Browsing by Author "Kalute, Hamza"

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    COVID-19 vaccine uptake and associated factors among individuals living in a peri-urban area in Uganda: a cross-sectional study
    (PubMed Central - Public Library of Science, 2024-11-04) Nanteza, Bridget Mary; Nanyonjo, Gertrude; Kyakuwa, Nasimu; Nakanjako, Flavia; Kalute, Hamza; Atuhairwe, Christine; Watera, Christine; Ssemwanga, Deogratius
    Introduction: The Corona virus disease (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that is caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus. This virus was first reported in China in December 2019. It then spread to all countries and from March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic. In Uganda, the disease was first reported in March 2020 and COVID-19 vaccines became available by January 2021. Although COVID-19 vaccines were available in Uganda, uptake remained low. The aim of this study was to establish COVID-19 vaccine uptake awareness in a peri-urban setting in Entebbe City, Uganda. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 127 men and 263 women who reside in Entebbe City, Uganda. Data was collected on socio-behavioral characteristics, knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) about COVID-19 vaccine using interviewer administered questionnaires. Uptake of COVID-19 vaccine was defined as the proportion of participants who had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. We used descriptive statistics to estimate awareness of COVID-19 vaccines. The 'chi-square test' and 'modified Poisson regression' were used to assess variations in uptake of COVID-19 vaccines among respondents and their socio-demographics as well as other characteristics. Results: Ninety-nine percent (388 out of 390) of the study population were aware of at least one brand of COVID-19 vaccines in the country. Thirty-five percent (138 out of 390) knew that the vaccine immunity was achieved 14 days after the 2nd dose and 98.7% (385 out of 390) admitted that observing the standard operating procedure for COVID-19 infection prevention was necessary after vaccination. There was a gap in knowledge on vaccine safety reported by 74.6% (291 out of 390) participants. Some participants 37.2% (145 out of 390) had concerns about the vaccine. Of these, 57.9% (84 out of 145) believed that the vaccines were not helpful; and 30.3% (44 out of 145) feared serious side effects. Sixty-six percent (257 out of 390) believed that vaccines were not working and 79.0% (308 out of 390) admitted that vaccines were promoted for financial gain. At the time of performing the study, 36.2% and 22.3% had received the 1st and 2nd dose respectively. The main sources of information on COVID-19 vaccine were television (TV) and social media (p-value 0.001). In a multivariate model, COVID-19 vaccine acceptability was associated with salaried and self-employment (p-value 0.046). The other predicative factors were awareness of the COVID-19 vaccine (p-value <0.001) and having vaccine concerns (p-value 0.013). Conclusion: Uptake of COVID-19 vaccination in Entebbe community was low, partly attributed to knowledge gaps and concerns about vaccine safety and effectiveness. This highlights the need to enhance dissemination of information about COVID-19 vaccine. The lessons learnt in this study would be relevant for other emerging infections by informing vaccination implementation programs in similar settings.
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    High uptake of COVID-19 vaccines among healthcare workers in urban Uganda
    (PLOS, 2024-04-16) Kyakuwa, Nasimu; Kimbugwe, Geofrey; Nakanjako, Flavia; Kalute, Hamza; Mpooya, Simon; Atuhairwe, Christine; Perez, Laurent; Kikaire, Bernard
    Objectives The aim of the study was to describe the facilitators, barriers to and level of uptake of COVID-19 vaccines among healthcare workers in primary healthcare facilities in an urban setting in Uganda. Materials and methods We conducted a cross-sectional study among HCWs in private and public health facilities in Entebbe municipality between July 2021 and August 2021. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire that was shared, via an online link, to consented participants. Uptake of the vaccines among healthcare workers was analysed as proportions, and logistic regression was used to analyse barriers and facilitators to uptake of COVID-19 vaccines. Results The study enrolled 360 participants, with 61.7% (n = 222) females. A total of 236 (65.6%) healthcare workers had received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, with higher uptake among females 64% (n = 151). Age above 40 years (OR 2.16), working in a government healthcare facility (OR 3.12), participating in COVID-19 vaccine related activities (OR 4.62), and having tested for SARS-COV-2 (OR 3.05) increased the odds of having been vaccinated. Working in small roadside clinics reduced the odds of being vaccinated by almost 70%, while HCWs in government health services were 3.1 times more likely to have been vaccinated. History of having cared for a COVID-19 patient and having a positive SARS-COV-2 test result did not influence the uptake of the vaccines in the study population. Conclusion Vaccine uptake among HCWs was close to the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended uptake of 70% by mid-2022