Browsing by Author "Chekwech, Gaudencia"

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    Anxiety, Anger and Depression Amongst Low-Income Earners in Southwestern Uganda During the COVID-19 Total Lockdown
    (Frontiers in public health, 2021) Archibong, Victor; Usman, Ibe Michael; Kasozi, Keneth Iceland; Osamudiamwen Aigbogun, Eric; Josiah, Ifie; Monima, Ann Lemuel; Ssebuufu, Robinson; Chekwech, Gaudencia; Dominic Terkimbi, Swase; Owoisinke, Okon; Mbiydzenyuy, Ngala Elvis; Adeoye, Azeez; Ojodale Aruwa, Joshua; Moyosore Afodun, Adam; Odoma, Saidi; Ssempijja, Fred; Tiyo Ayikobua, Emmanuel; Tabakwot Ayuba, John; Nankya, Viola; Onongha, Comfort; Henry, Sussan; Matama, Kevin; Yusuf, Helen; Nalugo, Halima; MacLeod, Ewan; Christina Welburn, Susan
    Low-income earners are particularly vulnerable to mental health, consequence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown restrictions, due to a temporary or permanent loss of income and livelihood, coupled with government-enforced measures of social distancing. This study evaluates the mental health status among low-income earners in southwestern Uganda during the first total COVID-19 lockdown in Uganda. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was undertaken amongst earners whose income falls below the poverty threshold. Two hundred and fifty-three (n = 253) male and female low-income earners between the ages of 18 and 60 years of age were recruited to the study. Modified generalized anxiety disorder (GAD-7), Spielberger’s State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2 (STAXI-2), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) tools as appropriate were used to assess anxiety, anger, and depression respectively among our respondents. Results: Severe anxiety (68.8%) followed by moderate depression (60.5%) and moderate anger (56.9%) were the most common mental health challenges experienced by low-income earners in Bushenyi district. Awareness of mental healthcare increased with the age of respondents in both males and females. A linear relationship was observed with age and depression (r = 0.154, P = 0.014) while positive correlations were observed between anxiety and anger (r = 0.254, P < 0.001); anxiety and depression (r = 0.153, P = 0.015) and anger and depression (r = 0.153, P = 0.015). Conclusion: The study shows the importance of mental health awareness in low resource settings during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Females were identified as persons at risk to mental depression, while anger was highest amongst young males.
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    Patients’ Involvement in Decision-Making During Healthcare in a Developing Country: A Cross- Sectional Study
    (Patient preference and adherence, 2021) Nuwagaba, Julius; Olum, Ronald; Bananyiza, Ali; Wekha, Godfrey; Rutayisire, Meddy; Kato Agaba, Keneth; Chekwech, Gaudencia; Nabukalu, Jalidah; Nanyonjo, Genevieve Gloria; Namagembe, Robinah; Nantongo, Sylvia; Lubwama, Margaret; Besigye, Innocent; Kiguli, Sarah
    Patient autonomy and participation have a significant impact on patient satisfaction and compliance with treatment. We aimed to establish and describe the level of shared decision-making (SDM) among the patients in a developing country. Uganda is a low resource country with a 2019 GDP of 35.17 billion US dollars. In some regions, over 60% of Ugandans live below the national poverty line and most of them depend on the underfunded health care system. Methods: A cross-sectional, quantitative study was carried out among the outpatients attending Kisenyi Health center IV, Kampala, Uganda. An interviewer-administered questionnaire with a 5-point Likert scale was used to assess patients’ SDM. All statistical analysis was performed using STATA 15 software. Results: A total of 326 patients participated in this study. Majority of the participants were females (n=241, 73.9%) and aged 18–35 years (n=218, 66.9%). Only 22 (7%) of the participants knew the name of their consulting doctor. Most of the participants, 84% were given enough time to narrate their symptoms. Overall, only 11.3% (n=37) of the participants had adequately participated in SDM. The overall mean score of participation in SDM was 2.7 (SD:0.8). Participants who knew the name of their consulting doctor were approximately 11 times more likely to participate in SDM (OR: 10.7, 95% CI: 4.2–27.0, P<0.0001). Conclusion: The majority of patients attending Kisenyi Health Center IV did not adequately participate in SDM. Continued medical education should be organized for healthcare professionals to promote SDM.
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    Perspective of Medical Students on the COVID-19 Pandemic: Survey of Nine Medical Schools in Uganda
    (JMIR public health and surveillance, 2020) Olum, Ronald; Kajjimu, Jonathan; Kanyike, Andrew Marvin; Chekwech, Gaudencia; Wekha, Godfrey; Nassozi, Dianah Rhoda; Kemigisa, Juliet; Mulyamboga, Paul; Kabagambe Muhoozi, Oscar; Nsenga, Lauryn; Lyavala, Musilim; Asiimwe, Asaph; Bongomin, Felix
    The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is a global public health concern affecting over 5 million people and posing a great burden on health care systems worldwide. Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the knowledge, attitude, and practices of medical students in Uganda on the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: We conducted an online, descriptive cross-sectional study in mid-April 2020, using WhatsApp Messenger. Medical students in 9 of the 10 medical schools in Uganda were approached through convenience sampling. Bloom’s cut-off of 80% was used to determine good knowledge (≥12 out of 15), positive attitude (≥20 out of 25), and good practice (≥12 out of 15). Results: The data of 741 first- to fifth-year medical students, consisting of 468 (63%) males with a mean age of 24 (SD 4) years, were analyzed. The majority (n=626, 84%) were pursuing Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degrees. Overall, 671 (91%) had good knowledge, 550 (74%) had a positive attitude, and 426 (57%) had good practices. Knowledge was associated with the 4th year of study (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 4.1, 95% CI 1.6-10.3; P<.001). Attitude was associated with the female sex (aOR 0.7, 95% CI 0.5-1; P=.04) and TV or radio shows (aOR 1.1, 95% CI 0.6-2.1; P=.01). Practices were associated with the ≥24 years age category (aOR 1.5, 95% CI 1.1-2.1; P=.02) and online courses (aOR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1-3.2; P=.03). In total, 592 (80%) medical students were willing to participate in frontline care if called upon. Conclusions: Medical students in Uganda have sufficient knowledge of COVID-19 and will be a large reservoir for health care response when the need arises.