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International Journal of Public Health
Published in: International Journal of Public Health 1/2015

01-01-2015 | Review

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

Authors: Mutsa Mutowo, Usha Gowda, John Chamunorwa Mangwiro, Paula Lorgelly, Alice Owen, Andre Renzaho

Published in: International Journal of Public Health | Issue 1/2015

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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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Metadata
Title
Prevalence of diabetes in Zimbabwe: a systematic review with meta-analysis
Authors
Mutsa Mutowo
Usha Gowda
John Chamunorwa Mangwiro
Paula Lorgelly
Alice Owen
Andre Renzaho
Publication date
01-01-2015
Publisher
Springer Basel
Published in
International Journal of Public Health / Issue 1/2015
Print ISSN: 1661-8556
Electronic ISSN: 1661-8564
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-014-0626-y

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