Department of Public Health
Permanent URI for this collection
Browse
Browsing Department of Public Health by Title
Now showing 1 - 20 of 90
Results Per Page
Sort Options
Item A day in the life of a Ugandan doctor(Daily Monitor, 2018-05-06) Kaggwa, AndrewDr. Joel says he has several challenges ranging from little pay to long working hours.Item Abortion adverts have an impact on maternal health(Daily Monitor, 2018-02-10) Jjuuko, DennisThe city is awash with adverts for legal abortion without a clear indication of what is legal and what is not. This may have harmful impact on girls and women that need this service in unregulated environment, thereby ruining Uganda's maternal health, sexual and reproductive health record, together with the gender agenda.Item Acceptability of immediate CPAP for preterm infants in the delivery room to mothers, caregivers and healthcare workers in a low-resource setting: a qualitative study(BMC Pediatrics, 2025) Napyo, Agnes; Nakiyemba, Alice; Muduwa, Martha; Ssenkusu, M. John; Okello, Francis; Hagmann, Cornelia; Namuyonga, Judith; Hewitt-Smith, Adam; Loe, Kate; Abongo, Grace; Amorut, Denis; Wandabwa, Julius; Olupot-Olupot, Peter; Burgoine, KathyBackground: Preterm birth is the leading cause of childhood mortality, with respiratory distress syndrome as the predominant aetiology. Initiating continuous positive airways pressure (CPAP) immediately after birth may reduce CPAP failure, the need for ventilation, and surfactant use. In low-resource settings, without ventilation or surfactant, immediate CPAP could significantly reduce preterm mortality. We explored the experiences, perceptions, and acceptability of immediate CPAP among parents, caregivers, and healthcare workers in a Ugandan hospital. Methods: This qualitative study (April 2023–April 2024) was nested in a pilot randomised controlled trial of immediate delivery room CPAP for very low birthweight infants (VLBW, <1500 g) at a government hospital in Uganda. Data were collected through 12 key informant interviews and focus group discussions with 36 healthcare workers, and 37 parents and caregivers of enrolled infants. We applied deductive framework analysis using the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability (TFA) and coded transcripts using Nvivo 12. Results: Regarding affective attitude, healthcare workers, mothers and caregivers expressed positive feelings towards immediate CPAP. For perceived effectiveness, healthcare workers described immediate CPAP as a prophylactic intervention that reduces the severity of complications and shortens hospital stays, while mothers and caregivers believed it expands the infant’s lungs and increases chances of survival. Concerning burden, healthcare workers highlighted that successful implementation depends on a committed neonatal team, multidisciplinary team collaboration, adequate staffing, active maternal involvement, and the availability of sufficient CPAP machines. Opportunity costs were evident where limited staffing forced healthcare workers to choose between prioritising the mother or the infant. Under ethicality, cultural beliefs, religious views, and fear were identified as influential factors in decision making around immediate CPAP. Regarding intervention coherence, healthcare workers, mothers, and caregivers demonstrated a good understanding of the purpose and process of immediate CPAP. Finally, self-efficacy was linked to the availability of adequate staff, training, and necessary equipment to confidently engage in the intervention. Conclusions Immediate CPAP was found to be acceptable among healthcare workers and mothers/caregivers. Successful implementation requires adequate staff training, comprehensive health education, adequate human resources, and sufficient availability of CPAP machines. Trial registration Study is registered on Pan African Clinical Trials Registry (PACTR) PACTR202208462613789. Keywords Preterm, Very low birthweight, VLBW, Africa, Neonatal, CPAP, Respiratory distress syndrome, Low-resource setting, Acceptability, Barriers, Facilitators, AttitudeItem Acceptability of minimal invasive tissue sampling (MITS) for stillbirths in Eastern Uganda(PLOS One, 2025) Chebet, Martin; Burgoine, Kathy; Rujumba, Joseph; Okalany, Regina Akwi Noela; Olupot-Olupot, Peter; Tylleskär, Thorkild; Weeks, D. Andrew; Napyo, Agnes; Mukunya, David; Engebretsen, Marie S. IngunnBackground In sub-Saharan Africa, stillbirth rates remain high. To design effective interventions to reduce stillbirths, accurate determination of their aetiology is important. Conventional autopsy for accurate confirmation of cause is not acceptable or feasible in several societies in sub-Saharan Africa; minimal invasive tissue sampling (MITS), is a recently developed, less invasive alternative. In this study, we explored the acceptability of MITS in the community and among healthcare workers in Uganda to guide the future implementation. Methods A qualitative study was done among community members and healthcare workers in Mbale in Eastern Uganda. We undertook in-depth interviews and focus group discussions in English or local languages. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed as necessary prior to formal content analysis. The themes were organised using NVivo software and presented according to Sekhon’s theoretical framework. Results Overall, participants preferred the idea of MITS to conventional autopsy because of the perception that it was fast, maintained the facial appearance and kept the body intact. It was thought that the procedure would improve the detection of the cause of stillbirths, which in turn would help to prevent future stillbirths. It would also resolve conflicts in the community between community members or the women and the healthcare workers about the cause of a stillbirth. It was suggested that some community members may not approve of MITS because of their religious beliefs; the fear that the body parts may be extracted and stolen for witchcraft or organ donation; and a lack of trust in the healthcare system. To implement the procedure, it was suggested that extensive community sensitization should be done, space limitations in healthcare facilities overcome, healthcare workers should be trained and limited human resource should be addressed. Conclusion The implementation of MITS in Mbale, Eastern Uganda, is likely to be acceptable given sufficient training and sensitisation.Item Airtel Uganda conducts free health camp in Arua.(Daily Monitor, 2018-03-06) Airtel UgandaLast month, Airtel Uganda continued its efforts to boost socio-economic development in North west Uganda by holding a health camp attracted residents of Arua district and surrounding communities who move long distances to receive free health care services.Item Be aware of UTIs(Daily monitor, 2018-05-27) Nakibuuka, BeatriceWhile at campus, Ritah Kyompiire suffered recurrent UTIs almost three times a year. She would get treatment, and the infection would clear in a week, but because she was using a dirty toilet seat, she kept picking up the bacteria from the toilet seat.Item Best feeding for diabetics.(Daily monitor, 2018-05-26) Nakibuuka, BeatriceHealthy eating is the most important tool you have in managing diabetes. healthy eating will help loose weight or maintain healthy weight that can improve your blood glucose and reduce the complication of diabetes such as heart, kidney and eye disease.Item Busolwe General Hospital operating in dire condition(Daily Monitor, 2018-02-06) Kitunzi, YahuduThe facility has not got any major repair since it's establishment in 1970. What welcomes you upon arrival at the facility are rotten beds, dilapidated buildings and poor hygiene.Item Butaleja's main hospital run without matresses, water(Daily Monitor, 2018-05-04) Kitunzi, YahuduFor the past 10 years Busolwe Hospital in Butaleja District has suffered neglect and is grappling with numerous challenges, including lack of water and beds.Item Capacity building in field epidemiology in Sub Saharan Africa : findings from Infectious Disease Field Epidemiology and Biostatistics in Africa (IDEA) Fellowship Program(Taylor & Francis Group, 2025) Alunyo, Patrick Jimmy; Paasi, George; Ario, Riolexus Alex; Olupot-Olupot, PeterBackground: Emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases (EREIDs) remain a major public health threat globally, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where fragile health systems, inadequate infrastructure, and limited workforce training exacerbate vulnerabilities. Uganda, a recognised hotspot for outbreaks, faces increasing risk due to anthropogenic and environmental drivers. To address critical capacity gaps, the Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Biostatistics in Africa (IDEA) Fellowship was launched as Uganda’s first master’s-level programme in infectious disease field epidemiology. Led by Busitema University, in collaboration with national and international partners, the programme was funded through EDCTP-II (CSA2020E). Methods: The IDEA Fellowship combined theoretical instruction with fieldwork and research tailored to national health priorities. Activities included outbreak investigations, disease modelling, and surveillance, supported by Africa CDC, Uganda’s Ministry of Health, and UK institutions. A REDCap-based survey was administered to 202 public health professionals across SSA to assess training needs, skill gaps, and barriers. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Results: The programme trained 15 master‘s-level fellows, strengthening Uganda’s capacity in surveillance, early detection, and outbreak response. Survey results showed that 55.4% of professionals required further training, with skill gaps in zoonotic disease management (64.4%), outbreak preparedness (64.9%), and data management (59.4%). Key barriers included limited diagnostic capacity (73.8%) and weak collaboration (49.5%). Qualitative findings highlighted inconsistent mentorship, restricted data access, and limited funding for fieldwork. Respondents advocated for structured mentorship, longer training durations (≥3–6 months), and hybrid delivery models (42.3%). Conclusion: The IDEA Fellowship demonstrates a scalable model for infectious disease capacity building in SSA. Training African scientists in local contexts promotes relevance, retention, and cost-effectiveness. Regional expansion, cross-sector collaboration, and systemic investment are essential for sustainable epidemic preparedness and global health security. Keywords: field epidemiology, capacity building, infectious disease training, Sub-Saharan AfricaItem Cholera outbreak: boost community health teams(Daily Monitor, 2018-05-07) EditorialIt is common knowledge that poor sanitation, often worsened by flooding caused by heavy rainfall, is the leading cause of diseases such as cholera - primarily transmitted through contaminated food or water.Item Confusion over vaccine complicate ebola fights .(daily monitor, 2018-05-26) AfpEffort: Dr Congo health officials launched a small targeted vaccination campaign to help rein in the latest Ebola outbreak.Item Continuum of maternity care in Zambia:(BMC, 2021) Sserwanja, Quraish; Musaba, Milton W.; Mutisya, Linet M.; Olal, Emmanuel; Mukunya, DavidBackground: Globally, over half of maternal deaths are related to pregnancy-related complications. Provision of a continuum of care during pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period results in reduced maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Hence this study determined the prevalence of the continuum of care and its determinants among women in Zambia. Methods: We used weighted data from the Zambian Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS) of 2018 for 7325 women aged 15 to 49 years. Multistage stratified sampling was used to select study participants. Complete continuum of care was considered when a woman had; at least four antenatal care (ANC) contacts, utilized a health facility for childbirth and had at least one postnatal check-up within six weeks. We conducted multivariable logistic regression to explore continuum of care in Zambia. All our analyses were done using SPSS version 25. Results: Of the 7,325 women, 38.0% (2787/7325) (95% confidence interval (CI): 36.9-39.1) had complete continuum of maternal healthcare. Women who had attained tertiary level of education (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 1.93, 95% CI: 1.09-3.42) and whose partners had also attained tertiary level of education (AOR: 2.58, 95% CI: 1.54-4.32) were more likely to utilize the whole continuum of care compared to those who had no education. Women who initiated ANC after the first trimester (AOR: 0.46, 95% CI: 0.39-0.53) were less likely to utilize the whole continuum of care compared to those who initiated in the first semester. Women with exposure to radio (AOR: 1.58, 95% CI: 1.27-1.96) were more likely to utilize the whole continuum of care compared to those who were not exposed to radio. Women residing in the Western province were less likely to utilize the entire continuum of care compared to those in the other nine provinces. Conclusion: Level of education of the women and of their partners, early timing of ANC initiation, residing in other provinces other than the Western province, and exposure to information through radio were positively associated with utilization of the entire continuum of care. Improving literacy levels and promoting maternity services through radio may improve the level of utilization of maternity services. Keywords: Continuum of care, Antenatal care, Postnatal care, Childbirth, Utilization, Women and ZambiaItem 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, JuliusBackground: 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, UgandaItem Death from poison(Daily Monitor, 2018-03-01) Dr. Onzivua, SylivesterLitvinenko's illness was of sudden onset, three weeks earlier, on 1, November. On that day he had met with two former Russian security officers and also had lunch with an Italian. For several days after November 1, Litvinenko experienced severe abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting. At one point he could not walk without assistance and on 3 November, an ambulance was called and he was taken to Barnet General Hospital, London.Item Death from poisoning(Daily Monitor, 2017-03-01) Onzivua, SylvesterAt 9:21 PM on the night of November 22, 2006, Alexander Litvinenko died at the University college hospital in central London when his heart failed. He was a former officer of the Russian security services who had been given political asylum in the United Kingdom after fleeing his native country, Russia.Item Do female hormones cause alcoholism in women(New Vision, 2026-02-16) Bamuhigire, OscarDear counsellor, what makes women to binge drink? Can female hormones cause alcoholism in women? I took my wife at a rehab for alcoholism, but she keeps relapsing and binge drinking at the end of the month with her female friends. A friend told me its because their hormones are high at that time.Item do you know your headache type?(Daily Monitor, 2018-05-06) Wamono, IvanMany people suffering from headache often get prescriptions for medicines although they do not know the kind of headache they have.Item Don't mistreat patients, janet warns medics.(daily monitor, 2018-05-31) Django fahad, malik; Muwulya mosesThe ministry of education ms. janet museveni has warned health workers against mistreating patients.Item Don't restrict citizens to public health care services.(daily monitor, 2018-05-28) Kisomose, BrianIt is absurd and unfortunate that the government plans to enforce a proposal for only national identity care holders to enjoy health care services and public health facilities. if implemented , chances are very high that millions of Ugandan are to be denied access to health care.