Browsing by Author "Murungi, Tom"

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    Factors associated with uptake of human papilloma virus vaccine among school girls aged 9–14 years in Lira City northern Uganda: a cross-sectional study
    (BMC Women's Health, 2023) Nakayita, Renniter Mirembe; Benyumiza, Deo; Nekesa, Catherine; Misuk, Ivan; Kyeswa, Julius; Nalubuuka, Aisha; Murungi, Tom; Udho, Samson; Kumakech, Edward
    Abstract Background Cervical cancer is the most common Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)-related disease among women. Since 2008, HPV vaccination has been routinely recommended for pre-adolescent and adolescent girls in Uganda as the primary preventive measure for cervical cancer. However, in Uganda, most especially in Lira district, there is limited literature on HPV vaccination uptake and associated factors among girls aged 9-14years. This study assessed the uptake of HPV vaccine and associated factors among in-school girls aged 9–14 years in Lira City, northern Uganda. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 245 primary school girls aged 9–14 years in Lira City, northern Uganda. Multistage sampling technique was used to sample eligible participants and data was collected using interviewer administered questionnaire. Data was analysed using SPSS version 23.0. Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression at 95% level of significance were used to identify the level of HPV vaccine uptake and predictors respectively. Results HPV vaccination uptake was at 19.6% (95% CI,14.8–25.1) among the school girls aged 9–14 years in Lira City, northern Uganda. The mean age of the girls was 12.11 (±1.651) years. Predictors that were independently associated with HPV vaccine uptake included; recommendation from health worker [aOR 9.09, 95% CI (3.19–25.88), P≤0.001], taught about cervical cancer at school [aOR,12.56, 95% CI (4.60–34.28), P≤0.001], and exposure to outreach clinics [aOR, 4.41, 95% CI (1.37–14.19), P=0.013]. Conclusion The study found that one in five of the school girls in Lira City, northern Uganda. received HPV vaccine. Girls who were taught about cervical cancer at school, exposure to outreach clinics and received health worker recommendation had more odds of receiving HPV vaccine than their counter parts. The Ministry of Health should strengthen school based cervical cancer education, awareness raising about HPV vaccination and health worker recommendations to improve HPV vaccine uptake among school girls in Uganda.
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    Factors Associated with Utilization of Sexual and Reproductive Health Services among the Youth in Lira City West, Northern Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Study
    (BioMed Research International, 2023) Murungi, Tom; Benyumiza, Deo; Apio, Juliet; Nekesa, Catherine; Nalubuuka, Aisha; Misuk, Ivan; Kumakech, Edward
    Background. The youth in Uganda, as in much of sub-Saharan Africa, face numerous sexual and reproductive health (SRH) challenges, from human immunodeficiency virus HIV infection, and unsafe abortions to unwanted pregnancies. This study, therefore, assessed the utilization of sexual and reproductive health services and associated factors among the youth in Lira city west, northern Uganda. Methods. This was a cross-sectional study conducted in January 2023 among 386 young people (15-24 years) in Lira city west division, Lira city. Multistage cluster sampling technique was used to recruit our study participants. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23, descriptive statistics, cross-tabulation, bivariate, and multivariate logistic regression analyses. All variables were set by p values less than 0.05 and reported adjusted odds ratio with its 95% confidence interval. Results. The utilization of SRH services was 42.0% (162/386) among the study participants. Family planning, voluntary HIV counseling and testing (VCT), and general counseling services were the most utilized SRH services in the past 12 months. Young people who were aware of SRH services (AOR: 0.24; 95% CI: 0.08-0.74), were aware of a reproductive health facility (AOR, 4.24; 95% CI: 1.62-11.09), discussed SRH issues with peers/friends (AOR, 3.98; 95% CI: 1.53-10.33), had a sexual partner (AOR, 10.00; 95% CI: 4.05-24.69), had sexual intercourse (AOR, 4.59; 95% CI: 2.18-9.69), and had access to SRH services (AOR, 2.68; 95% CI: 1.12-6.40) were more likely to utilize SRH services compared to their counterparts. Conclusion. This study showed a low utilization of sexual and reproductive health services among youth in Lira city west, northern Uganda. Being aware of SRH services, awareness of reproductive health facilities, discussing SRH issues with peers, having sexual intercourse, having a sexual partner, and access to SRH services were independently associated with the utilization of SRH services. Therefore, there is a need to strengthen sustainable multisector approaches aimed at improving awareness and access to sexual and reproductive health services among the youth
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    Knowledge and perceptions of religious leaders towards HIV prevention among young people in Lira district, Northern Uganda: a qualitative study
    (Discover Health Systems, 2024) Murungi, Tom; Kunihira, Irene; Oyella, Pamela; Mugerwa, Moses; Gift, Peruth; Aceng, Mercy Jane; Puleh, Sean Steven
    Background Currently, 410,000 new HIV infections among youth occur worldwide, which is a significant public health issue. Members of the clergy can be trustworthy allies in the reduction of HIV infections among the youth. However, little is known regarding their knowledge as well as the perceptions they hold towards HIV prevention among young people. Thus, we explored the knowledge and perceptions of religious leaders regarding HIV prevention among young people (15–24 years) in Lira district. Methods This was a cross-sectional qualitative study conducted among 20 religious’ leaders in March 2021 in Lira district. Religious leaders were sampled purposively and recruited from modern religions (beliefs influenced by Christianity or Islam) in Lira district. Guides for key informant interviews were utilized to gather information. Each interview was audio recorded, transcribed, and entered into NVivo version 12 software, and the data was then ready for analysis. The main themes were determined using thematic analysis. Results Although a few individuals had some misconceptions, the majority of participants had good knowledge about the transmission and prevention of HIV. Participants knew awareness creation, abstinence, and faithfulness in marriage as HIV prevention strategies and held positive perceptions. Perceived barriers to HIV prevention involvement were lack of knowledge and training and inadequate resources, whereas motivating factors were being respected and trusted and having easy access to young people. Conclusion In conclusion, religious leaders show limited HIV prevention knowledge due to religious beliefs, but understand the importance of measures like abstinence. Despite the challenges, their involvement is crucial. Addressing knowledge gaps and providing support is vital. Future efforts should emphasize both behavioral measures and interventions like condom use, post-exposure prophylaxis, and pre-exposure prophylaxis.
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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.
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    Utilization of antiretroviral therapy services and associated factors among adolescents living with HIV in northern Uganda: A cross-sectional study
    (PLoS ONE, 2023) Odongo, Innocent; Arim, Barbara; Ayer, Patrick; Murungi, Tom; Akullo, Susan; Aceng, Docus; Oboke, Henry; Kumakech, Edward; Obua, Celestino; Auma, Anna Grace; Richard, Nyeko
    Background Suboptimal utilization of antiretroviral therapy (ART) services remains a problem among adolescents in low- and middle-income countries, which has a negative impact on their response to treatment and increases the risk of developing resistance. Optimal use is essential to enhancing treatment efficacy. We investigated the optimal use of ART service and predictors among adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) in northern Uganda. Methods We used a cross-sectional study design to collect quantitative data from 293 ALHIV at three health facilities in Lira municipality, northern Uganda. We used an interviewer-administered questionnaire and data abstraction form. Data were analysed using SPSS version 23 soft ware. Descriptive analysis and logistic regressions were performed to determine the relation ship between the predictor and outcome variables. Statistical significance was determined at P-value<0.05 and the adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was used. Results The level of utilization of ART services was suboptimal among 27.6% (81/293) of the partici pants, and only 63.1% (185/293) were virally suppressed. Of the participants who were opti mally utilizing ART services, the majority 86.8% (184/212) were virally suppressed. Age 10– 14 years (aOR = 3.34), the presence of both parents (aOR = 1.85), parental and peer reminders (aOR = 2.91) and (aOR = 0.49) respectively, and being on ART for five years or less were the characteristics related with optimal utilization of ART services. Conclusions and recommendations Not all ALHIV used ART services to their full potential. However, factors such as partici pants’ age, the presence of both parents, reminders from parents and peers, and being on ART for some time were all related to the optimal use of ART services. There is a need for developing strategies to increase family and peer support with a focus on older adolescents if the 95-95-95 goal is to be achieved in this age group.
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    Utilization of antiretroviral therapy services and associated factors among adolescents living with HIV in northern Uganda: A crosssectional study
    (PLoS ONE, 2023) Odongo, Innocent; Arim, Barbara; Ayer, Patrick; Murungi, Tom; Akullo, Susan; Aceng, Docus; Oboke, Henry; Kumakech, Edward; Obua, Celestino; Auma, Anna Grace; Nyeko, Richard
    Background Suboptimal utilization of antiretroviral therapy (ART) services remains a problem among adolescents in low- and middle-income countries, which has a negative impact on their response to treatment and increases the risk of developing resistance. Optimal use is essential to enhancing treatment efficacy. We investigated the optimal use of ART service and predictors among adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) in northern Uganda. Methods We used a cross-sectional study design to collect quantitative data from 293 ALHIV at three health facilities in Lira municipality, northern Uganda. We used an interviewer-administered questionnaire and data abstraction form. Data were analysed using SPSS version 23 software. Descriptive analysis and logistic regressions were performed to determine the relationship between the predictor and outcome variables. Statistical significance was determined at P-value<0.05 and the adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was used. Results The level of utilization of ART services was suboptimal among 27.6% (81/293) of the participants, and only 63.1% (185/293) were virally suppressed. Of the participants who were optimally utilizing ART services, the majority 86.8% (184/212) were virally suppressed. Age 10– 14 years (aOR = 3.34), the presence of both parents (aOR = 1.85), parental and peer reminders (aOR = 2.91) and (aOR = 0.49) respectively, and being on ART for five years or less were the characteristics related with optimal utilization of ART services. Conclusions and recommendations Not all ALHIV used ART services to their full potential. However, factors such as participants’ age, the presence of both parents, reminders from parents and peers, and being on ART for some time were all related to the optimal use of ART services. There is a need for developing strategies to increase family and peer support with a focus on older adolescents if the 95-95-95 goal is to be achieved in this age group.