Browsing by Author "Sseguya, Wenceslaus"

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    Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on quality of life of adults with diabetes in rural Uganda: a cross-sectional survey
    (Oxford Academic, 2025-10-07) Sseguya, Wenceslaus; Bahendeka, Silver; MacLennan, Sara; Guntupalli, Meera Aravinda
    The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was associated with unprecedented healthcare, economic and social disruptions that impacted persons with diabetes mellitus (PWDM). We aimed to establish how the quality of life (QoL) of persons with diabetes in rural Uganda was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, using the pre-pandemic, pandemic and post-pandemic self-reported QoL scores. We surveyed 410 PWDM ≥30 y of age from three rural districts in south-western Uganda. Median QoL scores were computed and variations across the three time periods were analysed using the Friedman analysis of variance and McNemar tests as appropriate. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with QoL. A p-value <0.05 indicated statistical significance. The overall median QoL scores were 67.2 (pre-pandemic), 62.4 (pandemic) and 68.8 (post-pandemic) (p<0.001). There was a 75% increase in the proportion of participants with unsatisfactory QoL during the pandemic (p<0.001). Having diabetes complications (p<0.001), chronic comorbidity (p=0.012), no formal education (p<0.003) and travelling for healthcare using non-motorised transport (<0.001) were all independently associated with post-pandemic unsatisfactory QoL. The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant deterioration in QoL among rural PWDM, raising the need for policies to prioritise the consideration of their evolving needs while designing measures for future similar widespread emergencies.
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    Prevalence and correlates of diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes mellitus among adults in rural Uganda during the COVID-19 pandemic: an evaluation of a community-based screening programme
    (Oxford Academic, 2025-05-02) Sseguya, Wenceslaus; Bahendeka, Silver; Mody, Nimesh; MacLennan, Sara; Guntupalli, M Aravinda
    One in two people with diabetes in sub-Saharan Africa remains undiagnosed, which has contributed to the region's high rates of diabetes-related morbidity and mortality. While the COVID-19 pandemic likely exacerbated diabetes prevalence, limited data from the region, including Uganda, hampers our understanding of this impact. To address this gap, we analysed the diabetes prevalence and correlates among adults from three rural districts of Uganda using data from a community-based screening programme conducted by community health workers (CHWs) during the pandemic. We used anonymised data of 2587 records to analyse the prevalence and correlates of diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes. Prevalence was presented as proportions with 95% CIs. Correlates of diabetes and undiagnosed diabetes prevalence were analysed using logistic regression and presented as ORs. The overall prevalence of diabetes was 11.3% (95% CI 10.2 to 12.5%), with a 7.2% (95% CI 6.2 to 8.1%) prevalence for diagnosed diabetes. A high proportion (36.4%) of diabetes cases were undiagnosed. Older age, high body mass index and pre-existing hypertension were associated with high diabetes prevalence. There was a high proportion of undiagnosed diabetes among rural adults during the pandemic. Engaging CHWs in routine diabetes screening and awareness programmes can reduce the burden of undiagnosed diabetes.