Mobile Phone Use in the Management of Diabetes in Nigeria: A New Potential Weapon

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is one of the leading chronic diseases in low- and middle-income countries globally including Nigeria The morbidities and mortalities associated with diabetes especially in Nigeria, have remained unacceptably high compared to many other nations. It has become one of the leading causes of stroke, blindness, heart attack and end-stage kidney disease. Most deaths occur in those below 60 years of age, the productive segments of the population. Health situation in Nigeria is characterised by double burden of illness, grossly inadequate health spending, and inadequate healthcare personnel especially in the rural areas. Shortage of diabetes care specialist is one of the major barriers to diabetes care in Nigeria. Mobile phone has emerged as one of the potent strategies that can impact positively on diabetes care if properly harnessed. The ubiquitous access and the multitasking nature of mobile phones are great opportunities to improve diabetes prevention, patient care, encourage self-management, support healthy behavioural changes and an ideal way of providing patient-centred care at the frequency and intensity that patient desires. In addition, there is a potential for mobile phones to provide an effective way of giving support to patients in rural and remote areas where health care provider contact may be less accessible. Use of short message services (SMS) phone calls, video calls and the use of social media networking applications are some of the ways a mobile phone can be used in diabetes management.