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. 2025 Feb 11;25(1):555.
doi: 10.1186/s12889-025-21715-6.

Perceptions and management of diabetes and obesity among people living with HIV in Côte d'Ivoire: a qualitative study

Jean J Koffi  1   2 , Marie K Plaisy  3 , Joël Djaha  4 , Albert Minga  5 , Stephane N'goran  5 , Simon P Boni  4 , Didier K Ekouevi  3   6 , Raoul Moh  4 , Antoine Jaquet  3 , Noelle A Benzekri  7 ; IeDEA West Africa collaboration
Collaborators, Affiliations

Perceptions and management of diabetes and obesity among people living with HIV in Côte d'Ivoire: a qualitative study

Jean J Koffi et al. BMC Public Health. .

Abstract

Introduction: The prevalence of both type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity is increasing among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in sub-Saharan Africa. We examined the perceptions and management of these two conditions among PLHIV and healthcare workers in Côte D'Ivoire.

Method: From June to August 2022, we conducted semi-structured face-to-face interviews with PLHIV diagnosed with T2DM and/or obesity, as well as healthcare workers, in one of the major HIV clinics in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire. We explored topics such as experiences, perceptions and acceptability of the diagnosis and management of T2DM and obesity among PLHIV. Among healthcare workers, professional experience, professional relationships with patients diagnosed with T2DM/obesity, involvement in patient management and care provision were explored. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed manually. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results: A total of 15 PLHIV and 5 healthcare workers participated in semi-structured in-depth interviews. Perceptions towards T2DM and obesity were largely influenced by cultural factors, PLHIV reported negative perceptions of T2DM and positive perceptions of obesity. Both patients and healthcare providers considered the management of these conditions as sub-optimal. Patient-reported barriers to care for these metabolic disorders were mainly socio-economic and environmental, while healthcare workers emphasized patients' denial of their illness and the limited range of treatment options available at the clinic.

Conclusion: These results highlight the complexity surrounding the perceptions and management of T2DM and obesity among PLHIV in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. In order to implement innovative and efficient intervention strategies to prevent and treat these metabolic conditions, cultural beliefs as well as socio-economic barriers must be addressed.

Keywords: Côte d’Ivoire; Diabetes; Experiences; HIV; Non-communicable diseases; Obesity; Perceptions; Qualitative; West Africa.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: The protocol for this study was approved by the National Ethics Committee for Life Sciences and Health of Côte d'Ivoire (approval number 070–22/MSHPCMU/CNESVS-km). Prior to enrolment, each participant received detailed information about the study and signed an informed consent form. In addition, before each interview, oral consent authorising audio recording was obtained from the participants while reassuring them of the confidentiality and security of the data by anonymising the recordings. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

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