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BMC Public Health
Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2024

Open Access 01-12-2024 | Research

Perceived barriers of access to health and nutrition services under drought and food insecurity emergency in north-east Uganda: a qualitative study

Authors: Charles Njuguna, Habteyes Hailu Tola, Benson Ngugi Maina, Kwikiriza Nicholas Magambo, Nabunya Phoebe, Elizabeth Adhiambo Mgamb, Evelyne Tibananuka, Florence M. Turyashemererwa, Moses Rubangakene, Kisubika Richard, George Opong, Ssekitoleko Richard, Chris Opesen, Tim Mateeba, Edmond Muyingo, Upenytho George, Samalie Namukose, Yonas Tegegn Woldemariam

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2024

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Abstract

Background

In the face of drought and food insecurity emergency, evidence on access to health and nutrition services is important. Karamoja is one of the regions that have experienced extreme drought and food insecurity emergency in Uganda. As a part of the drought and food insecurity emergency response, World Health Organization (WHO) with Ministry of Health (MoH) has designed and implemented a qualitative study in 15 districts that have experienced drought and food insecurity emergency in north-east Uganda. Thus, we aimed to explore the barriers of access to health and nutrition services in drought and food insecurity emergency affected districts in north-east Uganda.

Methods

We employed a descriptive qualitative study design. We interviewed 30 patients and 20 Village Health Teams (VHT) from 15 districts. We employed an in-depth interview with semi-structured questions to collect data until information saturation reached. We used thematic data analysis approach by ATLAS.ti version 7.5.1.8 software.

Results

Of the 30 interviewed subjects, 15 were female, and the median age of the subjects was 29 years with interquartile range (IQR) of 23 to 37 years. Majority (68.8%) of subjects reported that access to health and nutrition services was harder to them. Four themes: sociocultural and economic; environmental; health system, and individual related factors were identified as the barriers of access to health and nutrition services.

Conclusion

The present study identified several modifiable barriers that hinder access to health and nutrition services in drought and food insecurity affected districts. Comprehensive interventions aimed at addressing sociocultural, economic, environmental, health system and subject related challenges are required to improve access to health and nutrition services in drought and food insecurity affected setups.
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Metadata
Title
Perceived barriers of access to health and nutrition services under drought and food insecurity emergency in north-east Uganda: a qualitative study
Authors
Charles Njuguna
Habteyes Hailu Tola
Benson Ngugi Maina
Kwikiriza Nicholas Magambo
Nabunya Phoebe
Elizabeth Adhiambo Mgamb
Evelyne Tibananuka
Florence M. Turyashemererwa
Moses Rubangakene
Kisubika Richard
George Opong
Ssekitoleko Richard
Chris Opesen
Tim Mateeba
Edmond Muyingo
Upenytho George
Samalie Namukose
Yonas Tegegn Woldemariam
Publication date
01-12-2024
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2024
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-17830-5

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