Community-based, eHealth Supported Type 2 Diabetes Care by Lay Village Health Workers in Rural Lesotho

This cluster-randomized intervention is embedded in the ComBaCaL (Community-Based Chronic disease care Lesotho) cohort study (EKNZ ID AO\_2022-00058, clinicaltrials.gov ID NCT05596773, Lesotho NH-REC ID 210-2022), a platform for the investigation of chronic diseases and their management in rural Lesotho that is maintained by local lay village health workers (VHWs). The overall objective of the ComBaCaL cohort study and nested TwiCs is to assess the impact of eHealthsupported, lay-led chronic disease control measures in rural Lesotho. In this DM TwiC, the effect, safety and feasibility of a community-based DM care package (which includes the offer of first-line oral antidiabetic and lipid-lowering treatment for uncomplicated DM by lay VHWs in comparison to facility-based care after community-based screening and diagnosis) will be evaluated.

Inclusion Criteria: * Participant of the ComBaCaL cohort study (signed informed consent available) * Living with DM, defined as reporting intake of antidiabetic medication or being newly diagnosed during screening via standard diagnostic algorithm Exclusion Criteria: * Known type 1 diabetes mellitus * Reported pregnancy