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400 Asekenye et al. | Journal of Clinical and Translational Research 2023; 9(6): 398-413

Figure 1. Map of Uganda showing the study areas (Drawn from GPS coordinates from the survey Sept-Nov 2021 using Arc GIS Version 10.5 on
19/7/22).

2.3. Teso sub-region of Uganda to the participants to allow them to make informed decisions on
whether to participate in the study or not. The participants were
Teso sub-region is in the eastern part of Uganda with coordinates
of latitude: 1.7159°N and longitudes: 33.6111° E. Most of its eight then requested to sign a consent form to confirm their approval

to participate in the study. Both the questionnaire and informed
districts (based on the 2014 national census enumerated areas) consent form were translated into Runyankole/Rukiga and Ateso
(Amuria, Bukedea, Kaberamaido, Katakwi, Kumi, Ngora, Serere, which are the most commonly used dialects in Ankole and Teso
and Soroti district) lie about 1129 m above sea level. The selected sub-regions, respectively.
representative sub-counties in the representative districts of Teso
sub-region were as follows; Soroti district (Gweri, Asuret, Tubur 3. Materials
and Kamuda sub-counties), Ngora district (Mukura, Kobwin,
Ngora, and Kapir sub-counties), Amuria district (Obalanga, The main materials in this survey were as follows; informed
Acuwa, Orungo, and Wera sub-counties), Kaberamaido district consent forms, questionnaires, glucometers and strips (On call
(Ochero, Kaberamaido, Anyara, and Bululu sub-counties), and Plus), portable digital body weighing scale (TilyExpress), and
Katakwi district (Ongongoja, Kapujan, Ngariam, and Katakwi height meter (Seca 213). They were purchased from a certified
sub-counties). (Zee pharmaceutical) store and voice recorder (Sony ICD-PX470),
in Mbarara City, Uganda.
2.4. Ethics approval and consent to participate
3.1. Study design and strategy
The study was approved by Mbarara University of Science
and Technology Research Ethics Committee (MUST-REC) This study was both qualitative and quantitative. Qualitative
under Protocol number MUST-2021-52 and registered with the design employed a cross-sectional community (household level)
Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST) survey the frequently eaten vegetables, their preparation methods
under registration number HS1840ES. Before going to collect and consumption patterns were documented, while the quantitative
data, written permission was first sought from the District Health aspect involved measuring the FBG levels.
Officers (DHOs) of the study districts in the two sub-regions. 3.2. Sampling strategy
A copy of the approval letter from the DHOs was presented to
the in-charge at Health Center III in the study sub-counties, who Multistage sampling strategy was used. The two study
permitted a nurse and a Village Health Team leader to be recruited sub-regions were purposively selected basing on their known
as research assistants to collect both data and vegetable samples for remarkable differences in prevalence of hyperglycemia. The
identification. The purpose and nature of the study was explained study districts and sub-counties were sampled by stratification.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18053/jctres.09.202306.23-00096