In St Kitts and Nevis, diabetes and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a major challenge. The Ministry of Health has reported that 83% of deaths in the twin island state are due to NCDs. We have to address NCDs so that we can improve the health of our population and prevent premature deaths.

The International Diabetes Federation published that in 2017 12.8% of people in St Kitts and Nevis had  diabetes.  This is fairly high with St Kitts and Nevis having the 26th highest diabetes prevalence out of 194 countries.

Addressing Type 2 Diabetes

To address the high rate of diabetes in St Kitts and Nevis we’re exploring how we can promote the prevention of type 2 diabetes and  identify people with undiagnosed type 2 diabetes to ensure early diagnosis. To assist with this we have created an online Diabetes Risk Assessment Tool. This tool is based on the work of Bang et al who developed a patient self-assessment diabetes risk score using a multi-ethnic US population. Whilst this may not be ideal for the Caribbean, because the risk score was developed with a multi-ethnic population we felt this particular score would be useful for the Caribbean public to get some idea of their risk of having undiagnosed diabetes or pre-diabetes.  Our hope is that in the future we can validate the self-assessment risk score with our own population here in St Kitts and, if required, develop a risk score specifically for St Kitts and Nevis.

The risk assessment tool enables people to quickly identify whether they may be at a high risk of having undiagonsed diabetes or pre-diabetes. If they are, then we’re encouraging users of the tool to visit their doctor to have a conversation about their risk and whether they need to be tested.  Also, we’re encouraging everyone, to reduce their risk of developing diabetes, by:

• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Keeping active – try participating in at 20-30 minutes of physical activity or exercise every day
• Eating a healthy diet

Explore Your Risk

Want to explore whether you’re at a high risk of having  undiagnosed diabetes of pre-diabetes? Then click on the image below. You’ll need to know your height in metres and your weight in kilograms to complete the risk assessment tool. If you’re a man, please click ‘no’ when you get to the gestational diabetes question.

References

1. International Diabetes Federation, Diabetes Atlas (accessed on 26th December 2018)
2. Index Mundi. Diabetes prevalence (% of population ages 20 to 79) – Country Ranking (accessed on 26th December 2018)