Self-care and healthcare seeking practices among patients with hypertension and diabetes in rural Uganda

Bibliographic Data

ID19594983
AuthorsAndrew K Tusubira (0000-0003-0435-3666, Uganda Institute of Information & Communications Technology, corresponding author), Isaac Ssinabulya (0000-0001-6521-7778, Mulago Hospital), Robert Kalyesubula (0000-0003-3211-163X, Makerere University), Christine Kayemba Nalwadda (0000-0002-9145-4854, Makerere University), Ann R Akiteng (0000-0002-1261-6764, Uganda Institute of Information & Communications Technology), Christine Ngaruiya (0000-0002-4583-0986, Yale University), Tracy L Rabin (0000-0002-4829-9051, Yale University), Anne Katahoire (0000-0003-3520-070X, Makerere University), Mari Armstrong‐Hough (0000-0001-6947-4528, New York University), Evelyn Hsieh (0000-0001-5018-8409, Yale University), Nicola L Hawley (0000-0002-2601-3454, Yale University), Jeremy I Schwartz (0000-0003-0139-2600, Yale University)
EditorsZulkarnain Jaafar
Year2023
Volume3
Issue12
Pagese0001777
Publication date2023-12-11
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePLOS Global Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2767-3375 • E-ISSN: 2767-3375
PublisherPublic Library of Science (PLoS) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1371/journal.pgph.0001777
PMID38079386
OpenAlexW4389547739
LanguageEN
References cited32

Background Implementing effective self-care practices for non-communicable diseases (NCD) prevents complications and morbidity. However, scanty evidence exists among patients in rural sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We sought to describe and compare existing self-care practices among patients with hypertension (HTN) and diabetes (DM) in rural Uganda. Methods Between April and August 2019, we executed a cross-sectional investigation involving 385 adult patients diagnosed with HTN and/or DM. These participants were systematically randomly selected from three outpatient NCD clinics in the Nakaseke district. Data collection was facilitated using a structured survey that inquired about participants’ healthcare-seeking patterns, access to self-care services, education on self-care, medication compliance, and overall health-related quality of life. We utilized Chi-square tests and logistic regression analyses to discern disparities in self-care practices, education, and healthcare-seeking actions based on the patient’s conditions. Results Of the 385 participants, 39.2% had only DM, 36.9% had only HTN, and 23.9% had both conditions (HTN/DM). Participants with DM or both conditions reported more clinic visits in the past year than those with only HTN (P = 0.005). Similarly, most DM-only and HTN/DM participants monitored their weight monthly, unlike those with only HTN (P Conclusion Compared to rural Ugandans with HTN-only, participants with DM had greater utilization of healthcare services, exposure to self-care education, and adherence to medicine and self-monitoring behaviors. These findings should inform ongoing efforts to improve and integrate NCD service delivery in rural SSA

Diabetes mellitus · Disease · Environmental health · Family medicine · Health care · Logistic regression · Odds · Odds ratio · Rural area · Rural health · Diabetes Management and Education · Diabetes, Cardiovascular Risks, and Lipoproteins · Global Public Health Policies and Epidemiology · Medicine · Gerontology · Internal Medicine