Designing a Pharmacist-Led Diabetes Self-Management Education Programme for Community Pharmacies in Kano State

Community pharmacies represent accessible and trusted contact points for diabetic patients in Kano State, yet structured diabetes self-management education remains absent from most community pharmacy services in the North West zone. This study designed and piloted a pharmacist-led diabetes self-management education programme for community pharmacies in Kano metropolis. A programme design methodology encompassing literature synthesis, needs assessment, programme development, and pilot evaluation was adopted. A needs assessment survey among 60 community pharmacists in Kano identified significant gaps in diabetes counselling practices, structured follow-up, and access to diabetes education materials in Hausa language. A systematic review of pharmacist-led diabetes education programmes from comparable settings informed programme content. The final programme encompasses six session modules covering diabetes disease management, diet and physical activity guidance, medication adherence and self-monitoring of blood glucose, sick day management, foot care, and health service navigation. Materials were developed in English and Hausa. A pilot was conducted in eight community pharmacies over 12 weeks with 80 type 2 diabetes patients. Post-programme assessments showed significant improvements in diabetes self-care knowledge scores (mean increase 28.4 percent; p < 0.001) and self-reported medication adherence. Patient satisfaction was high, with 88.8 percent expressing willingness to continue pharmacy-based education. The study recommends scaling the programme across Kano State community pharmacies with formal collaboration with the Kano State Diabetes Association. Keywords: diabetes self-management education, community pharmacy, Kano State, pharmacist-led programme, North West Nigeria