Browsing by Author "Irumba, Pauline"

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    Enablers of and barriers to ART adherence among female sex workers in mid-western Uganda: a qualitative study
    (BioMed Central Ltd, 2025-01) Apuulison, David Friday; Nabawanuka, Brenda; Muhoozi, Michael; Aryampa, Julian; Irumba, Pauline; Katsomyo, Edson; Asiimwe, Moses; Epuitai, Joshua; Akugizibwe, Pardon; George, Wasswa; Rubaihayo, John
    Female sex workers (FSWs) in Uganda experience numerous barriers to antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence. We used the planned behavior theory to help explore the enablers and barriers to ART adherence among FSWs. Understanding the barriers to ART adherence may help contribute to the development of interventions to improve ART adherence among the FSWs. A descriptive qualitative study was conducted in Fort portal City. We conducted 30 in-depth interviews among FSWs who had been taking ART for at least six months. Furthermore, six key informant interviews were conducted with healthcare workers and leaders of the FSWs initiative. Data collection lasted for two months. Thematic deductive analysis was applied to analyse the data through the lens of the theory of planned behavior. The attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control influenced adherence to ART. Positive attitudes including perceived benefits of ART, and experiencing positive outcomes from taking ART were seen to enable its adherence. Subjective norms such as social support, disclosure of HIV status, seeing others take ART, and aspirations of longer life enabled ART adherence. Taking ART in the morning, responsive and respectful healthcare workers, and availability of food/basic needs facilitated compliance with ART adherence. Negative attitudes such as misconceptions and fear of side effects hindered ART adherence. Social disapproval of sex work and or HIV, lack of social support, gender-based violence, non-disclosure, stigma, and abandonment hindered the use of ART among FSWs. Socio-economic constraints (e.g., food scarcity), and occupation-related factors (substance use, incarceration, busy and predictable schedules, and abrupt migrations) were the additional barriers to ART adherence. ART adherence among FSWs was influenced by attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. Addressing these barriers in ART adherence through targeted interventions could facilitate ART adherence and improve health outcomes among FSWs. MEDLINE
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    Utilization of Youth Friendly Reproductive Health Services among Secondary School Youths in Fort Portal Municipality, Western Uganda: School Based Cross Sectional Study
    (Saudi Journal of Nursing and Health Care, 2018-12-30) Irumba, Pauline; Munguiko, Clement; Miruka, Conrad Ondieki
    Youth often face difficulties in accessing sexual and reproductive health services. The main aim this study was to determine the utilization of youth friendly reproductive health services among secondary school going youths of Fort portal Municipality and ascertain factors that influence use of these services. A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted on 250 secondary school youths in Fortportal Municipality. Sample size was determined by using Kish Leslie’s formula. Clustered sampling method was used to choose two (2) schools from each division of Fort portal Municipality; then respondents selected by consecutive sampling method. Data was analyzed using SPSS V.22. About half (53.2%) of the respondents were females and most of the study respondents (85.6%) were adolescents. Almost a third of the respondents (39.2%) were sexually active with 67.3 percent of them having unprotected sex. The study revealed that more than three quarters (79.2%) of the youths were poor users of youth friendly reproductive health services with sex education as the most utilized service (88.4%) and the least being use of contraceptives (20.3%). Age and availability of the services were the main determinants of utilization of these services. Adolescents utilized Youth friendly reproductive health services more than fellow older youths (P; 0.023 and P; 0.033 respectively). Availability of some Youth friendly reproductive health services in schools and health facilities influenced their utilization (P; 0.001 and P;0.013 respectively).Youth friendly reproductive health services are under-utilized by secondary school going youths. Youth friendly healthcare clinics should be operational in all schools and health facilities.