Antenatal Care Services , St Paul’s Center IV , Kasese District
Background:
The utilization of Antenatal care services is a major milestone in improving maternal and child health in developing countries, therefore, enhancing the social-economic development of the community.
The specific objectives of the study were to assess the health facility factors, social-economic factors maternal related factors affecting the utilization of Antenatal care among pregnant women whereas by pregnant women at St Paul’s health Center IV Kasese District.
Methodology:
The study design was a descriptive cross-sectional where data was collected using self-administered questionnaires from 100 respondents using simple random sampling and analysis carried out using Microsoft Excel 2010 version.
Results:
Out of 100 respondents, 54(54%) waited for 30-60 minutes, 87(87%) reported that no health worker had ever shouted at them, 71(71%) said the health workers were polite and welcoming, and 51(51%) rated ANC services as of good quality, 91(91%), had ever been advised by the health workers to initiate ANC,74(74%) had 1-5 dependents. 57(57%) received support from their partners. 72(72%) afforded the required medical tests, 96 (96% ) did not take alcohol, 77(77%) did not have any underlying chronic illness, and 69(69%) did not have a history of any complications in their previous pregnancies, Majority 54(54%) had attained a minimum of secondary level of education.
Conclusion:
Health facility factors that affected ANC utilization were waiting time, laboratory costs, and attitude of the health workers. Social-economic factors influencing ANC were the mother’s income, financial support from partners, and several dependants.
Recommendation:
The administration of St Paul’s health center IV in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Public Services should consider recruiting more health workers and encourage men, families, and societies to support antenatal care without discrimination through awareness campaigns.
Under Nutrition, Children, Iganga District
Introduction
Malnutrition refers to a state of either undernutrition or overnutrition. Undernutrition manifests as wasting or low weight for height (acute malnutrition), stunting or low height for age (chronic malnutrition), underweight or low weight for age, and mineral and vitamin deficiencies or excessiveness.
Objectives:
The main objective of the study was to determine the factors associated with undernutrition among children less than five years in Iganga Hospital The specific objectives were to determine the socio-demographic factors such as residence, and age, identify the economic factors such as mother’s occupation, and to determine the knowledge of parents/caregivers on factors associated with undernutrition among children less five years in Iganga Hospital in Iganga district
Methodology:
A Cross-sectional Study design was used, using both qualitative and quantitative approaches in Iganga General Hospital. The researcher conveniently sampled 100 respondents from 5th January 2022 to 11th January 2022. Data collection was by using self-administered questionnaires which were filled and later analyzed using tables, graphs, and pie charts.
Results:
Out of the 100 respondents, the majority; 73(73%) resided in rural areas while 27(27%) resided in urban areas. The majority; 68(68%) knew that diarrheal diseases lead to undernutrition. The majority; 95(95%) knew how to encourage the child to eat while 5(5%) did not know. Majority;80(80%) of the children’s mothers’ occupation was agricultural work while 9(9%) had formal employment.
Conclusion:
The majority (82%) reported that residence influenced the child’s nutrition status. The majority (74%) of the participants had average knowledge about undernutrition
Recommendation:
Channels of communication like televisions, and radios should be intensely used by health workers with the help of the ministry of health to spread the message about undernutrition, factors associated with it, and nutrition services available so that the incidences of delayed seeking of treatment and severe forms of the disease are reduced.
Diarrhea, Masaka Regional Referral , Children
Background:
Diarrhea accounts for 9% of all child deaths worldwide, It is the leading cause of death among children under the age of five worldwide.
Methodology:
The cross-sectional study was carried out on all caretakers of children under five years at Masaka regional referral hospital. The Questionnaire was used to collect data and was analyzed using a tally, the sample size of 62 respondents also was analyzed using frequency tables graphs, and pie charts.
Results:
The study revealed that only (38.7%) of the respondents defined diarrhea as the passing of watery stool 3 or more times a day, (61.3%) could not define diarrhea as WHO recommends, majority of 74.2% of the respondents had good knowledge of contaminated food/water as the cause of diarrhea in children under five years, 59.7% had good knowledge on general weakness, failure to feed, irritability, vomiting everything as the consideration to their children for treatment, 22.5% of the respondents had poor knowledge on treatment of diarrhea at home, 41.9% respondents had poor knowledge on what is needed to make ORS, 17.7% respondents had poor knowledge on how to prevent diarrhea in their children, 21% respondents poor attitude on exclusive breastfeeding.
Conclusion:
mothers had poor knowledge of the definition of diarrhea but a good knowledge of the causes of diarrhea among children under five years and identify the danger signs.
Recommendation:
Therefore the study recommends the need for continuous health education of the caretakers on how to treat diarrhea at home, requirements to make ORS, how to prevent diarrhea in the children, and how to breastfeed the children when they get diarrhea.
Oral Health, Buhara Sub-County, Kabale District, Children
Background
Oral health is of vital importance to general health in humans. Caries occurs in both developed and developing countries. Despite the marked improvement in oral health, it is still widespread among children and it can be controlled but not eliminated.
Objectives
The broad objective was to assess the factors affecting children’s (1-13 years) oral health: a case of Buhara sub-county, Kabale District. The specific objectives included; assessing the knowledge of caregivers, identifying the attitude of caregivers, and establishing the practices of caregivers towards children’s oral health: a case of Buhara sub-county, Kabale District.
Methodology
The study was carried out using a descriptive cross-sectional design and it involved a sample size of 73 respondents. The data was collected using self-administered questionnaires analyzed by Microsoft excel software and presented in frequency tables, figures, and statements.
Results
The study found that (72.60%) did not know about oral health,(and 41.10% )of the respondents knew that diet especially sugary food consumption mainly caused dental problems. (17.81%) of the respondents agreed that the rotten child’s tooth causes psychological torture.
Conclusion
The knowledge of the caregivers about children’s (1-13 years) oral health was poor since the majority of the respondents did not know about children’s oral health.
Recommendation
There is a great need for health workers to deliver information about oral health to community members who can’t access the health facility.
Teenage Pregnancy , Youth , Kirumba Village , Masaka District
Background:
According to United Nations for Children Fund (UNICEF), teenage pregnancy is a global problem and creates issues for all those concerned about young women and their health and well-being. This study assessed factors influencing teenage pregnancy among youth in kirumba village Masaka district.
Methodology:
A descriptive cross-sectional study in which qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection were used in Kirumba village. The researcher utilized convenience sampling of 100 respondents from December 2021 to March 2022. The data collection process was for 13 days using self-administered questionnaires which were filled, cleaned, and later analyzed using tables.
Results:
Out of the 100 respondents in the study, the majority of the respondents were 18 years old with 39%, 24% of the respondents were 17 years old, 16% were 16 years old,11% of the respondents were 15 years old and 10% of the respondents were 19 years old. Low use of contraceptives was the most cause of teenage pregnancy by 56%, the findings showed a majority of the female respondents (98%) knew about the prevention of teenage pregnancy and 73% showed an appositive attitude towards the use of contraceptive methods in the prevention of teenage pregnancy.
Conclusion:
Based on the findings of the study, most female adolescents had good knowledge about the prevention of teenage pregnancy (98%), and emergency contraceptives (87%).and these were willing to control teenage pregnancy.
Recommendations:
Greater understanding of the individual and contextual factors influencing practices for the prevention of teenage pregnancy can aid in the development of salient, culturally appropriate policies and programs to mitigate teenage pregnancies.
Prevalence , Malaria, Children, Moyo District
Background:
Malaria is an urgent public health priority, its costs of treatment trap families in a cycle of illness, suffering, and poverty, total funding for malaria control and elimination reached an estimated US$ 3billion, and contributions from the government of endemic countries amounted to US$ 900million, representing 31% of total funding (UNICEF, 2019).
Methodology:
The study design used was a descriptive cross-sectional study design using quantitative data that involved a sample size of 100 caretakers of 100 children below the age of five who attended health care at Logoba HCIII. A simple random sampling method allowed data to be collected on the prevalence of malaria and factors contributing to the Prevalence of Malaria simultaneously from 20th December 2021 to 07th January 2022.
Result:
The prevalence of malaria was high (35%) and the factors that were significant for the prevalence of malaria included; the caregiver’s knowledge of signs and symptoms like loss of appetite and loss of energy 01%, Socio-economic factors which were contributed by farming and farming related activities, 75% and environmental factor about the presence of garbage heaps 56%.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the prevalence of malaria was high at 35% and it was contributed to caregiver’s knowledge about signs and symptoms of malaria, farming and related farming activities like water channels across the garden and farming near home, and garbage heaps around the homes.
Recommendation:
The study recommended more studies to be done in different areas and regions in the line, an effort to know and understand all signs and symptoms of malaria which are serious signs of severe malaria, sensitization by concerned authorities on how to avoid heap around the household as this is another suitable breeding sites for mosquitoes and sensitization by concerned authorities on safe farming and farm-related activities free for mosquitoes to hide and breed.
Covid-19 , Prevention Guidelines , Elderly, Mbarara District
Background:
This study assessed the factors influencing the adherence to Covid-19 prevention guidelines among the elderly while specifically looking at the level of adherence, the individual the social factors influencing adherence to Covid-19 prevention guidelines among the elderly in Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, Mbarara district.
Methodology:
The study adopted a cross-sectional and descriptive research design with a quantitative approach where a pretested questionnaire designed based on the specific objectives was used to collect data from 194 participants following informed consent.
Findings:
The majority of the respondents (61.9%) were female, those aged 60-80 years were 150 (77.3%), Catholics were 68 (35.1%), 134 (69.1%) were married and 134 (69.1%) had not attained any formal education. Also, the majority of the respondent 160 (82%) knew what adherence to Covid-19 prevention guidelines meant, 90 (56%) ever adhered to Covid-19 prevention guidelines, 149 (77%) did not adhere to all Covid-19 prevention guidelines and 115 (59.3%) were always with their friends and relatives. Additionally, most of the respondents (46.2%) perceived Covid-19 as a disease for the white people, (68.0%) with chronic diseases were adherent, history of being infected with Covid-19 influenced adherence (52%), and having enough knowledge was associated with good adherence (60.3%).
Conclusion:
The study, therefore, concluded that the level of adherence to Covid-19 prevention guidelines among the elderly was low majorly due to high-risk perception of contracting Covid-19, dissatisfaction with Covid-19 prevention guidelines, use of medicinal plants for treating Covid-19 related symptoms, area of residence and living in a homestead with many occupants.
Recommendation:
The study recommends that the country’s Ministry of Health, through its decentralized systems, should use health workers to sensitize the public on COVID-19 through various fora, including community outreach since the population is more likely to trust information from health workers and any other trusted source leading to high adherence.
Prevalence , Induced Abortions, Mbale District
Background:
Induced abortion is defined as a procedure done to end pregnancy [ACOG], and most induced abortions are done in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
Methodology:
The study was cross-sectional in design. This is so because it yields results in a short time. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 60 respondents who participated in the study.
Results:
The majority 35(58%) of the respondents were Bagisu and the least 4(7%) were Bagwere. Most 33(55%) of the respondents had attained secondary 12(40%) of the respondents had attained primary level, 9(15%) attained tertiary level and the least 6(10%) had attained none. The majority (43)72% of the respondents were in the age range of 16-26 years due to fact that this is the reproductive age group, still attending school, more sexually active, and are exposed to sexual and reproduction information and articles; of which most are not married having fear to sustain pregnancy and the least (17) 28% were 30-44 years as most of them are married thus with no fear for sustaining the pregnancy once they conceived.
Conclusion:
The study showed that most women of reproductive age had some knowledge of induced abortion but a few knew about safe induced abortion and the majority knew at least one method of induced abortion.
Recommendations:
This study highlighted the need for policymakers and health administrators to implement measures that would increase the knowledge of people on safe induced abortion including legal rights.
Early Sexual Debut , Older Adolescents , Masaka District
Background:
Early sexual debut is defined as having first sexual intercourse before age of 18 years and is associated with risks to sexual and reproductive health. It can be voluntary or coerced.
Methodology:
The study design was descriptive and cross-sectional. The study was aimed at obtaining the predictor outcome of the variables at the same time getting relevant data on the effect of religiosity and family financial background, peer pressure, and individual factors contributing to early sexual debut among older adolescents aged (15-19) years at Nyendo Mukungwe Division, Masaka district.
Results:
The majority of the respondents 95% had peer friends. This implies that most older adolescents have peer groups. This may be because of their peers on sex-related issues. This finding indicated that peer pressure was a great factor that led to increasing rates of early sexual debut among older adolescents (15-19) in Nyendo Mukungwe division, Masaka district probably because they got supportive news about how good is playing sex like feeling as If in heaven leaving its risks e.g. sexually transmitted infections.
Conclusion:
The majority of the respondents did not attend church or mosque regularly most of whom were not virgins making those who did not attend church or mosque regularly more involved in sex than their counterparts due to the missing of the teachings condemning playing sex like no sex before marriage, don’t commit adultery
Recommendation.
This goes to all medical persons, parents, teachers, religious leaders, political leaders, elders in communities, the government through education and health ministries, and anyone responsible in Nyendo Mukungwe division Masaka district to develop strategies aimed at reducing early sexual debut among adolescents which predisposes them to risks associated with playing sex e.g. sexually transmitted infections like HIV/AIDS, UTIs.
Hepatitis B Infection , Pregnant Women , Sheema District
Background:
The study assessed the associated factors of hepatitis B infection among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Kitagata hospital, Sheema district, and specifically sought to find out the prevalence, the knowledge, and the risk factors of hepatitis B infection among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Kitagata hospital, Sheema district.
Methodology:
The study used a cross-sectional study design while employing a quantitative data collection approach where a pretested questionnaire designed based on the specific objectives was used to collect data from 100 respondents following the informed consent of the participant.
Results:
The prevalence of Hepatitis B among Pregnant Women attending Antenatal Clinic in Kitagata Hospital, Sheema District is 4.0%. The majority (51%) of the respondents were between 20-25 years, (53%) were cohabiting, (42%) had attained secondary education, (50%) were Catholic, (52%) were unemployed, (90%) had a gestation period of 7-9 months,(40%) were Banyankole and (4.0%) were positive of hepatitis B virus. Majority (63%) had ever heard about Hepatitis B infection (57.1%) heard about it from a health worker, (55%) knew Hepatitis B could be found in the blood, (60%) understood Hepatitis B, (55%) knew the transmission routes of Hepatitis B, (80%) knew that Hepatitis B vaccine exists, (93%) had not been vaccinated and (75%) did not know the symptoms.
Conclusion:
The prevalence of hepatitis B infection among pregnant women was high whereas the knowledge regarding hepatitis B infection was moderate and the predisposing factors to hepatitis B infection were majorly having two sexual partners and having a tooth extraction.
Recommendation:
I recommend the provision of mandatory free screening and vaccination services by the government to the pregnant mothers since it will help in discovering the number of cases hence scaling up the type of care and treatment needed.
Nutritional status, Children under 5 years, Apac District
Abstract
The study was conducted in Ibalikoma Village Apac District to assess the factors influencing the nutritional status of children under 5 years.
Objectives
The objectives of the study were to assess the level of knowledge, practice, and maternal-related factors influencing nutrition status among children under 5 years in Ibalikoma village Apac district.
Methodology
The study design was a descriptive cross-sectional study where data was collected using self-administered questionnaires given by 100 respondents using random sampling.
Results
Results showed that the majority 69(69%) knew that a child should be breastfed on demand.
majority 85(85 %) knew that a child should spend at least 6 months on exclusive breastfeeding before initiating them on other feeds. About care taker’s practices, majority 56(56%) of the caregivers had stopped breastfeeding their children
Conclusion
The study established that the majority of the respondents had knowledge about exclusive breastfeeding and complementary feeding However most of the mothers did not put all the knowledge into practice due to lack of resources and citing unfavorable environments to apply what they knew. The nature of the work of caretakers, their level of education, and their economic status had a great influence on the applicability of the required nutrition practices.
Recommendations
There is a need for increased sensitization and awareness campaigns by the government of Uganda through the ministry of health specifically about the practical ways which suit the lifestyle in rural areas that can help improve the nutritional status among children under 5 in rural areas.
Uganda, Non-communicable diseases, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Background:
Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a type of diabetes mellitus that is very prevalent in Uganda and affects a wide percentage of the adult population. Much as there have been successive. Interventions in the prevention and control of this non-communicable disease, it is still increasing annually.
Methodology:
This was a cross-sectional study conducted to assess the challenges associated with the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus among adults aged 45-60 years attending the diabetic clinic at Buwambo Health Centre IV and the researcher sought to determine the knowledge, lifestyle factors, and health facility-related factors associated with the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus among the same population.
Results:
Study findings revealed that males were the majority 65% and stayed in a rural residence 69%. Most of the respondents had sufficient knowledge of diabetes mellitus. More than 80% knew the definition, types, signs, and causes of diabetes. The majority of respondents said there was general readiness of facilities to handle diabetes but the health workers needed more training.
Conclusion:
The study findings indicated that health facilities are generally ready to manage diabetes mellitus with enough medications and fairly well-trained personnel to manage the disease
Recommendation:
There is a need for the government to therefore prioritize the non-communicable disease treatment and prevention budget, for the health facilities to develop better organizational structures in diabetic clinics and proper stock management. All these will help to reduce the diabetes disease burden in the country at large.
