Work

One blood drop, two diseases: integrating diabetes screening into malaria services to advance primary health care in Côte d’Ivoire

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Objective: To propose a systematic integration of diabetes screening into malaria diagnostic protocols within primary health care as an effective strategy to strengthen early diabetes detection in malaria-endemic regions. Methods: This commentary draws on preliminary qualitative evidence from research conducted in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire between March and May 2022 with patients living with type 2 diabetes and healthcare professionals. Results: Preliminary data suggests malaria-endemic contexts may act as a barrier to diabetes testing. Some patients attributed their symptoms to malaria, delaying their diabetes diagnosis, while some healthcare professionals reported instances when they attributed symptoms to malaria without ordering glucose tests, leading to missed diabetes diagnoses. Other healthcare professionals noted that including blood glucose measurement in malaria investigations enabled the identification of previously undiagnosed diabetes, thus leading to opportunities for policy change to improve early diagnosis. Conclusions: approach could optimize patient encounters and help reduce inequalities in access to diabetes diagnosis in malaria-endemic geographies. This proposal requires feasibility, implementation and cost-effectiveness studies before consideration for political adoption.

Source: Preventive Medicine Reports

DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2026.103660

Authors: Marie-Christine Etty, Jean-Claude Moubarac, Jacko Abodo, Rosanne Blanchet

Institutions: Centre de recherche en santé publique, Université de Montréal, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Yopougon

Language: English

Topic: Malaria Research and Control

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,610