Journal Articles (Health)

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Browsing Journal Articles (Health) by Author "Abaasa, Andrew"

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    Non-uptake of COVID-19 vaccines and reasons for non-uptake among healthcare workers in Uganda: a cross-sectional study
    (BioMed Central Ltd - Springer Nature, 2024-05-25) Kyakuwa, Nasimu; Abaasa, Andrew; Mpooya, Simon; Kalutte, Hamza; Atuhairwe, Christine; Perez, Laurent; Kikaire, Bernard
    Background Vaccines play a crucial role in eradicating and containing disease outbreaks. Therefore, understanding the reasons behind vaccine refusal and associated factors is essential for improving vaccine acceptance rates. Our objective was to examine the determinants of COVID-19 vaccine non-uptake and explore the reasons for non-uptake among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Uganda. Methods Between July and August 2021, we conducted a cross-sectional study among healthcare workers in primary healthcare facilities (private and government) in Entebbe Municipality, Uganda. Participants were recruited using convenience sampling, and consenting individuals received credentials to access an electronic database and complete a structured questionnaire. There were no established HCWs contact registers in the municipality, and the study was conducted during a national lock down, therefore, the HCWs who were on duty at the time of the study were approached. The survey questions were based on the ‘3Cs’ model of vaccine hesitancy and focused on confidence, convenience, and complacency factors. Non-uptake of vaccines was defined as not having received any of the available vaccines in the country. We employed counts, percentages, and simple logit models to summarize the reasons for non-uptake of COVID-19 vaccines and to identify associated factors. Results The study recruited 360 HCWs, 61.7% of whom were female, with an average age of 31 years (SD = 7.9). Among them, 124 (34.4%) healthcare workers did not receive any COVID-19 vaccine. Non-uptake of COVID-19 vaccines was independently associated with several factors, including age [35 + years adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.30, 95% CI: 0.13–0.66 compared with 18–24 years], facility ownership [government, aOR = 0.22 (0.10–0.49) compared with private not-for-profit], previous testing for coronavirus [yes, aOR = 0.35 (0.19–0.65)], and previous involvement in COVID-19 vaccine activities [yes, aOR = 0.17 (0.10–0.29)]. The primary reasons cited for non-uptake of COVID-19 vaccines were related to a lack of confidence in the vaccines, such as concerns about side effects (79.8%) and the need for more time to understand the vaccines (89.5%), as well as the importance of weighing benefits and risks (84.7%) before being vaccinated. A smaller proportion, approximately 23%, cited reasons related to complacency and lack of convenience in accessing vaccination services. Conclusion The high proportion of non-uptake of COVID-19 vaccines among this population primarily stems from a lack of confidence and trust in the vaccines, coupled with insufficient time allowed for users to make informed decisions. This underscores the urgent need for ongoing monitoring and trend analysis of vaccine non-uptake to guide the development and implementation of strategies aimed at building and sustaining vaccine confidence. Adequate time should be allowed to explain benefits of vaccination to the population to allay fears that might exist before actual vaccination is rolled out.
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    Trends of Reported HIV Sexual Risk Behaviour and HIV Incidence Among Fisher Folk in Uganda Receiving Clinic-Based Routine HIV Counseling and Testing
    (2009) Ndibazza, Juliet; Asiki, Gershim; Mulondo, Jerry; Price, Matthew Andrew; Fast, Patricia; Kamali, Anatoli; Bahemuka, Ubaldo Mushabe; Abaasa, Andrew; Ruzagira, Eugene; Kibengo, Freddie Mukasa
    HIV counseling and testing (HCT) has been shown to reduce HIV risk behaviorandis central to HIV prevention programs. We investigated risk behaviorand HIV incidenceTrendsin a fisher folkcohort on Lake Victoria, Uganda. HIV negative volunteers aged 18–49 years, at high risk of HIV infection and willing to undergo HCT were enrolled. Atevery quarterly visit, they received HCT. Condoms and STI treatment were also provided.Risk behaviordata on alcohol consumption before sex, multiple or new sex partners, condom use and exchange of gifts for sex in the past 3 months were collected at baseline and every 6 months for 2 years. We fitted multilevel logistic regression models to investigate the trends.A total of 428 (63% men) volunteers, mean age 28 years were enrolled. There were significant reductions in reported risk behaviorsover the 2-year follow-up. The proportion reporting ‡ 2 partners decreasedfrom 80% at baseline to 45% at month 6 and to 43% at month 24 for males; for females the decrease was from 42% at baseline to 13% at month 6 and to 6% at month 24; P < 0.01). Similarly there were significant reductions among men (P = 0.01) reportingnew partners but of borderline statistical significance among females (P = 0.09). In both sexes there were significant decreases in reported non-condom use, transactional sex and in having sex when drunk. HIV incidence (in brackets 95% CI) reduced from 8.2/100 person years (5.1-13.5), to 7.3 (5.0-10.6), 6.5 (4.6-9.1) and 6.0 (4.3-8.3) at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months respectively (p = 0.21). In this study therewas a substantial reduction in self-reported risk behaviour in the first 6 months and marginal reduction in the later period. However, a modest HIV incidence reduction was observed. This calls foran urgent need for combination prevention strategies in this population.Key Words: Sexual Risk Behaviour, HIVIncidence, FisherFolk, Clinic-based Routine, HIV Counseling and Testing