Community perceptions of type 2 diabetes causes, symptoms, complications, prevention, and management among market vendors in Butembo, DR Congo: A descriptive cross-sectional study.
Awareness of diabetes is high among market vendors in Butembo, but perceptions are mixed with cultural beliefs that may affect management and prevention efforts.
Where it sits
this study against the rest of the slu-pp-332 (exercise mimetic) corpusSummary and findings
This study assessed perceptions of diabetes among adult market vendors in Butembo, DR Congo. A total of 433 adults participated, with 334 (77.1%) having heard of diabetes. Commonly perceived signs included weight loss (64.4%) and chronic fatigue (49.4%).
Abstract
<h4>Background</h4>Diabetes mellitus is an important public health challenge worldwide, particularly in low-resource settings where health literacy may be limited. This study assessed perceptions regarding the causes, symptoms, complications, and prevention of diabetes among adult market vendors in Butembo, Democratic Republic of Congo.<h4>Methods</h4>A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted between March and April 2025 among adult market vendors recruited from seven major markets in Butembo, Democratic Republic of Congo. Data were collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire administered face-to-face in French or Swahili using KoboCollect software and analyzed using descriptive statistics in IBM SPSS version 20.<h4>Results</h4>A total of 433 adults participated in the study. Among them, 334 (77.1%) reported having previously heard of diabetes and were included in the perception analyses. Commonly perceived signs of diabetes included weight loss (64.4%) and chronic fatigue (49.4%). High blood pressure (50.3%) and death (48.5%) were frequently perceived as complications. Healthy diet (49.1%) and regular exercise (37.4%) were commonly identified as preventive measures; however, some respondents also reported spiritual or cultural beliefs such as prayer (28.4%) and poisoning-related beliefs. Most respondents (73.7%) reported knowing someone with diabetes, while 52.1% stated that consulting a doctor would be the preferred response if diabetes was suspected.<h4>Conclusion</h4>Participants demonstrated mixed perceptions regarding diabetes, combining biomedical explanations with cultural and spiritual beliefs. These findings highlight the importance of culturally adapted community health education interventions in Butembo.
Background
This paper addresses the understanding of diabetes mellitus in a low-resource setting, specifically among market vendors in Butembo, DR Congo. Prior research has indicated that health literacy can significantly impact disease management and prevention. Understanding community perceptions is crucial for developing effective health education interventions tailored to local beliefs and practices.
Methods
A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted from March to April 2025 among adult market vendors in Butembo. A total of 433 adults were recruited from seven major markets, and data were collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire administered face-to-face. The analysis was performed using descriptive statistics in IBM SPSS version 20.
Results
Out of 433 participants, 334 (77.1%) reported having previously heard of diabetes. Commonly perceived signs included weight loss (64.4%) and chronic fatigue (49.4%). Complications perceived included high blood pressure (50.3%) and death (48.5%). Preventive measures identified included a healthy diet (49.1%) and regular exercise (37.4%).
Interpretation
The findings indicate a blend of biomedical and cultural perceptions of diabetes among participants. While the awareness of diabetes is relatively high, the reliance on spiritual beliefs and cultural practices may complicate effective management. The effect sizes observed, while statistically significant, may not translate into clinically meaningful changes in behavior without targeted interventions.
Key findings
- 334 (77.1%) reported having previously heard of diabetes.
- 64.4% perceived weight loss as a sign of diabetes.
- 49.4% perceived chronic fatigue as a sign of diabetes.
- 50.3% perceived high blood pressure as a complication of diabetes.
- 48.5% perceived death as a complication of diabetes.
- 49.1% identified a healthy diet as a preventive measure.
Limitations
- cross-sectional design limits causal inference
- self-reported data may introduce bias
- limited to a specific population of market vendors
- data collection in a single location may not be generalizable