Browsing by Author "Ayikobua, Emmanuel Tiyo"

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    A descriptive-multivariate analysis of community knowledge, confidence, and trust in COVID-19 clinical trials among healthcare workers in Uganda
    (MDPI , St Alban-Anlage 66, Basel, Switzerland, Ch-4052, 2020) Kasozi, Keneth Iceland; Laudisoit, Anne; Osuwat, Lawrence Obado; Batiha, Gaber El-Saber; Al Omairi, Naif E; Aigbogun, Eric; Ninsiima, Herbert Izo; Usman, Ibe Michael; DeTora, Lisa M; MacLeod, Ewan Thomas; Nalugo, Halima; Crawley, Francis P; Bierer, Barbara E; Mwandah, Daniel Chans; Kato, Charles Drago; Kiyimba, Kenedy; Ayikobua, Emmanuel Tiyo; Lillian, Linda; Matama, Kevin; Mak, Shui Ching Nelly; Onanyang, David; Pius, Theophilus; Nalumenya, David Paul; Ssebuufu, Robinson; Rugambwa, Nina Olivia; Musoke, Grace Henry; Bardosh, Kevin; Ochieng, Juma John; Ssempijja, Fred; Kyamanywa, Patrick; Tumwine, Gabriel; Alzahrani, Khalid J; Welburn, Susan Christina
    Background—misinformation and mistrust often undermines community vaccine uptake, yet information in rural communities, especially of developing countries, is scarce. This study aimed to identify major challenges associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine clinical trials among healthcare workers and staff in Uganda. Methods—a rapid exploratory survey was conducted over 5 weeks among 260 respondents (66% male) from healthcare centers across the country using an online questionnaire. Twenty-seven questions assessed knowledge, confidence, and trust scores on COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials from participants in 46 districts in Uganda. Results—we found low levels of knowledge (i.e., confusing COVID-19 with Ebola) with males being more informed than females (OR = 1.5, 95% CI: 0.7–3.0), and mistrust associated with policy decisions to promote herbal treatments in Uganda and the rushed international clinical trials, highlighting challenges for the upcoming Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccinations. Knowledge, confidence and trust scores were higher among the least educated (certificate vs. bachelor degree holders). We also found a high level of skepticism and possible community resistance to DNA recombinant vaccines, such as the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine. Preference for herbal treatments (38/260; 14.6%, 95% CI: 10.7–19.3) currently being promoted by the Ugandan government raises major policy concerns. High fear and mistrust for COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials was more common among wealthier participants and more affluent regions of the country. Conclusion—our study found that knowledge, confidence, and trust in COVID-19 vaccines was low among healthcare workers in Uganda, especially those with higher wealth and educational status. There is a need to increase transparency and inclusive participation to address these issues before new trials of COVID-19 vaccines are initiated.
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    A qualitative exploration of the psychosocial factors affecting antiretroviral therapy adherence among HIV infected young adults in Eastern Uganda
    (medRxiv preprint, 2023-02-07) Twekambe, Easton; Epuitai, Joshua; Kawala, Enid Kagoya; Namanya, Vian; Ayikobua, Emmanuel Tiyo; Obakiro, Samuel Baker; Napyo, Agnes; Kiyimba, Kenedy
    The use of anti-retroviral therapy (ART) in management and prevention of HIV/AIDS epidemic is a globally accepted strategy. In Uganda, despite the efforts to increase uptake of ART, adherence remains a huge challenge. This study, therefore, was conducted to explore psychosocial factors which influenced non-adherence to ART among young adults in Eastern Uganda. This was an exploratory qualitative study conducted at the ART clinic of Mbale Regional Referral Hospital. A total of in-depth interviews with young adults who had defaulted from taking ART drugs were conducted. Also, five key-informant interviews were conducted among the healthcare workers in the hospital. Thematic analysis approach was followed to analyze the data using NVIVO software (version 11). Non-adherence to ART was perceived to result from poor social support, poor coping mechanisms, unpredictable and busy work schedules, poverty, incompatible religious beliefs and practices. The poor social support factors included poor caregiver support, non-disclosure of HIV status, stigma and discrimination while factors linked to poor coping mechanisms included alcohol and substance abuse, psychosocial stress, depression, forgetfulness and feelings of self-hatred. Poverty limits access to treatment and basic needs including transportation to health facilities. Long waiting time at the ART clinic was the healthcare system factor which was thought to cause non-adherence among young adults Non-adherence to ART at Mbale Regional Referral Hospital in Eastern Uganda is attributed to various psychosocial factors such as stigma and discrimination, mental health problems, work related problems and low socio-economic status, religious beliefs and poor knowledge, long waiting time in ART clinic and poor family support. Psychosocial counselling should therefore target the perceived causes of ART non-adherence so as to improve the adherence /compliance to ART.