Global Heart (Feb 2024)

Peer Support for Type 2 Diabetes Management in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs): A Scoping Review

  • Diana Sherifali,
  • Lilian Pinto da Silva,
  • Pooja Dewan,
  • F. Aaysha Cader,
  • Zainab Dakhil,
  • Bishal Gyawali,
  • Sheila Klassen,
  • Israa Fadhil Yaseen,
  • Milos Jovkovic,
  • Saira Khalid,
  • Donna Fitzpatrick-Lewis,
  • Paige Alliston,
  • Megan Racey

DOI
https://doi.org/10.5334/gh.1299
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 19, no. 1
pp. 20 – 20

Abstract

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Background: Although there is evidence of peer support in high-income countries, the use of peer support as an intervention for cardiometabolic disease management, including type 2 diabetes (T2DM), in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), is unclear. Methods: A scoping review methodology was used to search the databases MEDLINE, Embase, Emcare, PsycINFO, LILACS, CDSR, and CENTRAL. Results: Twenty-eight studies were included in this scoping review. Of these, 67% were developed in Asia, 22% in Africa, and 11% in the Americas. The definition of peer support varied; however, peer support offered a social and emotional dimension to help individuals cope with negative emotions and barriers while promoting disease management. Conclusions: Findings from this scopingreview highlight a lack of consistency in defining peer support as a component of CMD management in LMICs. A clear definition of peer support and ongoing program evaluation is recommended for future research.

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