Community-Based Approaches to Diabetes Screening: A Sustainable Model for Rural Nigeria

Diabetes mellitus, a rapidly increasing chronic non-communicable disease, poses a significant public health challenge globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) like Nigeria. In rural areas of Nigeria, where access to healthcare services is limited, many individuals with diabetes remain undiagnosed, leading to preventable complications and premature death. Community-based diabetes screening offers a sustainable solution by decentralizing healthcare services and engaging local resources such as community health workers and volunteers. This model overcomes geographical, financial, and sociocultural barriers to early diagnosis and management. This review evaluates the effectiveness and feasibility of community-based diabetes screening in rural Nigeria, examining its impact on awareness, early detection, and health outcomes. The review also explores challenges such as funding constraints, cultural stigma, and the need for local capacity-building and offers recommendations for improving the sustainability and scalability of these initiatives. By integrating community-based approaches into the primary healthcare system, Nigeria can improve access to early diabetes diagnosis and reduce the burden of this growing public health concern. Keywords: Diabetes screening, community-based healthcare, rural Nigeria, mobile health.