Browsing by Author "Madut Akech, Gabriel"

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    Acceptance of the coronavirus disease- 2019 vaccine among medical students in Uganda
    (Tropical medicine and health, 2021) Kanyike, Andrew Marvin; Olum, Ronald; Kajjimu, Jonathan; Ojilong, Daniel; Madut Akech, Gabriel; Nassozi, Dianah Rhoda; Agira, Drake; Kisaakye Wamala, Nicholas; Asiimwe, Asaph; Matovu, Dissan; Nakimuli, Ann Babra; Lyavala, Musilim; Kulwenza, Patricia; Kiwumulo, Joshua; Bongomin, Felix
    COVID-19 is still a major global threat for which vaccination remains the ultimate solution. Uganda reported 40,751 cases and 335 deaths as of 9 April 2021 and started its vaccination program among priority groups like health workers, teachers, those with chronic diseases among others in early March 2021. Unanimous uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine is required to subsequently avert its spread; therefore, we assessed COVID-19 vaccine acceptability, hesitancy, and associated factors among medical students in Uganda. Methods: This study employed an online descriptive cross-sectional survey among medical students across 10 medical schools in Uganda. A structured questionnaire via Google Form was conveniently sent to eligible participants via WhatsApp. Each medical school had a coordinator who consistently shared the data tool in the WhatsApp groups. Chi-square or Fisher’s exact test, and logistic regression were used to assess the association between vaccine acceptability with demographics, COVID-19 risk perception, and vaccine hesitancy. Results: We surveyed 600 medical students, 377 (62.8%) were male. COVID-19 vaccine acceptability was 37.3% and vaccine hesitancy 30.7%. Factors associated with vaccine acceptability were being male (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.9, 95% CI 1.3–2.9, p=0.001) and being single (aOR= 2.1, 95% CI 1.1–3.9, p=0.022). Very high (aOR= 3.5, 95% CI 1.7– 6.9, p<0.001) or moderate (aOR =2.2, 95% CI 1.2–4.1, p=0.008) perceived risk of getting COVID-19 in the future, receiving any vaccine in the past 5 years (aOR= 1.6, 95% CI 1.1–2.5, p=0.017), and COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy (aOR 0.6, 95% CI 0.4–0.9, p=0.036). Conclusions: This study revealed low levels of acceptance towards the COVID-19 vaccine among medical students, low self-perceived risks of COVID-19, and many had relied on social media that provided them with negative information. This poses an evident risk on the battle towards COVID-19 in the future especially when these future health professions are expected to be influencing decisions of the general public towards the same.
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    COVID-19 Vaccination Uptake and Self-Reported Side Effects among Healthcare Workers in Mbale City Eastern Uganda
    (medRxiv, 2022) Madut Akech, Gabriel; Kanyike, Andrew Marvin; Galabuzi Nassozi, Ashah; Aguti, Beatrice; Nakawuki, Ashley Winfred; Kimbugwe, Denis; Kiggundu, Josen; Maiteki, Robert; Mukyala, Dorothy; Bongomin, Felix; Obakiro, Samuel Baker; Nekaka, Rebecca; Iramiot, Jacob Stanley
    Fear of anticipated side effects has hindered the COVID-19 vaccination program globally. We report the uptake and the self-reported side effects (SEs) of the COVID-19 vaccine among Healthcare workers (HCWs) in Mbale City Eastern Uganda. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of HCWs at seven different level health facilities was conducted from 6th September to 7th October 2021 using a structured self-administered questionnaire. Results: COVID-19 vaccine had been received by 119 (69%) participants of which 79 (66%) received the two recommended doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine. Getting vaccinated was associated with working in a lower health facility (aOR= 14.1, 95% CI: 4.9 – 39.6, P=0.000), perceived minor risk of contracting COVID-19 (aOR= 12.3, 95% CI: 1.0 – 44.6, p=0.047), and agreeing that COVID-19 vaccine is protective (aOR= 16.7, 95% CI: 5.6 – 50.4, p=0.000). 97 (82%) of participants experienced side effects to at least one dose of which most were mild on both the first (n=362, 51%) and second dose (n=135, 69%). The most frequently reported side effects on the first and second dose were fever (79% and 20%), injection site pain (71% and 25%), and Fatigue (69% and 20%) respectively. Conclusions: The majority of the HCWs in Mbale City had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and experienced a side effect. The side effects were mostly mild on either dose thus the vaccines are generally safe.
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    Fear of COVID-19 and the Media Influence on Herbal Medication Use in Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Study
    (Risk Management and Healthcare Policy, 2021) Musoke, Phillip; Nantaayi, Brandy; Kato Ndawula, Rodney; Wannyana, Babrah; Ssewante, Nelson; Wekha, Godfrey; Olum, Ronald; Nakyagaba, Lourita; Nassozi, Dianah Rhoda; Nabukeera, Germinah; Kanyike, Andrew Marvin; Ojilong, Daniel; Madut Akech, Gabriel; Kajjimu, Jonathan; Kiwumulo, Joshua; Agira, Drake; Okot, Jerom; Bongomin, Felix
    The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has created fear in people around the world. This has led to the widespread use of various herbal remedies in its prevention and treatment regardless of the paucity of scientific evidence about their safety and efficacy. This study assessed the fear of COVID-19 and the influence of media on the use of herbal medicine to prevent or treat COVID-19 in Uganda. Methods: In the first 2 weeks of July 2021, a descriptive online cross-sectional study was carried out anonymously in the general population in Uganda. A validated questionnaire was used to collect data on herbal medicine use and the influence of media. Fear of COVID-19 was rated using the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S). Results: We recruited 488 participants, 273 (55.9%) were female, with a median age of 25 (range: 18–73) years. Sixty-seven (57.8%) participants had a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis. The mean FCV-19S score was 21.7 SD 5.9 with 53.3% reporting high levels of COVID-19 fear. About 57.4% of participants reported using herbal remedies either to prevent or treat COVID-19-like symptoms. Media was the main source of information, with more than 80% of the participants reporting seeing or accessing information about herbal medication use. Women (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 1.74, 95% CI: 1.2–2.5, p=0.003) and people with a previously confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis (aOR: 3.1, 95% CI: 1.35–7.14, p=0.008) had a statistically significantly higher FCV-19S score. Being unemployed (aOR: 1.0, 95% CI: 1.1–2.3, p=0.008) and a female (aOR: 1.0, 95% CI: 1.1–2.3, p=0.012) were statistically significantly associated with herbal medicine use. Participants who used herbal remedies had a higher median FCV-19S score compared to non-users (23 versus 21, p<0.001). Conclusion: The use of herbal medicines to treat or prevent COVID-19 is a widespread practice among the general population in Uganda amidst the high levels of fear of COVID-19.
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    Pneumococcal carriage and antibiotic susceptibility patterns in mother-baby pairs in a rural community in Eastern Uganda: a cross-sectional study
    (F1000Research, 2020) Madut Akech, Gabriel; Naloli, Mercy; Sebwami, Paul; Kazibwe, Patrick; Atwikiriize, Maureen; Onyait, Julius; Oboth, Paul; Nteziyaremye, Julius; Nekaka, Rebecca; Iramiot, Jacob Stanley
    Pneumonia poses a significant threat to the lives of children below five years old worldwide, contributing to a high number of hospitalizations and death. Morbidity and morbidity are especially common in children under five and the elderly, although any age group can be affected. This study aimed to estimate pneumococcal carriage and determine antibiotic susceptibility patterns of the pneumococci isolated from mother-baby pairs in Ngora district after the rollout of the pneumococcal vaccine. We hypothesized that high carriage of Streptococcus pneumoniae in mothers leads to carriage in their babies and hence a greater chance of contracting pneumonia. Methods: Consecutive sampling was used to select 152 mother-baby pairs from community visits and those seeking care at the health facility. We collected nasal swabs from both baby and mother for culture and sensitivity testing using the Kirby-Bauer’s agar disc diffusion method. Results: This study found that there was a low prevalence of pneumococcal carriage in the mother-baby pair in Ngora district. We also observed high rates of microbial resistance to penicillin, which is the first-line drug for the management of pneumonia in Uganda. Conclusions: The relationship between pneumococcal carriage and immunization status suggests that the pneumococcal vaccine is protective against pneumococcal carriage. Resistance of S. pneumoniae to commonly used antibiotics was high.