Browsing by Author "Nakaziba, Rebecca"

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    Knowledge and compliance with Covid-19 infection prevention and control measures among health workers in regional referral hospitals in northern Uganda: a cross sectional 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 socio demographic 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. Keywords Infection prevention and control, knowledge, training, compliance
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    Mental Health during COVID-19 Pandemic: Does Social Support Count? A Cross-Sectional Survey among Lira University Students, Northern Uganda
    (PQ Neurology and Psychology, 2021) Anyolitho, Maxson Kenneth; Kabunga, Amir; Anyayo, Lucas Goodgame; Nakaziba, Rebecca
    COVID-19 pandemic that began in Wuhan, China towards the end of 2019 is the world’s catastrophe of the 21st-century. As a result, the pandemic has disrupted all sectors of the world’s economies including the education sector depending on their stages of implementation. For the case of tertiary and University institutions, most of them were about to begin examinations but which had to be put on halt as students had to go home. These disruptions could have serious mental health impacts on the individuals. We conducted a cross-sectional study to assess the mental health status and its association with social support during the COVID-19 lockdown among undergraduate students of Lira University. We used a non-probability convenience sampling technique to identify the students. We developed an online survey questionnaire using google form and sent to the students’ email and social media contacts. Responses were submitted directly to a google central server in an excel form and later exported to SPSS V.25 for analysis. We used descriptive statistical analysis to show frequency distributions, mean, and graphs and Chi-square test to establish possible relationships. More than half of the respondents, 57% were females, 34.63% were in the age group 21-22 years old, the majority were in the third year (33.97%). The majority of students were in good mental health and had positive social support. The findings also revealed a significant statistical association between social support and mental health status. Based on the results, there is a need to provide social support to students when they are at home during the pandemics such as the COVID-19 to ensure their mental health stability.
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    Traditional herbal remedies for managing COVID-19 major symptoms: A case study of Kole district, Northern Uganda
    (TMR Pharmacology Research, 2021) Nakaziba, Rebecca; Anyolitho, Maxson Kenneth; Kabunga, Amir
    Background: Today, the world is battling COVID-19 which has claimed millions of lives within a short period. As biotechnological research is in progress, it’s expedient to explore alternative sources of medication. Exploring plants that have been used in the management of COVID-19 related symptoms for ages may unveil a potential treatment option for this pestilence. We, therefore, conducted a study in Kole district, Northern Uganda to document the plants that are used in the management of the four key COVID-19 related symptoms including flue, cough, sore throat, and difficulty in breathing. Materials and Methods: We employed a cross-sectional quantitative survey design. We used stratified sampling to select 50 participants from each of the five sub-counties in the district, and convenience sampling to select a total of 250 participants and administered interviewer-administered questionnaires. Results: We identified over 50 herbs that are used in the treatment of COVID-19 related symptoms. However, we were able to report on the fourteen most common ones that belonged to 12 families in this paper. Clematis hirsute Perr. & Guill, (68.0%) and Citrus limon burm. F. (30.8%); Eucalyptus grandis M., (49.2%) and Zingibar officinalis, (28.0%); Conyza floribunda H.B.K. (26.4%) and Allium sativum A. (23.6%); Capparis tomentosa Lam. (19.4%) and Acacia hockii De Wild, (17.4%): for the treatment of flu, cough, sore throat and breathing difficulties respectively. Different plant parts of the diverse plant species were used in treating the symptoms. For Clematis hirsute Perr. & Guill, all plant parts were used differently to treat each of the 4 symptoms. Conclusion: Kole district possesses a multitude of herbs with the potential of treating COVID-19 symptoms. There is a need for further pharmacological investigations to validate their activity and possible development for clinical use in the management of COVID-19.
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    Traditional herbal remedies for managing COVID-19 major symptoms: A case study of Kole district, Northern Uganda
    (TMR Pharmacology Research, 2021) Nakaziba, Rebecca; Anyolitho, Maxson Kenneth; Kabunga, Amir
    Background: Today, the world is battling COVID-19 which has claimed millions of lives within a short period. As biotechnological research is in progress, it’s expedient to explore alternative sources of medication. Exploring plants that have been used in the management of COVID-19 related symptoms for ages may unveil a potential treatment option for this pestilence. We, therefore, conducted a study in Kole district, Northern Uganda to document the plants that are used in the management of the four key COVID-19 related symptoms including flue, cough, sore throat, and difficulty in breathing. Materials and Methods: We employed a cross-sectional quantitative survey design. We used stratified sampling to select 50 participants from each of the five sub-counties in the district, and convenience sampling to select a total of 250 participants and administered interviewer-administered questionnaires. Results: We identified over 50 herbs that are used in the treatment of COVID-19 related symptoms. However, we were able to report on the fourteen most common ones that belonged to 12 families in this paper. Clematis hirsute Perr. & Guill, (68.0%) and Citrus limon burm. F. (30.8%); Eucalyptus grandis M., (49.2%) and Zingibar officinalis, (28.0%); Conyza floribunda H.B.K. (26.4%) and Allium sativum A. (23.6%); Capparis tomentosa Lam. (19.4%) and Acacia hockii De Wild, (17.4%): for the treatment of flu, cough, sore throat and breathing difficulties respectively. Different plant parts of the diverse plant species were used in treating the symptoms. For Clematis hirsute Perr. & Guill, all plant parts were used differently to treat each of the 4 symptoms. Conclusion: Kole district possesses a multitude of herbs with the potential of treating COVID-19 symptoms. There is a need for further pharmacological investigations to validate their activity and possible development for clinical use in the management of COVID-19.
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    Traditional Medicinal Vegetables in Northern Uganda: An Ethnobotanical Survey
    (International Journal of Food Science, 2021) Nakaziba, Rebecca; Anyolitho, Maxson Kenneth; Amanya, Sharon Bright; Sesaazi, Crispin Duncan; Byarugaba, Frederick; Ogwal-Okeng, Jasper; Alele, Paul E.
    Background. A wide range of indigenous vegetables grow in Uganda especially during rainy seasons but scarcely during droughts, except those that are commercially grown. Although a number of these vegetables have medicinal values, they have not been satisfactorily studied besides conservation. Therefore, we conducted a cross-sectional ethnobotanical survey in Northern Uganda in order to document traditional medicinal vegetables and their uses. Methods. Qualitative and quantitative approaches of data collection and analysis were employed using semistructured, interviewer-administered questionnaires as well as key informant interviews following international ethical codes. Fidelity levels and informant consensus factors were also calculated. Results. 13 traditional vegetables belonging to 10 families were reported to serve as folk medicines. The most dominant families were Fabaceae (23.08%) and Solanaceae (15.38%). The most often used vegetables were Corchorus spp., Hibiscus spp., and Asystasiagangeticafor musculoskeletal (51%), gastrointestinal (34.3%), and malaria (31.8%). The vegetables were cultivated in the backyard and the leaves stewed for the different ailments. The informant consensus factor was the highest for Corchorus spp., in the treatment of joint pain/stiffness (0.92-1) while the highest fidelity level was (60.42%) for Amaranthus spp., in the management of anemia. Conclusions. Northern Uganda has numerous traditional vegetables with medicinal benefits. Diseases treated range from gastrointestinal to reproductive through musculoskeletal abnormalities. The community obtains vegetable leaves from the backyard and stews them regularly for the medicinal purposes with no specific dosage. Therefore, we recommend studies to verify in laboratory models the efficacy of these vegetables and standardize the dosages
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    Variations in Trim5α and Cyclophilin A genes among HIV‑1 elite controllers and non controllers in Uganda: a laboratory‑based cross‑sectional study
    (2020) Amanya, Sharon Bright; Nyiro, Brian; Waswa, Francis; Obura, Bonniface; Nakaziba, Rebecca; Nabulime, Eva; Katabazi, Ashaba Fred; Nabatanzi, Rose; Bayiyana, Alice; Mboowa, Gerald; Kayongo, Alex; Wayengera, Misaki; Obondo, J. Sande
    Background: Tripartite Motif Containing 5 alpha (TRIM5α), a restriction factor produced ubiquitously in cells and tissues of the body plays an important role in the immune response against HIV. TRIM5α targets the HIV capsid for proteosomal destruction. Cyclophilin A, an intracellular protein has also been reported to influence HIV infectivity in a cell-specific manner. Accordingly, variations in TRIM5α and Cyclophilin A genes have been documented to influence HIV-1 disease progression. However, these variations have not been documented among Elite controllers in Uganda and whether they play a role in viral suppression remains largely undocumented. Our study focused on identifying the variations in TRIM5α and Cyclophilin A genes among HIV-1 Elite controllers and non-controllers in Uganda. Results: From the sequence analysis, the rs10838525 G > A mutation in exon 2 of TRIM5α was only found among elite controllers (30%) while the rs3824949 in the 5′UTR was seen among 25% of the non-controllers. In the Cyclophilin A promoter, rs6850 was seen among 62.5% of the non-controllers and only among 10% elite controllers. Furthermore, rs17860048 in the Cyclophillin A promoter was predominantly seen among elite controllers (30%) and 12.5% noncontrollers. From gene expression analysis, we noted that the respective genes were generally elevated among elite controllers, however, this difference was not statistically significant (TRIM5α p = 0.6095; Cyclophilin A p = 0.6389). Conclusion: Variations in TRIM5α and Cyclophillin A promoter may influence HIV viral suppression. The rs10838525 SNP in TRIM5α may contribute to viral suppression among HIV-1 elite controllers. The rs6850 in the cyclophillin A gene may be responsible for HIV-1 rapid progression among HIV-1 non-controllers. These SNPs should be investigated mechanistically to determine their precise role in HIV-1 viral suppression.