Community Health Workers’ Approach to Type2 Diabetes Mellitus Prevention and Management in Low and Middle-Income Countries: A Literature Review
- VernacularTitle:低中所得国におけるコミュニティ・ヘルス・ワーカーの2型糖尿病予防・管理へのアプローチに関する文献レビュー
- Author:
Yui KOBAYASHI
1
;
Kumiko NAKANO
2
;
Megumu IWAMOTO
2
;
Junko OMORI
2
Author Information
- Keywords: Community Health Workers; Noncommunicable Diseases; Diabetes Mellitus, Type2; Low and Middle-Income Countries; Literature Review
- From:Journal of International Health 2024;39(4):91-103
- CountryJapan
- Language:Japanese
- Abstract: Introduction In low and middle-income countries (LMICs), health care providers known as Community Health Workers (CHWs) are active in preventing and managing Type2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). However, their specific roles and activities have not been academically reviewed. The purpose of this article is to obtain suggestions for effective appointment and utilization of CHWs by categorizing the approach of CHWs on Type2 diabetes prevention and management programs in resource-limited regions.Methods Original articles published between 2018 to July 2023 on the database of PubMed and Web of Science were searched. Articles that include all the keywords; ‘diabetes’, ‘community health worker(s)’ and ‘each name of LMICs (total of 54 countries or region)’ in the title/abstract were extracted.Results From the 71 articles extracted, 20 articles from 11 countries/regions were selected for analysis. CHWs’ approaches towards the prevention and management of T2DM were categorized into: recruitment, screening, referral, follow-up, and others. The most common form of approach that CHWs make was a ‘home visit’.Conclusions CHWs contributed to improved access to T2DM prevention and management using their knowledge of the community and relationships of trust with residents. A diverse approach by CHWs was identified, and they played important roles in primary and secondary prevention. Their roles are essential for high-quality T2DM prevention and management in LMICs facing a shortage of health care workers.
