THE ROLE OF COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSES IN INTEGRATING DIGITAL HEALTH TOOLS FOR EARLY DETECTION OF NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer remain leading causes of global morbidity and mortality. Early detection is critical to improving outcomes, yet many communities lack access to timely screening. This study explores the role of community health nurses (CHNs) in integrating digital health tools, such as mobile applications and telemedicine, to enhance the early detection of NCDs. A mixed-methods approach was employed, involving surveys with 150 CHNs and semi-structured interviews in rural and urban settings. Results indicate that digital tools significantly improve screening rates by 25% in rural areas, with CHNs playing a pivotal role in training patients and bridging technological gaps. However, challenges such as limited digital literacy and infrastructure persist. This study underscores the potential of CHNs as key facilitators in leveraging digital health for NCD prevention and early diagnosis.