Browsing by Author "Agaba, Aggrey"

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    Preparedness of health care systems for Ebola outbreak response in Kasese and Rubirizi districts, Western Uganda
    (BMC public health, 2021) Kibuule, Michael; Sekimpi, Deogratias; Agaba, Aggrey; Ali Halage, Abdullah; Jonga, Michael; Manirakiza, Leonard; Kansiime, Catherine; Travis, Dominic; Pelican, Katharine; Rwego, Innocent B.
    The level of preparedness of the health care workers, the health facility and the entire health system determines the magnitude of the impact of an Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak as demonstrated by the West African Ebola outbreak. The objective of the study was to assess preparedness of the health care facilities and identify appropriate preparedness measures for Ebola outbreak response in Kasese and Rubirizi districts in western Uganda. Methods: A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted by interviewing 189 health care workers using a structured questionnaire and visits to 22 health facilities to determine the level of health care system preparedness to EVD outbreak. District level infrastructure capabilities, existence of health facility logistics and supplies, and health care workers’ knowledge of EVD was assessed. EVD Preparedness was assessed on infrastructure and logistical capabilities and the level of knowledge of an individual health work about the etiology, control and prevention of EVD. Results: Twelve out of the 22 of the health facilities, especially health center III’s and IV’s, did not have a line budget to respond to EVD when there was a threat of EVD in a nearby country. The majority (n = 13) of the facilities did not have the following: case definition books, rapid response teams and/or committees, burial teams, and simulation drills. There were no personal protective equipment that could be used within 8 h in case of an EVD outbreak in fourteen of the 22 health facilities. All facilities did not have Viral Hemorrhagic Fever (VHF) incident management centers, isolation units, guidelines for burial, and one-meter distance between a health care worker and a patient during triage. Overall, 54% (n = 102) of health care workers (HCWs) did not know the incubation period of EVD. HCWs who had tertiary education (aOR = 5.79; CI = 1.79–18.70; p = 0.003), and were Christian (aOR = 10.47; CI = 1.94–56.4; p = 0.006) were more likely to know about the biology, incubation period, causes and prevention of EVD. Conclusions: Feedback on the level of preparedness for the rural districts helps inform strategies for building capacity of these health centers in terms of infrastructure, logistics and improving knowledge of health care workers.
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    Tsetse Fly Distribution and Occurrence of Trypanosoma Species among Cattle and Goats around Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda
    (Research square, 2020) Kangume, Mallion; Muhangi, Denis; Byaruhanga, Joseph; Agaba, Aggrey; Sserunkuma, Joachim; Kisembo, Stallon Justus; Bogere, Paul; Vudriko, Patrick; Rwego, Innocent Bidason
    African Animal Trypanosomiasis (AAT) is an infectious disease of economic and veterinary importance in Sub-Saharan Africa. The current study aimed at providing baseline information on tsetse fly distribution and occurrence of Trypanosoma species in cattle and goats within and around Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP), in western Uganda. A minimal entomological survey was conducted in April 2017 while blood samples collected from cattle (n = 576) and goats (n = 319) in June 2015 and May 2017 were subjected to Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) to determine the occurrence of Trypanosoma species.Glossina pallidipes and G. fuscipes were the only tsetse fly species trapped in the study area with apparent density of 20.6. The overall prevalence of Trypanosoma spp. was 27% for goats and approximately 38% for cattle. The most prevalent Trypanosoma spp. in goats was T. brucei (n = 60, 18.8%) while the most prevalent in cattle was T. congolense (n = 102, 27.1%). In both cattle and goats, a dual infection of T. brucei + T. congolense was most encountered. In goats a triple infection of T. brucei + T. congolense + T. vivax was higher than that in cattle. Current findings show that there are two species of tsetse flies, and three species of Trypanosoma, important in transmission of AAT in both cattle and goats. Control efforts of AAT have mainly focused on cattle and this study proves that prevention and control efforts should also involve goat farmers.