Glycemic Control in a Clinic-Based Sample of Diabetics in M’Bour Senegal

Background. Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) including Senegal is faced with a significant and increasing burden of type 2 diabetes. However, little information is available about diabetes management among Senegalese diabetics. Purpose. The current study aims to describe the level of glycemic control among a convenience sample of diabetics who receive care at the M’Bour Hospital in M’Bour, Senegal. Methods. A total of 106 type 2 diabetic patients were recruited at the hospital complex of M’Bour, Senegal. Linear regression was employed to assess the relationship between clinical and sociodemographic factors and Hba1c. Results. Only 24.8% of the sample had glycemic control, according to an Hba1c test. Participants who were diagnosed earlier were less likely to have diabetes control (mean = 7.8 years) compared with those who were diagnosed more recently (mean = 6.5 years); p <.05. Conclusions. We found that glycemic control in our sample was suboptimal. Length of time with diabetes was one of the key factors related to glycemic control. Length of time with diabetes is negatively associated with glycemic control. Early diagnosis and early glycemic control are essential to long-term glycemic control screening, and early detection for diabetes is uncommon given the general lack of health insurance and most people paying out of pocket for medical care. In the absence of universal health insurance, public health programs that provide blood sugar screenings for high-risk individuals would provide preliminary indication of abnormal glucose; however, subsequent diagnostic testing and follow-up may still be cost prohibitive.