A community engagement programme raising awareness of sickle cell disease across the Kalangala Islands, in partnership with Global Health Uganda and Duke University.
Sickle cell disease carries a heavy but under-recognised burden on Uganda's island communities. In partnership with Global Health Uganda and Duke University, SHSI leads community engagement across the Kalangala Islands to raise awareness, reduce stigma and connect families to screening and care.
Objectives
- Raise community awareness of sickle cell disease across Kalangala.
- Reduce stigma faced by children and families living with the condition.
- Support access to screening, counselling and follow-up care.
- Generate community-informed insights to guide future research.
Activities
- Village dialogues with elders, parents and adolescents.
- School- and health-facility-based awareness sessions.
- Training of community health workers and peer educators.
- Co-design of culturally appropriate awareness materials.
Outcomes
- Higher awareness of sickle cell disease among island residents.
- Stronger referral pathways between community and health facilities.
- A network of trained community champions sustaining the message.
The programme brings sickle cell care and conversation to communities that global research has too often overlooked, and lays the groundwork for long-term, equitable care on the islands.
