Browsing by Author "Nekaka, Rebecca"

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    Contraceptive uptake in eastern Uganda: was the 2020 target of 50% modern contraceptive rate achieved?
    (BMC, 2021) Birungi, Julian Daisy; Tumukunde, Prossy; Nekaka, Rebecca; Nteziyaremye, Julius
    Background: Contraception is a worthwhile and cost effective investment that has potential to spur national development. It is important in averting significant maternal and childhood morbidity and mortality. No wonder countries with low contraceptive prevalence rates (CPR) have poor maternal and childhood health indicators. Consequently, during the 2012 London conference Uganda set a target of improving modern CPR (mCPR) to 50% by 2020. We report how eastern Uganda is faring on this commitment and identify the factors associated with contraceptive uptake. Methods: Using a cross-sectional study design, we recruited 418 sexually active women aged 15-49 years who had come to nurse their sick ones in a tertiary hospital. We used systematic sampling to recruit participants. Data was collected using an interviewer administered pretested questionnaire, analyzed using STAT version 19. Results: Of the 418 women respondents, 15.6% were teens while 50% were aged 20-29 years. Significantly, 64.59% were married. The majority, 78.7% were informally employed, and more than 62% were Christians. Moreover, 97.8% were formal educated and 52.2% had 1-4 living children. The overall contraceptive prevalence was 33.7% while mCPR was 30.86%. Significantly whereas 36.6% had ever used contraception, 29.7% had never. The top contraceptives choices were injectables (56.7%), implants (27%), calendar method (6.4%) and abstinence (2.8%). Significantly, 99.8% were aware of contraception and, radio (91%) and health workers (82%) being major sources of information. Significant factors affecting uptake include age and marital status, youngest child’s age, decision when to have next child, history of sexually transmitted disease, partner’s age and support. Conclusion: The contraceptive prevalence rates are below the national average and the London target despite significant awareness among women. Efforts to increase uptake should include male involvement, continued dissemination of information and reinforcing sexual and reproductive health education in schools. This will help to demystify misconceptions, misapprehensions and myths about contraceptives. Keywords: Contraception, London 2012 summit, Male support, Uganda
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    Prevalence and predictors of delayed initiation of breastfeeding among postnatal women at a tertiary hospital in Eastern Uganda: a cross-sectional study
    (BMC, 2023) Kusasira, Loyce; Mukunya, David; Obakiro, Samuel; Kiyimba, Kenedy; Nekaka, Rebecca; Ssenyonga, Lydia; Mbwali, Immaculate; Napyo, Agnes
    Background The rates for the delayed initiation of breastfeeding in Uganda remain unacceptably high between 30% and 80%. The reasons for this are not well understood. We aimed to determine the prevalence and predictors for the delayed initiation of breastfeeding in Eastern Uganda. Methods This study employed a cross-sectional study design. A total of 404 mother-infant pairs were enrolled onto the study between July and November, 2020 at Mbale regional referral hospital (MRRH). They were interviewed on socio-demographic related, infant-related, labour and delivery characteristics using a structured questionnaire. We estimated adjusted odds ratios using multivariable logistic regression models. All variables with p<0.25 at the bivariate level were included in the initial model at the multivariate analysis. All variables with p<0.1 and those of biological or epidemiologic plausibility (from previous studies) were included in the second model. The variables with odds ratios greater than 1 were considered as risk factors; otherwise they were protective against the delayed initiation of breastfeeding. Results The rate of delayed initiation of breastfeeding was 70% (n=283/404, 95% CI: 65.3 – 74.4%). The factors that were associated with delayed initiation of breastfeeding were maternal charateristics including: being single (AOR=0.37; 95%CI: 0.19–0.74), receiving antenatal care for less than 3 times (AOR=1.85, 95%CI: 1.07–3.19) undergoing a caesarean section (AOR=2.07; 95%CI: 1.3–3.19) and having a difficult labour (AOR=2.05; 95%CI: 1.25–3.35). Infant characteristics included: having a health issue at birth (AOR=9.8; 95%CI: 2.94–32.98). Conclusions The proportion of infants that do not achieve early initiation of breastfeeding in this setting remains high. Women at high risk of delaying the initiation of breastfeeding include those who: deliver by caesarean section, do not receive antenatal care and have labour difficulties. Infants at risk of not achieving early initiation of breastfeeding include those that have a health issue at birth. We recommend increased support for women who undergo caesarean section in the early initiation of breastfeeding. Breastfeeding support can be initiated in the recovery room after caesarean delivery or in the operating theatre. The importance of antenatal care attendance should be emphasized during health education classes. Infants with any form of health issue at birth should particularly be given attention to ensure breastfeeding is initiated early. Keywords Delayed initiation of breastfeeding, Early initiation of breastfeeding, Breastfeeding, Infants, Lactating women
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    Sero-prevalence and factors associated with helicobacter pylori infection in a rural population in eastern Uganda:
    (Primary Health Care: Open Access, 2021) Nekaka, Rebecca; Oboth, Paul; Nteziyaremye, Julius; Gavamukulya, Yahaya; Ssenyonga, Lydia VN; Iramiot, Jacob Stanley
    Background: Globally, 50% or more of the world’s population is infected with Helicobacter pylori making it the most widely spread bacteria across the world. The low developed countries are more overburdened by Helicobacter pylori infection than the developed countries. H. pylori infection is associated with duodenal ulcer, chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG), lymphomas, and adenocarcinoma. This study reports the prevalence of H. pylori and itsassociated factors in Eastern Uganda. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study involving 275 participants was carried out in eastern Uganda. H. pylori serology was done and face to face interviewer-administered questionnaire were used for data collection. Data were entered in Microsoft Excel and imported to Stata version 14 for analysis and a P value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The seroprevalence of H. pylori was 27.3% (75/275) with 28.4% (50/176) of the females being positive compared to 25.3% (25/99) of the males. Consumption of animal products (meat, milk, and eggs) was the only statistically significant factor associated with H. pylori seropositivity (P <0.001, 95% CI =1.934-4.209, AOR=2.85). Conclusion: The H. pylori seroprevalence is high in eastern Uganda. Consumption of animal products was a positive predictor of infectivity. Keywords: Helicobacter pylori • Animal products • Seroprevalence • Kibuku • Eastern Uganda