3091.0 - Assessing healthcare barriers and identifying implementation strategies to mitigate cardiovascular risks among urban market vendors in Uganda
Session: Non-Communicable Diseases Poster Session
Presenter: Yumi Yang
Author: Drew Cameron
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Abstract
Cardiovascular disease is responsible for 10% of all deaths in Uganda, making it the leading cause of death among non-communicable diseases (NCD) in the country. Uganda is among the world's most rapidly growing and urbanizing countries, with a hypertension prevalence that exceeds 25%. Across sub-Saharan Africa, urban market vendors serve as key participants in the informal workforce and represent a vulnerable population at high risk for cardiovascular diseases. In Uganda, 65% of market vendors are women, many of whom face high poverty rates, have low education levels, and work long, sedentary hours. These conditions, along with limited healthcare access and unhealthy eating habits, contribute to a high prevalence of obesity and hypertension, making market vendors a high-risk population for cardiovascular diseases (CVD).Despite limited literature on this high-risk population and many evidence-based interventions known to reduce CVD risk, no targeted implementation strategies have been developed to date. We are conducting a cross-sectional quantitative study that surveys market vendors in two large urban markets in Kampala and Mbarara through a stratified random sampling approach using a comprehensive questionnaire adapted from the World Health Organization (WHO) STEPwise approach to NCD risk factor surveillance (STEPS). Our analysis focuses on identifying CVD risk factors, such as hypertension, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, and poor sleep, and explores the barriers to healthcare access that may hinder vendors' ability to mitigate these risks. Multivariate logistic regression will be used to identify factors that are significantly associated with poor health outcomes and barriers to healthcare access. In addition to blood pressure readings and basic anthropometric measurements, data is collected to estimate 10-year CVD risk using a non-laboratory-based CVD risk estimate instrument. This study provides novel formative quantitative research data about a vulnerable population at high risk for CVD to identify opportunities to co-create implementation strategies along with vendors and other stakeholders in order to mitigate this risk.