A funfair without the candy floss: engaging communities to prevent diabetes in Nepal.

OBJECTIVES: The World Health Organization estimates that 422 million people have diabetes, three-quarters of whom live in low- and middle-income countries. Global action plans to address non-communicable diseases (NCDs) recognise the centrality of community engagement to create an enabling environment within which to address risk factors. STUDY DESIGN: In this article, we describe and critically reflect on a cocreated community engagement approach to address type 2 diabetes in the southern plains of Nepal. We coproduced the engagement approach with 40 artists from the Janakpur Women's Development Centre to create an environment for dialogue about diabetes and NCD risk between artists and the general public. METHODS: We used participatory action research to produce contextually relevant interactive methods and materials. Methods included artists' peer research to inform creative workshops, a drama performed in 19 villages and a two-day funfair in a public park. We used qualitative and participatory methods to analyse the effect of this engagement and reflect on lessons learned. RESULTS: Around 2000 people saw the drama, and around 4000 people attended the funfair. Community dialogue about prevention of diabetes was facilitated by drama and through games and songs at the funfair. Artists grew confident to interact with their peers and drama audiences about the causes of diabetes and prevention strategies. Despite crowds at the funfair, it was difficult to reach women because the venue was often used by men and boys, and patriarchal norms prevent women from free movement. Village interactions were able to engage a more mixed audience. CONCLUSION: Innovative, asset-based community engagement about diabetes and other NCDs at scale is possible through locating, building on and strengthening community resources to address local health issues. Engagement could be enhanced by considering the gendered nature of community engagement spaces and by increasing opportunities for interaction between artists and the general public through more intimate and large-scale events.

A diagnosis missed for several years-Wegener's granulomatosis.

Wegener's granulomatosis is a form of systemic vasculitis of small to medium sized vessels and affects upper respiratory tract, lungs and kidneys along with various organs. It causes necrotizing granulomatous inflammation of the affected parts and presents with positive antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies in more severe forms. Being a systemic disease with the potential to affect any organ-systems with a wide range of clinical presentations, it is associated with a risk of delay in diagnosis with resultant setback in institution of appropriate treatment. Confusion may arise due to an extent of histological similarity between Wegener's granulomatosis and the more prevalent tuberculosis, both causing granulomatous inflammation of the affected parts. Here, we present two cases of this rare disorder where the diagnosis was missed for several years in the beginning causing a delay in institution of specific therapy which led to the development of complications.