Diabetes, obesity, and physical inactivity
are common in urban areas in sub-Saharan
Africa. This paper reports an investigation of
lay knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors relating
to diabetes and its main risk factors of
urban Cameroonians.
We carried out a qualitative study in four
urban health districts, one from each of the
main ecological areas of Cameroon. Participants
were purposively selected to include
a range of community key participants and
articulate community members. Data were
collected through in-depth interviews by using
a pre-tested, semi-structured interview guide.
Sixty-two interviews were conducted across
the four sites. Awareness of diabetes and
knowledge of its causes, clinical course, and
complications were limited. Many participants
believed diabetes was caused by excessive
sugar consumption rather than excessive energy
intake, obesity, or physical inactivity.
Obesity, particularly in men, was largely
perceived positively as a sign of ‘‘good living.’’
Many participants underestimated the degree
to which they were overweight. Physical
activity was mostly viewed positively, although
negative views were common about simple
methods of increasing physical activity, such as
walking. Several constraints to the adoption of
healthy behaviors were identified. For diet,
these included lack of knowledge of the
composition of a healthy diet. Barriers to
undertaking more physical activity included
lack of facilities and inadequate time available.
The results indicate the need for health
education about diabetes and its main risk
factors in these communities. Health education
should be informed by lay perspectives to
maximize the appropriateness of the messages
and their effect on knowledge, attitudes, and
behavior. (Ethn Dis. 2006;16:503–509