Browsing by Author "Kiirya, Yerusa"

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    Factors associated with concurrent wasting and stunting among children 6–59 months in Karamoja, Uganda
    (Maternal and Child Nutrition, 2021) Adobea Odei Obeng-Amoako, Gloria; Karamagi, Charles Amnon Sunday; Nangendo, Joanita; Okiring, Jaffer; Kiirya, Yerusa; Aryeetey, Richmond; Mupere, Ezekial; Myatt, Mark; Briend, André; Nakayaga Kalyango, Joan; Wamani, Henry
    Children with concurrent wasting and stunting (WaSt) and children with severe wasting have a similar risk of death. Existing evidence shows that wasting and stunting share similar causal pathways, but evidence on correlates of WaSt remains limited. Research on correlates of WaSt is needed to inform prevention strategies. We investigated the factors associated with WaSt in children 6–59 months in Karamoja Region, Uganda. We examined data for 33,054 children aged 6–59 months using June 2015 to July 2018 Food Security and Nutrition Assessment in Karamoja. We defined WaSt as being concurrently wasted (weight-for-height z-scores <−2.0) and stunted (heightfor- age z-score <−2.0). We conducted multivariate mixed-effect logistic regression to assess factors associated with WaSt. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. In multivariate analysis, being male (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.79; 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.60–2.00]), aged 12–23 months (aOR = 2.25; 95% CI [1.85–2.74]), 36–47 months (aOR = 0.65; 95% CI [0.50–0.84]) and 48–59 months (aOR = 0.71; 95% CI [0.54–0.93]) were associated with WaSt. In addition, acute respiratory infection (aOR = 1.30; 95% CI [1.15–1.48]), diarrhoea (aOR = 1.25; 95% CI [1.06–1.48]) and malaria/fever (aOR = 0.83; 95% CI [0.73–0.96]) episodes were associated with WaSt. WaSt was significantly associated with maternal underweight (body mass index <18.5 kg/m2), short stature (height <160 cm), low mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC <23 cm) and having ≥4 live-births. WaSt was prevalent in households without livestock (aOR = 1.30; 95% CI [1.13–1.59]). Preventing the occurrence of WaSt through pragmatic and joint approaches are recommended. Future prospective studies on risk factors of WaSt to inform effective prevention strategies are recommended.
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    Loss to follow up after pregnancy among mothers enrolled on the option Bþ program in Uganda
    (Public Health in Practice, 2021) Kiirya, Yerusa; Musoke, Philippa; Adobea Odei Obeng-Amoako, Gloria; Kalyango, Joan
    Option-Bþ programs in Uganda have reported high levels of loss to follow up (LTFU) after cessation of breastfeeding, and this remains unknown beyond this period. In this study, we assessed the incidence and factors associated with LTFU two to four years after delivery among Option-Bþ mothers. Study design: Retrospective cohort. Methods: We reviewed files of 452 mothers who enrolled on Option-Bþ between January 1st, 2013 and December 31st, 2014 at Kisenyi Health Centre IV in Kampala district. We assessed factors associated with LTFU using Cox proportional hazards regression. We also explored the reasons for LTFU using three focus group discussions, five in-depth and three key informant interviews. Results: Of the 452 mothers, 131(29%) were LTFU after delivery. The incidence of LTFU after delivery was 17/ 1000 person months (95% CI, 14–30/1000) with a median follow up of 32 months. The risk of LTFU was higher among mothers who started ART on the day they tested HIV positive (aHR ¼ 1.66, 95% CI; 1.25–2.20, p-value< 0.001). Reasons for LFTU included transport costs, stigma, poor human resource policies and non-disclosure. Conclusion: LTFU after delivery among Option-Bþ mothers is higher than the global target of 15%. ART initiation on the day a mother tests positive increases the risk of LTFU. The major reasons for LTFU were stigma and nondisclosure. To reduce the risk of LTFU, we recommend approaches that encourage disclosure to sexual partners and ongoing specific support to mothers who are initiated on ART-the day of positive test.