Submission ID 130630
| Issue/Objective | Children and adolescents living with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) in low-resource settings experience significant challenges in disease management, including limited disease knowledge, poor dietary practices, low physical activity, and inadequate psychosocial support. These challenges reflect broader gaps in primary health care systems, where adolescent-focused and culturally appropriate non-communicable disease (NCD) interventions are often lacking. Addressing these inequities is critical to advancing global health equity. This study aimed to explore the experiences, perceptions, and acceptability of a culturally tailored, family-centred health promotion programme for adolescents with T1DM and their caregivers in Uganda. The study aligns with the conference theme by demonstrating how context-specific, evidence-based interventions can strengthen primary health care and translate knowledge into actionable strategies. |
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| Methodology/Approach | A qualitative study was conducted at Wakiso Health Centre IV following implementation of an eight-week health promotion programme (Active Hearts, Healthy Lives). Fourteen participants-seven adolescents with T1DM, four caregivers, and three health workers-were purposively sampled. The intervention included structured education sessions, dietary counselling using locally available foods, practical demonstrations, and physical activity modules. Post-intervention semi-structured interviews were conducted, audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using inductive thematic analysis. |
| Results | Three key themes emerged: (i) enhanced diabetes knowledge and self-management capacity, (ii) behavioural transformation and empowerment, and (iii) social support, belonging, and programme acceptability. Participants reported improved confidence in managing T1DM, adoption of healthier dietary and physical activity behaviours, and reduced stigma. The group-based, culturally relevant approach strengthened peer and family support, while practical, hands-on learning was highly valued. The intervention was perceived as feasible and adaptable within a primary health care context. |
| Discussion/Conclusion | This study demonstrates that culturally tailored, family-centred interventions can effectively translate evidence into practice within resource-constrained settings. Integrating such programmes into routine primary health care, supported by task-shifting and community engagement, offers a scalable pathway to improve adolescent NCD outcomes. These findings highlight practical approaches to bridging research and implementation, strengthening health systems, and advancing equitable, context-responsive care in line with the conference sub-theme on translating evidence into impact. |
| Presenters and Affiliations | Jonathan Nsamba Hope Springs Health Foundation Uganda Limited Charles Mwanje Hope Springs Health Foundation Uganda Limited Nicholas Matovu Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast Safaa Garelnabi Hope Springs Health Foundation Uganda Limited Sheena Arayo Hope Springs Health Foundation Uganda Limited Ronald Tibiita Hope Springs Health Foundation Uganda Limited Karen Ademun Department of Geography, Geoinformatics and Climatic Sciences, Makerere University. Ruth Biyinzika School of Nursing, Kampala University, Uganda Wenceslaus Sseguya Department of Internal Medicine, St Francis Hospital Nsambya, P.O. Box 7146, Kampala, Uganda |
