Browsing by Author "Ssempebwa, John C."

Now showing 1 - 6 of 6
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    Bacteriological and Physical Quality of Locally Packaged Drinking Water in Kampala, Uganda
    (Journal of environmental and public health, 2015) Halage, Abdullah Ali; Ssemugabo, Charles; Ssemwanga, David K.; Musoke, David; Mugambe, Richard K.; Guwatudde, David; Ssempebwa, John C.
    To assess the bacteriological and physical quality of locally packaged drinking water sold for public consumption. Methods. This was cross-sectional study where a total of 60 samples of bottled water from 10 brands and 30 samples of sachet water from 15 brands purchased randomly were analyzed for bacteriological contamination (total coliform and faecal coliform per 100 mL) usingmembrane filtrate method and reported in terms of cfu/100 mL. Results. Both bottled water and sachet water were not contaminated with faecal coliform.Majority (70%, 21/30) of the sachetwater analyzed exceeded acceptable limits of 0 total coliforms per 100mL set byWHOand the national drinking water standards.The physical quality (turbidity and pH) of all the packaged water brands analyzed was within the acceptable limits.There was statistically significant difference between the median count of total coliform in both sachet water and bottled water brands (𝑈(24) = 37.0, 𝑝 = 0.027). Conclusion. Both bottled water and sachet water were not contaminated with faecal coliforms; majority of sachet waterwas contaminated with total coliformabove acceptable limits. Government and other stakeholders should consider intensifying surveillance activities and enforcing strict hygienic measures in this rapidly expanding industry to improve packaged water quality.
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    Factors associated with willingness to take up indoor residual spraying to prevent malaria in Tororo district, Uganda: a cross‑sectional study
    (Malaria Journal, 2018) Wadunde, Ignatius; Mpimbaza, Arthur; Musoke, David; Ssempebwa, John C.; Ediau, Michael; Tuhebwe, Doreen; Adoke, Yeka; Wanyenze, Rhoda K.
    take up IRS is critical to its success. The first phase of IRS was conducted in Tororo district, Uganda between December 2014 and January 2015. High coverage rates (90%) were attained in the district. However, Mulanda sub-county had the lowest coverage of 78%, in the first round. This study assessed willingness and associated factors of IRS uptake among household heads for the next IRS campaign in Mulanda sub-county, Tororo district. Methods: A household survey was conducted in all three parishes of Mulanda sub-county. A multistage sampling technique involving the village and household as the first and second sampling levels, respectively, was used to identify 640 households Household heads were interviewed using standard questionnaire. Seven key informants were also conducted to explore the impact of community IRS-perceptions on uptake. Bi-variable and multi-variable logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with willingness to take up IRS. Qualitative data was analysed by thematic content analysis method. Results: Most (79.9%) respondents were willing to take up repeat IRS. However this was below the target of 85%. Fear of insecticide adverse effects (62%) was the most common reason mentioned by 134 (21%) household heads who were not willing to take up IRS. Factors associated with to take up IRS were; age ≥ 35 years (AOR 1.9; 95% CI 1.08–3.51), higher socio-economic status (AOR 0.4; 95% CI 0.27–0.98), not taking IRS in previous round (AOR 0.1; 95% CI 0.06–0.23), not knowing reason for conducting IRS (AOR 0.4; 95% CI 0.24–0.78) and having an iron sheet roof (AOR 2.2; 95% CI 1.03–4.73). Community and religious leaders were the preferred sources of IRS information.
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    A Framework for integrating Qualitative and Quantitative Data in Knowledge, attitude, and Practice studies: a case study of Pesticide Usage in eastern Uganda
    (Frontiers in Public Health, 2017) Muleme, James; Kankya, Clovice; Ssempebwa, John C.; Mazeri, Stella; Muwonge, Adrian
    Knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) studies guide the implementation of public health interventions (PHIs), and they are important tools for political persuasion. The design and implementation of PHIs assumes a linear KAP relationship, i.e., an awareness campaign results in the desirable societal behavioral change. However, there is no robust framework for testing this relationship before and after PHIs. Here, we use qualitative and quantitative data on pesticide usage to test this linear relationship, identify associated context specific factors as well as assemble a framework that could be used to guide and evaluate PHIs. We used data from a cross-sectional mixed methods study on pesticide usage. Quantitative data were collected using a structured questionnaire from 167 households representing 1,002 individuals. Qualitative data were collected from key informants and focus group discussions. Quantitative and qualitative data analysis was done in R 3.2.0 as well as qualitative thematic analysis, respectively. Our framework shows that a KAP linear relationship only existed for households with a low knowledge score, suggesting that an awareness campaign would only be effective for ~37% of the households. Context specific socioeconomic factors explain why this relationship does not hold for households with high knowledge scores. These findings are essential for developing targeted cost-effective and sustainable interventions on pesticide usage and other PHIs with context specific modifications.
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    History, evolution and future of environmental health in Uganda
    (Informa UK Limited, 2018-12-03) Ndejjo, Rawlance; Atusingwize, Edwinah; Oporia, Frederick; Ssemugabo, Charles; Musoke, David; Ssemwanga, David K.; Halage, Abdullah Ali; Isunju, John Bosco; Kansiime, Winnifred; Mubeezi, Ruth; Mugambe, Richard Kibirango; Mbaha, Emery Patrice; Luyima, Paul; Ssempebwa, John C.
    This article explores the history and evolution of Environmental Health in Uganda under four key themes: training and practice; research; governance, policy and regulatory framework; and challenges. The article also describes the future of the profession. Through a review of documents and key informant interviews, it is noted that Environmental Health in Uganda dates back to colonial times when the country was affected by diseases including plague, trypanosomiasis and small pox. Concerted efforts were advanced to train cadres that would improve the sanitation status and address the prevailing disease burden. Over several decades, the Environmental Health profession has evolved in many areas of training, practice, research and governance, policy and legal framework amidst several challenges. The future of Environmental Health in Uganda will require more advanced training and research, broadened practice, and streamlined governance.
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    Knowledge and practices on malaria prevention in two rural communities in Wakiso District, Uganda
    (African health sciences, 2015) Musoke, David; Karani, George; Ssempebwa, John C.; Etajak, Samuel; Guwatudde, David; Musoke, Miph B.
    Malaria is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Uganda particularly among children under 5 years of age. Objectives: The study assessed the knowledge and practices on malaria prevention in 2 rural communities in Wakiso District, Uganda with emphasis on the various prevention methods. Methods: The study was a cross-sectional survey carried out among 376 households using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Log-binomial regression, chi square and Spearman's rank order correlation were used to test for associations. Results: The majority of participants (64.6%) had low knowledge on malaria prevention methods, with untreated mosquito nets (81.7%), mosquito coils (36.9%) and insecticide treated nets (29.6%) being the most known methods. Knowledge on malaria prevention methods was associated with age (χ2 = 32.1; p < 0.01), employment status (χ2 = 18.1; p < 0.01), education (χ2 = 20.3; p = 0.01), income (χ2 = 14.5; p = 0.01) and having heard a malaria message in the previous 12 months (χ2 = 92.3; p < 0.01). Households that had at least one mosquito net were 45.5% and net ownership increased with household income. Only 0.5% of the houses had undergone indoor residual spraying in the previous 12 months, while 2.1% had complete mosquito proofing in windows and ventilators to prevent mosquito entry. Conclusion: There is potential to improve practices on malaria prevention by targeting other methods beyond mosquito nets such as installing proofing in windows and ventilators. The integrated approach to malaria prevention which advocates the use of several malaria prevention methods in a holistic manner should be explored for this purpose.
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    Pesticide Residue Trends in Fruits and Vegetables from Farm to Fork in Kampala Metropolitan Area, Uganda—A Mixed Methods Study
    (International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Article, 2022) Ssemugabo, Charles; Guwatudde, David; Ssempebwa, John C.; Bradman, Asa
    This mixed methods study used laboratory measurements of pesticide residues in produce, semi-structured questionnaires, and in-depth interview data to describe trends in pesticide residue in produce and handling and processing practices for fruits (watermelon and passion fruit) and vegetables (tomato, cabbage, and eggplant) along the farm to fork chain. Of the 50 farmers visited, 34 (68.0%) sold their fruits and vegetables to transporters, 11 (22.0%) to market vendors, and 4 (8.0%) directly to homes and restaurants. The majority 42 (93.3%) of the consumers (home/restaurant) purchased their fruits and vegetables from market vendors and transporters. Washing with water or vinegar, wiping with a cloth, peeling the outer layer, and blending and cooking were the most common post-harvesting processing methods used by stakeholders along the supply chain. Some farmers and market vendors reported spraying fruits and vegetables with pesticides either prior- or post-harvest to increase shelf life. Statistically significant decreasing pesticide residue trends along the farm to fork chain were observed for dioxacarb, likely due to degradation or washing, peeling, cooking, blending, or wiping by consumers. Increasing trends were observed for methidathion and quinalphos possibly due to pesticide applications. There is a need in Uganda to promote practices that minimize pesticide use and exposure through diet, while maintaining food integrity.