title: Community-based peer support significantly improves metabolic control in people with Type 2 diabetes in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the effectiveness of a community-based multilevel peer support intervention in addition to usual diabetes care on improving glycaemic levels, blood pressure and lipids in patients with Type 2 diabetes in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 96 subjects with poorly controlled Type 2 diabetes (intervention group) and 96 age- and sex-matched controls were recruited and followed up over 6 months. The intervention subjects underwent a peer support intervention through peer-led group meetings, personal encounters and telephone calls. Both intervention subjects and controls continued their usual clinical care. HbA1c , blood pressure, blood lipids and self-care behaviours were measured at 0 and 6 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was significant reduction in HbA1c in the intervention group [-33 mmol/mol (-3.0%)] compared with controls [-14 mmol/mol (-1.3%)]; P < 0.001. Peer support also led to significant reductions in fasting blood sugar (-0.83 g/l P < 0.001), cholesterol (-0.54 g/l P < 0.001), HDL (-0.09 g/l, P < 0.001), BMI (-2.71 kg/m² P < 0.001) and diastolic pressure (-6.77 mmHg, P < 0.001) over the 6-month period. Also, diabetes self-care behaviours in the intervention group improved significantly over the 6 months of peer support.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Community-based peer support, in addition to usual care, significantly improved metabolic control in patients with uncontrolled Type 2 diabetes in Yaoundé, Cameroon. This could provide a model for optimizing diabetes care and control in other settings with limited healthcare and financial resources.
authors: Health of Populations in Transition Research Group, Yaoundé, Cameroon.|Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
authors: F K
authors: FK
authors: Assah
authors: Health of Populations in Transition Research Group, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
authors: E N
authors: EN
authors: Atanga
authors: Health of Populations in Transition Research Group, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Enoru
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Sobngwi
authors: Health of Populations in Transition Research Group, Yaoundé, Cameroon.|Department of Internal Medicine, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
authors: J C
authors: JC
authors: Mbanya
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002163:Cameroon; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003906:Developing Countries; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010379:Peer Group; D012648:Self Care; D012944:Social Support
chemical_list: D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; C517652:hemoglobin A1c protein, human