Department of Environmental Health and Disease Control

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Browsing Department of Environmental Health and Disease Control by Author "Akello, Anne Ruth"

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    Factors associated with Occupational injuries amongst solid waste handlers in Mbale City.
    (Lira University., 2023) Mwanga, Issa; Akello, Anne Ruth
    Background: Universally, occupational injuries are responsible for 15%of the deaths associated to occupational accidents. The work done by solid waste handlers exposes them to frequent occupational hazards which results in several injuries among them. The increase of work-related injuries from 43.7% to 63.9% among solid waste handlers in sub-Saharan Africa calls for more studies to be carried out. The objectives of this study was to assess the level of occupational injuries and associated factors amongst solid waste Handlers in Mbale City. Study methods: This was a cross- sectional design which employed mixed methods. Row data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires. Quantitative data was captured, cleaned and analyzed using SPSS version 20.0 at Univariate, Bivariate & Multivariate levels. Results: Occupational injuries level amongst solid waste handlers was 70.83% (85/120). Factors that were associated to this injury level included; No education (AOR 1.42; 95% C1=1.04-1.93), primary education (AOR: 1.49; 95% cI:1.00-2.24) and sharing protective clothing (AOR 1.58% CI =1.17-2.14). Findings: The study finding showed that the level of occupational injuries amongst solid waste handlers in Mbale City was greater as likened to that found by comparable research conducted in Tanzania, Ghana , Ethiopia and Egypt. The factors associated to occupational injuries level in this study includes; education, and sharing protective clothing. City Medical Officer of Health and policy makers should ensure provision of PPES to solid waste handlers, pre-employment screening and ensure waste handlers completed post primary education Conclusion: Occupational; injuries level amongst solid waste handlers at Mbale city was high at 70.83% Keywords: Occupational Injuries, solid waste, solid waste handlers
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    Factors influencing consistent use of bed nets for the control of malaria among children under 5 years in Soroti District, North Eastern Uganda
    (Malaria Journal, 2022) Akello, Anne Ruth; Byagamy, John Paul; Etajak, Samuel; Okadhi, Charles Stephen; Yeka, Adoke
    Background: The use of insecticide-treated bed nets has been proven to be effective in reducing malaria transmission in highly endemic areas. Use of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) has been embraced by many malaria endemic countries. LLINs are up to 95% effective in inhibiting blood feeding, when used consistently even after 7 years. The challenge, however, is enhancing their consistent use, especially by the most vulnerable groups (children under 5 years and pregnant women). The study established factors associated with consistent use of bed nets for malaria control among children under 5 years in Soroti district. Methods: The study employed a cross-sectional design, with multi-stage sampling of households. A total of 400 households (HH) were sampled and the HH head in each household interviewed. Key informant interviews (KIIs) were conducted with 7 key informants who were knowledgeable on the subject matter. Data analysis was done using SPSS 17.0 at Univariate, Bivariate and Multivariable levels; after entry and cleaning. Key informants’ data were summarized manually; verbatim quotes and text used to reinforce quantitative data in line with objectives. Results: Only 56.8% of the 690 children under 5 years used bed nets consistently. The factors affecting consistent bed net use were age of the child, their use of bed nets the previous night, occupation of caretaker, respondents’ perceived susceptibility, perceived risk of getting malaria, size and shape of the bed nets. Rectangular nets were difficult to hang daily in huts according to most key informants. Conclusion: Consistent bed net use among under fives is still below the RBM target of 85% by 2015 and can be enhanced by providing conical bed nets and setting aside a health education programme to emphasize the effectiveness of even one mosquito in spreading malaria at night to the entire household and ability of bed nets to stop transmission better than other methods.