Browsing by Author "Walekhwa, Abel Wilson"

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    Drivers of the Second Wave and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 cases in Uganda: A Retrospective Study of Confirmed SARS-CoV-2 cases
    (ResearchSquare, 2022) Walekhwa, Abel Wilson; Nakazibwe, Brenda; Nantongo, Mary; Wafula, Solomon Tsebeni; Bulafu, Douglas; Nsereko, Godfrey
    The COVID-19 continued to pose several public health, social, economic challenges and the drivers for the occurrence of different COVID-19 waves remains undocumented in Uganda. We conducted a crosssectional population-based survey among recovered COVID-19 cases to establish the drivers of SAR-CoV2 infections. We performed a retrospective study and interviewed 1120 recovered COVID-19 cases from 10 selected districts in Uganda. We further conducted 38 Key Informant Interviews of members of the COVID-19 District Taskforce and 19 in-depth interviews among COVID-19 survivors from March to June, 2021.
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    E-learning as a Supplemental Teaching Tool for Secondary Students in Uganda: lessons from COVID-19
    (ResearchSquare, 2022) Walekhwa, Abel Wilson; Jobanputra, Shivani; Nakazibwe, Brenda; Nantongo, Mary; Opio, Chris Derick; Kantipudi, Suvarna; Masanza, Monica Musenero
    Edubee, a holistic learning approach for Ugandan students is an initiative Pic-Ed. Pic-Ed is an educational company that provides digital learning materials for students, learning management systems for schools and institutions plus examination proctoring tools. The project was undertaken to determine the effectiveness of digital learning platform by Edubee in enhancing the educational level achievement of Senior three students in selected districts in Uganda.
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    Exploring infant feeding practices and associated factors among HIV-positive mothers attending early
    (Epidemiology & Infection, 2022) Mutawulira, Ivan; Nakachwa, Jane; Muharabu, Laymond; Walekhwa, Abel Wilson; Walekhwa, Abel Wilson; Kayina, Vincent
    This study assessed the infant feeding practices and their determinants among human immune deficiency virus (HIV)-positive mothers with infants (0–12 months). A cross-sectional study design adopting qualitative and quantitative data collection procedures was used. This study was carried out from Awach Health Center IV in Gulu city, Uganda. We enrolled 108 adult participants who were HIV-positive mothers with an infant from October to December 2021. Semi-structured questionnaire and focused group discussion (FGD) guide were used in data collection. Data were collected, edited, coded and entered into Epi info. The data were analysed using SPSS version 22. Qualitative data were analysed using Atlas.ti software. Of the 108 mothers, 83/108 (77%) practised exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) while 25/108 (23%) practised mixed feeding. Qualitative results also showed that EBF was the preferred choice. Majority of the respondents 104/108 (96.3%) believed HIV can be transmitted to their babies. Factors associated with infant feeding practices at multivariant level analysis at 5% significance were age of the child (OR 0.706, 95% CI 0.210–0.988), income level (OR 1.296, 95% CI 1.150–10.631). Majority of mothers had good knowledge about the prevention of mother-to-child transmission. Mothers should deliver from hospitals, more sensitisations for these mothers to appreciate the benefits of EBF.
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    Gaps in Measles Vaccination Coverage in Kasese district, Western Uganda:Results of a Qualitative Evaluation
    (BMC Infectious Diseases, 2022) Walekhwa, Abel Wilson; Musoke, David; Nalugya, Aisha; Biribawa, Claire; Nsereko, Godfrey; Wafula, Solomon Tsebeni; Nakazibwe, Brenda; Nantongo, Mary; Odera, Doreen Awino; Chiara, Achangwa; Boyce, Ross Mathew; Mulogo, Edgar Mugema
    Despite the availability of a highly effective vaccine, measles remains a substantial public health problem in many countries including Uganda. In this study, conducted between June–August 2020 following a local outbreak, we sought to explore the factors that could affect measles vaccination coverage in rural western Uganda.
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    A Rapid Assessment of Road Crashes in Uganda: Notes from the Field
    (Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Journal, 2022) Walekhwa, Abel Wilson; Mulolo, Francis; Achiro, Carla; Nantongo, Mary; Nakazibwe, Brenda; Masanza, Monica Musenero
    Road crashes continue to persist on Ugandan roads despite the government’s commendable efforts over many years. This study sought to explore the persistent causes of road crashes, suggest recommendations and evaluate the costs incurred by the government for treating accident victims. A rapid cross-sectional study involving both quantitative and qualitative study approaches was performed. Desk reviews and six key informant interviews were conducted with traffic police officers and hospital administrators. Traffic road accident data were abstracted from the Uganda Police Force database for the period of January 2021 to February 2022, to ascertain the magnitude of the problem and its causes. The causes of road accidents are mainly caused by to human error, weather and the poor state of some roads. The government spends reasonable amounts of money in treating accident victims, at USD 245–3590, yet the funds could instead be used to promote socio-economic development in communities. Road crashes continue to occur in Uganda, mainly because of human error. We recommend amelioration of the identified causes of road traffic crashes to save lives and conserve limited public resources.