Browsing by Author "Halage, Abdullah Ali"

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    Bacteriological and Physical Quality of Locally Packaged Drinking Water in Kampala, Uganda
    (Journal of environmental and public health, 2015) Halage, Abdullah Ali; Ssemugabo, Charles; Ssemwanga, David K.; Musoke, David; Mugambe, Richard K.; Guwatudde, David; Ssempebwa, John C.
    To assess the bacteriological and physical quality of locally packaged drinking water sold for public consumption. Methods. This was cross-sectional study where a total of 60 samples of bottled water from 10 brands and 30 samples of sachet water from 15 brands purchased randomly were analyzed for bacteriological contamination (total coliform and faecal coliform per 100 mL) usingmembrane filtrate method and reported in terms of cfu/100 mL. Results. Both bottled water and sachet water were not contaminated with faecal coliform.Majority (70%, 21/30) of the sachetwater analyzed exceeded acceptable limits of 0 total coliforms per 100mL set byWHOand the national drinking water standards.The physical quality (turbidity and pH) of all the packaged water brands analyzed was within the acceptable limits.There was statistically significant difference between the median count of total coliform in both sachet water and bottled water brands (𝑈(24) = 37.0, 𝑝 = 0.027). Conclusion. Both bottled water and sachet water were not contaminated with faecal coliforms; majority of sachet waterwas contaminated with total coliformabove acceptable limits. Government and other stakeholders should consider intensifying surveillance activities and enforcing strict hygienic measures in this rapidly expanding industry to improve packaged water quality.
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    History, evolution and future of environmental health in Uganda
    (Informa UK Limited, 2018-12-03) Ndejjo, Rawlance; Atusingwize, Edwinah; Oporia, Frederick; Ssemugabo, Charles; Musoke, David; Ssemwanga, David K.; Halage, Abdullah Ali; Isunju, John Bosco; Kansiime, Winnifred; Mubeezi, Ruth; Mugambe, Richard Kibirango; Mbaha, Emery Patrice; Luyima, Paul; Ssempebwa, John C.
    This article explores the history and evolution of Environmental Health in Uganda under four key themes: training and practice; research; governance, policy and regulatory framework; and challenges. The article also describes the future of the profession. Through a review of documents and key informant interviews, it is noted that Environmental Health in Uganda dates back to colonial times when the country was affected by diseases including plague, trypanosomiasis and small pox. Concerted efforts were advanced to train cadres that would improve the sanitation status and address the prevailing disease burden. Over several decades, the Environmental Health profession has evolved in many areas of training, practice, research and governance, policy and legal framework amidst several challenges. The future of Environmental Health in Uganda will require more advanced training and research, broadened practice, and streamlined governance.
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    Prevalence, Circumstances, and Management of Acute Pesticide Poisoning in Hospitals in Kampala City, Uganda
    (Environmental health insights, 2017-09-04) Ssemugabo,Charles; Halage, Abdullah Ali; Neebye, Ruth Mubeezi; Nabankema, Victoria; Kasule, Massy Moses; Ssekimpi, Deogratius; Jørs, Erik
    This study was aimed at assessing prevalence, circumstance, and management of acute pesticide poisoning in hospitals in Kampala. It was a retrospective cross-sectional study that involved reviewing of 739 poisoning patient records from 5 hospitals in Kampala. Of the 739 patients, 212 were due to pesticide poisoning resulting in a prevalence of 28.8%. About 91.4% (191/210) of the cases were due to organophosphate poisoning, 63.3% (133/210) were intentional, and 98.1% (206/210) were exposed through ingestion. Diagnosis was majorly based on poisoning history 91.2% (187/205), and clinical features such as airways, breathing, and circulation examination 48.0% (95/198); nausea and vomiting 42.9% (91/212); muscle weakness 29.7% (63/212); excessive salivation 23.1% (49/212); and confusion 20.3% (43/212). More than half of the patients admitted were treated using atropine 52.3% (113/212). The prevalence of acute pesticide poisoning was high with most managed based on physical and clinical examination.