Browsing by Author "Katsomyo, Edson"

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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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    The Prevalence and Determinants of Stunting among Children 6 - 59 Months of Age in One of the Sub-Counties in the Rwenzori Sub-Region, Western Uganda
    (Open Journal of Nursing, 2020-04-24) Masereka, Enos Mirembe; Kiconco, Arthur; Katsomyo, Edson; Munguiko, Clement
    Despite being referred to as one of the country’s “food baskets”, 41% of children, 6 - 59 months of age in the Rwenzori sub-region, Western Uganda are stunted. Stunting is a form of chronic malnutrition in which children are short for their age. In this study, we established the prevalence and determinants of stunting in one of the sub-counties in this region. This was a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted in one of the sub-counties in the Rwenzori sub-region, Western Uganda from May 26th to June 26th, 2018. A total of 372 mothers and their children were recruited using systematic sampling. Data was collected using a questionnaire. Stunting was determined by taking child’s height or length and comparing it with child’s age. A child whose height or length for age index was less than −2 Standard Deviations (SD) was considered stunted. We used descriptive statistics to understand characteristics of mothers and multivariable logistic regression model to obtain the determinants of stunting. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20. A total of 372 mothers and their children were included in this study; majority, 307 (83.0%) of the children were 6 - 24 months old and nearly half, 167 (44.9%) were stunted. We found that reserving food stock for use in the dry season (aOR = 0.23, CI = 0.08 - 0.62, p = 0.004), deworming children (aOR = 0.32, CI = 0.18 - 0.54, p = 0.001) and the family earning at least 10,000 Ushs (2.7USD) at the end of the month (aOR = 0.36, CI = 0.22 - 0.58, P = 0.001) were associated with no stunting. We found a high prevalence of stunting among children 6 - 59 months of age. We recommend enforcing ownership of food granary by households especially during dry season, support to de-worming programs targeting children below five years of age and establishing community based income generating livelihood projects.