Barriers and facilitators of primary care management of type II diabetes mellitus in the West African sub-region: A scoping review

The prevalence of diabetes is rising rapidly across West Africa, posing a significant public health challenge. Effective diabetes management through accessible and quality primary healthcare is crucial, yet multiple barriers persist. This review aimed to synthesise the available evidence on factors influencing access, utilisation, and quality of diabetes primary care in West Africa. Following Arksey and O’Malley’s framework and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, we searched four electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, CAIRN Info) and grey literature sources. Eligibility criteria included: peer-reviewed studies published between 2000–2023 in English or French; primary research focusing on adult type II diabetes care in West African countries; and studies reporting on factors affecting access, utilisation, or quality of primary healthcare. Data were extracted using a standardised form and analysed through framework synthesis integrating the WHO Primary Health Care Framework, Social Determinants of Health model, and Innovative Care for Chronic Conditions model. Twelve studies were included from Nigeria (n=7), Ghana (n=4), and Senegal (n=1). Key barriers to access, utilisation, and quality were identified as health system deficiencies, including inadequate infrastructure, workforce shortages, supply gaps, fragmented coordination of care, absence of standardised guidelines, high costs of care, and inefficient leadership/governance for chronic disease management. Broader determinants of health, such as poverty, gender, cultural beliefs, reliance on traditional medicine, and health policy gaps, significantly influenced access to and utilisation of care. Individual-level barriers like psychological distress and delays in care-seeking were also significant. Family/social support systems emerged as potential facilitators of accessing and utilising PHC services. Our review identified that to improve diabetes care, West Africa needs context-specific models that align indigenous healing practices with PHC, strengthen health systems, and address sociocultural determinants. Future research should focus on developing and evaluating culturally resonant interventions that can navigate both biomedical and sociocultural factors shaping diabetes management in resource-constrained settings.