Co-designing a mobile health-based dietary education intervention to improve dietary self-management adherence among adults with type 2 diabetes in Ghana (HHS-2026-26)

About the project

About the Project Type 2 diabetes is a major public health challenge. Effective self-management is essential for preventing complications and improving quality of life. Dietary self-management is a core component of diabetes care, yet many persons with type 2 diabetes (PLWD) in Ghana struggle to adhere to recommended dietary practices due to limited knowledge, competing lifestyle demands, and inadequate access to support. Mobile health technologies offer opportunities to support diabetes self-management through accessible and scalable education. However, many digital health interventions are developed without meaningful engagement of end users, reducing relevance and effectiveness. This research will adopt a co-design approach to develop and evaluate a mobile health-based dietary education intervention for PLWD in Ghana. By involving patients, healthcare professionals (HCPs), and key stakeholders, the study aims to ensure a contextually-appropriate and responsive intervention to the needs of PLWD. Aim/Objectives AIM: To co-design a mobile health-based dietary education intervention to improve dietary self-management adherence among PLWD in Ghana. OBJECTIVES: To explore barriers and facilitators influencing dietary self-management practices among PLWD in Ghana. To co-design a mobile health-based dietary education intervention with patients, HCPs, and other relevant stakeholders. To assess the feasibility and acceptability of the co-designed mobile health intervention. Methods: This mixed-methods study will be conducted in two sequential phases. Phase one will involve qualitative interviews or focus group discussions with PLWD and HCPs to explore barriers and facilitators to dietary self-management. Data will be analysed thematically to inform intervention development. Phase two will use a participatory co-design process involving patients, clinicians, and researchers to develop the mobile health dietary education intervention through workshops and iterative prototyping. Feasibility outcomes will include recruitment, retention, completion, and engagement with the intervention. Dietary adherence will be measured using the validated dietary scale, with exploratory pre- and post-intervention analyses conducted using appropriate statistical tests. For subject specific enquiries please contact: Dr Precious Adade Duodu via p.a.duodu@hud.ac.uk We encourage you to discuss your ideas with potential supervisors in advance of application. Type of Award: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Eligibility: These scholarships are open to UK applicants only ; ideally with an MSc in a relevant subject area, applicants with a First-Class Honours degree may also be considered. Location: Huddersfield/Online Funding: Fee waiver Duration: 3 years full-time / 6 years part-time Application Details To apply please submit the documents listed below to pgrscholarships@hud.ac.uk in full by Friday 30 th October 2026 , including the following documents: A motivational email as to why you wish to apply for the scholarship, stating which project you are applying for. A 2,000-word research proposal outlining how you plan to undertake for the research topic you are applying for. For further guidance on writing a research proposal, please refer to the following webpage: https://www.hud.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/writing-a-research-proposal/ Full CV Provide copies of transcripts and certificates of all relevant academic and/or any professional qualifications. Provide references from two individuals – (at least one to be an academic reference) please contact your referees and ask them to send your references directly to pgrscholarships@hud.ac.uk from their work email address. (references can be submitted late but must be received by Friday 6 th November 2026). Proof of eligibility – e.g. scan of passport photo page Please state the research topic number and title in the subject area of the email Please email pgrscholarships@hud.ac.uk with queries regarding eligibility and submitting documents. Informal enquiries about individual projects should be directed to the lead supervisor listed for each project.

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