Department of Environmental Health and Disease Control

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https://ir2.lirauni.ac.ug/handle/123456789/396

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Browsing Department of Environmental Health and Disease Control by Author "Musinguzi, Marvin"

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    Ebola Epidemic Preventive Practices: Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Community Members in High-Risk Districts of Uganda
    (Journal of Infectious Diseases and Medicine, 2023) Kigongo*, Eustes; Auma, Ann Grace; Tumwesigye, Raymond; Namukwana, Beth; Musinguzi, Marvin; Okalo, Ponsiano; Kambugu, Caroline Nabasiry; Kabunga, Amir
    Background: As part of the country's ongoing EVD outbreak preparedness activities in Uganda, our goal was to evaluate community knowledge and attitudes and preventive practices linked to the disease. Methods: This study employed a community-based cores sectional study among 842 participants. The study was conducted in three districts of Mubende, Kyegegwa and Kassanda in the central region of Uganda. These are high-risk districts in Uganda Results: Results show that the majority 290(34.4%) of the participants were aged between 28–38 years, 578(68.6%) were female, 482(57.2%) had primary education, 431(51.2) single, 369(44.7) unemployed and 196(23.8) received information from radios. Results indicate that 821(97.5%) of the participants had heard of EVD, and 646(76.7%) reported that EVD is a rare and deadly disease. On the mode of transmission, 562(66.7%) knew that EVD is transmitted through physical contact with an infected person, 498(59.1%) through blood and 606(72.0%) through normal social contact. Overall, 525 respondents were classified as having good knowledge of the Ebola virus disease, accounting for 62.4% of the total, whereas 470(55.8%) had a favorable attitude toward the management and prevention of the Ebola virus disease. A greater understanding of the Ebola virus disease was found among participants with increased age and education beyond the first grade compared to those with no formal education. Casual labourers were 3 times more likely to have good practices compared to agriculturalists. Participants who received information from others sources were less likely to have good practices compared to those who received it from the radio. Conclusion: Communities in Uganda impacted by filovirus outbreaks have a reasonable level of knowledge and a favourable attitude toward methods to prevent and control the Ebola disease. Public health officials should do more by providing instructional materials for future epidemic preparedness utilizing appropriate communication channels, especially, including local radios as reported by the communities. Keywords: Attitude • Ebola virus • Infection • Knowledge • Prevention
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    Prevalence and predictors of COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy among healthcare workers in Sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis
    (PLOS ONE, 2023) Kigongo, Eustes; Kabunga, Amir; Tumwesigye, Raymond; Musinguzi, Marvin; Izaruku, Ronald; Acup, Walter
    Background The COVID-19 vaccination is regarded as an effective intervention for controlling the pan demic. However, COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy is hampering efforts geared towards reduc ing the burden of the pandemic. Therefore, examining COVID-19 hesitancy and its predictors among healthcare workers is essential to improving COVID-19 uptake. In sub Saharan Africa, the pooled proportion of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy is yet to be known. Purpose The present study was to estimate the pooled proportion of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and its predictors among healthcare workers in Sub-Saharan Africa. Methods A systematic search of articles was conducted in PubMed, Science Direct, African Journal Online, and Google Scholar. Data was extracted with the help of Excel. Data analysis was conducted using STATA 17. Heterogeneity in the studies was assessed using Cochrane Q and 12 tests. A random effects model was used to examine the pooled estimates to deter mine if heterogeneity was exhibited. Results A total of 15 studies involving 7498 participants were included in the final analysis. The pooled prevalence of COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy among healthcare workers was 46%, 95% CI (0.38–0.54). The predictors of COVID-19 hesitancy were negative beliefs towards vaccine 14.0% (OR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.06), perceived low risk of COVID-19 infection 24.0% (OR = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.23, 1.28), and vaccine side effects 25.0% (OR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.21, 1.24). Conclusion The data revealed generally high hesitancy of COVID-19 vaccine among health workers in Sub-Saharan Africa. Future COVID-19 adoption and uptake should be improved by national and individual level efforts. In Sub-Saharan Africa, it is crucial to address the myths and obstacles preventing healthcare professionals from accepting the COVID-19 vaccination as soon as feasible since their willingness to get the vaccine serves as an important example for the broader public.