302 Exploring (conceptualization of) key dimensions of (dis)continuity along the care cascade for cardio-metabolic illnesses among internally displaced people in South Sudan

Abstract OP 21: Refugees and Asylum Seekers 4, B308 (FCSH), September 4, 2025, 14:45 - 15:45 Cardio-metabolic diseases are under prioritized in South Sudan. Minimal care is offered to people living with cardio-metabolic diseases in Protection of Civilian camps in Juba. There is an irregular supply of medicines for treatment of hypertension and no treatment for diabetes for people who cannot pay out-of-pocket in private facilities. There is very little empirically grounded knowledge about the intersection of forced migration and (dis)continuity along the care cascade for cardio-metabolic diseases. Even less about how continuity along the care cascade for cardio-metabolic diseases can be established and maintained for IDP’s. This study explores Internally Displaced People IDPs conceptualization of key dimensions to consider when trying to understand care (dis)continuity along the care cascade for cardio-metabolic illnesses. The knowledge was generated via Focus Group Discussions (FDG) and individual interviews with persons living with hypertension and diabetes in a Protection of Civilian camp in Juba. To capture multiple perspective, FGD and interviews were also carried out with some of the persons who contribute to care continuity along the care cascade, i.e. camp community leaders and health providers, public and private tertiary health facilities, representatives from Ministry of Health and health NGOs. We find five dimensions of conceptualized care (dis) continuity among Internally Displaced People: Longitudinal;Relational;Flexible;Team coordination and communication andCross-boundary. These five dimensions of conceptualized care (dis)continuity are critical to understand the intersection(s) between situations of forced migration and cardio-metabolic diseases care. Our findings may inform the development of a care model, empirically grounded in the lived experience of (dis)continuity along the care cascade. The planned and ongoing research is hoped to give new insights into which steps to reach care are the most difficult to tread, and how to overcome these by applying the dimensions identified.