Community Health Workers in Diabetes Prevention and Management in Developing Countries

Halimatou Alaofè; Ibitola Asaolu; Jennifer Ehiri; Hayley Moretz; Chisom Asuzu; Mobolanle Balogun; Olayinka Abosede; John Ehiri

doi:10.1016/j.aogh.2017.10.009

Annals of Global Health (Nov 2017)

Community Health Workers in Diabetes Prevention and Management in Developing Countries

Halimatou Alaofè,
Ibitola Asaolu,
Jennifer Ehiri,
Hayley Moretz,
Chisom Asuzu,
Mobolanle Balogun,
Olayinka Abosede,
John Ehiri

Affiliations

Halimatou Alaofè: Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
Ibitola Asaolu: Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
Jennifer Ehiri: Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
Hayley Moretz: Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
Chisom Asuzu: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
Mobolanle Balogun: Department of Community Health and Primary Care, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
Olayinka Abosede: Department of Community Health and Primary Care, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
John Ehiri: Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aogh.2017.10.009
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 83, no. 3-4
pp. 661 – 675

Abstract

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BackgroundThere is limited evidence regarding the effect of community health worker (CHW) interventions for prevention and management of the burgeoning epidemic of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The objective of this review was to critically appraise evidence regarding the effectiveness of CHW interventions for prevention and management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in LMICs.MethodsTo identify studies that reported the effect of CHW interventions for prevention and management of T2DM in LMICs, Medline/PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science (Science and Social Science Citation Indices), EBSCO (PsycINFO and CINAHL), POPLINE, the Cochrane Metabolic and Endocrine Disorders Group's Specialized Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, the Grey literature (Google, Google Scholar), and reference lists of identified articles were searched from inception to May 31, 2017.FindingsTen studies were included (4 pre- and post-studies, 2 randomized controlled trials, 2 cohort studies, 1 cross-sectional study, and 1 case-control study). The role of CHWs consisted of patient education, identification and referral of high-risk individuals to physicians, and provision of social support through home visits. Positive outcomes were reported in 7 of 10 studies. These outcomes included increased knowledge of T2DM symptoms and prevention measures; increased adoption of treatment-seeking and prevention measures; increased medication adherence; and improved fasting blood sugar, glycated hemoglobin, and body mass index. Three studies showed no significant outcomes.ConclusionsCHWs have the potential to improve knowledge, health behavior, and health outcomes related to prevention and management of T2DM in LMICs. Given the limited number of studies included in this review, robust conclusions cannot be drawn at the present time.

Published in Annals of Global Health

ISSN: 2214-9996 (Online)
Publisher: Ubiquity Press
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Medicine: Internal medicine: Infectious and parasitic diseases; Medicine: Public aspects of medicine
Website: https://www.annalsofglobalhealth.org/

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