Browsing by Author "Matovu, K. B. Joseph"

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    Factors associated with willingness to use ecological sanitation toilets in Katine sub county Soroti district Uganda: a cross sectional study
    (Springer Nature, 2025) Ikiring, Osako Betty; Okia, David; Okolimong, Charles; Alunyo, Patrick Jimmy; Katuramu, Richard; Khainza, Tabitha Annet; Mukunya, David; Matovu, K. B. Joseph; Musoke, David; Olupot-Olupot, Peter; Wanume, Benon
    Ecological sanitation (EcoSan) toilets provide a sustainable approach to waste management by converting human excreta into usable agricultural inputs. Despite their environmental and health benefits, uptake remains low in many settings. This study investigated the proportion of community members in Katine sub-county, Soroti district, Eastern Uganda, who had ever used EcoSan toilets, their willingness to use them, and the factors associated with this willingness. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 395 residents using structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics estimated the proportions of prior use and willingness to use EcoSan toilets. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors independently associated with willingness. Analyses were conducted in Stata 18, and results are presented in tables and figures. Only 18.5% (73/395) of respondents had used EcoSan toilets, and 13.7% (54/395) expressed willingness to use them. In multivariable analysis, key factors negatively associated with willingness included awareness of Ecosan toilets (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 0.06, 95% CI 0.02–0.16; p<0.0001), willingness to use sanitized fecal matter (AOR 0.06, 95% CI 0.02–0.17; p<0.0001), and perceived ease of use (AOR 0.16, 95% CI 0.05–0.48; p=0.001). Adoption of EcoSan toilets remains low in this setting, primarily due to limited awareness, cultural reservations, and usability concerns. Community sensitisation, culturally appropriate messaging, and user centered toilet design are essential to improving uptake in similar rural environments. Keywords Ecological sanitation, Willingness, Rural sanitation, Uganda, Waste reuse
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    Incidence and predictors of Sudan ebolavirus transmission among contacts in Uganda in 2022 : a retrospective cohort study
    (BMC Public Health, 2025) Mulongo, Muhamed; Matovu, K. B. Joseph; Lubaale, A. M. Yovani; Olupot-Olupot, Peter
    Background: Ebola disease (EBOD) is a highly lethal zoonotic viral hemorrhagic fever that is responsible for 41 outbreaks globally. Ebola transmission is a key driver of the magnitude and complexity of outbreaks, yet incidence rate during outbreaks is not fully studied. This study aimed to determine the incidence and predictors of Sudan Ebolavirus transmission during the 2022 outbreak in Uganda. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study leveraging surveillance records for individuals identified as contacts, and collected between September and December 2022 during the Sudan Ebolavirus Disease (SUVD) outbreak in Uganda. Data were extracted and analyzed via Stata/SE 15. This analysis involved calculating incidence rates and assessing predictors of Ebola transmission through appropriate multivariable regression models, and controlling for potential confounders like sex, age, health worker, and place of contact. The study protocol was approved by the Busitema University Research Ethics Committee (BUFHS-2023-145). Individual informed consent was waived, and all the data were anonymized. Results: 3140 contacts were included in the study, with 50.6% being female and a mean age of 24 years. The incidence rate of SUVD was 1.6 cases per 1,000 person-days of follow-up. Kaplan Meier survival function showed that the risk for being diagnosed with SUVD extended beyond 21 days, up to the 28th day post exposure. The incidence of SUVD in secondary transmission settings was 1.8 times higher than that in primary transmission settings (IRR=1.81, 95% CI=1.202–2.735; P<0.001). After controlling for sex, age, health worker, and place of contact, the significant predictors of SUVD transmission were high-risk contact status (aHR=2.5, 95% CI: 1.68–3.72; P<0.001) and male sex in secondary transmission settings (aHR=2.14, 95% CI=1.15–4.01; P=0.02). Conclusions: This study revealed a high incidence of Ebola among contacts, with cases emerging beyond the standard 21-day follow-up period. The incidence was notably higher in secondary transmission settings, with high-risk contacts and males being particularly vulnerable. These findings suggest the need to revise contact tracing protocols (extend beyond 21 days), and prioritize follow-up on the basis of risk stratification. Further research is warranted to explore sex-related differences in secondary transmission dynamics. Keywords: Ebola transmission incidence, Predictors, Uganda, Sudan Ebola virus
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    Prevalence and factors associated with poor hand hygiene practices among adult carers of children under five in Mbale district Uganda.
    (Scientific Reports, 2025) Nawanga, Jascenti; Alunyo, Patrick Jimmy; Wenani, Daniel; Okibure, Ambrose; Olupot-Olupot, Peter; Mukunya, David; Nekaka, Rebecca; Okolimong, Charles; Okware, Samuel; Matovu, K. B. Joseph
    Background: Proper hand hygiene reduces the risk of hygiene-related diseases among children under five years of age; however, poor hand hygiene practices remain common in many communities. This study determined the prevalence and factors associated with poor hand hygiene practices among adult caregivers of children under five years in Mbale District, Eastern Uganda, to inform context-specific interventions. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in March 2023 among 320 adult caregivers of children under five years. Participants were selected using multistage sampling from three sub counties with the largest under-five populations. Structured questionnaires collected information on socio-demographics, household characteristics, knowledge of hand hygiene, and COVID-19 prevention information. Poor hand hygiene was defined as reporting handwashing at five or fewer of ten critical hand hygiene moments. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors independently associated with poor hand hygiene. Results: Of the 320 caregivers enrolled, 275 (85.9%) were female. The majority were aged 25–34 years (38.4%, n=123), and over half (55.6%, n=178) had primary education. Overall, 28% (n=88) of caregivers engaged in poor hand hygiene practices. In the multivariable analysis, receiving hand hygiene information from Village Health Teams (VHTs) was significantly associated with higher odds of poor hand hygiene (AOR 4.2; 95% CI 1.7-10.4). Caregivers who indicated that hand hygiene protects against COVID-19 had lower odds of poor hand hygiene (AOR 0.16; 95% CI 0.03-0.73). Additionally, inconsistent availability of soap, detergent, or sanitizer at handwashing stations was strongly associated with poor hand hygiene (AOR 8.22; 95% CI 2.03-57.16). No significant associations were observed for education level, child’s age, or type of handwashing facility. Conclusion: Nearly three in ten adult caregivers exhibited poor hand hygiene practices. Poor hand hygiene was associated with receiving information from VHTs and inconsistent access to cleansing materials, whereas knowledge of hand hygiene’s protective benefits against COVID-19 was associated with better practices. Strengthening VHT training and ensuring reliable access to handwashing supplies may help improve hygiene behaviours in Mbale District. Keywords: Hand hygiene practices, adult caregivers, children under five, Mbale District, Uganda.
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    Tuberculosis treatment success rate and its predictors among TB HIV co-infected patients in East and North Eastern Uganda.
    (Springer Nature, 2025) Omara, Godfrey; Bwayo, Denis; Mukunya, David; Nantale, Ritah; Okia, David; Matovu, K. B. Joseph; Wanume, Benon; Alunyo, Patrick Jimmy; Olupot-Olupot, Peter
    TB/HIV co-infection is associated with poorer treatment outcomes compared to TB alone. This study assessed the TB treatment success rate and its predictors among TB/HIV co-infected patients in East and North Eastern Uganda. A retrospective cohort design was used, involving 324 patients treated between July 2019 and July 2021 at three regional referral hospitals. Treatment success, defined as completing therapy with or without bacteriologic confirmation, was achieved by 71.9% of patients (95% CI 67–77%). Loss to follow-up was 12%, mortality 9.9%, treatment failure 0.3%, and 5.2% were not evaluated. Patients lacking sputum monitoring at five months were significantly less likely to achieve treatment success (aRR 0.48, 95% CI 0.34–0.66). These findings underscore the importance of effective follow-up to improve outcomes for TB/HIV co-infected patients. Keywords Tuberculosis, Treatment success rate, Treatment outcomes, HIV, Uganda