Browsing by Author "Namuguzi, Mary"

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    Exploring Awareness and Healthy Lifestyle Behaviours for the Prevention of Hypertension in Rural Communities in Central Uganda
    ((Doctoral dissertation)., 2024-05-28) Namuguzi, Mary
    Globally, hypertension is a major risk factor for mortality and most deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. The prevalence of hypertension is highest in the rural communities of Central Uganda where awareness is lowest. There is limited evidence about the primary prevention of hypertension in Uganda, yet most of risk factors are preventable. This study aims to explore awareness and individual healthy lifestyle behaviours for the prevention of hypertension in rural communities of Central Uganda. A sequential explanatory mixed methods research study was conducted. A multistage sampling technique was used to identify study sites and participants. A survey and focus group guide were used to collect quantitative and qualitative data respectively. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, and logistic regression models. Results are presented in frequencies, percentages, and Odds ratios (OR). The statistical analysis was carried out using Stata version 13. Qualitative data was analyzed using framework analysis and a narrative contiguous approach was used for data integration. Overall, 562 participants were included in the quantitative study, and of these 66.73% were female, 54.27% were aged 18-37 years, and only 7.12% had completed a tertiary level of education. Approximately 60% knew their hypertension status. Only 5% of participants were able to mention 3-4 types of foods that prevent hypertension. Bivariate analysis indicates that the risk of being hypertensive increases with one’s age; being educated to at least the primary level was found to be associated with a reduced risk of being hypertensive when compared to having no education at all; OR=0.48 (95% CI: 0.26-0.89) for primary, 0.20 (95% CI: 0.10-0.39) for secondary, and 0.33 (0.14-0.81) for tertiary level education. Not performing moderate physical intensity activities were found to have a significantly increased likelihood of being hypertensive compared to participants whose usual work involved moderate physical intensity (OR = 0.51; 95% CI: 0.34-0.76). Moreover, the risk of acquiring hypertension reduces with the increasing number of hours of performing moderate intensity activities (3-4 hours OR = 0.61; 95% CI: 0.41-0.90 ** and 5-10 hours OR = 0.26; 95% CI: 0.14-0.48 ***). The qualitative study included 32 participants. Four themes emerged from the framework analysis: (i) socio-cultural issues related to hypertension, (ii) socio-economic factors related to hypertension, (iii) knowledge and perception about hypertension, and (iv) proposed interventions for the prevention of hypertension. The consumption of bitter berries, a family-centered care approach, and cultural practices for food preparation were perceived to be key in the prevention of hypertension. The findings from this research have significant policy implications particularly targeted interventions focusing on a family-centered approach care for the prevention of hypertension in rural communities of Uganda and across low- and middle-income countries with similar settings. This study has uncovered traditional practices for the prevention of hypertension in the communities surveyed. A key example is the use of bitter berries in the prevention of hypertension. However, clinical trials are required to further examine the effectiveness of bitter berries in the regulation of blood pressure in the adult population.
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    Improving Response Rates to an Alumni Survey in East Africa
    (Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 2017-10-25) Mwizerwa, Joseph; Robb, Walter; Namukwaya, Carolyne; Namuguzi, Mary; Sharon, Brownie
    Feedback from students and graduates is essential to inform ongoing quality improvement in higher education. However, African universities often face implementation issues in alumni surveys, including technological barriers and difficulties in tracking graduates, particularly those from earlier cohorts and rural alumni. Innovative strategies are needed to locate alumni and obtain a good response rate across widely dispersed, rural and remote areas. This paper reports on strategies used to increase response rates in an East African online alumni survey in a context of limited computer/Internet access. The survey aimed to assess the impact of nursing graduates over a 15 year period (2001–2016). Strategies focused on locating and communicating with graduates and providing solutions to barriers associated with computer/Internet access. Better engagement with alumni was achieved using mobile technologies and social media networks. Facilitating access to online surveys by taking technology to alumni or providing hubs for online access encouraged survey participation. The strategies discussed in this study are particularly relevant for clustered or networked alumni populations (e.g. nurses) in low income and limited resource settings.
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    Mental health and psychological well‑being of Kenyan adolescents from Nairobi and the Coast regions in the context of COVID‑19
    (Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health, 2023-05-19) Mbithi, Gideon; Mabrouk, Adam; Namuguzi, Mary; Atukwatse, Joseph; Kabue, Margaret; Mwangi, Paul; Abubaka, Amina
    Despite the high burden of mental health problems during adolescence and its associated negative consequences, it has remained neglected especially in sub-Saharan Africa. The 2019 novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has placed additional stress on adolescent mental health. However, there are few studies documenting the burden of mental health problems and even fewer mental health services in the region. In relation to the limited body of knowledge, the present study aims to determine the psychological well-being of adolescents and to assess the risks and associated factors of mental health problems among adolescents in the context of COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya. We conducted a cross-sectional survey in 2022 among adolescents aged 13–19 years living in Nairobi, and the Coast region of Kenya. We utilized standardized psychological assessment tools including the Patient Health Questionnaire, Generalized Anxiety Scale, Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, The World Health Organization- Five Well-Being Index Scale, and the Pandemic Anxiety Scale, to evaluate the psychological wellbeing of the adolescents. A linear regression model was used to evaluate the correlates associated with quality of life, pandemic anxiety, and emotional and behavioural problems among adolescents. Subsequently, a logistic regression model was used to assess factors associated with depression and general anxiety disorders. Variables with a p-value < 0.25 in the univariate model were included in the multivariable regression model. The results are based on 797 participants who met the inclusion criteria. We found the prevalence of depression to be relatively higher among out-of-school adolescents at 36.0% compared to school-going adolescents at 20.6%. Furthermore, out-of-school adolescents had significantly higher anxiety scores when compared to their school-going counterparts (27.7% vs 19.1%) respectively. In-school adolescents had a better quality of life scores, lower pandemic anxiety scores, and lower emotional and behavioral problems scores compared to their out-of-school counterparts. Key risk factors associated with depression include; being out-of-school (OR = 1.96 (95% CI 1.33- 2.88) p-value = 0.001), loneliness (OR = 10.68 (95% CI 4.49–22.86) p-value < 0.001), and living in an unsafe neighborhood (OR = 2.24 (95% CI 1.52–3.29) p-value < 0.001). An older age (OR = 1.16 (95% CI 1.03–1.30) p-value = 0.015), being out-of-school (OR = 1.81 (95% CI 1.19–2.77) p-value = 0.006), and living in an unsafe neighborhood (OR = 2.01 (95% CI 1.33–3.04) p-value = 0.001 were key factors associated with anxiety. Furthermore, key factors positively correlated with quality of life include; high socioeconomic status (ß (Std.Err) = 0.58 (0.14) p-value < 0.001, talking to friends often (ß (Std.Err) = 2.32 (0.53) p-value < 0.001, and being close to parents (ß (Std.Err) = 1.37 (0.62) = 0.026. Our findings imply that mental health support services targeting adolescents in the country should be prioritized, especially for those who are out-of-school.
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    Mental Health Interventions for Adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa: A scoping review
    (Frontiers in psychiatry, 2022-08-11) Mabrouk, Adam; Mbithi, Gideon; Chongwo, Esther; Namuguzi, Mary; Atukwatse, Joseph; Ssewanyana, Derrick; Abubakar, Amina
    Globally, adolescents are vulnerable to mental health problems, particularly those from sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) due to impoverished living conditions and a higher prevalence of chronic conditions such as HIV/AIDS in the region. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated this risk. This calls for an urgent need for evidence-based adolescent mental health interventions to reduce the risk and burden of mental health problems in SSA. The review aims to identify and characterize existing adolescent mental health interventions in SSA, as well as to evaluate their implementation strategies and effectiveness. We systematically searched PubMed, African Index Medicus, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and CINAHL databases for relevant articles. Furthermore, we searched gray literature databases, including Think Tank search, open gray, NGO search engine, and IGO search engine for additional relevant articles. The scoping review was conducted to identify original research articles on mental health interventions among adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa published from database inception to 31 December 2021. We carried out a narrative synthesis to report our findings. Our literature search generated 4,750 studies, of which 1,141 were duplicates, 3,545 were excluded after screening, and 64 articles met the inclusion criteria. The 64 studies describe a total of 57 unique mental health interventions comprising 40,072 adolescents. The nature of these interventions was diverse, encompassing various implementation strategies such as economic-based, family strengthening, psychoeducation, interpersonal psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and resilience training, among others. Most of the interventions were selective interventions that targeted adolescents at high risk of developing mental health problems including adolescents living with HIV, war-affected adolescents, orphans, adolescents from poorer backgrounds, and survivors of sexual violence. Half of the interventions were delivered by lay persons. Sixty-two of the eligible studies examined the effectiveness of the mental health interventions, of which 55 of them reported a positive significant impact on various mental health outcomes. The review findings show that there exist several diverse interventions that promote mental health among adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa. These interventions can be implemented in diverse settings including schools, communities, health facilities, and camps, and can be delivered by lay persons.