Browsing by Author "Mulumba, Yusuf"

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The double burden of Ebola and COVID-19 viral infections and the readiness for safe surgical care provision in Uganda and the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo: an online cross-sectional survey
(Research Square, 2021) Sikakulya, Franck K; Ssebuufu, Robinson; Longombe, Albert Ahuka Ona; Okedi, Francis; Kalongo, Michel; Valimungighe, Moise Muhindo; Furaha, Nzanzu Blaise Pascal; Vahwere, Bienfait Mumbere; Mambo, Simon Binezero; Mulumba, Yusuf; Muyisa, Muhindo Muhasa; Sonia, Fatuma Djuma; Sekabira, John; Fualal, Jane; Kyamanywa, Patrick
Objective: This study aimed at highlighting the extent to which Uganda and the Eastern DR Congo are ready for safe surgical care provision during the double burden of Ebola and COVID-19. Methods: An online cross-sectional study was conducted in selected National, Regional Referral and General Hospital facilities of Uganda and in the Eastern part of D.R. Congo from 1st August 2020 to 30 October 2020. Data was analysed using Stata version 14.2. Results: A participation rate of 37.5% for both countries (72/192). The mean bed capacity of participating health facilities (HF) was 184 in Eastern DR. Congo and 274 in Uganda with an average surgical ward bed capacity of 22.3% (41/184) of the beds in the DR. Congo and 20.4% (56/274) in Uganda. The mean number of operating rooms was 2 and 3 in Eastern DR. Congo and Uganda respectively. Nine hospitals (12.5%) reported being able to test for Ebola and 25 (34.7%) being able to test for COVID-19. Only 7 (9.7%) hospitals reported having a specific operating room for suspect or confirmed cases of Ebola or COVID-19. Provision of appropriate Personal Protection Equipment to personnel were reported to be available in 60 (83.3%) hospitals. The mean of readiness score for provision of surgical care was 7.8/16 (SD: 2.3) or 60% in both countries with no statistical significance in multiple linear regression analysis (p>0.05). Conclusion: The majority of participating hospitals in both countries had a low level of readiness to provide safe surgical care due to lack of supplies to limit the exposure of Healthcare workers (HCW) to Ebola and Covid-19 viral infections, and poor funding. Governments and non-governmental organizations should work together to enhance health facility supplies and readiness for safe surgical provision in resourcelimited settings.
Factors associated with severity and anatomical distribution of diabetic foot ulcer in Uganda: a multicenter cross-sectional study
(BMC Springer Nature, 2023-03-10) Bienfait Mumbere, Vahwere; Ssebuufu, Robinson; Namatovu, Alice; Kyamanywa, Patrick; Ntulume, Ibrahim; Mugwano, Isaac; Pius, Theophilus; Sikakulya Katembo, Franck; Okedi, Francis Xaviour; Mulumba, Yusuf; Jorge, Soria; Agaba, Gidio; Nasinyama, George William
Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a devastating complication of diabetes mellitus (DM) that is associated with increased mortality, morbidity, amputation rate and economic burden. This study aimed at identifying the anatomical distribution and factors associated with severity of DFU in Uganda. This was a multicenter cross-sectional study conducted in seven selected referral hospitals in Uganda. A total of 117 patients with DFU were enrolled in this study between November 2021 and January 2022. Descriptive analysis and modified Poisson regression analysis were performed at 95% confidence interval; factors with p-value<0.2 at bivariate analysis were considered for multivariate analysis. The right foot was affected in 47.9% (n=56) of patients, 44.4% (n=52) had the DFU on the plantar region of the foot and 47.9% (n=56) had an ulcer of >5 cm in diameter. The majority (50.4%, n=59) of patients had one ulcer. 59.8% (n=69) had severe DFU, 61.5% (n=72) were female and 76.9% had uncontrolled blood sugar. The mean age in years was 57.5 (standard deviation 15.2 years). Primary (p=0.011) and secondary (p<0.001) school educational levels, moderate (p=0.003) and severe visual loss (p=0.011), 2 ulcers on one foot (p=0.011), and eating vegetables regularly were protective against developing severe DFU (p=0.03). Severity of DFU was 3.4 and 2.7 times more prevalent in patients with mild and moderate neuropathies (p<0.01), respectively. Also, severity was 1.5 and 2.5 higher in patients with DFU of 5–10 cm (p=0.047) and in those with >10 cm diameter (p=0.002), respectively. Most DFU were located on the right foot and on the plantar region of the foot. The anatomical location was not associated with DFU severity. Neuropathies and ulcers of >5 cm diameter were associated with severe DFU but primary and secondary school education level and eating vegetables were protective. Early management of the precipitating factors is important to reduce the burden of DFU.
Health facilities’ readiness for safe surgical care provision in Uganda and the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo during Ebola and COVID-19 era
(BMC , Campus, 4 Crinan St, London, England, N1 9XW, 2021) Sikakulya, Franck K; Ssebuufu, Robinson; Longombe, Albert Ahoha Ona; Okedi, X Francis; Ilumbulumbu, Michel Kalongo; Valimungighe, Moise Muhindo; Furaha, Nzanzu Blaise Pascal; Vahwere, Bienfait Mumbere; Mambo, Simon Binezero; Mulumba, Yusuf; Muyisa, Anderson Muhindo Muhasa; Sonia, Fatuma Djuma; Sekabira, John; Fualal, Jane O; Kyamanywa, Patrick
Objective This study aimed to assess health facilities’ readiness to provide safe surgical care during Ebola and COVID-19 era in Uganda and in the Eastern DR Congo. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in selected national, regional referral and general hospital facilities in Uganda and in the eastern part of DR Congo from 1st August 2020 to 30th October 2020. Data was analysed using Stata version 15. Results The participation rate was of 37.5 % (72/192) for both countries. None of the hospitals fulfilled the readiness criteria for safe surgical care provision in both countries. The mean bed capacity of participating health facilities (HF) was 184 in Eastern DR Congo and 274 in Uganda with an average surgical ward bed capacity of 22.3 % (41/184) and 20.4 % (56/274) respectively. The mean number of operating rooms was 2 and 3 in Eastern DR Congo and Uganda respectively. Nine hospitals (12.5 %) reported being able to test for Ebola and 25 (34.7 %) being able to test for COVID-19. Postponing of elective surgeries was reported by 10 (13.9) participating hospitals. Only 7 (9.7 %) hospitals reported having a specific operating room for suspect or confirmed cases of Ebola or COVID-19. Appropriate Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) was reported to be available in 60 (83.3 %) hospitals. Most of the staff had appropriate training on donning and doffing of PPE 40 (55.6 %). Specific teams and protocols for safe surgical care provision were reported to be present in 61 (84.7 %) and 56 (77.8 %) respectively in Uganda and Eastern DR Congo participating hospitals. Conclusions The lack of readiness to provide safe surgical care during Ebola and COVID-19 era across the participating hospitals in both countries indicate a need for strategies to enhance health facility supplies and readiness for safe surgical provision in resource-limited settings.
Sexual and Reproductive Health Problems Among Ugandan Youth During the COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown: An Online Cross-sectional Study
(2020) Mambo, Simon Binezero; Sikakulya, Franck K; Ssebuufu, Robinson; Mulumba, Yusuf; Wasswa, Henry; Thompson, Kelly; Rusatira, Jean Christophe; Bhondoekhan, Fiona; Kamyuka, Louis K; Akib, Surat Olabisi; Kirimuhuzya, Claude; Nakawesi, Jane; Kyamanywa, Patrick
Background The COVID-19 pandemic threatens access to sexual and reproductive health services. With global health emergencies, there is often a total reversal of priorities and access to sexual and reproductive health services may become challenging. The aim of this study was to establish the problems related to sexual and reproductive health among Ugandan youths during the COVID-19 lockdown. Methods This was an online cross-sectional study carried out from April 2020 to May 2020 in Uganda. An online questionnaire was used and participants aged 18years to 30 years recruited using the snowballing approach. The statistical analysis was done using STATA version 14.2. Results Out of 724 participants, 203 (28%) reported not having information and/or education concerning sexual and reproductive health (SRH). About a quarter of the participants (26.9%, n=195) reported not having testing and treatment services of sexually transmitted infections available during the lockdown. Lack of transport means was the commonest (68.7%) limiting factor to access to SRH services during the lockdown followed by the long distance from home to SRH facility (55.2%), high cost of services (42.2%) and curfew (39.1%). Sexually transmitted infections were the commonest (40.4%) problem related to SRH during the lockdown followed by unwanted pregnancy (32.4%) and sexual abuse (32.4%). The multivariate regression analysis shows that problems were more prevalent among the co-habiting youth [APR: 2.3 (1.6 - 3.29), p<0.001] followed by unemployed (volunteer or unpaid) [APR: 1.6 (1.03 - 2.64), p: 0.037] than in other participants. Conclusions The ndings of this study show that Ugandan youths have accessing SRH information and services during the COVID-19 lockdown. Cohabiting and unemployed participants were the most affected. Lack of transport means and high cost of services were the major limiting factors to access SRH services among the youths. The ndings call for concerted efforts from the Uganda government and international non-governmental organisations to ensure access and availability of SRH services for Ugandan youths during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Use of face masks to limit the spread of the COVID-19 among western Ugandans: Knowledge, attitude and practices
(PLOS One, 2021-03-24) Sikakulya, Franck Katembo; Ssebuufu, Robinson; Binezero Mambo, Simon; Pius, Theophilus; Kabanyoro, Annet; Kamahoro, Elizabeth; Mulumba, Yusuf; Kakule Muhongya, Jean; Kyamanywa, Patrick
The world is grappling with an ever-changing COVID-19 pandemic using preventive measures such as personal hygiene, face masks, restrictions on travel and gatherings in communities, in addition to a race to find a vaccine. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes and practices of the western Uganda community on the proper use of face masks to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. A cross-sectional study using a structured questionnaire was carried out from 1st July to 10th July 2020 among western Ugandans of consent age of 18 years and above. Data was analysed using Stata version 14.2. Results Among the respondents (n = 1114), the mean age was 30.7 (SD 11.1), 51% were males, 53.9% married and 43% had attained secondary education. Most participants (60.1%, n = 670) had satisfactory knowledge on the use of face masks and participants at a tertiary education level [AOR 2.6 (95% CI: 1.42–4.67; p = 0.002)] were likely to have satisfactory knowledge than participants who had not education. On attitude, most respondents (69.4%) were confident enough to correctly put on a face mask; 83.4% believed that a face mask can protect against COVID-19 and 75.9% of respondents had never shared their face mask. The majority of respondents (95.2%) agreed wearing face masks in public places was important to protect themselves against COVID-19; 60.3% reported washing their hands before wearing and after removing the face mask. Unfortunately, 51.5% reported removing the face mask if they needed to talk to someone. Despite the satisfactory knowledge, good attitude and practices, there is still much more to be done in terms of knowledge, attitude and practices among participants. Government, non-governmental organizations and civil society should improve sensitization of populations on how to behave with face masks while talking to avoid the spread of the COVID-19 among western Ugandans.