Browsing by Author "Ochen, Eric Awich"

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    COVID-19 Prevention Measures: Impact Stories and Lived Experiences of Uganda-based Refugees
    (Vienna Journal of African Studies, 2021) Okot, Betty J.; Malagala, Aloysius Tenywa; Ochen, Eric Awich; Muhangi, Denis; Serwagi, Gloria K.
    The COVID-19 pandemic is making new demands on society to become more aware of humanity’s oneness and collective vulnerability. The disease has instigated a catalogue of health communication initiatives focused on prevention and containment. Tentative solutions such as social distancing, face masking, hand-washing, and lockdowns have seemingly become the mantras of safety and prevention. Moreover, staying safe entails going against the everyday normal and nearly doing away with that which, defnes humanity, namely: socialising (even physical contact), thus, leading to compliance dilemmas. Relying on fndings of the mixed methods socio-behavioural study, “Knowledge, adherence and the lived experiences of refugees in COVID-19:A Comparative Assessment of Urban and Rural Refugee Settings in Uganda,” hereafter REFLECT. We show that refugees are in a constant dilemma of choosing either to comply with prevention measures or maintaining the everyday normal. Hence, we refect on how the prevention-related social restrictions might be increasing refugee vulnerabilities by disrupting their everyday normal. We question whether it is appropriate to view non-compliance as a deliberate act of defance on the part of refugees when their current positionality hinders amenability. We conclude that, it is vital to understand how refugees’ lived experiences and socio-economic pressures lead to compliance dilemmas.
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    Healthworker preparedness for COVID-19 management and implementation experiences: a mixed methods study in Uganda’s refugee-hosting district
    (Conflict and Health, 2021) Seruwagi, Gloria; Nakidde, Catherine; Otieno, Felix; Kayiwa, Joshua; Luswata, Brian; Lugada, Eric; Ochen, Eric Awich; Muhangi, Denis; Okot, Betty; Ddamulira, Dunstan; Masaba, Andrew; Lawoko, Stephen
    The negative impact of COVID-19 on population health outcomes raises critical questions on health system preparedness and resilience, especially in resource-limited settings. This study examined healthworker preparedness for COVID-19 management and implementation experiences in Uganda’s refugee-hosting districts.A cross sectional, mixed-method descriptive study in 17 health facilities in 7 districts from 4 major regions. Total sample size was 485 including > 370 health care workers (HCWs). HCW knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) was assessed by using a pre-validated questionnaire. The quantitative data was processed and analysed using SPSS 26, and statistical significance assumed at p < 0.05 for all statistical tests. Bloom's cutoff of 80% was used to determine threshold for sufficient knowledge level and practices with scores classified as high (80.0–100.0%), average (60.0–79.0%) and low (≤ 59.0%). HCW implementation experiences and key stakeholder opinions were further explored qualitatively using interviews which were audio-recorded, coded and thematically analysed.On average 71% of HCWs were knowledgeable on the various aspects of COVID-19, although there is a wide variation in knowledge. Awareness of symptoms ranked highest among 95% (p value < 0.0001) of HCWs while awareness of the criteria for intubation for COVID-19 patients ranked lowest with only 35% (p value < 0.0001). Variations were noted on falsehoods about COVID-19 causes, prevention and treatment across Central (p value < 0.0356) and West Nile (p value < 0.0161) regions. Protective practices include adequate ventilation, virtual meetings and HCW training. Deficient practices were around psychosocial and lifestyle support, remote working and contingency plans for HCW safety. The work environment has immensely changed with increased demands on the amount of work, skills and variation in nature of work. HCWs reported moderate control over their work environment but with a high level of support from supervisors (88%) and colleagues (93%).HCWs preparedness is inadequate in some aspects. Implementation of healthcare interventions is constrained by the complexity of Uganda’s health system design, top-down approach of the national response to COVID-19 and longstanding health system bottlenecks. We recommend continuous information sharing on COVID-19, a design review with capacity strengthening at all health facility levels and investing in community-facing strategies.