236 Community engagement in chronic disease research with displaced populations in Uganda

Abstract WKS 39: Engaging Peer Researchers in NCD Research: Insights, Challenges, and Opportunities from a Community-Based Mixed-Methods Study in Bidibidi Refugee Settlement, Uganda, B308 (FCSH), September 5, 2025, 10:15 - 11:15 Background Hypertension and type 2 diabetes are growing health concerns among forcibly displaced persons (FDPs). In Uganda, continuity of care is disrupted by mobility, limited resources, and fragmented services. This study explored factors influencing continuity and discontinuity of care for FDPs with these conditions in Northern Uganda. Methods The study was conducted in Bidibidi Refugee Settlement (Yumbe District) and Nyumanzi Settlement and Reception Centre (Adjumani District) using a community-based participatory design. Four trained peer researchers (two male, two female), Village Health Teams (VHTs), and health facility staff collaborated in data collection. Methods included surveys, point-of-care testing, interviews, and focus group discussions. An advisory board of district health authorities, humanitarian actors, and community representatives guided recruitment, tool adaptation, and referral pathways. Results Community engagement enhanced trust and facilitated culturally relevant tools and participant recruitment. VHTs, following hands-on training, successfully conducted point-of-care testing and data collection. Peer researchers contributed insider perspectives, offering deeper insights into the effects of mobility on care disruption. Key challenges included limited geographic coverage due to financial constraints, language barriers affecting data quality, and the need for extensive training and supervision. Conclusions Participatory approaches involving peer researchers and VHTs are feasible and valuable for chronic disease research in humanitarian settings. However, future studies should invest in sustainable capacity building, language mediation, and adequate resources to strengthen data quality and impact. Findings highlight the importance of embedding community engagement in non-communicable disease (NCD) research and practice to improve continuity of care among displaced populations. Keywords continuity of care, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, refugee health, Uganda, community engagement