Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics

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Browsing Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics by Author "Abolo, Lydia"

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    Factors Associated with Linkage to Care following Community-Level Identification of HIV-Positive Clients in Lira District
    (Hindawi Advances in Public Health, 2022) Adwar, Claire; Puleh, Steven Sean; Ochaba, Isaac; Ogweng, Isaac; Benyumiza, Deo; Amusu, Kosta; Achola, Brenda; Ocen, Francis; Abolo, Lydia; Kumakech, Edward; Obua, Celestino
    Background. Community HIV testing helps to increase access to high-risk groups who are less likely to visit a clinic for a test. A large proportion of people identified with HIV following community-based testing are not easily linked to care compared to facility-based identified cases. (ere is a paucity of literature on linkage to HIV care and its predictors particularly following community-based testing in a rural setting. We assessed the level of linkage to the care of HIV-positive individuals and associated factors following community-level identification in Lira district. Method. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Lira district employing mixed methods among HIV-positive adults identified in the communities. Quantitative data were collected from 329 randomly selected study participants using interviewer-administered questionnaires. Key informant interview guide was used to collect qualitative data. (e data were double entered, cleaned, and analyzed using SPSS version 23. Odds ratios and confidence intervals were used to assess the association between predictors of linkage with HIV care. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic content analysis. Results. (e respondents were aged between 18 and 85 years with a mean age of 42.9 (SD � 11.6). (e level of linkage to HIV care following community-level identification of HIV testing in Lira district was 98% (95% CI 96.07–99.33). Clients who self-initiated the HIV testing were more likely to link to HIV care than their counterparts (AOR � 9.03; 95% CI 1.271–64.218, p � 0.028). Key informants identified factors influencing linkage to care as health education, counseling, follow-up, and family support. Fear of stigma, disclosure, denial, and distance to facility were reported as barriers to linkage. Conclusion/ Recommendation. (e level of linkage to HIV care following community identification was found to be excellent (98%). Predictors to linkage to care included self-initiated testing, positive perception of distance, and waiting time at health facilities. We recommend health education, counseling, follow-up, and family support as interventions to strengthen successfully linking to careLin
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    The role of religious leaders on the use of HIV/ AIDS prevention strategies among young people (15–24) in Lira district, Uganda
    (PLOS ONE, 2022) Murungi, Tom; Kunihira, Irene; Oyella, Pamela; Mugerwa, Moses; Gift, Peruth; Aceng, Mercy Jane; Abolo, Lydia; Puleh, Sean Steven
    Background Young people (15–24 years) bear the highest burden of new infections and are particularly vulnerable because of their highly risky behavior such as early sexual activity. There is paucity of information on the role of religious leaders in the multi-sectoral fight against HIV/ AIDS. We examined the role of religious leaders in the use of HIV prevention strategies among young people. Methods A cross sectional study was conducted between March and April 2021 among 422 randomly selected young people in Lira district, Uganda. An interviewer administered a questionnaire to the young people in order to collect quantitative data. A total 20 key informants were purposively sampled and interviews were conducted with religious leaders using a key informant’s interview guide. Data was collected on social demographics, HIV prevention messages, and awareness about HIV prevention strategies. Data was analyzed using Stata version 15 using proportions, means, percentages, frequencies, and logistic regression analysis at a 95% level of significance. Qualitative data was analyzed using thematic content analysis and the major themes were generated from the participants’ responses. Results About 57.1% (241/422) of the respondents were females. The prevalence of use of HIV prevention strategies among young people was 69.4%. Factors significantly associated with the use of HIV prevention included completing the primary level (aOR 4.95, p< 0.05), completing at least A level (aOR 8.85, p < <0.05), Awareness of HIV prevention strategies advocated for by religious leaders (aOR 0.02, p<0.001), religious leaders provided targeted HIV prevention messages (aOR 2.53, p<0.01), Advocacy for abstinence outside marriage and fidelity in marriage (aOR 35.6, p<0.01), Religious leaders preaching about HIV prevention (aOR 4.88, p<0.001). Qualitative data indicated that a section of religious leaders recommended abstinence/faithfulness. Condom use was the most discouraged HIV prevention strategy. However, most religious leaders agree with the fact that they have a role to play in HIV prevention, which includes sensitization, teaching and organizing sermons about HIV prevention. Conclusion The use of HIV prevention strategies advocated for by religious leaders among young people was nearly 70%. This finding indicates that religious leaders have a role to play in HIV/ AIDS prevention among young people in the Lira district. This calls for the involvement of religious leaders in HIV prevention programs tailored to prevent new infections of HIV among young people.