Browsing by Author "Opio, Bosco"

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    Bacteriological Quality of Drinking Water and Associated Factors at Community Point Sources, in Arua District, Uganda.
    (Lira University, 2022) Asiku, Norman; Akech, Stella Immaculate; Opio, Bosco
    Introduction: This section summarizes the objectives, methodology, results and conclusions of the study. Background: Sufficient quantity and good quality of water is paramount for life. However, majority of the world’s population lack access to adequate and safe water. Every year, more than 3.4 million people die as a result of water-related diseases, and in Uganda, it is estimated that about 89,000 cases and 3,000 deaths occur annually due to cholera. Broad objective: To assess the bacteriological quality of drinking water and associated factors at community water source points in Arua District. Method: A cross-sectional study design was used, with Laboratory based experiment. Sample size of 140 was used. Dependent variable was the presence of the count of coliform forming units of bacteria on the filter membrane meanwhile independent variables were the hazard, pathway and indirect factors obtained through the sanitary inspection checklist. Data was entered into Excel spread sheet and imported for analysis to Stata/SE 15.0. Result: Majority (70.71%) of the water sources had bacteria, the predominant isolated indicator organism was total coliform. The following risk factors showed statistical association with bacteria presence in drinking water source; drainage for wastewater being defective with aOR of 19.7[5.34 72.72], parts of appliances being loose aOR of 10.7[2.52 45.92] and defective/lack of fence aOR of 9.2[2.43 34.96] all with P-value <0.001. Conclusion: Treatment of drinking water sources, regular water quality surveillance, cleaning, repairing spoiled appliance parts, fencing and repairing of spoiled fences among others to mitigate bacteriological contamination of water sources are required.
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    Factors associated with first antenatal care (ANC) attendance within 12 weeks of pregnancy among women in Lira City, Northern Uganda: a facility-based cross- sectional study
    (BMJ, 2023) Acup, Walter; Opollo, Marc Sam; Akullo, Betty Nancy; Musinguzi, Marvin; Kigongo, Eustes; Opio, Bosco; Kabunga, Amir
    Objective This study aimed at assessing factors associated with first antenatal care (ANC) attendance within 12 weeks of pregnancy among women in Lira City. Design A cross-sectional study. Settings The study was conducted in health facilities offering ANC services in Lira City, Northern Uganda. Participants The study was among 368 pregnant mothers attending their first ANC in the three selected facilities (Lira Regional Referral Hospital, Ober Health Center IV and Pentecostal Assembly of God Mission Health Center IV) in Lira City. Primary and secondary outcome measures Level of first ANC attendance within 12 weeks of pregnancy and associated factors. Results Early ANC attendance was 36.1%. Women who were: unmarried (adjusted OR (aOR): 0.40, 95% CI: 0.16 to 0.99), took >2 hours to reach a health facility (aOR: 0.21, 95% CI: 0.07 to 0.62), or not visited by village health teams or healthcare workers at home (aOR: 0.33, 95% CI: 0.12 to 0.92) were less likely to attend their first ANC early. On the other hand, women who were: not knowing first that ANC guides parents on infant care (aOR: 2.22, 95% CI: 1.06 to 4.67); pregnant without consent of spouse (aOR: 4.29, 95% CI: 1.75 to 10.55); attending ANC from a private facility (aOR: 2.89, 95% CI: 1.27 to 6.15); and having two to three healthcare workers present at the ANC clinic (aOR: 1.79, 95% CI: 1.03 to 3.13) were more likely to attend ANC early. Conclusions Despite the fact that the WHO recommends that all women begin ANC within 12 weeks after conception, Lira City in Northern Uganda had a low overall incidence of timely ANC initiation. Being unmarried, distance to reach a health facility, and being visited by village health teams or healthcare workers at home were all linked to timely ANC commencement. As a result, intervention efforts should concentrate on the highlighted determinants in order to promote ANC initiation in Lira City, Northern Uganda. This can be accomplished by providing information and education to the community on the timing and necessity of ANC in Northern Uganda.
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    Factors influencing willingness to pay for improved solid waste collection services among households in urban cities in Uganda: empirical evidence from Lira City.
    (BMC Public Health, 2024) Apio, Everline; Opio, Bosco; Acanga, Alfred; Akello, Anne Ruth
    Waste management in Lira City, Uganda faces significant challenges, particularly in the area of waste collection. Pollution and health risks from uncollected waste are rampant, posing serious threats to human health and the environment. This persistent problem demands urgent attention and effective solutions to improve waste collection and safeguard the well-being of the community and the natural surroundings. This study aimed to assess households’ willingness to pay for improved waste collection services, examine their waste management practices, and identify influencing factors. We employed a multistage sampling technique to randomly select 585 household heads and conducted key informant interviews with city officials and private waste collectors. Data analysis was conducted with STATA 17 and results showed that 48.12% of households were willing to pay an average of UGX 3012 ($0.84) per month for better services. Factors including education level, occupation, distance to waste collection sites, and environmental awareness significantly influenced this willingness. The study highlights a significant gap in public awareness and understanding of efficient solid waste management practices and concludes that enhancing public awareness is crucial for improving environmental health and safety in Lira City
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    Outcomes and Factors associated with Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) among Tuberculosis Patients attending Lira Regional Referral Hospital
    (Lira University, 2023) Abor, Daniel; Opio, Bosco; Omech, Bernard
    Background: Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) remains a Public Health challenge in low resources countries. Uganda is still among the countries estimated by WHO to have incidences of MDR TB of at least 1000 cases. The burden of MDR-TB in Lango Sub- Region is high and yet its risk factors and treatment outcomes remain unknown. This study assessed treatment outcomes, factors associated with MDR-TB and MDR-TB patients’ experiences with health system services among TB patients in Lira Regional Referral Hospital (LRRH) from January 2020 to December, 2022. Methods: A cross sectional study involving quantitative and qualitative study was conducted among TB patients with treatment outcomes at LRRH from January 2020 to December 2022. Eligible participants were screened for MDR-TB and the independent variables which included; socio-demographics, clinical presentation, co-infections and morbidities. Descriptive statistics was used to determine treatment outcomes. Bivariate and multivariate analysis were done to determine predictors of MDR-TB. Key informant interviews for MDR-TB were done and analyzed manually to evaluate MDR-TB patients’ experiences. Results: Out of the 762 TB patients, 10.63% had MDR-TB. Higher proportions were males, 67.32% (513/762) and majority of the participants aged 30-45 years (38.58). among MDR patients, 38.27% (31/81) completed treatment, 30.86% (25/81) got cured, 18.52% (15/81) were lost to follow-up, and 12.35% (10/81) died. Distance of > 10km for LRRH (aOR=2.64, 95% CI: 1.45-5.17) and patients without previous tb treatment (aOR =0.03, 95% CI: 0.02-0.07) significantly predicted MDR-TB. Drugs’ side effects, additional financial and nutritional support were also key findings in qualitative reports. Conclusion: Higher proportions had favorable outcome. Distance of > 10km, previous TB treatment was associated with MDR-TB. drugs’ side effects, financial and nutritional support could affect treatment adherence. Keywords: Treatment Outcomes, Multi Drug Resistant Tuberculosis, Predictors and Referral Hospital
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    Poor long-term outcomes despite improved hospital survival for patients with cryptococcal meningitis in rural, Northern Uganda
    (PLoS ONE, 2024) Okwir, Mark; Link, Abigail; Opio, Bosco; Okello, Fred; Nakato, Ritah; Nabongo, Betty; Alal, Jimmy; Rhein, Joshua; Meya, David; Liu, Yu; Bohjanen, Paul R.
    Background Cryptococcal meningitis (CM) remains a major cause of death among people living with HIV in rural sub-Saharan Africa. We previously reported that a CM diagnosis and treatment program (CM-DTP) improved hospital survival for CM patients in rural, northern Uganda. This study aimed to evaluate the impact on long-term survival. Methods We conducted a retrospective study at Lira Regional Referral Hospital in Uganda evaluating long-term survival (�1 year) of CM patients diagnosed after CM-DTP initiation (February 2017-September 2021). We compared with a baseline historical group of CM patients before CM-DTP implementation (January 2015-February 2017). Using Cox proportional hazards models, we assessed time-to-death in these groups, adjusting for confounders. Results We identified 318 CM patients, 105 in the Historical Group, and 213 in the CM-DTP Group. The Historical Group had a higher 30-day mortality of 78.5% compared to 42.2% in the CMDTP Group. The overall survival rate for the CM-DTP group at three years was 25.6%. Attendance at follow-up visits (HR:0.13, 95% CI: [0.03–0.53], p <0.001), ART adherence (HR:0.27, 95% CI: [0.10–0.71], p = 0.008), and fluconazole adherence: (HR:0.03, 95% CI: [0.01–0.13], p <0.001), weight >50kg (HR:0.54, 95% CI: [0.35–0.84], p = 0.006), and performance of therapeutic lumbar punctures (HR:0.42, 95% CI: [0.24–0.71], p = 0.001), were associated with lower risk of death. Altered mentation was associated with increased death risk (HR: 1.63, 95% CI: 1.10–2.42, p = 0.016). Conclusion Long-term survival of CM patients improved after the initiation of the CM-DTP. Despite this improved survival, long-term outcomes remained sub-optimal, suggesting that further work is needed to enhance long-term survival.
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    Prevalence and correlates of teenage pregnancy among in-school teenagers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Hoima district western Uganda–A cross sectional community-based study
    (PLoS ONE, 2022) Musinguzi, Marvin; Kumakech, Edward; Auma, Anne Grace; Akello, Ruth Anne; Kigongo, Eustes; Tumwesigye, Raymond; Opio, Bosco; Kabunga, Amir; Omech, Bernard
    Background The COVID-19 pandemic related restrictions and lockdown measures had compromised the routine delivery and access of sexual and reproductive health and rights services to the population including the teenage girls. However, the teenage pregnancy rates during COVID-19 pandemic period were poorly documented. This study aimed at determining the prevalence and the factors associated with teenage pregnancy among in-school teenage girls during the COVID-19 pandemic period in Hoima District Uganda. Methods This was a descriptive cross-sectional study that employed quantitative research methods. A total of 314 in-school teenage girls aged 13–19 years were selected using a multi-stage sampling techniques. Interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to collect the data from the participant’s homes during the period December 2021-January 2022. Data analysis was done using univariate, bi-variate, and multivariate. Results The prevalence of teenage pregnancy among the in-school teenage girls in Hoima district Uganda was 30.6% [96/314]. Higher teenage pregnancy rates were prevalent among the unmarried teenage girls [aOR: 9.6; 95%CI: 4.64–19.87; p = 0.000], teenage girls studying from boarding schools [aOR 2.83, 95%CI 1.36–5.86, p = 0.005], contraceptive non-users [aOR: 2.54; 95%CI: 1.12–5.4; p = 0.015] and teenage girls involved in sex trade [aOR 3.16, 95%CI 1.5–6.7, p = 0.003]. The factors associated with the reduced likelihood for teenage pregnancy included being an adult teenage girl aged 18–19 years [aOR: 0.15; 95%CI: 0.07–0.32; p = 0.000] and not receiving sex education during the period [aOR 0.36, 95%CI 0.13– 0.62, p = 0.024]. Conclusion The results indicated that 3 out of 10 in-school teenage girls from Hoima district Uganda got pregnant during the COVID-19 pandemic period of 2021. Teenage pregnancy was prevalent among teenage girls who don’t use modern contraceptive methods and those involved in sex trade. Teenage pregnancy was however, less prevalent among adult teenage girls aged 18–19 years. The findings point to the need for health stakeholders to innovate creative policies, contingency plans and programmes aimed at delaying age for sexual activities, increasing contraceptive use and minimizing pregnancy risk from sex trade among in-school teenage girls during COVID-19 pandemics.
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    Retention and associated factors among HIV patients enrolled on ART through Assisted Partner Notification Services at Lira Regional Referral Hospital
    (Lira University, 2022) Ayoo, Christine; Omech, Benard; Opio, Bosco
    Background: Assisted Partner Notification is a public health strategy used to curb the spread of STIs and HIV/AIDS through testing and treating sexual partners of infected index cases and ensuring their retention in care. Retention of PLHIVs in LRRH still remains a challenge attributed to patients relocating to other places, forgetfulness, long distance, denial of treatment among others. Objective: to assess the level of retention and associated factors among HIV patients enrolled on ART through assisted partner notification services at LRRH. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using a quantitative method. Data was collected using semi-structured questionnaire for a sample size of 424. Quantitative data was entered, cleaned and analyzed using SPSS version 16.0 at Univariate, Bivariate and Multivariate Level. Results: Retention level among HIV patients enrolled on ART through APNs was at 77% (327/424) … factors that were associated with this retention level included; gender (AOR 0.37 CI=0.21-0.64), marital status (AOR 2.31 CI=1.37-4.00), linkage to care (AOR 7.40 CI=2.77- 19.67), stigma (AOR 1.74 CI=1.00-3.00), and pill burden (AOR 2.37 CI=1.151-4.867). Conclusion: Retention level of HIV patients enrolled on ART through APNs at LRRH was fair at 77% according to ministry of health. The factors associated with retention level in this study includes; gender, marital status, stigma, linkage to care and pill burden. Recommendation: MoH and policy makers should strengthen their social behavioral change strategies targeting sexual partners and male engagement in HIV care. Keywords: Retention, HIV patients, ART, and Assisted Partner Notification Services
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    Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Risk Factors associated with Diarrhoeal Diseases among Children under Five years in Lira City
    (Lira University, 2022) Auma, Brenda; Opio, Bosco
    Introduction: In developing countries like Uganda; diarrhea in children under five is one of the leading causes of illness and mortality. The country has the highest prevalence of diarrheal diseases among children under five of 22% in East Africa. This study assessed the water, sanitation and hygiene factors associated with diarrheal disease among children under five years in Lira City. Methodology: This was a quantitative community-based cross-sectional survey conducted between August and September 2022. Information on socio-demographic characteristics, water, sanitation, hand washing practices and diarrhea history was obtained from 492 mothers/caregivers of children under the age of five years using a semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaire. Data was analyzed at three levels using STATA (Stata Corp LLC, TX and USA) version 17 software. Descriptive statistics, univariate logistic and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used. Results: Among 492 children under-five, the prevalence of diarrhea was 142 (29.3%). Being a child under four years of age (AOR=0.14, CI: 0.04-0.58), eating food not stored in refrigerators (AOR=0.15, CI:0.03-0.76), living in households practicing open dumping of wastage (OR=6.57, CI:1.63-26.4), and living in a household with a rubbish pit not filled fully (OR=2.84, CI:1.36-5.94) were significantly associated with diarrhea among children under five in Lira City. Conclusion: The prevalence of diarrhea among under-five is high in Lira City. The socio demographic, sanitation, hygiene and environmental factors were found to be associated with diarrhea. Community sensitization on water, sanitation and hygiene risk factors is needed. Keywords: Water, Hygiene, Sanitation, Lira City and Diarrhea