Primary Care Diabetes
Volume 6, Issue 4, 2012, Pages 293-296

Ramadan fasting and diabetes: An observational study among Turkish migrants in Belgium (Article)

Peeters B.* , Mehuys E. , Van Tongelen I. , Van Bever E. , Bultereys L. , Avonts D. , Yildiz G. , Remon J.P. , Boussery K.
  • a Pharmaceutical Care Unit, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Harelbekestraat 72, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
  • b Pharmaceutical Care Unit, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Harelbekestraat 72, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
  • c Pharmaceutical Care Unit, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Harelbekestraat 72, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
  • d Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Harelbekestraat 72, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
  • e Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Harelbekestraat 72, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
  • f Department of Family Medicine and Primary Health Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, De Pintelaan 185, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
  • g Department of Family Medicine and Primary Health Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, De Pintelaan 185, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
  • h Pharmaceutical Care Unit, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Harelbekestraat 72, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
  • i Pharmaceutical Care Unit, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Harelbekestraat 72, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium

Abstract

Aims: To investigate (i) Ramadan participation, (ii) provision of Ramadan-related advice by healthcare providers, (iii) medication use during Ramadan fasting among Turkish migrants with diabetes in Belgium. Methods: This pilot observational study was conducted among a convenience sample of 52 Turkish migrants with diabetes in Belgium. Two questionnaires collected information on socio-demographic characteristics, diabetes-related characteristics, current hypoglycaemic medication with dosing regimen, participation in the past Ramadan, reasons for (non-)participation, use of hypoglycaemic medication during the past Ramadan, advice from their healthcare providers about fasting during Ramadan and follow-up of this advice. Results: Sixteen patients (31%) had fasted during the past Ramadan. Main reason for Ramadan participation was reinforcement of faith (12/15), while the main reason for non-participation was having diabetes (34/36). About 56% of the study population had received recommendations from their healthcare provider(s) about fasting and diabetes during Ramadan. The most commonly provided advice was not to participate in Ramadan, followed by modification of drug therapy. Only 3 patients ignored the advice of their health professionals. In addition, only 60% of those who actually fasted received recommendations about intake of diabetes medication during the Ramadan. Most fasters continued their medication dose unchanged (87% of OHA users and 80% of the insulin users). Conclusions: This pilot study found a low prevalence of Ramadan fasting among Turkish migrants with diabetes in Belgium. We also found that provision of advice by healthcare providers could be improved. Larger scale studies are warranted to confirm these findings. © 2012 Primary Care Diabetes Europe. All rights reserved.

Author Keywords

Turks Fasting Medication adherence Ramadan Belgium

Index Keywords

Blood Glucose immigrant leisure Fasting Health Care Surveys demography Islam oral antidiabetic agent follow up human middle aged diabetes mellitus Turkey (republic) priority journal Time Factors diet restriction Aged hemoglobin A1c Drug Administration Schedule drug utilization insulin Humans Hypoglycemic Agents Treatment Outcome Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated male Emigrants and Immigrants female Aged, 80 and over Medication Adherence pilot study observational study questionnaire Belgium prevalence patient education Article Questionnaires adult major clinical study Biological Markers Turkey drug dose regimen Emigration and Immigration Ramadan Pilot Projects
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84869082804&doi=10.1016%2fj.pcd.2012.02.003&partnerID=40&md5=fef50904e207d55b781ed5f79ae10e9a
DOI: 10.1016/j.pcd.2012.02.003
ISSN: 17519918
Cited by: 12
Original Language: English