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Practice and knowledge of the dangers of self-medication among pregnant mothers attending antenatal care in Iganga District (Uganda)
(Nursing Communications, 2022) Namususwa, Sarah; Nakaziba, Rebecca
Background: Self-medication is a common practice among pregnant mothers in many developing countries Uganda inclusive. Despite its adverse effects to the pregnant mother and the developing fetus, limited efforts are in place to reduce the practice. This study was conducted to assess the practices and knowledge of the dangers of self-medication among pregnant mothers attending antenatal care in Iganga district, Uganda. Methods: A cross sectional approach was employed using convenient sampling technique among 181 pregnant mothers at the antenatal clinic. An interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect data that was analyzed descriptively using SPSS software. Results: Out of the 181 respondents, 119 (65.75%) self-medicated during their current pregnancy obtaining drugs from pharmacies 42 (23.20%). Majority of the mothers 129 (71.27%) had good knowledge concerning the dangers of self-medication with 66.85% reporting that it was a bad practice. Regarding the dangers of self-medication, 23.76% reported fetal death while 24.86% stated miscarriages. There was a significant association between self-medication practice and occupation (P-value = 0.04; OR = 1.21 at 95% CI). Conclusion: Self-medication remains a common practice among pregnant mothers in Iganga district despite the fact that a large proportion of them have good knowledge regarding the dangers of self-medication. Therefore, further investigations into the associated factors and strict measures to combat the risks of self-medication during pregnancy should be embarked on.
Knowledge and compliance with Covid-19 infection prevention and control measures among health workers in regional referral hospitals in northern Uganda: a crosssectional online survey [version 2; peer review: 1 approved, 1 approved with reservations]
(F1000Research, 2021) Amanya, Sharon Bright; Nyeko, Richard; Obura, Bonniface; Acen, Joy; Nabasirye, Caroline; Nakaziba, Rebecca; Oyella, Florence; Afayo, Victor; Okwir, Mark
Background: Infection prevention and control (IPC) has increasingly been underscored as a key tool for limiting the transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) and safeguarding health workers from infections during their work. Knowledge and compliance with IPC measures is therefore essential in protecting health workers. However, this has not been established among health workers in northern Uganda in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. The objective of this study was to determine the knowledge and compliance with Covid-19 infection prevention and control measures among health workers in regional referral hospitals in northern Uganda. Methods: An online cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among health workers in regional referral hospitals within northern Uganda. A structured questionnaire was distributed to health workers via WhatsApp messenger. Sufficient knowledge was considered at a correct response score of ≥80%, while adequate compliance was rated ≥75% of the maximum \ score. Data were analyzed using SPSS v21.Results: Of the 213 health workers approached, 75 (35%) participated in the study. The majority were males, 39(52%) and the mean age was 36.92 years. Of the 75 participants, 52(69%) had sufficient knowledge of Covid-19 IPC while 51(68%) had adequate compliance with Covid-19 IPC. Adequate compliance was significantly associated with training in Covid-19 IPC (OR, 2.86; 95% CI, (1.04-7.88); p=0.039), access to Covid-19 IPC materials at workstations (OR, 2.90; 95% CI, (1.06 - 8.09); p=0.036), and having strong institutional support (OR, 3.08; 95% CI, (1.08 – 8.74); p=0.031). However, there was no significant relationship between knowledge and compliance with IPC (p=0.07). The sociodemographic characteristics of health workershad no statistically significant relationship with Covid-19 IPC knowledge or compliance. Conclusion: Our results show fairly good knowledge and compliance with Covid-19 IPC among health workers in northern Uganda. There is need for more training and provision of guidelines to promote compliance with Covid-19 IPC.
Adherence to iron and folic acid supplementation and associated factors among mothers receiving antenatal care in Lira district, Uganda
(Nursing Communications,Nursing Communications, 2023) Ssewankambo, Usaama; Nakaziba, Rebecca
Abstract Background: Prenatal iron and folic acid supplementation is an economical strategy for reducing iron and folic acid deficiency anemia among expectant mothers in resource-limited countries like Uganda. This study aimed to assess the level of compliance with iron and folic acid supplementation (IFAS) and identify associated factors among mothers receiving prenatal services in Lira district, Uganda. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the antenatal clinic of Lira Regional Referral Hospital, involving 252 pregnant mothers. Adherence levels to IFAS were evaluated using a visual analogue scale, and associated factors were collected through an interviewer-administered questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS software, and the results were presented in tables. Results: Only 46% of the mothers attending the antenatal clinic adhered to IFAS during the 30 days preceding the study. Participants who had good knowledge of IFAS before recruitment (odds ratio (OR) 1.49, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12–1.97), utilized reminder techniques (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.02–1.09), and received support from their partners or relatives (OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.07–2.29) were more likely to have good adherence. The main reasons for missing IFAS were forgetfulness and fear of taking too many tablets. Conclusions: There was a low adherence rate to IFAS among mothers attending antenatal clinics in Lira district. Further investigations are recommended to identify barriers to adherence, and comprehensive health education programs should be provided to pregnant mothers.
Phytochemical Analysis, Acute Toxicity, as well as Antihyperglycemic and Antidiabetic Activities of Corchorus olitorius L. Leaf Extracts
(Hindawi,The Scientific World Journal, 2022) Nakaziba, Rebecca; Lubega, Aloysius; Ogwal-Okeng, Jasper; Alele, Paul E.
Background and Aim. Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder that has no known cure with continuous endeavors to find atherapy for the condition. According to some studies, traditional leafy vegetables could prevent and manage diabetes by modifying the carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. In this study, a phytochemical analysis, acute toxicity, as well as antihyperglycemic and antidiabetic activity testing of the methanolic, diethyl ether, and aqueous leaf extracts of Corchorus olitorius L. was performed. Materials and Methods. Methanolic, diethyl ether, and aqueous leaf extracts of Corchorus olitorius L. were prepared by serial extraction. Phytochemical analysis was performed following standard methods. 52 mice were separated into 13 groups (A–M) of 4 and received extracts’ doses ranging from 1000 mg/kg to 5000 mg/kg for the acute toxicity testing. For the antihyperglycemic and antidiabetic activities testing, 48 rats were divided into 8 groups of 6 and received 500 mg/kg of each extract. 10 mg/kg of glibenclamide and distilled water were used as controls. Data were analyzed using Prism GraphPad version 8.0.2 (263). Results. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, reducing sugars, saponins, and terpenoids. ere were no acute toxicity signs observed in this study. Corchorus olitorius L. extracts demonstrated moderate antihyperglycemic and antidiabetic activities.The methanolic extract exhibited the highest degree of antihyperglycemic activity. However, there was no statistically significant.cantdi.erence between the extracts and the negative control (p > 0.05), but with glibenclamide (p < 0.01). Conclusion. Corchorusolitorius L. is a safe and potential postprandial antidiabetic vegetable that could minimize the rise in blood glucose after a meal. We therefore recommend further investigations into the antidiabetic properties of the vegetable using purified extracts.
Antimicrobial Bioactivity and GC-MS Analysis of Different Extracts of Corchorus olitorius L Leaves
(Hindawi The Scientific World Journal, 2022) Nakaziba, Rebecca; Amanya, Sharon Bright; Sesaazi, Crispin Duncan; Byarugaba, Frederick; Ogwal-Okeng, Jasper; Alele, Paul E.
Background and Aim. Plants have been used for the treatment of infectious diseases among various communities worldwide with undeniable success. Corchorus olitorius L is used to treat various ailments including infections. However, there are limited data regarding its antimicrobial spectrum in Uganda. In the bid to bridge this gap, we investigated the antimicrobial bioactivity of Corchorus olitorius L against Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Mycobacteria tuberculosis. Methods. Corchorus olitorius L leaves were harvested, air-dried, and serially extracted using diethyl ether, methanol, and distilled water (aqueous). Crude extracts and their components separated by TLC were assayed for bioactivity against the organisms mentioned above using the agar well di.usion technique. Chloramphenicol was used as a positive control. Observation of a zone of inhibition indicated bioactivity. Finally, the components that displayed bioactivity were subjected to GCMS analysis to establish their chemical composition using the MS library database. Results. Crude extracts of Corchorus olitorius L leaves and their TLC-separated components demonstrated bioactivity against Staphylococcus aureus (14 mm), Streptococcus pneumoniae (16 mm), and Escherichia coli (11 mm) but neither against Candida albicans nor Mycobacteria tuberculosis. However, the overall zones of inhibition were smaller compared to the positive control (_18 mm). GC-MS analysis of the active components revealed the presence of methyl esters. Conclusion. Corchorus olitorius L is bioactive against both Gram-negative and Grampositive bacteria but neither against fungi nor mycobacteria. e bioactivity is attributable to the presence of methyl esters. Since methyl esters already have proven bioactivity in some studies, they could be further studied and optimized for possible pharmaceutical use. Further, to provide a more comprehensive antimicrobial spectrum of Corchorus olitorius L in Uganda, puri.ed active components could be investigated using a wider range of organisms.