Browsing by Author "Bakyaita, Tabley"

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Coronavirus Disease Pandemic Response in Uganda: Government Trust, Risk Perception and Willingness to Adhere to Public Health Measures Among Social Media Users
(2022) Kiconco, Arthur; Kabanda, Richard; Tugume, Abdulaziz; Mwagale, Ritah; Kananathan, Abirahmi; Bakyaita, Tabley; Nabukenya, Immaculate; Lwenge, Mathias; Kalenzi, Prisca U
Background: The Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic has greatly affected many nations, and continues to be a global public health challenge. There is progress in responding to the pandemic including universal access to vaccines in most of the developed countries while access to the vaccines in resource limited countries is still limited to only priority groups. Despite the availability of vaccines, promotion of preventive measures through public health risk communication remains essential. Effective risk communication depends on understanding population factors that affect the response. This study assessed government trust, risk perception and willingness to adhere to COVID-19 preventive measures among social media users. Methods: This was an online analytical cross-sectional survey in Uganda. Data collection was conducted from 16-27 October 2020 using an online self-administered questionnaire. Data was analyzed using STATA and generalized linear modelling with modified Poisson regression was conducted to determine association between the variables. Results: Of 1,014 respondents, most 69.3% (703) were males, 77.71% (788) had completed tertiary education and 72.3% (733) were salaried employees. Overall trust in government response to COVID-19 pandemic was 40.1%. Most of the respondents 69.9% (n=1008) believed that COVID-19 is extremely likely to spread across the country. However, over a half 65.4% (n=994) perceived little or no risk of getting infected with COVID-19. More than half 53.55% (1014) were willing to receive vaccination against COVID-19 in case it was available. Factors positively associated with trust in government response to COVID-19 included being a student (APR 1.56, CI: 1.14-2.12, p=0.005), being in the 36-59 (APR 1.36, CI: 1.16-1.60, p<0.001) and 60+ (APR 1.98, CI: 1.40-2.28, p<0.001) age groups. Being male was negatively associated with trust in government (APR 0.84, CI: 0.72-0.92, p=0.04). Risk perception was associated with trust in government (APR 1.37 CI: 1.42-1.65, p=0.001). There was high level of willingness to adhere to COVID-19 preventive measures among respondents in the 36-59 (APR 1.02, CI: 1.0-1.03, p<0.01) and 60+ (APR 1.03; CI: 1.0-1.04, p<0.01) age groups while low level of willingness was associated with little or no trust in government response to COVID-19 (APR 0.97, CI: 0.95-0.98, P<0.01). Conclusions: The overall trust in government’s response was low. Majority of respondents believed that COVID-19 is extremely likely to spread across the country, but over a half perceived a low risk of getting infected with the virus. Respondents with low trust in government were less willing to adhere to COVID-19 preventive measures. Therefore, there should be interventions designed to improve people’s trust in government, as well as focusing public health risk communication to addressing misconceptions and misinformation about COVID-19 and improving risk perception by clarifying the key vulnerable populations.
Intention to vaccinate against COVID-19 and adherence to non-pharmaceutical interventions against COVID-19 prior to the second wave of the pandemic in Uganda: a cross-sectional study
(BMJ, 2022-06-02) Wafula, Solomon Tsebeni; Mugume, IInnocent B; Sensasi, Benjamin; Okware, Solome; Chimbaru, Alexander; Nanyunja, Miriam; Talisuna, Ambrose; Kabanda, Richard; Bakyaita, Tabley; Wanyenze, Rhoda K; Byakika-Tusiime, Jayne
The resurgence in cases and deaths due to COVID-19 in many countries suggests complacency in adhering to COVID-19 preventive guidelines. Vaccination, therefore, remains a key intervention in mitigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study investigated the level of adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures and intention to receive the COVID-19 vaccine among Ugandans. A nationwide cross-sectional survey of 1053 Ugandan adults was conducted in March 2021 using telephone interviews. Main outcome measures Participants reported on adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures and intention to be vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccines. Overall, 10.2% of the respondents adhered to the COVID-19 preventive guidelines and 57.8% stated definite intention to receive a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. Compared with women, men were less likely to adhere to COVID-19 guidelines (Odds Ratio (OR)=0.64, 95% CI 0.41 to 0.99). Participants from the northern (4.0%, OR=0.28, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.92), western (5.1%, OR=0.30, 95% CI 0.14 to 0.65) and eastern regions (6.5%, OR=0.47, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.92), respectively, had lower odds of adhering to the COVID-19 guidelines than those from the central region (14.7%). A higher monthly income of ≥US$137 (OR=2.31, 95% CI 1.14 to 4.58) and a history of chronic disease (OR=1.81, 95% CI 1.14 to 2.86) were predictors of adherence. Concerns about the chances of getting COVID-19 in the future (Prevalence Ratio (PR)=1.26, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.48) and fear of severe COVID-19 infection (PR=1.20, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.38) were the strongest predictors for a definite intention, while concerns for side effects were negatively associated with vaccination intent (PR=0.75, 95% CI 0.68 to 0.83). Behaviour change programmes need to be strengthened to promote adherence to COVID-19 preventive guidelines as vaccination is rolled out as another preventive measure. Dissemination of accurate, safe and efficacious information about the vaccines is necessary to enhance vaccine uptake.
Uganda’s experience in Ebola virus disease outbreak preparedness, 2018–2019
(BMC, 2020) Aceng, Jane Ruth; Ario, Alex R.; Muruta, Allan N.; Makumbi, Issa; Nanyunja, Miriam; Komakech, Innocent; Bakainaga, Andrew N.; Talisuna, Ambrose O.; Mwesigye, Collins; Mpairwe, Allan M.; Tusiime, Jayne B.; Lali, William Z.; Katushabe, Edson; Ocom, Felix; Kaggwa, Mugagga; Bongomin, Bodo; Kasule, Hafisa; Mwoga, Joseph N.; Sensasi, Benjamin; Mwebembezi, Edmund; Katureebe, Charles; Sentumbwe, Olive; Nalwadda, Rita; Mbaka, Paul; Fatunmbi, Bayo S.; Nakiire, Lydia; Lamorde, Mohammed; Walwema, Richard; Kambugu, Andrew; Nanyondo, Judith; Okware, Solome; Ahabwe, Peter B.; Nabukenya, Immaculate; Kayiwa, Joshua; Wetaka, Milton M.; Kyazze, Simon; Kwesiga, Benon; Kadobera, Daniel; Bulage, Lilian; Nanziri, Carol; Monje, Fred; Aliddeki, Dativa M.; Ntono, Vivian; Gonahasa, Doreen; Nabatanzi, Sandra; Nsereko, Godfrey; Nakinsige, Anne; Mabumba, Eldard; Lubwama, Bernard; Sekamatte, Musa; Kibuule, Michael; Muwanguzi, David; Amone, Jackson; Upenytho, George D.; Driwale, Alfred; Seru, Morries; Sebisubi, Fred; Akello, Harriet; Kabanda, Richard; Mutengeki, David K.; Bakyaita, Tabley; Serwanjja, Vivian N.; Okwi, Richard; Okiria, Jude; Ainebyoona, Emmanuel; Opar, Bernard T.; Mimbe, Derrick; Kyabaggu, Denis; Ayebazibwe, Chrisostom; Sentumbwe, Juliet; Mwanja, Moses; Ndumu, Deo B.; Bwogi, Josephine; Balinandi, Stephen; Nyakarahuka, Luke; Tumusiime, Alex; Kyondo, Jackson; Mulei, Sophia; Lutwama, Julius; Kaleebu, Pontiano; Kagirita, Atek; Nabadda, Susan; Oumo, Peter; Lukwago, Robinah; Kasozi, Julius; Masylukov, Oleh; Kyobe, Henry Bosa; Berdaga, Viorica; Lwanga, Miriam; Opio, Joe C.; Matseketse, David; Eyul, James; Oteba, Martin O.; Bukirwa, Hasifa; Bulya, Nulu; Masiira, Ben; Kihembo, Christine; Ohuabunwo, Chima; Antara, Simon N.; Owembabazi, Wilberforce; Okot, Paul B.; Okwera, Josephine; Amoros, Isabelle; Kajja, Victoria; Mukunda, Basnet S.; Sorela, Isabel; Adams, Gregory; Shoemaker, Trevor; Klena, John D.; Taboy, Celine H.; Ward, Sarah E.; Merrill, Rebecca D.; Carter, Rosalind J.; Harris, Julie R.; Banage, Flora; Nsibambi, Thomas; Ojwang, Joseph; Kasule, Juliet N.; Stowell, Dan F.; Brown, Vance R.; Zhu, Bao-Ping; Homsy, Jaco; Nelson, Lisa J.; Tusiime, Patrick K.; Olaro, Charles; Mwebesa, Henry G.; Woldemariam, Yonas Tegegn
Since the declaration of the 10th Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in DRC on 1st Aug 2018, several neighboring countries have been developing and implementing preparedness efforts to prevent EVD cross-border transmission to enable timely detection, investigation, and response in the event of a confirmed EVD outbreak in the country. We describe Uganda’s experience in EVD preparedness. : On 4 August 2018, the Uganda Ministry of Health (MoH) activated the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) and the National Task Force (NTF) for public health emergencies to plan, guide, and coordinate EVD preparedness in the country. The NTF selected an Incident Management Team (IMT), constituting a National Rapid Response Team (NRRT) that supported activation of the District Task Forces (DTFs) and District Rapid Response Teams (DRRTs) that jointly assessed levels of preparedness in 30 designated high-risk districts representing category 1 (20 districts) and category 2 (10 districts). The MoH, with technical guidance from the World Health Organisation (WHO), led EVD preparedness activities and worked together with other ministries and partner organisations to enhance community-based surveillance systems, develop and disseminate risk communication messages, engage communities, reinforce EVD screening and infection prevention measures at Points of Entry (PoEs) and in high-risk health facilities, construct and equip EVD isolation and treatment units, and establish coordination and procurement mechanisms. As of 31 May 2019, there was no confirmed case of EVD as Uganda has continued to make significant and verifiable progress in EVD preparedness. There is a need to sustain these efforts, not only in EVD preparedness but also across the entire spectrum of a multi-hazard framework. These efforts strengthen country capacity and compel the country to avail resources for preparedness and management of incidents at the source while effectively cutting costs of using a “fire-fighting” approach during public health emergencies.