The rural Uganda non-communicable disease (RUNCD) study: prevalence and risk factors of self-reported NCDs from a cross sectional survey

Abstract

Background Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are an increasing global concern, with morbidity and mortality largely occurring in low- and middle-income settings. We established the prospective Rural Uganda Non-Communicable Disease (RUNCD) cohort to longitudinally characterize the NCD prevalence, progression, and complications in rural Africa. Methods We conducted a population-based census for NCD research. We systematically enrolled adults in each household among three sub-counties of the larger Nakaseke Health district and collected baseline demographic, health status, and self-reported chronic disease information. We present our data on self-reported chronic disease, as stratified by age, sex, educational attainment, and sub-county. Results A total of 16,694 adults were surveyed with 10,563 (63%) respondents enrolled in the self-reported study. Average age was 37.8 years (SD = 16.5) and 45% (7481) were male. Among self-reported diseases, hypertension (HTN) was most prevalent (6.3%). 1.1% of participants reported a diagnosis of diabetes, 1.1% asthma, 0.7% COPD, and 0.4% kidney disease. 2.4% of the population described more than one NCD. Self-reported HTN was significantly higher in the peri-urban subcounty than in the other two rural sub-counties (p < 0.001); diagnoses for all other diseases did not differ significantly between sub-counties. Odds for self-reported HTN increased significantly with age (OR = 1.87 per 10 years of age, 95% CI 1.78–1.96). Male sex was associated with lower odds of reporting asthma (OR = 0.53, 95% CI 0.34–0.82) or HTN (OR = 0.31, 95% CI 0.26–0.40). Conclusions The RUNCD will establish one of the largest NCD patient cohorts in rural Africa. First analysis highlights the feasibility of systematically enrolling large numbers of adults living in a rural Ugandan district. In addition, our study demonstrates low levels of self-reported NCDs compared to the nation-wide established levels, emphasizing the need to better educate, characterize, and care for the majority of rural communities.

Burden and Determinants of Self-Reported High Blood Pressure Among Women of Reproductive Age In Tanzania: Evidence from 2022 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey

“…When we compare our findings with reports from other countries, we uncover a wide range of outcomes. A cross-sectional survey conducted in Nakaseke health district in Uganda reported a quite similar prevalence rate of self-reported high blood pressure at 6.3% [26]. Population-based studies among women in Kenya and Benin reported prevalence rates of 9.38% and 9.9%, respectively [27, 28].…”

Service Availability and Readiness of Primary Care Health Facilities Offering Hypertension Diagnosis Services in Wakiso District, Uganda, 2019

“…Uganda faces a budding epidemic of hypertension. In 2015, the prevalence of hypertension was 26.4%, and the condition remains undiagnosed and undetected in many people (9). A study conducted in 1 district in central Uganda reported that 6.3% of people in Uganda self-reported having hypertension (10).…”

“…The available information on hypertension in Uganda in the scientific literature mostly describes the proportion of people at risk for hypertension and those who have hypertension (9)(10)(11). Few published studies focus on the status of hypertension diagnostic services available in Uganda and the readiness of health facilities to offer hypertension care (12).…”

“…In 2015, the prevalence of hypertension was 26.4%, and the condition remains undiagnosed and undetected in many people ( 9 ). A study conducted in 1 district in central Uganda reported that 6.3% of people in Uganda self-reported having hypertension ( 10 ). Wakiso District has the largest population in central Uganda, with 2.9 million people.…”

Knowledge and perceptions of primary healthcare providers towards integration of antiretroviral therapy (ART) services at departmental levels at selected health facilities Lira district, Uganda

“…According to the UNAIDS report, antiretroviral treatment coverage in Uganda is at 90% [ 13 ]. The growing number of persons living with chronic illnesses especially NCDs is on the rise in many developing nations [ 14 ]. HIV/AIDS has joined the list of chronic illnesses because many PLWHIV can now live longer with the virus because of the life-saving medicines [ 15 ].…”