Browsing by Author "Andinda, Maureen"

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Community‑based interventions against HIV‑related stigma: a systematic review of evidence in Sub‑Saharan Africa
    (Systematic Reviews, 2025-01-10) Kimera, Emmanuel; Alanyo, Linda Grace; Andinda, Maureen; Mirembe, Enos Masereka
    HIV-related stigma remains a key barrier to the attainment of the UNAIDS global goal of ending AIDS by 2030. Due to the social and contextual nature of HIV-related stigma, community-based interventions may be more effective in addressing it. In this review, we synthesized evidence on the effectiveness and features of community-based interventions against HIV-related stigma in Sub-Saharan Africa. MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Psych INFO, and Web of Science were searched in July 2023. We also searched Google Scholar and reference lists of all selected studies. Included studies were randomized controlled trials, mixed methods studies, as well as pre-test and post-test studies that evaluated the effectiveness of a community-based intervention to reduce HIV-related stigma in the general population or among specific groups. Data extraction was done using a pre-designed and pre-tested form. We performed a synthesis without meta-analysis, utilizing Fisher’s method to combine p-values, to demonstrate evidence of an effect in at least one study. Additionally, we applied framework thematic analysis to qualitatively synthesize the intervention characteristics of the included studies. A total of nine journal articles were included, largely with a high risk of bias. Results from the combined p-values provide strong evidence supporting the effectiveness of community-based interventions in reducing HIV-related stigma in at least one of the studies (p < 0.001, X2 = 73.1, 18 degrees of freedom). Most studies involved people living with HIV (PLH) alone as intervention recipients and as intervention implementers. Community members with unknown HIV status were involved in only 2 studies. The intervention strategies were largely information sharing through workshops and training as well as individualized counselling. In few studies, additional support in the form of referrals, nutritional supplements, and adherence support was provided to PLH during the interventions. Most studies were judged to be of moderate to high cost except in 3 where the intervention implementers were PLH within the community, volunteering in the home-based support approach. The involvement of community members in the design of intervention strategies was not seen in all the studies. Community-based interventions appear to be effective in reducing HIV-related stigma. However, more robust randomized trials are needed to provide stronger evidence for this effect. Although these interventions have been multifariously developed in Sub-Saharan Africa, comprehensive strategies involving the stigmatized and the “stigmatizers” in a social change approach are lacking. The application of strategies without the involvement of community members in their design takes away a sense of community responsibility, and this threatens the sustainability of such interventions.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Factors Associated with Utilization of Insecticide Treated Nets among Residents of Kamwenge Town Council- Kamwenge District-Uganda
    (World Health, 2019-04-07) Ikiriza, Antony; Andinda, Maureen; Rubaihayo, John; A. R. Semana
    Malaria continues to be a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. In Uganda, malaria remains the leading cause of morbidity, accounting for 30 to 50 percent of outpatient visits, 15 to 20 percent of admissions, and 9 to 14 percent of inpatient deaths. The first national-wide Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) coverage campaign was launched in 2010 targeted at households with pregnant women and children below 5yrs of age. The study assessed factors associated with utilization of Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) among residents of Kamwenge Town Council, Kamwenge District-Western Uganda. The study design was cross-sectional in which data were collected using an interviewer administered structured questionnaire and analyzed using Stata version 13.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Predictors of sleeping under cost-free mosquito bed nets among children under-five years in Mbarara, Uganda: a household survey
    (African Health Sciences, 2019) Andinda, Maureen; Mulogo, Edgar; Turyakira, Eleanor; Batwala, Vincent
    In 2010, Uganda Malaria Control Programme distributed cost-free mosquito bed nets to households with children under-five years and pregnant women in selected sub-counties. We assessed the factors associated with sleeping under costfree mosquito nets among children under-five years in Nyakayojo sub-county, Mbarara District, Uganda. Methods: 381 households with at least a child under-five years and benefited from cost-free bed nets in Nyakayojo were randomly selected. Caregivers of children were interviewed using a questionnaire. Results: 74% children slept under bed nets a night before the study. Children from households with ≥2 nets [aOR=1.75; 95% CI: 1.09-2.81, p=0.02], female caregiver [aOR=2.11; 95% CI: 1.16-3.79, p=0.01] and children from households that did not face problems (skin irritation, torn nets, suffocation, night sweating, nasal congestion and candle fire) when sleeping under bed nets [aOR=1.81; 95% CI: 1.10-2.98, p=0.02] were more likely to use nets. Main reason for not sleeping under a net was damage to the net (47.1%). Conclusion: The proportion of children sleeping under nets was comparable to MDG target. Improvements in use of mosquito nets by children can be achieved through increasing number of nets in a household.