Perceptions and care-seeking experiences of people living with type 2 diabetes in urban and rural settings in Central Uganda.

Type 2 diabetes is among the leading causes of death globally. It has the highest burden in low-income countries, where misconceptions about its causes and management remain widespread. This study explored the perceptions and lived experiences of adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in Central Uganda. Forty participants diagnosed with T2D were purposively enrolled in a longitudinal qualitative study in Kalungu and Masaka districts, Central Uganda. Each participant had two repeat in-depth interviews, and the data were analyzed thematically using the Health Belief Model constructs. Participants attributed T2D to unhealthy lifestyles (e.g., alcohol use, processed sugars, oily fast food), family history, and spiritual causes. Signs and symptoms were classified as either less severe (e.g., sweating, urination, fatigue) or more severe (e.g., thirst, infections, vision issues, stiffness, paralysis, dizziness, low libido). Perceived signs and symptom severity and anticipated benefits influenced care-seeking decisions. Most participants reported using multiple care types, including biomedical, herbal, and spiritual. Care type choice was guided by expected health benefit regardless of sex or location. In Central Uganda, adults diagnosed with T2D categorize the signs and symptoms of their condition by severity, which shapes their health-seeking behaviour. These insights have the potential to inform the development of holistic, culturally sensitive, and clinically tailored diabetes education interventions. However, the findings of this study are limited to only one region, which necessitates a nationwide study to explore a broader representation of diabetes perceptions and experiences.