349 Crossing borders, losing care? Effect of mobility patterns on cardiometabolic disease care among forcibly displaced persons in Bidibidi refugee settlement, Uganda

Abstract OP 24: Refugees and Asylum Seekers 2, B210 (FCSH), September 4, 2025, 14:45 - 15:45 Background Forcibly Displaced Persons (FDPs) struggle to mantain continuity of care for cardiometabolic conditions like hypertension (HTN) and diabetes (DM), and cross-border mobility may worsen outcomes. This study investigates the association between cross-border mobility and continuity of care for HTN and DM among FDPs in the Bidibidi Refugee Settlement, Uganda. Methods A community-based cross-sectional survey using respondent-driven sampling was conducted with 1,010 FDPs living with HTN and/or DM across Bidibidi’s five zones. Trained Village Health Teams collected data on sociodemographics, health system factors, continuity of care, social capital, and mobility patterns. Continuity of care was assessed based on disease control: HTN (systolic blood pressure [SBP] <140 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure [DBP] <90 mmHg with antihypertensives) and DM (fasting blood glucose [FBG] <7.0 mmol/L, glycated hemoglobin [HbA1c] <6.5% with antidiabetics). Mobility was categorized as no return trips, one return trip, or multiple return trips to South Sudan. Results Participants’ mean age was 55.9 years (SD 14.9), 78.4% were female. Mean SBP was 142.9 mmHg (SD 20.6), DBP 86.8 mmHg (SD 12.6), HbA1c 5.0%, and FBG 5.5 mmol/L (SD 2.4). Overall, 38.0% had controlled HTN, and 47.4% had controlled DM. Regarding mobility, 63.2% reported no return trips, 18.9% had one return trip, and 17.9% had multiple return trips. Logistic regression showed that participants with one return trip to South Sudan had higher odds of controlled HTN (adjusted OR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.03–2.06, p < 0.05), whereas those with multiple return trips had lower odds of DM control (adjusted OR = 0.27, 95% CI: 0.07–0.92, p < 0.05). Conclusion Cross-border mobility influences continuity for HTN and DM care among FDPs, with frequent return trips disrupting disease management. Strengthening cross-border health systems and coordinated interventions is essential to sustain continuity of care and improve chronic disease outcomes in displaced populations.