Browsing by Author "Nalugo, Halima"

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    Anxiety, Anger and Depression Amongst Low-Income Earners in Southwestern Uganda During the COVID-19 Total Lockdown
    (Frontiers in public health, 2021) Archibong, Victor; Usman, Ibe Michael; Kasozi, Keneth Iceland; Osamudiamwen Aigbogun, Eric; Josiah, Ifie; Monima, Ann Lemuel; Ssebuufu, Robinson; Chekwech, Gaudencia; Dominic Terkimbi, Swase; Owoisinke, Okon; Mbiydzenyuy, Ngala Elvis; Adeoye, Azeez; Ojodale Aruwa, Joshua; Moyosore Afodun, Adam; Odoma, Saidi; Ssempijja, Fred; Tiyo Ayikobua, Emmanuel; Tabakwot Ayuba, John; Nankya, Viola; Onongha, Comfort; Henry, Sussan; Matama, Kevin; Yusuf, Helen; Nalugo, Halima; MacLeod, Ewan; Christina Welburn, Susan
    Low-income earners are particularly vulnerable to mental health, consequence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown restrictions, due to a temporary or permanent loss of income and livelihood, coupled with government-enforced measures of social distancing. This study evaluates the mental health status among low-income earners in southwestern Uganda during the first total COVID-19 lockdown in Uganda. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was undertaken amongst earners whose income falls below the poverty threshold. Two hundred and fifty-three (n = 253) male and female low-income earners between the ages of 18 and 60 years of age were recruited to the study. Modified generalized anxiety disorder (GAD-7), Spielberger’s State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2 (STAXI-2), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) tools as appropriate were used to assess anxiety, anger, and depression respectively among our respondents. Results: Severe anxiety (68.8%) followed by moderate depression (60.5%) and moderate anger (56.9%) were the most common mental health challenges experienced by low-income earners in Bushenyi district. Awareness of mental healthcare increased with the age of respondents in both males and females. A linear relationship was observed with age and depression (r = 0.154, P = 0.014) while positive correlations were observed between anxiety and anger (r = 0.254, P < 0.001); anxiety and depression (r = 0.153, P = 0.015) and anger and depression (r = 0.153, P = 0.015). Conclusion: The study shows the importance of mental health awareness in low resource settings during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Females were identified as persons at risk to mental depression, while anger was highest amongst young males.
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    Correlations of Scapular Dimensions: A Tool to Identify Scapulae with Completely Ossied Superior Transverse Scapular Ligaments and Suprascapular Neuropathy
    (BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 2020) Adewale, Adesanya Olamide; Kegoye, Eric Simidi; Kasozi, Keneth Iceland; Nalugo, Halima; Ssempijja, Fred
    A better understanding of the anatomy of the suprascapular notch and relationship with scapular dimensions are vital in the diagnosis, prevention, and assessment of the suprascapular nerve (SN) entrapment syndrome. Our purposes were to classify the suprascapular notches, determine the prevalence of completely ossified superior transverse scapular ligament, scapular dimensions, and their relationship among the different types of the suprascapular notch (SSN). Methods: An experimental study in which the SSN types and scapular dimensions were determined using previous methods. Statistical analyses were done using GraphPad Prism v.6 and MS Excel Version 2019, one-way ANOVA was used to compare and Spearman’s correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the correlation of scapular dimensions. Results: The superior transverse scapular ligament (STSL) was completely ossified in 8% of cases. There were no significant differences between the scapular dimensions for the different SSN types. For type VI SSN there is a strong negative correlation between A, B against D. There are strong (positive or negative) correlations between types I and III from type VI for A-axis; types I, III from VI for B; type IV and VI for C axis; and type III and VI for D axis. Conclusions: The prevalence of the completely ossified STSL in our study was moderately high; the correlation studies suggest that the scapular dimensions could be a valuable tool in the prediction, diagnosis, prevention, and assessment of the SN neuropathy due to the scapulae with the completely ossified superior transverse scapular ligaments (type VI SSN). Further studies on correlation analyses of scapular dimensions and characteristics of suprascapular notches are vital.
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    A Descriptive-Multivariate Analysis of Community Knowledge, Confidence, and Trust in COVID-19 Clinical Trials among Healthcare Workers in Uganda
    (Vaccines, 2021) Kasozi, Keneth Iceland; Osuwat, Lawrence Obado; Ninsiima, Herbert Izo; Nalugo, Halima; Kato, Charles Drago; Kiyimba, Kenedy; Matama, Kevin
    Misinformation and mistrust often undermines community vaccine uptake, yet information in rural communities, especially of developing countries, is scarce. This study aimed to identify major challenges associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine clinical trials among healthcare workers and staff in Uganda. Methods—a rapid exploratory survey was conducted over 5 weeks among 260 respondents (66% male) from healthcare centers across the country using an online questionnaire. Twenty-seven questions assessed knowledge, confidence, and trust scores on COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials from participants in 46 districts in Uganda. Results—we found low levels of knowledge (i.e., confusing COVID-19 with Ebola) with males being more informed than females (OR = 1.5, 95% CI: 0.7–3.0), and mistrust associated with policy decisions to promote herbal treatments in Uganda and the rushed international clinical trials, highlighting challenges for the upcoming Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccinations. Knowledge, confidence and trust scores were higher among the least educated (certificate vs. bachelor degree holders). We also found a high level of skepticism and possible community resistance to DNA recombinant vaccines, such as the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine. Preference for herbal treatments (38/260; 14.6%, 95% CI: 10.7–19.3) currently being promoted by the Ugandan government raises major policy concerns. High fear and mistrust for COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials was more common among wealthier participants and more affluent regions of the country. Conclusion—our study found that knowledge, confidence, and trust in COVID-19 vaccines was low among healthcare workers in Uganda, especially those with higher wealth and educational status. There is a need to increase transparency and inclusive participation to address these issues before new trials of COVID-19 vaccines are initiated.
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    Monosodium Glutamate Maintains Antioxidant Balance in the Neuro-Retinal Axis of Male Wistar Rats
    (ResearchSquare, 2021) Nalugo, Halima; Ninsiima, Herbert Izo; Kasozi, Keneth Iceland; Nabirumbi, Ritah; Osuwat, Lawrence Obado; Matama, Kevin; Ssempijja, Fred; Batiha, Gaber El-Saber
    Information on monosodium glutamate (MSG) safety in the eye-brain axis remains scarce. The objective of the study was to establish changes in calcium (Ca2+) concentrations, catalase activity, Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and identify any major histological changes associated with parenteral and feed supplementation of MSG in male Wistar rats. This is important to guide policy on human consumption of food additives.Thirty adult male Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups (n = 6) for a period of one month. Group I and IV were treated with MSG 6g/kg and 60 mg/kg subcutaneous, while groups II and III at 5% and 2% MSG feed supplement. Group V was the control group treated with normal saline (no MSG). The eye and brain were analyzed for Ca 2+, catalase, MDA levels and histological analysis was done using Hematoxylin and Eosin staining. Calcium levels in the eye was reduced at high (6g/kg/day and 5% s.c) MSG treatments while in the brain these remained constant. Since Ca 2+ plays a crucial role in catalase activity, levels of catalase were not affected in eye-brain axis. MDA levels were elevated at high MSG treatments and no structural changes in the retina of the eye and no damage were found in the brain. MSG maintained catalase levels, Ca 2+ and no structural changes were observed in the eye and brain.
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    Morphometric Study of Suprascapular Notch and Scapular Dimensions in Ugandan Dry Scapulae with Specific Reference to The Incidence of Completely Ossified Superior Transverse Scapular Ligament
    (BMC musculoskeletal disorders, 2020) Adewale, Adesanya Olamide; Monima, Ann Lemuel; Kasozi, Keneth Iceland; Nalugo, Halima; Ssempijja, Fred
    Understanding of suprascapular notch (SSN) anatomy and relationship with scapular dimensions are vital in diagnosis, prevention, and assessment of suprascapular nerve entrapment syndrome. The study aimed to assess morphometry of suprascapular notch and scapular dimensions in Ugandan dry scapulae with specific reference to scapulae with completely ossified superior transverse scapular ligaments. This was a cross-sectional analytical study conducted on 50 Ugandan dry scapulae. SSN types and prevalence of completely ossified superior transverse scapular ligament among dry scapulae were quantified and compared with previous data. Scapular dimensions were assessed by measuring scapular length (A), scapular width (B), glenoid length (C), and glenoid width (D). One-way ANOVA was used to compare scapular dimensions of scapulae with different SSN types, and Spearman’s correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the correlation coefficient of scapular dimensions amongst groups. Superior transverse scapular ligament (STSL) was completely ossified in 8% of cases. There was no significant (P > 0.05) difference between scapular dimensions of scapulae with completely ossified STSL compared to scapulae with other SSN types. Scapulae with completely ossified STSL showed strong negative (r = − 0.89137, r = − 0.877) correlations for its A, B respectively compared against D, this finding was not true to scapulae of other SSN types. Also, there were strong positive or negative (r > 0.7, r > − 0.7) correlations: for A, types I and III compared to type VI; for B, types I, III compared to VI; for C, type IV and VI; and for D, type III and VI. The prevalence of completely ossified STSL is moderately high in the Ugandan population. Characteristics of the scapula (scapular dimensions) are not ‘vital’ but rather important or relevant for shoulder pathology with specific reference to suprascapular nerve entrapment syndrome due to completely ossified superior transverse scapular ligaments. Further correlation analyses of scapular dimensions of different SSN types in different populations are important.