Browsing by Author "Pius, Theophilus"

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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.
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.
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.