Browsing by Author "Nyaiteera, Victoria"

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    Exploring Community Knowledge on Hearing Loss and Attitudes Towards Persons with Hearing Loss in Southwestern Uganda
    (East African Journal of Health and Science, 2025) Nakku, Doreen; Seguya, Amina; Nakalema, Gladys; Nyaiteera, Victoria; Kyobe, Kiwanuka Joseph; Kakande, Elijah
    The World Health Organization (WHO) advocates for community accessibility of ear and hearing health services. The success of such services is influenced by a community’s under-standing of hearing loss causes and attitudes towards persons with hearing loss (PWHL). A cross-sectional mixed methods study was conducted in a local community in southwestern Uganda aimed at assessing knowledge on causes of hearing loss (HL) and attitudes towards PWHL using questionnaires and Focus group discussions (FGDs). Quantitative data was analyzed using STATA and reported as frequencies while qualitative data was recorded, transcribed and relevant themes reported. A total of 370 participants between 18-35 years were recruited for the study. Community knowledge level on HL was high for congenital anomalies (77.3%), drugs (77%), infections like measles (84.3%) and excessive phone use (92.7%). A few participants attributed HL to cultural factors like witchcraft (45.1%). The majority of participants had favourable attitudes towards PWHL agreeing that PWHL should seek medical care (95.1%), shouldn’t be isolated (95.1%) and also face unique social problems. Unfavourable attitudes included the belief that PWHL cannot perform as well as their hearing peers and that they are emotionally disturbed. The study revealed a community knowledgeable on HL causes but with limited appreciation of the capabilities and unique challenges of PWHL which negatively influences the community attitude towards PWHL
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    The Burden Of Chronic Rhinosinusitis And Its Effect On Quality Of Life Among Patients Re-Attending An Otolaryngology Clinic In South Western Uganda
    (BMC Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders, 2018) Nyaiteera, Victoria; Nakku, Doreen; Nakasagga, Esther; Llovet, Evelyn; Kakande, Elijah; Nakalema, Gladys; Byaruhanga, Richard; Bajunirwe, Francis
    Worldwide, the burden of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is variable, but not known in Uganda. CRS has significant negative impact on quality of life (QOL) and as such QOL scores should guide adjustments in treatment strategies. However, most of these studies have been done in the west. Our hypothesis was that QOL scores of the majority of CRS patients in low- to- middle income countries are poorer than those among patients without CRS. The aim of this study was to determine the burden of CRS among patients re-attending the Otolaryngology clinic and whether CRS is related to poor QOL.A cross sectional study was conducted at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital Otolaryngology clinic. One hundred and twenty-six adult re-attendees were consecutively recruited. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and the Sinonasal Outcome Test 22 (SNOT 22) questionnaire measured QOL.The proportion of re-attendees with CRS was 39.0% (95% CI 30–48%). Majority of CRS patients had poor quality of life scores compared to non-CRS (88% versus 20% p < 01). The poor quality of life scores on the SNOT 22 were almost solely as a result of the functional, physical and psychological aspects unique to CRS.CRS is highly prevalent among re-attendees of an Otolaryngology clinic at a hospital in resource limited settings and has a significant negative impact on the QOL of these patients.