Silent Diseases Awareness and Prevention in the City Slums of Eastern Uganda

Abstract

The Economic Impact of Silent Diseases in the City Slums of Eastern Uganda project, a collaboration between ikopa HEALTH and LivingStone International University (LIU), aims to shed light on how silent diseases like hypertension and diabetes affect the economic well-being of individuals in under-served urban communities in a low-income country. Through a combination of community workshops, mobile health clinics, and digital tools, the project will raise awareness, provide screening, and offer ongoing support to improve health outcomes and economic stability. By engaging with local leaders and healthcare providers, the project seeks to create lasting positive changes in the health and economic status of individuals in Eastern Uganda. This initiative not only focuses on early detection and prevention but also underscores the vital link between health and sustainable economic progress, emphasizing community involvement and access to healthcare services for a healthier and financially stable future.

Introduction

The co-founder of ikopa HEALTH, Joseph Oloba, plays a central role in leading the project. Oloba’s leadership drives the focus on understanding and addressing the economic implications of diseases in disadvantaged communities. Oloba oversees the project’s strategic direction, community-engagement efforts, and implementation of initiatives aimed at improving health outcomes and economic stability in Eastern Uganda.

LIU collaborates closely with ikopa HEALTH to bring academic expertise, research support, and institutional resources to the project. These partners contribute to the development of evidence-based interventions, facilitate data collection and analysis on the economic impact of silent diseases, and support the integration of research findings into practical solutions. LIU’s role enhances the project’s impact by ensuring a strong foundation of empirical evidence and academic rigor.

Who should benefit?

The specific patient group that the project serves are residents of city slums in Eastern Uganda. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are responsible for an estimated 27% of all deaths in Uganda, with cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases being leading causes. A study conducted by the Uganda National Non-Communicable Diseases and Injury Commission estimated that about 35% of adults in Uganda have hypertension, and the prevalence of diabetes is increasing. Their study highlighted the need for increased awareness, prevention, and management of NCDs in the country. The cities of Mbale, Jinja, and Soroti have an estimated combined population of 94,100 people living in slums. The health burden in these communities is exacerbated by factors such as poor living conditions, limited access to nutritious food, and inadequate healthcare infrastructure, which compound the challenges residents face and impact their overall well-being and quality of life.

This group are particularly affected by a lack of awareness, early detection, and management of silent diseases. Many individuals in these slum communities are living with undiagnosed and untreated conditions that can have severe health consequences. Our project aims to address this unmet need by providing education, screening, and ongoing support to improve health outcomes and economic stability, and to empower individuals in Eastern Uganda to take control of their own futures, ultimately contributing to greater equity in the region.

The patient group and affected community were identified and chosen based on the prevalence of silent diseases, the economic impact of these conditions, and the lack of access to healthcare services. The goal was to engage a population that faces significant health challenges and economic deprivation.

Engagement

Patient engagement will involve a comprehensive approach to including the affected community in all stages of the research and programme development. This includes conducting surveys, focus-group discussions, community meetings, and individual interviews to gather insights and feedback from patients.

The contact between the affected patients or communities and research and clinical professionals will involve regular interactions, feedback sessions, and collaborative decision-making processes. Clinical professionals will engage with patients through health-education sessions, screening, and individual consultations to understand their needs and preferences.

Community consent and ownership will be sought and granted through transparent communication, with the active participation of community leaders and representatives. Community members will be provided with information about the project, its goals, and potential benefits.

Changes will be made by incorporating feedback and suggestions from affected individuals to ensure that the delivery of health-education materials, screening methods, and support services meet the needs and preferences of the community.

Patient representatives and partner researchers will be included and recognized in the communication of findings and outcomes through collaborative dissemination strategies. This will include community forums, stakeholder meetings, and public presentations where they can share their perspectives, insights, and contributions to the project. Their involvement will be acknowledged and highlighted in all communication materials to ensure their voices are heard and valued in shaping the project’s outcomes and impact.

Research

The insights and information obtained from engagement with the affected community will significantly shape the design and delivery of the research. We aim to incorporate their perspectives, needs, and preferences into the development of interventions. This participatory approach ensures that the research is relevant, culturally sensitive, and effectively addresses the health challenges faced by the community. Insights gathered from community engagement will guide decisions on the selection of research methods, data-collection strategies, intervention design, and dissemination of findings. 

The project seeks to investigate and challenge specific assumptions, dogmas, or prejudices related to the economic impact of silent diseases in under-served urban communities. This includes exploring misconceptions about the prevalence of these diseases, barriers to accessing healthcare services, and the economic burden faced by individuals living with these conditions. By challenging these assumptions, we aim to promote a deeper understanding of the complex factors influencing health outcomes in the community and develop more effective interventions that address the root causes of health disparities.

The research aims to address key gaps in experimental data that present barriers to the community receiving appropriate health interventions. These may include a lack of data on the prevalence of silent diseases, limited understanding of the economic impact of these conditions, and challenges in accessing healthcare services due to social, economic, or infrastructural factors. These absences may be caused by limitations to resources, priorities, or awareness of the specific health needs of the community. By filling these gaps, we can better tailor interventions to the needs of the community and improve health outcomes.

Patient representatives, community leaders, local researchers, healthcare professionals, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the affected community will play a key role in the research process. This will ensure that the research is culturally appropriate, informed by local expertise, and responsive to the needs of the community. By engaging local stakeholders in the research, we can build sustainable partnerships, enhance the relevance of our work, and promote community ownership of the process.

Translating into impact

To ensure that our research findings are utilized effectively we will develop targeted briefings and reports for key stakeholders; organize workshops and roundtable discussions with policymakers and practitioners; create user-friendly summaries for community members; host webinars and online forums; and provide tailored training sessions for healthcare professionals on implementing evidence-based interventions. These activities will facilitate uptake by translating complex information into actionable insights to inform decision-making and practice.

To build a clear understanding of the pathway to impact, we will conduct stakeholder-mapping exercises; engage in targeted consultations with potential implementers and decision-makers to understand their needs and priorities; develop plans to outline steps and responsibilities; and establish partnerships with organizations that have expertise in scaling-up health interventions. Beyond academic researchers, key collaborators will include NGOs working in the health sector; community-based organizations; government agencies responsible for healthcare delivery; and advocacy groups focused on health equity. Affected community members will be included in research advisory groups and steering committees, fostering ongoing dialogue and feedback.

Our project will serve as a model for others seeking to address health challenges in underserved communities. By sharing lessons learned, best practices, and insights gained from this project, we aim to advocate for the adoption of similar approaches by researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and organizations working to improve health outcomes for marginalized populations.