to diabetes control and care is vital for expansion of socioculturally appropriate diabetes programmes in sub-Saharan African countries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon. jcmbanya@yahoo.co.uk
authors.forename: Jean Claude N
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Mbanya
authors.forename: Ayesha A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Motala
authors.forename: Eugene
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sobngwi
authors.forename: Felix K
authors.initials: FK
authors.lastname: Assah
authors.forename: Sostanie T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Enoru
mesh_terms: D017954:Africa South of the Sahara / Q000453:epidemiology; D003469:Culture; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy; D016883:Diabetic Ketoacidosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D018149:Glucose Intolerance / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence