Health Providers’ Views on Education and Management Approaches for Type 2 Diabetes in Southern Nigeria

Background Management of diabetes in Nigeria remains a major public health challenge. Emerging evidence underscores the effectiveness of multidimensional and context-specific approaches to diabetes care. Despite policies promoting holistic care, evidence on how frontline healthcare workers operationalize multifaceted strategies remains limited. This study, therefore, examines practices at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, exploring how healthcare providers view education and management strategies of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods Our study employed a qualitative design approach via interviews and focus group discussions to explore health providers' perspectives on education and management strategies for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in southern Nigeria. Participants were purposively selected at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Cross River State, Nigeria. Results The thematic analyses of the data using inductive and deductive coding produced five themes and fifteen sub-themes related to how health education strategies can improve management of T2DM in the health facilities. This qualitative study highlights how health-education strategies pan out in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus when individualized, context-specific, and supported by team-based care. Conclusion This study highlights a coherent, evidence-based blueprint adopted by healthcare workers for enhancing T2DM management: structured diabetes self-management education delivery, addressing dietary and supplementing misconceptions using culturally sensitive counseling, prioritization of risk communication, investment in continuing professional development, and the utility of digital tools to drive better adherence.