Hoima District Research Articles

Podoconiosis in Uganda: prevalence, geographical distribution and risk factors.

Podoconiosis is a neglected debilitating yet preventable disease. Despite its public health significance, podoconiosis is often misdiagnosed and confused with lymphatic filariasis. No appropriate diagnostic tests exist, contributing to underestimation and the absence of control interventions. A population-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in seven districts with suspected or reported cases of podoconiosis or an altitude of 1200m above sea level. Conducted from 30 January to 19 March 2023, the survey employed multilevel stratified sampling to reach eligible household members. Of the 10023 participants sampled, 187 (confidence interval 1.25 to 2.78) had clinical features of podoconiosis. The highest prevalence was recorded in Nakapiripirit (7.2% [58/809]) and Sironko (2.8 [44/1564]) and the lowest in Kasese (0.3% [5/1537]), but ranged from 1.1 to 1.8% in Zombo, Rukungiri, Gomba and Hoima districts. The duration of podoconiosis was reported to range from 1 to 57y. Factors associated with podoconiosis occurrence included advanced age, tungiasis, household cleanliness and personal hygiene. Sleeping on a bed, bathing daily, use of soap and use of footwear in at least moderate condition were protective against podoconiosis. Podoconiosis occurred in all the sampled districts and was linked to personal hygiene. Long-standing cases suggest an absence of treatment. There is potential for early intervention using a holistic care model in managing this condition. Urgent action and stakeholder engagement are essential for effective podoconiosis management.

Prevalence and risk factors of malaria among pregnant women presenting at the antenatal clinic in Hoima Regional Referral Hospital

Malaria, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. Malaria infection during pregnancy is a significant public health problem with substantial risks for the pregnant woman, her fetus, and the newborn child. In Uganda, the overall burden of malaria is high, and its adverse outcomes for the infected mother and the unborn child are widespread. This study was designed to assess the prevalence of malaria in pregnancy and its associated factors among pregnant women presenting at the antenatal clinic in Hoima Regional Referral Hospital. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted. The study was conducted in the antenatal clinic of Hoima Regional Referral Hospital, in the Hoima district of Western Uganda from from February 2022 to April 2022. A sample size of 204 was used. Data was coded and entered into IBM SPSS version 25. Data was then analyzed and the Chi-square test and logistic regression were done to find the associated factors of malaria in pregnancy at a 95% confidence interval. Results shows that the prevalence of malaria in pregnant women attending Hoima Regional Referral Hospital was 17.6%. This study showed that pregnant women remain particularly vulnerable to malaria and that the prevalence of malaria in pregnant women attending Hoima Regional Referral Hospital is high. Therefore, seminars and media education programmes should be started or put in place to educate women on the risk of malaria during pregnancy. Girl child education should be promoted by the government, as educated women are associated with a lower of malaria during pregnancy. Keywords: Malaria, Anopheles mosquitoes, Plasmodium falciparum, Pregnant women

FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH MALNUTRITION OCCURRENCE AMONG CHILDREN UNDER 5 YEARS IN KIHENDA VILLAGE HOIMA DISTRICT. A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH MALNUTRITION OCCURRENCE AMONG CHILDREN UNDER 5 YEARS IN KIHENDA VILLAGE HOIMA DISTRICT. A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

Women's access to family planning and experiences of reproductive coercion during the COVID-19 lockdown in two districts of Uganda

BackgroundIn March 2020, Uganda enforced country-wide restrictions to control the spread of SARS-CoV-2, categorizing some health services, including family planning (FP), as non-essential. Globally, similar COVID-19 restrictions have been associated with increased vulnerability to reproductive coercion (RC) among women, due to changes in FP service availability and restricted access by partners. This study aims to investigate these dynamics in Uganda, specifically examining the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on women's access to FP, their experiences of RC, and the relationship between RC and intimate partner violence (IPV). MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional analysis of data from 960 women participating in the AMBSO Population Health Surveillance Study (APHS) between August 2020 and March 2021 across Wakiso (N = 164) and Hoima (N = 796) districts in Uganda. Our analysis focused on women who were sexually active in the past month, using bivariate analyses to explore the associations between RC and recent experiences of sexual, physical, and verbal IPV. FindingsThe most commonly reported FP methods were injectables (36.8 %) and implants (16 %). Despite the COVID-19 lockdown, less than one percent of participants reported an inability to access their preferred FP method. Notably, 3 % of the women experienced RC in the past 12 months. There was a significant association between RC and sexual IPV (p < 0.0001), as well as physical IPV (p < 0.0001). Instances of verbal IPV were observed to have tripled during the lockdown period. InterpretationAn increase in verbal IPV was found among women during the COVID-19 lockdown. Additionally, a notable association emerged between other forms of IPV and an increased risk of RC. Despite the lockdown, access to FP remained high, which could be attributed to the prevalent use of long-acting FP methods.

Prevalence of Hypertension and Associated Factors among Patients Attending Hoima Regional Referral Hospital, Hoima District Western Uganda

Hypertension is an important contributor to the global burden of disease and mortality, and is a growing public concern in the developing world but data on hypertension and its associated factors among populations in the developing nations is minimal. However, in Uganda as the rest of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), emphasis has been placed on communicable diseases which are also highly prevalent in the region. This study assessed the prevalence of hypertension and its associated factors among adults twenty years and above attending Hoima Regional Referral Hospital. A cross-sectional study design was used. The study employed qualitative and quantitative research approaches to collect data. This study found a relatively high prevalence of hypertension (17.1%) among patients attending Hoima Regional Referral Hospital. The prevalence of hypertension in this peri-urban study area confirms the growing public health challenge of non-communicable diseases in Uganda. However, community-based studies are required to determine the extent of this problem and the associated factors of hypertension in Ugandan communities, owing to the increasing burden of NCDs in developing countries. We need interventions that aim to reduce the associated factors identified in this study, targeting the entire population to lower the risk and prevalence of hypertension. Keywords: Hypertension, Sub-Saharan Africa, Communicable diseases, cardiovascular diseases.

Performance for Environmental Sustainability in Uganda: A Collective Community Engagement Approach through Theatre for Development

With the rapid economic development and population growth in Uganda, people have neglected the protection of the ecological environment to satisfy the pursuit of material life. This article discusses an ongoing Theatre for Development (TfD) project in which I explore through a Practice as Research (PaR) methodology the significance of community engagement and collective learning through TfD in pursuing environmental sustainability goals in Kigorobya, Hoima District–Bunyoro sub-region, Uganda. The ongoing work investigates how multi-stakeholder partnership and participation of people achieved in TfD can foster sustainable use of environmental resources. The practice-based research project is predicated on the notion that achieving environmental sustainability requires concerted collective community action. Consequently, to achieve ownership of environmental issues, all stakeholders in the community need to be mobilized and engaged in a collective effort to achieve a safe and habitable environment. The project interrogates: to what extent can TfD be posited as a process of achieving a plenitude of praxis and reflection on the deep-seated issues pertaining to environment sustainability?

Characteristics Linked to Severe Malaria in Under Five Years Old Children at Hoima Regional Referral Hospital, Hoima District

This research aimed to identify the factors associated with severe malaria in children below five years old at Hoima Regional Referral Hospital in Hoima District. The study employed a cross-sectional approach, gathering both qualitative and quantitative data via participant self-administered and investigator-administered questionnaires. A sample of 384 children, aged 6 months to 4 years, participated using convenience sampling. The findings, presented with 95% Confidence Intervals (C.I), Odds Ratios (OR), and P-values, were calculated using Binary Logistic Regression with Pearson’s correlation in Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 26. Visual representation utilized Microsoft Excel Software. The study had a response rate of 91.4%, encompassing 351 respondents, among whom 153 (43.6%) were male and 198 (56.4%) were female. The mean age was 2 years (with a standard deviation of 1.25 years). The malaria prevalence among these children attending HRRH was 27.4%. This prevalence was significantly linked to several factors: health serviceseeking behavior, caretaker’s education level, mosquito net usage, child’s age, and caretaker’s occupation, all exhibiting considerable influence on malaria in children under five. Pearson’s correlation indicated the significance of these variables: health serviceseeking behavior (0.139*, P=0.021), mosquito net use (0.286*, P=0.000), and health serviceseeking behavior (0.131*, P=0.021) with a 2-tailed test at a 95% confidence level, P&lt;0.05. The high prevalence of malaria (27.4%) among children attending HRRH in Hoima District is notably affected by health service-seeking behavior, mosquito net usage, caretaker’s education, caretaker’s occupation, and the child’s age. Keywords: Malaria, children less than 5 years, Mosquito, Caretaker, Health service-seeking behaviour.

Comprehensive Assessment of Exclusive Breastfeeding: Insights into Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice among Lactating Mothers at Hoima Regional Referral Hospital, Hoima District: A High-Impact Analysis

This research aimed to rigorously evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice concerning exclusive breastfeeding among lactating mothers attending Hoima Regional Referral Hospital (HRRH). Employing a quantitative descriptive research design, the study meticulously selected mothers seeking medical attention for their infants at HRRH, adhering to rigorous selection criteria. A sample size of 208 subjects participated, comprising lactating mothers with infants aged between 0-6 months, utilizing a self-administered structured questionnaire to gather comprehensive data on exclusive breastfeeding behaviors. The data collected underwent meticulous analysis utilizing Statistical Analysis Software (STATA) version 10. Results revealed that a majority of the participants were aged between 25-29 years (30.8%) and had attained secondary education (38.5%), with an employment status predominantly as employed individuals or peasants (38.5%). The study cohort primarily resided in urban areas. Among the 208 lactating mothers, a significant proportion (61.5%) initiated breastfeeding within the first hour after birth, with the mode of delivery significantly influencing this initiation, favoring normal deliveries. However, the practice of exclusive breastfeeding exhibited a decline over subsequent months. Assessment of knowledge demonstrated that over 80% of mothers possessed substantial knowledge regarding exclusive breastfeeding, with a small percentage (5%) exhibiting poor knowledge. In terms of attitude, 74.4% expressed comfort and acknowledged exclusive breastfeeding as superior to artificial feeding, yet 40.9% reported feelings of shyness while breastfeeding. Interestingly, a positive correlation between higher education levels and a favorable attitude toward exclusive breastfeeding was observed. Overall, the study revealed a generally commendable level of knowledge, attitude, and practice concerning exclusive breastfeeding among lactating mothers attending Hoima Regional Referral Hospital. However, a notable finding was the significant decline in exclusive breastfeeding prevalence observed from the first month following initiation. Keywords: Exclusive breastfeeding, Breast milk, Infants, Lactating mothers.

Prevalence and predictors of use of long-term and short-acting reversible contraceptives among women of reproductive age in Wakiso and Hoima districts, Uganda: A cross-sectional study

Modern contraceptive use has increased globally, but unmet needs persist in low- and middle-income countries. This study in Uganda aimed to examine the prevalence and factors influencing the use of short-acting reversible contraceptives (SARC) like pills and long-term methods such as intrauterine devices. Limited evidence exists on the use of SARC and long-term methods in Uganda. Data from the Africa Medical and Behavioural Sciences Organization (AMBSO) Population Health Surveillance (APHS) in Hoima and Wakiso districts were analysed. Among the 1642 women aged 15–49 years, the prevalence of modern contraceptive use was 30% for SARC, and 18% for long-term method. Women with formal education were three times more likely to use long-term methods than those without formal education, relative risk ratios (RRR), 3.1–3.4, (95%CI 1.2–8.2). Joint decision-making for contraceptive use increased SARC usage, RRR 1.4 (95%CI 1.1–1.8). Urbanization played a role, with women in more urbanized Wakiso district less likely to use any modern contraception, RRR 0.6–0.7 (95%CI 0.5–0.9) compared to those living in the less urbanized Hoima. About half of the women in the study used modern contraceptives and the use of SARC was almost twice that of long-term methods. Increased access to contraception education for all women of reproductive age could significantly improve the use of long-term methods which offer more reliable protection against unintended pregnancies. The findings shed light on the need to strengthen both general and sexuality education to girls and women and to tailor contraception access for all in need, for mobile semi-urban as well as rural women. Well-informed strategies that engage young men and male partners in informed decision-making for contraceptive use could enhance progress.

Relationship between Teacher's Interpersonal Supervisory Competencies and Students' Academic Performance in Hoima District Government-Aided Secondary Schools, Uganda

Teachers are the cornerstone of a vibrant and sound education system, and their competencies, work ethic, and motivation are key in guaranteeing quality learner outcomes and the realisation of the national goals of education. Application of teacher interpersonal, supervisory competencies (TISC) during instruction is deemed to significantly impact student's academic performance, but this has not been so in Hoima District Government-aided secondary schools in Uganda. This is despite continued teacher instructional supervision, various legal provisions in place and government financing. The study assessed the relationship between Teachers' interpersonal and supervisory competencies and students' academic performance, to make recommendations to improve the situation. Self-efficacy and Self-determination theories premised the study of 149 respondents using a post-positivism paradigm, mixed-methods approach, where purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used in selecting sample size. Data was collected using a questionnaire, interview schedule and document analysis. Findings indicated a positive significant Pearson correlation coefficient (r (142) = 0.712, P&lt;0.01) and inadequate teacher practising of a number of interpersonal competencies. Recommendations were: District Administration, Head teachers, School Boards, and parents should apply multifaceted approaches towards teachers encompassing professional development workshops and training sessions to develop their interpersonal and supervisory skills, increase their awareness on various social issues, and enhance their creativity and inventiveness in the supervision of student learning. This is in addition to developing supportive policies and practices regarding teaching resources and welfare. Additionally, teachers should maintain a collaborative relationship with parents/guardians and colleagues to develop and practice supportive, integrative, individualised attention to students while promoting collaborative networks with colleagues. The study further proposes that similar studies be carried out in other Government-aided secondary schools and private ones in Uganda

It Takes A Village; Involvement of Village Health Teams to Develop Tools and Resources to Communicate about Antiretroviral Use in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding at Community Level in Uganda.

Research findings must be communicated to the populations who will benefit from them, in a manner that is accessible and understandable. We recently generated novel data on medication use in breastfeeding. A Faculty of Health and Life Sciences (Liverpool) grant enabled work with a team of Village Health Teams (VHTs) in Hoima, rural Uganda, to co-create related communication materials for use in their house-to-house visitation and health education. After an initial workshop from 24th to 26th March 2021, training and review of draft materials, 10 VHT pairs visited 50 households in Hoima district. Basic demographic data were collected alongside preferred communication methods. VHTs provided feedback and re-design of materials commenced. This included dramatization of scenarios and photography. A second round of house-to-house visitation informed final adjustments. We conducted focused group discussions and a dissemination workshop attended by VHTs, local healthcare leaders and journalists was hosted on 16th - 17th June 2022. Most households (74%) had a breastfeeding baby. Majority could read and had access to radios (60%), but not to smartphones (58%) or television (86%). Most preferred verbal and visual aids for health education, and requested images of "people who look like us".Final co-created materials included posters in English and Runyoro and laminated 'job aids' in both languages . These continue to be in active use. VHTs and community members requested future projects of this nature. Healthcare communication to communities must be accessible and clear. Representation of images that the public can identify with is important. Co-creation workshops were successful in rural Uganda, and pave the way for future collaborative, participatory research.

Identification and virulence screening of fungal and bacterial entomophathogens of the edible long-horned grasshopper Ruspolia differens (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) from Uganda

Natural enemies are major challenges in laboratory rearing of grasshoppers, but the identity and virulence of these towards the edible long-horned grasshopper Ruspolia differens (Serville) is scarcely known. In this study, fungi and bacteria were isolated from R. differens collected from Mbarara, Masaka, Hoima, Kampala and Kabale districts in Uganda in 2018, cultured on standard microbial media, identified using molecular techniques and screened for virulence against the insect in laboratory bioassays. Fourteen and nine species of fungi and bacteria were isolated from R. differens, respectively, with the number of isolates varying based on collection site. The most prevalent entomopathogenic fungal species were Aspergillus flavus Link (27.3%), Fusarium equiseti (Corda) (24.2%), Mucor fragilis Fresen (12.1%), Clonostachys rosea (Link) (6.0%) and Aspergillus tamarii Kita (6.0%); whereas the most prevalent bacterial isolates were Serratia marcescens Bizio (38.1%), Bacillus thuringiensis (Berliner) (14.3%) and Enterobacter cloacae (Jordan) (14.3%). Nine of the fungal species namely Clavispora lusitaniae Rodrigues de Miranda, Lichtheimia corymbifera (Cohn), Trichoderma koningii Oudem, F. equiseti, M. fragilis, Aspergillus niger van Tieghem, Epicoccum sorghinum (Saccardo), C. rosea, Penicillium commune Charles Thom; and five bacterial species (Proteus penneri Hickman, S. marcescens, B. thuringiensis, Staphylococcus sciuri Kloos and Enterococcus faecalis (Andrewes and Horder)) were ~5–7-fold and ~4–5-fold, more lethal to third instars of R. differens than untreated controls, respectively. This study is the first to report C. lusitaniae, Exserohilum mcginnis Padhye and Ajello, E. sorghinum, P. penneri and E. cloacae as insect pathogens. The results suggest a need to quarantine field collected R. differens before introducing them into the insectary, as well as performing antimicrobial practices during rearing of the insect to prevent entomopathogen-based mortality.

The effect of the proportion of Modern European ancestry on grower and sow performance of pigs in smallholder systems in Uganda.

Several factors, including breed, lead to divergent performance of pigs for production and reproduction traits in different environments. A recent genomics study showed that Modern European (ME) pig breeds contribute to the ancestry of smallholder pigs in the Hoima and Kamuli districts, Uganda. These pigs were also involved in a longitudinal study with several traits recorded, including 540 body weights (WT) of 374 growing pigs, 195 records of total number of piglets born alive (TBA) of 157 sows, and 110 total number weaned (TNW) records of 94 sows. Linear mixed-effects models were used to test for the significance of environmental effects, including housing system, geographic location, and the season when the events occurred as well as animal-specific effects like age, sex, parity, and farrow-to-weaning interval. Stepwise model reduction starting from models with all main effects and pairwise interactions was applied. The final models were then expanded to include proportions of Modern European (ME) ancestry for the subset of animals genotyped, following genomic ancestry analysis based on a Porcine 50K SNP Chip. ME ancestry proportions ranged from 0.02 to 0.50 and were categorized into three classes (low/medium/high ME) based on 33.3% quantiles. The effects of ME classes on WT and TBA were not significant. ME showed a significant effect on TNW. Sows with a high proportion of ME weaned 2.4 piglets more than the low group, the medium ME group being intermediate. This study used genomic data to investigate the effects of genetic ancestry on the performance of smallholder pigs in Uganda. The proportion of Modern European ancestry did not exceed 0.50, therefore not allowing for the comparison of local versus pure "exotic" types of pigs. For the range of ancestries observed, which is the relevant one for current smallholder systems in Uganda, differences were small for the body weight of growing pigs and the number of piglets born alive, while higher proportions of ME ancestry resulted in significantly more piglets weaned. The availability of genotypes of a higher number of growing pigs would have been beneficial for drawing conclusions on the effect of ME ancestry on the growth rates of smallholder pigs in Uganda.

Factors Influencing Pueperal Sepsis among Postpartum Women at Hoima Regional Referral Hospital, in Hoima District Western Uganda.

The main objective of the study was to identify factors influencing puerperal sepsis among post-partum women at Hoima regional referral hospital, in Hoima district, Western Uganda. The specific objectives were; To determine the prevalence of puerperal sepsis at Hoima regional referral hospital, to assess the social demographic factors affecting puerperal sepsis at Hoima regional referral hospital, to determine Patients factors affecting puerperal sepsis at Hoima regional referral hospital and to determine the healthcare factors affecting the prevalence of puerperal sepsis at Hoima regional referral hospital. The study adopted the descriptive cross-sectional method. The study population was all mothers in the maternity ward of Hoima regional referral hospital who developed puerperal sepsis and consented to the study. The two sets of data; qualitative and quantitative data were analyzed separately using Microsoft Excel manually and interpreted into averages and percentages and presented on tables, graphs, and pie charts. It was found that the prevalence of puerperal sepsis was 37.5%, with most participants (51.7%) delivered by cesarean section, and 35.5% by spontaneous vaginal delivery. The study concluded that the majority of puerperal sepsis occurs due to poverty, low income, and low maternal age and that the caesarian section is a very high-risk factor. The study further recommended that the government through the Ministry of Health should partner with hospitals creating affordable costs for mothers whenever serious conditions arise. Also, the promotion of education of girl children to higher levels would reduce low maternal age and also directly reduce puerperal sepsis. Furthermore, healthcare workers should work in a skilled way to prevent sepsis in postpartum mothers. Keywords: Puerperal sepsis, Mothers, Health care workers, Spontaneous vaginal delivery, Caesarian section.

Assessment of the Incidence and Contributing Factors of Diarrheal Episodes in Children Under Five Years Admitted to Hoima Regional Referral Hospital, Hoima District

Diarrhea is a major public health concern worldwide, with 2.5 billion cases occurring annually among children under five. Nearly three-quarters of child deaths are due to diarrhea, with 16,000 children under five dying daily from preventable causes like pneumonia, diarrhea, and malaria. This study aimed to determine factors influencing diarrhea in children under five admitted at Hoima Regional Referral Hospital. A crosssectional study was conducted, with 238 mothers randomly sampled from the population whose children were admitted. The prevalence of diarrhea among children under five admitted at Hoima Regional Referral Hospital was 24.4% at the time of data collection. Factors influencing this high prevalence include the child's vaccination status, the introduction of supplementary foods at an early age, early weaning, and the child's age. Mothers often do not practice exclusive breastfeeding, but introduce their children to other foods at a very early age, coupled with early weaning practices.

Decision tree scoring system to guide selection for consumer preference in sweetpotato breeding trials.

Previously, a lexicon and protocol for quantitative descriptive analysis (QDA) was established for the Uganda sweetpotato breeding program. The implication of QDA scores for priority sensory attributes on consumer preference should be determined to interpret results efficiently and make decisions effectively. The present study aimed to develop a gender-responsive decision tree to obtain an overall sweetpotato eating quality score to facilitate demand-led targeted breeding selection. It focused on Kamuli and Hoima districts (Uganda) and uses pre-lease advanced clones ('NKB3', 'NKB105', 'NKB135', 'D11' and 'D20'), released varieties ('NASPOT 8' and 'NAROSPOT 1') and landraces ('Muwulu-Aduduma', 'Umbrella'). Including boiled sweetpotato sensory characteristics, namely mealy, sweet taste, sweetpotato smell, firm and not fibrous, in breeding design would benefit end-users, especially women given their role in varietal selection, food preparation and marketing. 'D20', 'NASPOT 8' and 'NAROSPOT 1' were most liked in both districts. 'NKB3' and 'D11' were the least liked in Hoima, whereas 'Muwulu-Aduduma' was the least liked in Kamuli. There was a positive correlation between color and overall liking (r2 = 0.8) and consumers liked the color (average rating ≥ 6 on a nine-point hedonic scale) of all genotypes. Threshold values (average rating on 11-point scales) for consumer acceptability were identified (sweet taste = 6, sweetpotato aroma and flavor = 6, firmness = 3, and mealiness = 4). A regression decision tree tool was created to calculate an eating quality selection index when screening lines in breeding programs using the values. Decision trees that include consumer needs and gender considerations would facilitate demand-led breeding and make varietal selection in sweetpotato breeding programs more effective. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Farmers’ Knowledge, Control Methods, and Challenges of Managing Bean Leaf Beetles (Ootheca spp.) in Uganda

Bean leaf beetles (BLBs) (Ootheca spp.) are important field insect pests of the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in agricultural communities in Sub-Saharan Africa. A survey of 128 farmers was conducted in Arua, Hoima, Lira, and Lwengo districts in Uganda, where the common bean is a major food and income crop. This paper evaluated farmers’ knowledge, control strategies, and challenges in managing BLBs. Over 87% of the farmers in Arua and Lira could identify BLBs by local names, compared to less than 45% in Hoima and Lwengo. Less than 8% of the farmers in all districts were aware that BLBs oviposit, diapause, and then emerge from the soil. Many farmers (75%) in Lwengo perceived BLBs infestation as mild, 65.6% in Hoima thought it was moderate, and 78% and 56% in Arua and Lira respectively thought it was severe. The use of chemicals was popular in all districts and also perceived to be the most effective method for controlling BLBs. The reported obstacles to controlling BLBs were a lack of understanding of proper control methods, and the existence of fake insecticides on the market. We recommend that the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries customizes the agricultural extension information packages to include BLBs and cost-effective control strategies for them.

Prevalence and correlates of teenage pregnancy among in-school teenagers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Hoima district western Uganda-A cross sectional community-based study.

The COVID-19 pandemic related restrictions and lockdown measures had compromised the routine delivery and access of sexual and reproductive health and rights services to the population including the teenage girls. However, the teenage pregnancy rates during COVID-19 pandemic period were poorly documented. This study aimed at determining the prevalence and the factors associated with teenage pregnancy among in-school teenage girls during the COVID-19 pandemic period in Hoima District Uganda. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study that employed quantitative research methods. A total of 314 in-school teenage girls aged 13-19 years were selected using a multi-stage sampling techniques. Interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to collect the data from the participant's homes during the period December 2021-January 2022. Data analysis was done using univariate, bi-variate, and multivariate. The prevalence of teenage pregnancy among the in-school teenage girls in Hoima district Uganda was 30.6% [96/314]. Higher teenage pregnancy rates were prevalent among the unmarried teenage girls [aOR: 9.6; 95%CI: 4.64-19.87; p = 0.000], teenage girls studying from boarding schools [aOR 2.83, 95%CI 1.36-5.86, p = 0.005], contraceptive non-users [aOR: 2.54; 95%CI: 1.12-5.4; p = 0.015] and teenage girls involved in sex trade [aOR 3.16, 95%CI 1.5-6.7, p = 0.003]. The factors associated with the reduced likelihood for teenage pregnancy included being an adult teenage girl aged 18-19 years [aOR: 0.15; 95%CI: 0.07-0.32; p = 0.000] and not receiving sex education during the period [aOR 0.36, 95%CI 0.13-0.62, p = 0.024]. The results indicated that 3 out of 10 in-school teenage girls from Hoima district Uganda got pregnant during the COVID-19 pandemic period of 2021. Teenage pregnancy was prevalent among teenage girls who don't use modern contraceptive methods and those involved in sex trade. Teenage pregnancy was however, less prevalent among adult teenage girls aged 18-19 years. The findings point to the need for health stakeholders to innovate creative policies, contingency plans and programmes aimed at delaying age for sexual activities, increasing contraceptive use and minimizing pregnancy risk from sex trade among in-school teenage girls during COVID-19 pandemics.

Children’s understanding of COVID-19 spread and its preventive strategies in Uganda: a cross sectional study among children aged 10 to 13 years in Hoima District

Background: The control of COVID-19 among children is mainly dependent on preventive strategies including proper use of facemask s, hand hygiene etiquette and social distancing. Despite ongoing risk communication, it is not clear how children understand COVID-19 and the control measures. We described children’s understanding of COVID-19 transmission and the preventative strategies in Uganda. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study, between July and September 2020, among a random sample of 372 children (10 to 13 years) in Hoima district. We collected data using a structured questionnaire and observation checklists to elicit information on children’s knowledge on COVID-19 transmission, its symptoms, preventive strategies and also their practices on handwashing and wearing a facemask. Descriptive analysis was conducted to summarize and describe children’s knowledge and performance of COVID-19 preventive strategies. Results: Of the 372 participants, 94.35% were attending primary education. Overall, 75.40% knew that Coronavirus is spread through droplets; 85.21% knew at least one symptom, particularly cough (58.33%) and flu (58.06%); and 82.26% mentioned at-least four COVID-19 prevention measures unprompted. However, 2.15% correctly washed their hands as per the WHO 6-point handwashing standard. None followed all the WHO recommended steps when putting on a facemask and only 0.54% (2/372) followed the recommended steps when removing a facemask. Conclusion: Although most children were knowledgeable about COVID-19 transmission, signs and symptoms, and the preventive measures, a few could correctly demonstrate how to wash hands and how to wear or remove a facemask. Efforts for risk communication among children should focus on how they can perform Covid-19 preventive measures.

Factors Influencing the Uptake of Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision Among Boda-Boda Riders Aged 18-49 Years in Hoima, Western Uganda.

IntroductionWe asseSssed factors influencing the uptake of voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) among boda-boda riders aged 18–49 years in Hoima, western Uganda. Despite high levels of awareness about availability and benefits of VMMC, uptake was still low.MethodsWe employed the convergent parallel mixed methods design among boda-boda riders in Hoima district between August and September 2020. We administered a structured questionnaire to 316 boda-boda riders to determine factors associated with uptake of VMMC. We also conducted eight focus group discussions (FGDs) and six key informant interviews (KIIs) to explore perceptions of VMMC. To determine factors associated with VMMC, we conducted modified Poisson regression analysis at 5% level of significance. We identified sociocultural barriers and facilitators for VMMC using thematic content analysis.ResultsUptake of VMMC was at 33.9% (95% CI 28.6–39.1) and was associated with higher level of education, adjusted prevalence ratio (APR) 1.63, (95% CI 1.12–2.40); concern about being away from work, APR 0.66 (95% CI 0.49–0.88); and the belief that VMMC does not diminish sexual performance, APR 1.78 (95% CI 1.08–2.9). Facilitators of uptake of VMMC were health education and awareness creation, improved penile hygiene, and perceived sexual functioning; and reduced chances of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). On the other hand, the barriers to uptake were fear of pain and compulsory HIV testing, healing duration, financial loss during the healing period, fear of sexual misbehavior after circumcision, interruption of God’s creation, and fear of loss of male fertility.ConclusionAlthough VMMC is largely perceived as protective against HIV and other STIs, deliberate measures using multiple strategies should be put in place to address the barriers to its uptake among this key population.