Browsing by Author "Nekaka, Rebecca"

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    Awareness of antimicrobial resistance among primary health care workers in Buyende district, rural Eastern Uganda.
    (Microbiology Research Journal International, 2018-02-03) Ahebwa, Amelia; Akol, Walter; Achong, Emmanuel; Mugerwa, Timothy; Nakayenga, Aminah; Omega, Phillip; Nekaka, Rebecca; Iramiot, Jacob Stanley
    Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the awareness of antimicrobial resistance among Primary Health Care Workers in Buyende district. Methods: This was a cross sectional study employing qualitative and quantitative methods. Administration of a questionnaire evaluating knowledge and practices of health workers in Buyende community was conducted. The study was designed to cover all health workers involved in prescribing and dispensing drugs in selected health facilities of Buyende district. The participants were from four health facilities (Kidera Health Center IV, Nkondo Health Center III, Buyende Health Centre III and Miseru Health Center III) and ten private community drug shops. Health care workers were assigned to different cords for the data collection process. One hundred twenty-four (124) respondents participated in the survey, representing a majority of the health workers in Buyende district. Results: Most respondents (75%) reported receiving information about antibiotic resistance with medical training school (67.2%) being the main source of information. Sixty-six percent (66%) of the participants believed that the widespread use of antibiotics is an important cause of resistance, while 60% attribute antimicrobial resistance to inadequate restrictions on antibiotic prescription due to advertising and promotion by pharmaceutical companies. Guidelines for the use of antibiotics against common infections and regular microbiological consultations/ward rounds were reported as crucial in controlling the problem of anti-microbial resistance. Though most health workers reported following clinical guidelines when prescribing antibiotics (79%), a substantial proportion still prescribed use of antibiotics for the treatment against common cold/cough (64%) and viral infections (44%). Conclusion: The awareness of anti-microbial resistance is a public health problem in rural Eastern Uganda. Campaigns for appropriate prescription and awareness of anti-microbial resistance should include educating the public and rural health care workers with the aim of decreasing the emergence antibiotic resistant microbes. Keywords: Antimicrobial resistance; awareness; primary health care workers.
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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 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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    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