Browsing by Author "Wani, Solomon"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Exploring barriers and facilitators of preceptorship in undergraduate health professions education : insights from a qualitative needs assessment among preceptors in Eastern Uganda.
    (BMC, 2025) Wani, Solomon; Nantale, Ritah; Atuhairwe, Irene; Makoko, Brian Tonny; Okello, Francis; Waako, Paul; Twineamatsiko, Andrew; Agaba, Brian; Nyalihama, Alain; Kibuule, Dan; Kagoya, Enid Kawala
    Background: Clinical preceptorship plays a critical role in bridging theoretical knowledge and practical skills for health professions students. In resource-constrained settings like Eastern Uganda, understanding what facilitates effective preceptorship is essential for improving clinical education outcomes. This study explores the barriers and facilitators to preceptorship among clinical preceptors and faculty at Busitema University, Mbale College of Health Sciences, and Mbale Regional Referral Hospital. Methods: We conducted 15 in-depth interviews with clinical preceptors, including faculty and clinical staff from Busitema University, Mbale College of Health Sciences, and Mbale Regional Referral Hospital. Participants were purposively selected based on experience, education level, medical care, and leadership roles. We conducted the interviews between May 2024 and June 2024, audio-recorded, were transcribed verbatim, and thematically analyzed using Atlas.ti version 9. Results: Three key facilitators and six barriers to preceptorship emerged from the analysis. The facilitators included: support from Seed Global Health through donations of medical tools, equipment, and healthcare worker training; strong commitment and willingness among health workers at Mbale Regional Referral Hospital to teach students; and, support from faculty and postgraduate students at Busitema University. Barriers were: high numbers of students in clinical settings; poor communication and coordination between academic institutions and clinical sites; limited preceptorship skills and knowledge among clinical preceptors; shortages of faculty preceptors; insufficient time for clinical rotations; and inadequate models and equipment for simulation-based teaching. To address these challenges, preceptors recommended better coordination and student orientation, phased placement in smaller groups, training and refresher courses to strengthen preceptorship capacity, increased faculty presence in wards, and provision of essential medical equipment. Conclusion: Effective preceptorship in resource-limited settings depends on leveraging facilitators while addressing persistent barriers. External partnerships, staff commitment, and faculty support are valuable enablers, but their impact is undermined by overcrowding, poor coordination, and resource shortages. Actionable strategies such as structured communication between training institutions and hospitals, phased student placement, targeted preceptor training, and investments in teaching equipment can mitigate barriers and reinforce facilitators. Strengthening these systems is vital for sustaining high-quality clinical education in Uganda and similar contexts. Keywords: Preceptorship, Barriers, Facilitators, Medical education, Uganda
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Incidence and risk factors for clinical omphalitis among neonates in Eastern Uganda using chlorhexidine gel for cord care : a community-cohort study.
    (BMC, 2025) Wogabaga, John; Burgoine, Kathy; Kakuru, Abel; Nambozo, Brendah; Chebet, Martin; Tumuhamye, Josephine; Wanume, Benon; Oguttu, Faith; Musaba, W. Milton; Napyo, Agnes; Wani, Solomon; Olupot-Olupot, Peter; Weeks, D. Andrew; Tylleskär, Thorkild; Mukunya, David
    Background: Omphalitis is a bacterial infection of the umbilicus and/or surrounding tissues, occurring primarily in the neonatal period. Whereas it is known to be a major route of localized and often systemic infection, studies describing incidence and risk factors remain scanty, especially in resource limited settings where the condition is thought to be common. We assessed the incidence and risk factors for omphalitis among neonates born to women who received a birth kit containing chlorhexidine for umbilical cord care after birth in Eastern Uganda. Trial registration for the parent study: The BabyGel trial was registered in the Pan African Clinical Trial Registry-(PACTR202004705649428 Registered 1 April 2020, https://pactr.samrc.ac.za/). Methods: We conducted a community-based cohort study between January 2021 and June 2023. This study was nested within the BabyGel trial. Our outcome of interest was clinical omphalitis, defined as purulent discharge from the umbilical cord stump within the first twenty-eight days of life as witnessed by a study midwife. Data were analyzed using Stata version 17.0. Bivariable and multivariable analyses were conducted using Cox proportional hazard regression models to estimate hazard ratios (HR) of selected exposures and time to omphalitis. Results: A total of 2052 neonates were enrolled; half of which were female (51.1%). The incidence of omphalitis was 3.0% (62/2052; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.9%, 4.4%). The incidence rate of omphalitis was 1.6 cases per 1000 person days (95% CI: 1.1, 2.3). Neonates born at home were twice as likely to develop omphalitis as those born in a health facility (adjusted hazards ratio (AHR) 1.99; 95% CI: 1.01, 3.9). Conclusion: The incidence of omphalitis among neonates in Eastern Uganda was low. Home births carried twice the risk for omphalitis. Use of chlorhexidine coupled with close follow-up of neonates in the community by health workers and community health workers might have reduced the risk of omphalitis. Keywords: Omphalitis, Neonate, Chlorhexidine, BabyGel, Neonatal sepsis, Newborn, Low-resource setting