BEHAVIOURAL MEDICINE: A KEY TO THE MANAGEMENT OF NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Urbanisation and advances in health technology have led to a reduction in communicable diseases. However, poverty, population growth, and the globalisation of unhealthy diets have resulted in a global upsurge of non-communicable diseases (NCD) like cancers, cardiovascular diseases, nutritional and metabolic diseases, endocrine disorders and respiratory diseases. Healthcare for NCDs remains a significant public health challenge. The primary management in Nigeria is currently pharmacological. However, non-pharmacological measures that are cost-effective and safe, with minimal side effects, are available for the prevention (primary and secondary) and treatment of NCDs. The impact of behavioural medicine in Nigeria remains limited despite the potential to significantly reduce the burden of NCDs and improve health and clinical outcomes. This is mainly due to insufficient investment in behavioural medicine research, inferior quality evaluation methods, lack of implementation of research outcomes, and poor interdisciplinary collaboration. Based on insights from the literature, this article discusses the need for behavioural medicine interventions and examines their application, effectiveness, and potential impact on NCDs. It also recommends more consideration of behavioural medicine in preventing and managing NCDs in Nigeria.