Nurse-Led Education and Engagement for Diabetes Care in Sub-Saharan Africa: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study

BACKGROUND: As the impact of diabetes grows steeply in sub-Saharan Africa, improvement of the control and treatment of diabetes is a goal that health care systems in sub-Saharan Africa must achieve in the near future. Sub-Saharan Africa faces a number of challenges in addressing the increasing effects of diabetes. One important factor is the shortage of adequately trained health care workers. Diabetes management in sub-Saharan Africa would benefit from innovative approaches that are founded upon solid theoretical constructs, built upon existing human resources and infrastructure, and culturally tailored to the priorities and needs of the local population. Existing resources, such as mobile phones and task-shifting strategies, may be used to assist individuals with glycemic self-management and to facilitate management of additional day-to-day clinical responsibilities. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the Nurse-Led Education and Engagement Study for Diabetes Care (NEEDS) mixed-methods protocol is to develop a practical, collaborative, effective, and sustainable program for diabetes prevention and management specifically for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in sub-Saharan Africa. The protocol aims to improve access to care through task-shifting strategies and the use of mobile health technology. METHODS: This study was designed using a convergent parallel mixed-methods approach that consisted of surveys, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and focused ethnography. Novel approaches, such as task-shifting strategies and the use of mobile technology, were implemented for type 2 diabetes mellitus health care in sub-Saharan Africa—currently an under-researched area. RESULTS: Data collection began in February 2018, after ethics approval, at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. As of May 2020, participant surveys have been completed (N=100), key informant interviews (n=7) have been completed, and focus groups (5 focus groups; patients, n=18; caregivers, n=6; community leaders, n=2; and faith leaders, n=3) as well as focused ethnographic field observations have been completed. All audio recordings have been transcribed and transcripts of sessions recorded in Twi have been translated to English. Data analysis is currently underway and anticipated completion is in the spring of 2020. Following data analysis, investigators plan to publish study findings. CONCLUSIONS: Insights from this study will inform the preliminary development of a feasible and effective nurse-led education and engagement mobile health intervention that has the potential to reduce diabetes-related morbidity, mortality, and burden in sub-Saharan Africa. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/15408