Browsing by Author "Okedi, X Francis"

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3

Awareness of Breast Disease Among Female Undergraduate Students in Kampala, Uganda: A Descriptive, Cross-sectional Study
(The College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA), 2020) Okedi, X Francis; Lule, Herman; Wachaya, David; Kyamanywa, Patrick
Introduction: Uganda has recognized the importance of breast disease as a public health issue and has implemented efforts to increase awareness, early detection, and improved treatment. However, there are few published reports on awareness and screening of breast disease among women in Uganda. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between July 2016 and May 2017 to evaluate breast disease awareness among female undergraduate students attending Kampala International University, Western Campus, in Uganda. A stratified random sample was drawn to proportionately represent students from each academic faculty. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire assessing awareness of breast disease and self-breast examination (SBE). A 3-level scale for overall breast disease awareness was constructed to categorize students as “not aware”, “moderately aware”, or “very aware”, based on their responses to a 3-item assessment. Data were analysed to determine the proportion of students with awareness of various breast disease-related topics and to evaluate associations between demographic factors and awareness. Results: In total, 209 participants were enrolled, among whom 108 (51.7%) were 21 to 25 years old, and 192 (92.3%) were single. Most participants (n=197, 92.8%) had heard about breast disease; the main sources of information were friends (n=59, 27.8%), television (n=33,15.8%), and health workers (n=33, 15.8%). Only 27 participants (12.9%) reported familial history of breast disease. Over half (n=117, 55%) had heard about SBE, among whom 71 (60.9%) could perform it; 23 students reported performing it monthly. Overall, breast disease awareness was low, with only 2 participants (0.96%) categorized as “very aware”, 76 (16.3%) as “moderately aware”, and 173 (82.8%) as “not aware”. Breast disease awareness was significantly associated with older age (P=0.023), enrolment in a health-related faculty (P<0.0001), and having children (P=0.016). Conclusions: Female undergraduate students at Kampala International University had little awareness about breast disease. Efforts should be undertaken to raise breast disease awareness among undergraduate students in Uganda.
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.
Prevalence and factors associated with cancellation and deferment of elective surgical cases at a rural private tertiary hospital in Western Uganda: a cross-sectional study
(African Field Epidemiology Network-Afenet , Po Box 12874, Kampala, Uganda, 00000, 2021) Vahwere, Bienfait Mumbere; Sikakulya, Franck K; Ssebuufu, Robinson; Soria, Jorge; Okedi, X Francis; Abdullah, Shaban; Kyamanywa, Patrick
Introduction: the cancellation of elective surgery is still a worldwide challenge and this is associated with emotional and economical trauma for the patients and their families as well as a decrease in the efficiency of the operating theatre. This study aimed at determining the prevalence and factors associated with cancellation and deferment of elective surgery in a rural private tertiary teaching hospital in Western Uganda. Methods: a crosssectional study design was conducted. Data was collected from 1st July 2019 to 31st December 2019. Patients scheduled for elective surgery and either cancelled or deferred on the actual day of surgery were included in the study. Statistical analysis was done using STATA version 15. Results: four hundred patients were scheduled for elective surgery during the study period, among which 90 (22.5%) were cancelled and 310 (78.5%) had their surgeries as scheduled. The highest cancellation of elective surgical operations was observed in general surgery department with 81% elective cases cancelled or deferred, followed by orthopedic department 10% and gynecology department 9%. The most common reasons for cancellation were patient-related (39%) and health worker-related (35%) factors. Other factors included administrative (17%) and anesthesia related factors (9%). Cancellation was mainly due to lack of finances which accounted for 23.3% of the patients, inadequate patient preparation (16.6%) and unavailability of surgeons (15.5%). Major elective surgeries were cancelled 1.7 times more than minor electives surgeries [adjusted prevalence ratio 1.7 (95%CI: 1.07-2.73) and p-value: 0.024]. Conclusion: cancellation and deferment of elective surgeries is still of a major concern in this private rural tertiary hospital with most of the reasons easily preventable through proper scheduling of patients, improved communication between surgical teams and with patients; and effective utilization of available resources and man power.