title: The visibility of non-communicable diseases in Northern Uganda.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  WHO and Uganda's Ministry of Health emphasize the need to address the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Treatment for these conditions is urgent in northern Uganda where war has negatively affected both health and the public health care system.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to explore the recognized presence of selected chronic conditions in the out-patient population and to relate this 'visibility' to the ability of health units to diagnose and treat them.
  
  
  METHODS
  At six health facilities we reviewed patient registers for one month to determine the frequency of hypertension, diabetes, depression, and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We checked the availability of diagnostic instruments and medicines, and interviewed health workers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The four conditions were rarely diagnosed in the outpatient population. Hypertension was the most common, but still constituted under 1% of diagnoses. Patterns of diagnosis were uneven, with higher frequency of particular diagnoses at some health facilities. Diagnostic equipment was not sufficient and screening was irregular. Medicine was mostly available although stockouts of some relevant drugs were reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The four conditions are relatively invisible in the outpatient population. Greater visibility would be facilitated by regular clinic days for hypertension and diabetes, availability and regular use of diagnostic instruments, and a more reliable supply of the relevant medicines.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anthropology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Susan Reynolds
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Whyte
authors.affiliation: Institute of Anthropology, University of Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Sung-Joon
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Gulu University, Uganda.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Odong
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Gulu University, Uganda.
authors.forename: Moris
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ojara
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Gulu University, Uganda.
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lamwaka
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010045:Outpatients; D014454:Uganda
keywords: Northern Uganda; non-communicable diseases
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