Community-based health insights from rural Uganda: challenges and resilience in healthcare access
File(s)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Sharma, Ishani
Nantume, Patience
Tabche, Celine
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
The Ugandan healthcare system is a multilevel, decentralised network comprised of both government
and privately funded institutions. Disparities in healthcare access between urban and rural settings remain an issue in Uganda. A mix of ethnographic fieldwork, and informal interviews were conducted within a rural community North of Kampala. These aimed to explore determinants of community health behaviours, healthcare challenges faced by residents, and existing healthcare strategies and resources. Four key themes emerged from the discussions: Healthcare Access and Utilisation; Community Culture and Health-Seeking Behaviour; Role of Voluntary Health Teams; and Resource Use and Community-Led Solutions. Interviews with community leads highlighted several potential community-designed strategies to address these issues. These community reflections echo wider literature on rural healthcare access. Critically, the importance of health outreach, integration of traditional medicine, and cultural sensitivity cannot be understated. Co-design and community collaboration is essential to ensure sustainable, assets-based approaches to rural healthcare problem solving.
and privately funded institutions. Disparities in healthcare access between urban and rural settings remain an issue in Uganda. A mix of ethnographic fieldwork, and informal interviews were conducted within a rural community North of Kampala. These aimed to explore determinants of community health behaviours, healthcare challenges faced by residents, and existing healthcare strategies and resources. Four key themes emerged from the discussions: Healthcare Access and Utilisation; Community Culture and Health-Seeking Behaviour; Role of Voluntary Health Teams; and Resource Use and Community-Led Solutions. Interviews with community leads highlighted several potential community-designed strategies to address these issues. These community reflections echo wider literature on rural healthcare access. Critically, the importance of health outreach, integration of traditional medicine, and cultural sensitivity cannot be understated. Co-design and community collaboration is essential to ensure sustainable, assets-based approaches to rural healthcare problem solving.
Date Acceptance
2025-08-29
Citation
BMJ Case Reports
ISSN
1757-790X
Publisher
BMJ Publishing Group
Journal / Book Title
BMJ Case Reports
Copyright Statement
Copyright This paper is embargoed until publication. Once published the author’s accepted manuscript will be made available under a CC-BY License in accordance with Imperial’s Research Publications Open Access policy (www.imperial.ac.uk/oa-policy).
License URL
Publication Status
Accepted