Browsing by Author "Francis, Kazibwe"

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5

Assessing the Knowledge, Attitude and Practices among Health Workers on Rotavirus Diarrhoea Prevention in Rukiga District
(European Journal of Health Sciences, 2023) Davis, Ahabwe; Francis, Kazibwe
Purpose: Rotavirus has been identified as the most common pathogen associated with severe diarrhoea. Rotavirus infection is the leading cause of diarrhea in children under five and it is highly contagious. It poses an exception to typical diarrheal disease management rules. While improved access to clean water and better sanitation and hygiene practices are vital to preventing most diarrheal diseases, they have done little to disrupt infection. The virus may cause severe, dehydrating diarrhea in young children and, in untreated cases, lead to death. The aim of this study is to determine the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding Rotavirus Prevention and its vaccination among medical workers in Rukiga district Methodology: A total of 263 health workers were selected through random sampling. A structured and validated questionnaire was used. Questions about knowledge, attitude and practices were collected and verified on scale. Descriptive statistics were presented; multivariable regression analysis was done to determine the correlation of knowledge, attitude level, and practices with socio demographic variables such as age, sex and education. The p value≤0.05 considered was statistically significant. Findings: 118(47.14%) had adequate knowledge, 164(66.138%) positive attitude and 102(41.1%) appropriate practices on the Rotavirus diarrhoea prevention. Knowledge, attitude level and practices were increased significantly with increasing age, sex and education. After controlling for variables in the multivariable regression model, age, sex and education were the significant factors in determining the scores on knowledge, attitude and practices. About the knowledge. Age (β=4.15, p<0.001), sex (β=3.012, p=0.001) and education level (β=14.04, p<0.038), then attitude, age (β=4.32, p<0.001), sex (β=0.015, p=0.003) and education level (β=0.021, p<0.001) while for practices, age (β=0.021, p<0.001). Similarly, sex (β=0.022, p<0.001), education level (β=0.136, p=0.006). Generally, there was inadequate knowledge, positive attitude and inappropriate practices amongst the respondents on Rotavirus diarrhoea prevention in Rukiga District. Recommendations: Rukiga District needs to train, mentor and coach the health workers on prevention of Rotavirus including vaccination in order to have increased knowledge level, positive attitude and appropriate actions
ECONOMIC IMPACT OF LACOR HOSPITAL ON THE SURROUNDING AREA
(2003) Francis, Kazibwe; Everd, Maniple; Evelyn, Akello; Salome, Asio; Vento, Auma; Haruna, Lule; Bruno, Corrado; John, Odaga
The health care industry is an important contributor to the economy, especially to that of the area surrounding health institutions. This effect is even more marked in the case of rural facilities. At national level, it comes in the form of ensuring a healthy productive population and saving costs that would have otherwise been spent on treatment, thus liberating them for use on other developmental purposes. However, being a labour-intensive industry, it also contributes by providing employment for a significant section of the working-age population. At local level, in addition to the general benefits mentioned above, it comes in the form of attracting significant government and external investment to the area, and providing a market for local goods and services. It also helps to ‘keep health dollars at home’ by ensuring that locals are treated within their area and thus retaining their health expenditure within their own economy. Yet, the economic impact of the health care industry is still under-estimated the world over, Uganda inclusive. Until recently, most studies of economic impact concentrated on the contribution of activities other than health care (Scorsone 2001; Scorsone 2002) and as such, there are few articles available to be reviewed about healthcare
Effect of Water Harvesting Practices on Sustainable Maize Produc tion among Smallholder Farmers in Water Scarce Areas of Ibanda District2023
(Enliven Archive, 2023-04-29) Muhumuza, Simon; Francis, Kazibwe; Rebbeca, Karibwani
This study was conducted to find out the effect of rainwater harvesting on sustainable maize production in Bisheshe and Nyamarebe Sub counties, Ibanda district. Specifically, the study was conducted to establish the water harvesting practices used by smallholder maize farmers, the relationship between water harvesting and maize yields, community perceptions on water harvesting and the challenges of the maize farmers in water harvesting. The study adopted a cross sectional survey design in which data was collected using questionnaires, interviews and observation; and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings show that harvesting improved maize production in Nyamarebe and Bisheshe Sub Counties. This implied that water harvesting can support sustainable maize production in water scarce areas. The study recommends that farmers should be supported to harvest water for sustainable maize production.
THE GROWTH, REPRODUCTION AND SURVIVAL OF BIOMPHALARIA SPECIES IN THE FIELD AND LABORATORY CONDITIONS AT LAKE ALBERT IN WESTERN UGANDA
(Francis Kazibwe andEdward Ssemakula, 2016-05) Francis, Kazibwe; Edward, Ssemakula
Bilharzia or Schistosomiasis is a parasitic infection of man and is caused by blood flukes of the genus Schistosoma. The parasite is transmitted through specific aquatic intermediate hosts in various freshwater habitats. In terms of socioeconomic and public health importance it is regarded second to malaria among the parasitic diseases affecting man in tropical and some sub-tropical countries of the world. To understand the disease transmission patterns better; a study was carried out on the population dynamics of the snail types (Biomphalaria species) that are responsible for the transmission of the disease. This paper discusses the results of the study that was carried out at Lake Albert, which is one of the most affected areas by Bilharzia disease in the country. The growth, reproduction and survival of two Biomphalaria species at Lake Albert were monitored in the field and laboratory for thirteen and fourteen weeks respectively. Field and laboratory growth curves were constructed for the two Biomphalaria species, Biomphalaria stanleyi and Biomphalaria sudanica. The snails from the natural environment for both species showed a rapid and steady increase in size until they reached maximum growth at about the fourteenth week. As the snails matured, maximum egg production capacity was achieved from the tenth week onwards. The growth of snails in the laboratory was much slower especially for B. sudanica, and the snails never attained the shell diameter levels of the snails in the natural environment within the same period. It took an extra week for snails in the laboratory to reach maturity and to start egg production. By the end of the fourteenth week, the laboratory snails did not appear to have achieved a level of maximum egg production. There was a negative correlation between the mean generation time and the intrinsic rate of natural increase. These observations stress the importance and requirement of optimum conditions in the habitat of snails for them to maintain their numbers. With global warming and the attendant floods, occurring in many areas of the tropics including Uganda, fertile ground for multiplication of the snails with eventual possibility of spread of bilharzia, can be a big threat. There is a need to be vigilant and identify possible resurgence in snail population that may lead to the spread of bilharzia.
Socio-Economic Factors Hindering Utilization of Insecticide Treated Nets in Households with Children under Five Years of Age in Rwentuha Town Council, Bushenyi District, Uganda
(International Journal of Scientific Research and Engineering Development, 2022-02) Francis, Kazibwe; Abel, Tumushabe
Insecticide treated nets (ITNs) are the powerful tools used in prevention of malaria and this has attracted Government of Uganda to distribute free ITNs at household level using its village health facilities. Despite the distribution of free ITNs, there have been cases of malaria among children under five years of age. This makes the basis for examining the socio-economic factors hindering the utilization of the ITNs among such children in Rwentuha Town Council, Bushenyi District. The study used a cross-sectional design, employing quantitative method for data collection and analysis. Data was checked for competences and analyzed using STATA version 13 to generate both descriptive and inferential statistics using a binary regression analysis. The study found that education levels significantly hinder utilization of ITNs since its P<0.05 (P = .030). It was also found that, the household size (P=.008); the seasons where participants were not using ITNs (P=.011) and the lighting system (P= .021) were also significant factors that could hinder the utilization of ITNs. The study affirms that there are socio economic factors hindering utilization of insecticide in Rwentuha Town Council. These factors vary from household to another and hinder utilization differently which has made malaria persistent among the under five. The study recommends that plans be made to increase the number of free ITNs distributed to all households, increase in community education and public awareness on ITNs use