Published on August 2025 | Public Health, Epidemiology, Biostatistics

Socioeconomic Determinants of Diabetes in Nigeria: A Scoping Review of Prevalence, Risk Factors and Interventions

Aim: This research examined socioeconomic determinants of diabetes mellitus in Nigeria, with specific objectives to assess prevalence across socioeconomic strata, identify key risk factors, analyse socioeconomic impacts on disease risk, and propose evidence-based interventions for mitigating diabetes burden and health inequities. Study Design: A scoping review methodology was employed, selected for its capacity to systematically map existing literature across diverse study designs and identify critical knowledge gaps in this multidisciplinary domain. Place and Duration of Study: The research synthesised evidence from peer-reviewed studies conducted exclusively within Nigeria between 2014 and 2024, encompassing all six geopolitical zones to ensure national representativeness. Methodology: Comprehensive searches across seven academic databases (Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, AJOL, MEDLINE, Web of Science, PubMed, CINAHL) utilised SPICE framework-guided Boolean strategies. From 216 initial records, 21 studies meeting predefined inclusion criteria underwent dual critical appraisal using CASP and AXIS tools. Data extraction followed PRISMA guidelines with quality assessment scoring (0-20 scale). Results: Findings revealed substantial diabetes prevalence variation (30-40%) across socioeconomic groups, strongly associated with income, education, and healthcare access. Primary risk factors included obesity (urban prevalence: 18-27%), physical inactivity (reported in 68% of studies), poor nutrition, and genetic predisposition. Lower socioeconomic status consistently correlated with higher disease burden due to limited healthcare access and preventive resources. Evidence supported multisectoral interventions: healthcare system strengthening (particularly rural service expansion), targeted health education, economic empowerment programmes, and lifestyle modification initiatives. Conclusion: Socioeconomic determinants critically influence diabetes prevalence and outcomes in Nigeria. Effective mitigation requires integrated strategies addressing healthcare accessibility, educational disparities, and economic inequalities alongside clinical interventions. Future efforts should prioritise policy reforms enabling multisectoral collaboration and context-specific solutions for resource-limited settings.