Browsing by Author "Suubi, Rebecca"

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    Implementation of an infection prevention and control response strategy to combat the Sudan Virus Disease outbreak in an urban setting, the Kampala Metropolitan area, Uganda, 2022
    (BMC Infectious Diseases, 2025-03-06) Nanyondo, S. Judith; Nakato, Shillah; Kwiringira, Andrew; Suubi, Rebecca; Lamorde, Mohammed
    In October 2022, the Uganda Ministry of Health (MoH) confirmed the first case of a Sudan Virus Disease (SVD) outbreak in the Kampala Metropolitan area (KMA). A multicomponent infection prevention and control (IPC) strategy was implemented to control the spread of Orthoebolavirus sudanense (SUDV) in KMA. We describe the deployment of this strategy, its effect on IPC capacities, and the successful control of the SVD outbreak in KMA during the 2022 outbreak. The multicomponent IPC strategy included (1) IPC pillar coordination: an IPC task force convened by government and health partner representatives and designated focal persons at the district level (2) Ring IPC: intense and targeted IPC support was developed to provide support to healthcare facilities (HCFs) and communities around each confirmed case, (3) IPC in HCFs: HCFs were assessed using a modified WHO SVD IPC scorecard rapid assessment tool that measured 15 IPC capacity domains, mentorship and IPC supplies were provided to HCFs with low scores on the rapid assessment. A KMA task force was established, and 13 IPC Rings were activated; 790 HCFs were assessed for IPC readiness, and 2,235 healthcare workers (HCWs) were trained. The mean (± standard-deviation) IPC score was 59.2% (± 18.6%) at baseline and increased to 65.5% (± 14.7%) at follow-up after 2 weeks (p < 0.001) of support. The mean IPC scores at baseline were lowest for primary HCFs (57%) and private-for-profit HCFs (47.1%). Similar gaps were revealed across all HCFs, with eight out of 15 (53.3%) IPC capacity areas assessed, resulting in scores < 50% at baseline. At follow-up, only four out of 15 (26.7%) capacity areas (26.7%) were below this threshold. The IPC strategy enhanced the IPC capacities at HCFs and could be adopted for future outbreaks. Leadership commitment and resource allocation to IPC during non-outbreak periods are critical for preparedness, rapid response, and access to safe care.
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    Nutritional Status of Salaried Bank Workers in Kampala, Uganda
    (International Journal of Medical Research and Public Health, 2018) Suubi, Rebecca; Mulira, James; Lawoko, Stephen
    Overweight and Obesity has gradually increased over the past decades globally. Studies on riskfactors for overweight and obesity have focused on general populations and patient samples. Considerably less is known on this issue among salaried workers particularly in low income countries. This study established the prevalence and social demographic, nutritional and lifestyle risk factors of overweight and obesity in a sample of bank employees in Uganda. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 185 randomly selected salaried workers of a bank in Kampala in January 2018. Information from a questionnaire adapted from the WHO-STEPwise instrument- Nutrition Dietary patterns, physical activity, stress management coping, alcohol intake, pertinent socialdemographic information, as well as their Body Mass Index was collected and analyzed using chi-square tests and binary logistic regression the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Results: The overall prevalence of overweight and obesity was 51.9% (40% overweight and 11.9% obese). The likelihood of being overweight/obese was lower among; Catholics (OR= 0.262, 95%C.I= 0.088-0.779, Pvalue= 0.016) when contrasted with Anglicans, table wine drinkers (OR= 0.151, 95%C.I= 0.026-0.869, P-value = 0.034) in contrast with liquor consumers, and employees using exercise as a stress coping mechanism (OR=0.239, 95%C.I=0.086-0.661, p-value=0.006) than those using reclining as a coping mechanism. Conclusion: Overweight or obesity may be of epidemic proportion among bank workers. The identified risk factors imply that interventions targeting the management of overweight and obesity should integrate physical activity for stress management as part of the organizational Occupational Safety Strategy Package and provide remedies to control alcohol consumption. Additionally, further research to understand religious inequalities in overweight/obesity is warranted.