Culturally Adapted Music Interventions for Diabetes Management in African Populations: A Review of Clinical and Behavioral Evidence
Albert Oluwole Uzodimma AUTHORITY*
Department of Music, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Nigeria
*Corresponding Author: Albert Oluwole Uzodimma AUTHORITY, Department of Music, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, River State. ORCID iD: 0009-0002-9433-3801.
DOI: 10.64258/3070-9792.2025.104002
Submission Date: September 10, 2025
Published Date: September 30, 2025
Download PDFDiabetes remains a growing public health challenge across African populations, intersecting with Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being). Despite biomedical advances, culturally relevant behavioral interventions remain underexplored. This study addresses a critical gap in diabetes care by examining the clinical and behavioral evidence for culturally adapted music interventions, a promising yet understudied strategy in African contexts. The study is timely within musicology, as it highlights music’s potential not only as cultural expression but also as a vehicle for health promotion.
The primary aim is to identify and synthesize existing evidence on music-based interventions tailored to African cultural contexts for diabetes management. It explores how such interventions align with cultural values and facilitate behavior change through the lenses of the PEN-3 Cultural Model and Social Cognitive Theory (SCT). These frameworks are essential for understanding how music can reinforce cultural identity, community support, and individual agency—key drivers of health behavior.
Using a scoping review and content analysis, the study draws from peer-reviewed articles and grey literature to map intervention types, outcomes, and theoretical alignment. Findings reveal that music interventions, ranging from community songs to radio jingles, enhance medication adherence, dietary awareness, and physical activity. Mechanisms such as modeling, social reinforcement, and self-efficacy were consistently observed.
This research underscores music’s dual role as a culturally resonant and behaviorally effective tool. It advocates for integrating music into diabetes care strategies and calls for future research to develop theory-driven, community-led interventions that amplify cultural strengths while addressing chronic disease management.
Behavior, Culture, Diabetes, Identity, Intervention.
Albert OUA (2025) Culturally Adapted Music Interventions for Diabetes Management in African Populations: A Review of Clinical and Behavioral Evidence. Gynecol & Women’s Health: Open Access 1(1): 1-13.