Browsing by Author "Olwit, Connie"

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    Cervical Cancer Screening among HIV‑Positive Women in Urban Uganda: A Cross Sectional Study
    (BMC Women's Health, 2022) Najjuka, Sarah Maria; Olwit, Connie; Kaggwa, Mark Mohan; Nabirye, Rose Chalo; Ngabirano, Tom Denis
    Women living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are at a high risk for early development of cervical cancer. Adherence to cervical cancer prevention strategies in this population is vital for the early detection and treatment of cervical cancer. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with cervical cancer screening among HIV-positive women attending an urban HIV care center in Uganda.This cross-sectional study included 205 HIV-positive women receiving care at an urban HIV care center. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to capture sociodemographic information, history of screening for cervical cancer, and reproductive health characteristics. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the factors associated with cervical cancer screening.Of the 205 HIV-positive women with a mean age of 37.5 ± 8.87 that participated in the study, majority (n = 201, 98%) were aware of cervical cancer screening. Ninety participants (44%) had ever been screened for cervical cancer and only 33 (16.1%) had been screened in the past year. Obtaining information about cancer of the cervix and cervical cancer screening from health care professionals was significantly associated with higher levels of cervical cancer screening (adjusted odds ratio = 5.61, 95% confidence interval: 2.50–12.61, p value < 0.001).This study highlights the low prevalence of cervical cancer screening among HIV-positive women and underscores the role of health professionals as an effective source of information on cervical cancer and cervical cancer screening. Patient education programs in HIV prevention and care facilities should emphasize cervical cancer screening messages to enhance the uptake of screening services.
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    Cervical cancer screening among HIV‑positive women in urban Uganda: a cross sectional study
    (BMC Women's Health, 2022) Najjuka, Sarah M.; Olwit, Connie; Kaggwa, Mark M.; Nabirye, Rose C.; Ngabirano, Tom D.
    Background: Women living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are at a high risk for early development of cervical cancer. Adherence to cervical cancer prevention strategies in this population is vital for the early detection and treatment of cervical cancer. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with cervical cancer screening among HIV-positive women attending an urban HIV care center in Uganda. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 205 HIV-positive women receiving care at an urban HIV care center. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to capture sociodemographic information, history of screening for cervical cancer, and reproductive health characteristics. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the factors associated with cervical cancer screening. Results: Of the 205 HIV-positive women with a mean age of 37.5 ± 8.87 that participated in the study, majority (n = 201, 98%) were aware of cervical cancer screening. Ninety participants (44%) had ever been screened for cervical cancer and only 33 (16.1%) had been screened in the past year. Obtaining information about cancer of the cervix and cervical cancer screening from health care professionals was significantly associated with higher levels of cervical cancer screening (adjusted odds ratio = 5.61, 95% confidence interval: 2.50–12.61, p value < 0.001). Conclusion: This study highlights the low prevalence of cervical cancer screening among HIV-positive women and underscores the role of health professionals as an effective source of information on cervical cancer and cervical cancer screening. Patient education programs in HIV prevention and care facilities should emphasize cervical cancer screening messages to enhance the uptake of screening services.
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    Existence, triggers, and coping with chronic sorrow: a qualitative study of caretakers of children with sickle cell disease in a National Referral Hospital in Kampala, Uganda
    (BMC psychology, 2018) Olwit, Connie; Mugaba, Maureen; Osingada, Charles P.; Nabirye, Rose C.
    Background: Worldwide, sickle cell disease is recognized as one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality. Caregivers and patients with such chronic illnesses experience economic, physical, social and psychological distresses which may lead to chronic sorrow. Chronic sorrow is viewed as a normal reaction to loss, however it can progress to a pathological state such as depression if the coping styles are ineffective. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the existence of chronic sorrow, triggers and coping with grief related feelings among caretakers of children with sickle cell disease. Methods: A descriptive qualitative study was conducted. Twelve in-depth interviews were conducted with eligible participants who were purposively selected. Deductive thematic analysis methods were used for data analysis. Results: Many (9 out of 12) of the caretakers experienced chronic sorrow. The grief related feelings were triggered by health worker related, disease related and support related factors. Caretakers used both external and internal coping strategies. External support was derived from community, family and health facility. Internal coping strategies were behavioral and cognitive. Conclusion: Caretakers of children with sickle cell disease experienced chronic sorrow and employed both internal and external coping strategies to deal with it, which could be either effective or ineffective. This study recommends that health workers should routinely screen for chronic sorrow among caretakers of children with sickle cell disease and assist caretakers to strengthen effective coping strategies to ameliorate the negative effects of chronic sorrow
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    Suicidal tendencies and its association with psychoactive use predictors among university students in Uganda: A cross-sectional study
    (African Health Sciences, 2021) Wesonga, Sheila; Osingada, Charles; Nabisere, Allen; Nkemijika, Stanley; Olwit, Connie
    Background: Globally, suicide is one of the leading causes of death, and approximately 80% of all suicides occur in lowand middle-income countries. Younger people in Africa are at a higher risk of suicide than others. Objective: To describe the prevalence and factors associated with suicidal tendencies among undergraduate university students using alcohol and other psychoactive substances. Methods: Convenient sampling was used to identify 400 students who participated in the study. Socio-demographic and Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview tools were used to obtain information. Data were analyzed using SAS 9.4 and presented in descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Among the respondents, 80% were male, and 85% were using marijuana. 6.3% had suicidal tendencies. Respondents from the northern region had more suicidal tendencies than other regions, and unemployed students had more suicidal tendencies than those employed. After multivariate analysis, being abusive and dependent on other psychoactive substances was associated with suicidality. And having dependence on both alcohol and other psychoactive substances was associated with suicidality. Conclusion: Suicidality screening and psychosocial support should be provided to this vulnerable population. Efforts There is a need to strengthen, implement more effective preventive strategies to reduce the use of alcohol and other psychoactive substances.