Factors influencing improved adherence and retention among men living with human immunodeficiency virus in sub-Saharan Africa: A scoping review.

Approximately one in nine adults aged 20 to 79 is living with either type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), one of the chronic non-communicable diseases that threaten human health. Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease characterised by increased levels of blood glucose. In 2025, it was estimated that 830 million adults globally had some form of DM, with most living in low- and middle-income regions. Over 90% of adults affected have type 2 DM, and this has been largely attributed to unhealthy lifestyle choices, including consumption of a poor diet and physical inactivity. South Africa has more than 4 million people living with DM. Diabetes mellitus is a major public health problem, with many people at risk of developing microvascular complications. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the principal causes of vision impairment or loss that can affect up to 80% of people with type 1 DM after 15 years of being diagnosed, and over 60% of people with type 2 DM can develop DR within the first two decades. The prevalence of DR in South Africa varies among different studies, with some reporting rates from 34% to 42%. In Limpopo province of South Africa, a single-site study estimated the prevalence of DR at approximately 35%. While guidelines for DR screening and management are available, public awareness of DR is lacking compared with diseases such as HIV and tuberculosis. People with DM must be capacitated to manage their condition optimally to minimise the risk of vision loss because of DR. People living with DM should be aware of the need for regular eye examinations and strict control of blood glucose.