"For someone who's rich, it's not a problem". Insights from Tanzania on diabetes health-seeking and medical pluralism among Dar es Salaam's urban poor.

Journal: Globalization and health

Volume: 6

Issue: 

Year of Publication: 2011

Affiliated Institutions:  Diabetes & Mental Health Unit, King's College London & Institute of Psychiatry, UK. kirsty.winkley@iop.kcl.ac.uk.

Abstract summary 

The prevalence of chronic non-communicable disease, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), is rising worldwide. In Africa, T2DM is primarily affecting those living in urban areas and increasingly affecting the poor. Diabetes management among urban poor is an area of research that has received little attention. Based on ethnographic fieldwork in Dar es Salam, the causes and conditions for diabetes management in Tanzania have been examined. In this paper, we focus on the structural context of diabetes services in Tanzania; the current status of biomedical and ethnomedical health care; and health-seeking among people with T2DM. We demonstrate that although Tanzania is actively developing its diabetes services, many people with diabetes and low socioeconomic status are unable to engage continuously in treatment. There are many challenges to be addressed to support people accessing diabetes health care services and improve diabetes management.

Authors & Co-authors:  Kolling Marie M Winkley Kirsty K von Deden Mette M

Study Outcome 

Source Link: Visit source

Statistics
Citations :  IDF. International Diabetes Federation. Diabetes Atlas 2006. 3. 2006. http://da3.diabetesatlas.org/ [cited August 28th 2009]
Authors :  3
Identifiers
Doi : 10.1186/1744-8603-6-8
SSN : 1744-8603
Study Population
Male,Female
Mesh Terms
Other Terms
Study Design
Ethnographic Study
Study Approach
Country of Study
Tanzania
Publication Country
England