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Prevalence of diabetes in Zimbabwe: a systematic review with meta-analysis

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International Journal of Public Health

Abstract

Objective

Diabetes appears to be a growing problem in the African region. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of diabetes in Zimbabwe by collating and analyzing previously published data.

Methods

Systematic review and meta-analysis of data reporting prevalence of diabetes in Zimbabwe was conducted based on the random effects model. We searched for studies published between January 1960 and December 2013 using MEDLINE, EMBASE and Scopus and University of Zimbabwe electronic publication libraries. In the meta-analysis, sub-groups were created for studies conducted before 1980 and after 1980, to understand the potential effect of independence on prevalence.

Results

Seven studies were included in the meta-analysis with a total of 29,514 study participants. The overall pooled prevalence of diabetes before 1980 was 0.44 % (95 % CI 0.0–1.9 %), after 1980 the pooled prevalence was 5.7 % (95 % CI 3.3–8.6 %).

Conclusions

This study showed that the prevalence of diabetes in Zimbabwe has increased significantly over the past three decades. This poses serious challenges to the provision of care and prevention of disabling co-morbidities in an already disadvantaged healthcare setting.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 89 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia

    Mutsa Mutowo, Usha Gowda, Alice Owen & Andre Renzaho

  2. Centre for Health Economics, Monash University, Building 11 Wellington Road, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia

    Paula Lorgelly

  3. Zimbabwe Diabetes Association, Harare, Zimbabwe

    John Chamunorwa Mangwiro

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  1. Mutsa Mutowo
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  2. Usha Gowda
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  3. John Chamunorwa Mangwiro
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  4. Paula Lorgelly
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  5. Alice Owen
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  6. Andre Renzaho
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Correspondence to Mutsa Mutowo.

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Mutowo, M., Gowda, U., Mangwiro, J.C. et al. Prevalence of diabetes in Zimbabwe: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Int J Public Health 60, 1–11 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-014-0626-y

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