Abstract
BackgroundThe prevalence of hypertension and diabetes are expected to increase in sub-Saharan Africa over the next decade. Some studies have documented that lifestyle factors and lack of awareness are directly influencing the control of these diseases. Yet, few studies have attempted to understand the barriers to control of these conditions in rural settings. The main objective of this study was to understand the challenges to hypertension and diabetes care in rural Uganda.MethodsWe conducted semi-structured interviews with 24 patients with hypertension and/or diabetes, 11 health care professionals (HCPs), and 12 community health workers (known as village health team members [VHTs]) in Nakaseke District, Uganda. Data were coded using NVivo software and analyzed using a thematic approach.ResultsThe results replicated several findings from other settings, and identified some previously undocumented challenges including patients’ knowledge gaps regarding the preventable aspects of HTN and DM, patients’ mistrust in the Ugandan health care system rather than in individual HCPs, and skepticism from both HCPs and patients regarding a potential role for VHTs in HTN and DM management.ConclusionsIn order to improve hypertension and diabetes management in this setting, we recommend taking actions to help patients to understand NCDs as preventable, for HCPs and patients to advocate together for health system reform regarding medication accessibility, and for promoting education, screening, and monitoring activities to be conducted on a community level in collaboration with village health team members.
Highlights
Non-communicable disease (NCD) related deaths are expected to increase globally [1]
About 80% of the cardiovascular diseases (CVD)-related deaths occur in low and middle-income (LMIC) countries, and more than half of these deaths are a result of complications of hypertension (HTN) and diabetes
Many participants correctly identified HTN and DM as non-communicable diseases. They believed that only communicable diseases were preventable and, that NCDs were not
Summary
Non-communicable disease (NCD) related deaths are expected to increase globally [1]. In Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) the burden of disease is expected to double for both HTN and DM by 2025 and 2035 respectively [5, 6]. Poor control of HTN and DM under the direct influence of lifestyle factors and lack of awareness in Uganda is the major contributor to the increase in these conditions [8,9,10]. The prevalence of hypertension and diabetes are expected to increase in sub-Saharan Africa over the decade. Some studies have documented that lifestyle factors and lack of awareness are directly influencing the control of these diseases.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
