Browsing by Author "Mugambe, Richard K."

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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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    Barriers and benefits of mHealth for community health workers in integrated community case management of childhood diseases in Banda Parish, Kampala, Uganda: a cross-sectional study
    (BMC Primary Care, 2024) Winnifred K. Kansiime; Atusingwize, Edwinah; Ndejjo, Rawlance; Balinda, Emmanuel; Ntanda, Moses; Mugambe, Richard K.; Musoke, David
    Background Low-quality data presents a significant challenge for community health workers (CHWs) in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Mobile health (mHealth) applications offer a solution by enabling CHWs to record and submit data electronically. However, the barriers and benefits of mHealth usage among CHWs in informal urban settlements remain poorly understood. This study sought to determine the barriers and benefits of mHealth among CHWs in Banda parish, Kampala. Methods This qualitative study involved 12 key informant interviews (KIIs) among focal persons from Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA) and NGOs involved in data collected by CHWs, and officials from the Ministry of Health (MOH) and two mixed-sex Focused Group Discussions (FGDs) of CHWs from Banda parish, Kampala district. Data analysis utilised Atlas Ti Version 7.5.7. Thematic analysis was conducted, and themes were aligned with the social-ecological model. Results Three themes of institutional and policy, community and interpersonal, and individual aligning to the Social ecological model highlighted the factors contributing to barriers and the benefits of mHealth among CHWs for iCCM. The key barriers to usability, acceptability and sustainability included high training costs, CHW demotivation, infrastructure limitations, data security concerns, community awareness deficits, and skill deficiencies. Conversely, mHealth offers benefits such as timely data submission, enhanced data quality, geo-mapping capabilities, improved CHW performance monitoring, community health surveillance, cost-effective reporting, and CHW empowering with technology. Conclusion Despite limited mHealth experience, CHWs expressed enthusiasm for its potential. Implementation was viewed as a solution to multiple challenges, facilitating access to health information, efficient data reporting, and administrative processes, particularly in resource-constrained settings. Successful mHealth implementation requires addressing CHWs’ demotivation, ensuring reliable power and network connectivity, and enhancing capacity for digital data ethics and management. By overcoming these barriers, mHealth can significantly enhance healthcare delivery at the community level, leveraging technology to optimize resource utilization and improve health outcomes. mHealth holds promise for transforming CHW practices, yet its effective integration necessitates targeted interventions to address systemic challenges and ensure sustainable implementation in LMIC contexts.
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    Barriers to access and utilisation of HIV/STIs prevention and care services among transwomen sex workers in the greater Kampala metropolitan area, Uganda
    (BMC infectious diseases, 2020) Ssekamatte, Tonny; Isunju, John B.; Muyanga, Naume; Buregyeya, Esther; Mugambe, Richard K.; Wanyenze, Rhoda K.; Bukenya, Justine N.
    Trans-women sex workers bear the greatest brunt of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STI). Trans-women are 49 times more at risk of HIV infections compared to the general population. However, they remain underserved and continue to grapple with access to and utilization of HIV/STI prevention services. This study explored barriers to access and utilization of HIV/STI prevention services and associated coping mechanisms. This exploratory qualitative study was conducted among trans-women sex workers in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan area, Uganda. A total of 22 in-depth interviews, 6 key informant interviews and 9 focus group discussions were conducted to obtain data on barriers to access and utilization of HIV and other STI prevention and care services, and coping strategies of trans-women sex workers. Data were analyzed through thematic analysis using a hybrid of inductive and deductive approaches. Individual level barriers to access and utilization of HIV/STI prevention and care services included internalized stigma and low socio-economic status. Healthcare system barriers included social exclusion and lack of recognition by other key population groups; stigmatisation by some healthcare providers; breach of confidentiality by some healthcare providers; limited hours of operation of some key population-friendly healthcare facilities; discrimination by straight patients and healthcare providers; stockout of STI drugs; inadequate access to well-equipped treatment centres and high cost of drugs. At community level, transphobia hindered access and utilisation of HIV/STI prevention and care services. The coping strategies included use of substitutes such as lotions, avocado or yoghurt to cope with a lack of lubricants. Herbs were used as substitutes for STI drugs, while psychoactive substances were used to cope with stigma and discrimination, and changing the dress code to hide their preferred gender identity
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    Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Related to the Use of Personal Protective Equipment among Welders in Small-scale Metal Workshops in Nansana Municipality, Wakiso District, Uganda
    (Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine, 2022) Nalugya, Aisha; Kiguli, Juliet; Wafula, Solomon T.; Nuwematsiko, Rebecca; Mugambe, Richard K.; Oputan, Patience; Tigaiza, Arnold; Isunju, John Bosco; Ssekamatte, Tonny
    Despite the risks involved in welding, there is limited evidence of the knowledge, attitude and practices related to the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) among welders in small-scale metal workshops. We assessed the level of knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) related to PPE use among welders in small-scale workshops in Nansana Municipality, Wakiso district, Uganda.