ABSTRACT
Aims: Management of a complex metabolic disease like diabetes can be very challenging since it involves a careful combination of medication, exercise, diet and regular monitoring of blood glucose in order to achieve good glucose control. The study aimed at determining predictors of glycaemic control of type 2 diabeticpatients using diabetes self-management approach.Study Design: A Cross-sectional study.Place and Duration of study: Diabetes clinic at two selected district hospitals in Ashanti region of Ghana.Methodology:A structured questionnaire was used to collect demographic, medical history and dietary information. A validated Diabetes Self-Management Questionnaire was alsoused. Serum glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) was used as the standard for glycaemic control.Results:Mean glycated haemoglobin level for study participants was 7.2%±0.2. Optimal glycaemic control was significantly associated with diabetes self-management (r= -0.428), diabetes-related distress (r= 0.381) and acceptance and action on diabetes (r= 0.316). In. addition to the above associations, diabetes self-management (?= -0.297, p=0.007) and diabetes-related distress (?= 0.219, p=0.028) could significantly predict glycated haemoglobin but not acceptance and action on diabetes (?= 0.046, p=0.665). Conclusions:All the three study variables correlated with glycated haemoglobin of study participants but only diabetes self-management and diabetes-related distress had predictive value. Further, an epidemiological study is needed to ascertain the strength of the effects. Various health stakeholders should encourage diabeticpatients to understand the importance of diabetes self-management which may help in better glycaemic control, disease management and better quality of life
ABSTRACT
Aims: To explore the use of Borassus aethiopum fruit as composite flour and bread and determine the phytochemical composition in each product. Place and Duration: Department of Biochemistry, and Department of Food science food and sensory evaluation laboratory, between September, 2016 and April, 2017. Study Design: An experimental study. Methods: The African palmyra fruits were obtained from Sekyere Odumase and processed into Borassus flour and composite bread. Phytochemicals constituents were determined in both products using aqueous and methanol extracts. Results: The results of both aqueous and methanol extraction for the phytochemical testing indicated that the raw B. aethiopum powder (RBAP) contained flavonoids, saponins, phenols, cardiac glycosides, alkaloids, triterpenes, steroids and sterols. Borassus bread contained flavonoids, alkaloid, triterpenes, steroids and sterols in both extracts, whilst cardiac glycosides, saponins and phenols maintained their strong presence in both extracts of composite Borassus bread. Tannins were absent in both extracts of B. aethiopum powder and bread composite. Also, the total phenol content in the composite bread was lower compared with the Borassus flour (P=0.000). The total antioxidant capacity in the Borassus flour (EC50= 2.1±0.24 mg/mL) was significantly higher than the composite bread (EC50=2.24±0.4 mg/mL) (P= 0.000). However, both products had less antioxidants than standard ascorbic acid (EC50=0.12±0.2 mg/mL). Conclusion: Both Borassus flour and composite bread had appreciable phytochemicals present, with some antioxidant capacity which could beneficially help in the management of people with chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
ABSTRACT
Prisons are environments that have been characterised by high rates of communicable diseases until recently when the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases have been assessed, and high prevalence found. This study, involving 160 inmates assessed the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among prisoners in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. BMI, waist circumference and blood pressure of all participants were checked. Additionally, lifestyle and dietary factors such as exercise and fruit intake as well as medical history of inmates were assessed. Fasting blood samples were taken and analysed for lipid profile and FBG. The mean systolic blood pressure of study participants was 141.1±23.2 mmHg, diastolic 88.9±15 mmHg, BMI 22.8±4.1 kg/m2, waist circumference 81±10.3 cm, FBG 4.3±0.9 mmol/L, HDL 1.4±0.4 mmol/L and triglycerides 1.1±0.6 mmol/L. Prevalence of hypertension and dyslipidaemia was 57.5% each. Prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 8.1%, and 21.9% had two cardiovascular risk factors. In conclusion prevalence of dyslipidaemia and elevated blood pressure were high among inmates and cardiovascular risk factors were higher among female inmates compared to males. Most inmates were sedentary and occasionally consumed fruits. Interventions of appropriate dietary provision and exercise schedule should begin within Ghanaian prisons to curb this menace.