Browsing by Author "Namyalo, Josephine"

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Assessing the Community-Led Total Sanitation Approach in Achieving Open Defecation Free Status Among Residents of Katikamu Sub-county, Luweero District
(2016-11) Namyalo, Josephine
Background: Open defecation can lead to public health problems most especially in areas where people defecate openly in bushes, gardens, rivers and other water bodies. Nonetheless, even with the availability of toilets, people still need to be convinced to desist from open defecation and use toilets. Therefore, the need for behavior change is critical in addition to the provision of toilets; this has been attempted through the use of programs like the Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS). Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the contribution of the community led total sanitation approach in achieving open defecation free status among residents of Katikamu Sub County - Luwero district Methods: This was a mixed methods cross sectional study. Both qualitative and quantitative data was collected for this study. Simple random sampling was used to sample out seven of the nine present parishes. In each of the sampled parishes cluster sampling was used to map out the parishes; in this procedure the parishes were clustered into rural parishes and urban parishes. Systematic sampling was used to select households with the eligible respondent who was a household head. Structured interviews were conducted to collect quantitative data from the respondents. Focus group discussions were conducted in this study in order to triangulate it (have more than one method and therefore type of data to rely on) in order to achieve higher reliability of the results. The quantified data was then transferred to Statistical Package of Social sciences (SPSS) computer package for data analysis. Qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis Results: When asked whether the household of or any of his house hold members with the exemption of infants had eased themselves in a place other than a latrine or toilet, more than three quarters of them denied this occurrence 327(85.2%). More than half of the respondents 245(63%) reported that a member of the CLTS program team had come around their area to check on the condition of latrines before the CLTS sessions started. Majority of the respondents noted that their household members were involved in the CLTS programme (72.1%), that the CLTS facilitation had helped them in realizing the importance of having a latrine 334 (87%). The importance of CLTS in having an ODF household was shown by the CLTS facilitators to the respondents according to 325 (84.6%) of them and lastly, it was also reported that the local authorities in Katikamu had been supportive all through the CLTS process (88.3%). Local resources for construction of latrines were possessed by the majority of the respondents (n = 226, 58.9%). For the respondents who owned latrines, resources for the maintenance of those latrines were owned by the vast majority of them (n = 295, 84.8%). Man power for pit latrine construction was also reported to be available by most of the respondents (n = 240, 62.5%). Resources for pit latrine construction and maintenance did not have a statistically significant relationship with open defecation status in Luwero district (p<0.05). Seven CLTS activities had statistically significant contributions to the open defecation status of residents in Katikamu Sub County. These were whether anyone came around to check on the condition of latrines before the CLT sessions started (X2 = 8.784, p = 0.000), whether CLTS facilitation helped in realizing the importance of having a latrine among the respondents (X2 = 5.528, p = 0.019), whether was easy to attend CLTS follow up sessions (X2 = 17.390, p = 0.000), the Officials who did the CLTS follow-up (X2 = 16.757, p = 0.000), whether follow up was done on the outcome of CLTS (X2 = 28.959, p = 0.000), whether the Community was declared ODF (X2 =3.859 , p = 0.049), and whether the respondents felt shame and disgust during the triggering sessions (X2 = 15.417, p = 0.000). Respondents in areas where someone came around to check on the condition of latrines before the CLTS sessions started were less likely to practice OD (OR = 0.362). This was the same for Individuals who said that CLTS facilitation helped in realizing the importance of having a latrine (OR = 0.540), and those for whom it was easy to attend CLTS follow up sessions (OR = 0.596) Conclusion: Open defecation is low but still existent in about 2 of every ten residents in Katikamu Sub County. The community led total sanitation program is effective in Katikamu Sub County with some minimal gaps in the pre triggering and follow phases. Resources for latrine construction are available; however this does not affect ODF status. The community led total sanitation program activities have a significant effect on the ODF status in Katikamu Sub County.
Factors Influencing Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Information among Adolescents Aged 12-19 Years in Mukono Municipality Schools: A Cross-Sectional Study
(ShahidSadoughi University of Medical Sciences, 2024-06-12) Namyalo, Josephine; Sentumbwe, Dissan; Nakalega, Annet Patience; Kobusingye, Jacqueline; Otieno, Emmanuel
Background: Adolescent sexual and reproductive health is one of the essential health care services that promote a adolescent’s health. Complications of unwanted pregnancies lead to school dropouts’, disability and mortality. However, many adolescents 12-19 years face barriers to reproductive health information about their health and rights. And are unable to access services needed to protect their health. This study aimed to assess factors influencing access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Information among adolescents aged 12-19 years in Mukono municipality schools, Uganda. Methods: Analytical cross-sectional survey and simple random sampling were used to select 384 participants between July and December 2022 in Mukono municipality. A Self-administered structured was used to collect data. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and a modified Poisson regression model. Results: Findings showed the mean age of participants was 16.1 (S.D + 2) years. The proportion of access to information was 80.27%. Significant factors strongly associated with access to sexual and reproductive health information were being Moslem (OR: 0.284 (0.089-0.912)], going to hospital [OR: 2.350 (1.143-4.828)], distance 3-5 Kms from home to nearest health facility [OR: 0.41 (0.176-0.912)]. Conclusion: Two of every ten participants had access to Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights information. Significant determinants were radio media and print newspapers. Stakeholders should advocate for adolescents’ increased access to healthcare information to avert the upsurge in related diseases. Policy makers should review and monitor new guidelines for Adolescent and School health inclusive of sexuality and reproductive health. Thus, improve health equity for all.
Health Financing and Policies in the Transition to Universal Health Coverage–Uganda as a Spotlight
(SSRN, 2024-05-20) Otieno, Emmanuel; Yaya, Togo; Namyalo, Josephine; Alira, Racheal
The problem of the uninsured has been a major focus of health policy debate for decades all over the World. The call for drastic change in the health sector has never been so urgent today than ever before. Humanity faces enormous crises and health related challenges. Before the pandemic the global economy was staggering and fragile; the consequent recovery has increased inequalities in access to health needs. Consequently, creating societies that may be unproductive and unsustainable. This requires transformative health reforms based on health financing and policy aspects. Yet the sector’s mainstream persists in doing business as usual, with no meaningful impact to global aspirations set out in the 2030 Agenda for Universal Health Coverage. The purpose of this perspective is to lay out a framework for policymakers to think about how policy reforms might fit to context of universal health coverage in low- and middle-income countries. The future of health insurance and the pursuit of innovative health financing approaches that we need to know to achieve implementation of National Health Insurance Scheme in Uganda.
Lived Experiences of Women Following a Stillbirth Delivery in Mityana Hospital Mityana Hospital
(IISTE, 2021-08-21) Ahmed, Kasule; Namyalo, Josephine; Kambigu, Caroline; Nabasirye, P. Nakalega; Kobusingye, Jacqueline
Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) defines a stillbirth as a baby born with no signs of life at or after 28 weeks' gestation. In high income countries, it is evident that a new-born will survive after 25 weeks’ gestation, compared to 28-32 weeks’ gestation in low resource countries. The global stillbirth rate is estimated to be 13.9 still births per 1000 total births. In Africa, the still birth rate is 10 times that of the developed countries, indicating 29 births Vs 3 per 1000 live births. This paper recounts women’s experiences following the delivery of a Stillbirth. Materials and Methods: The study used a Phenomenological study design to describe the essence of the women’s experiences following the delivery of a Stillbirth. The study focused on 16 women aged 17-35, who had experienced stillbirths both macerated and fresh, these were the primary sources of information for the study. The in-depth interviews held with participants revealed that the stillbirth Phenomenon has a major negative impact on the reproductive health lives of women and the magnitude of grief and the associated mysteries surrounding stillbirth make the whole experience unbearable. The paper looks at the short and long term experiences of birthing a silent baby and the different strategies used by women to cope with the experience. Findings: The Stillbirth Phenomenon has a major negative impact on the reproduction lives of women. The magnitude of grief and the associated mysteries surrounding stillbirth make the whole experience unbearable. Women experience untold grief from the loss, coping with the sad memory of loss for all their life and at time with little or no support. Conclusion: Although they always come up with self-coping mechanisms, there is a need to provide psychological and social support to these mothers who have experienced a still birth. The findings from this study show the physical, social and psychological challenges women endure during the occurrence of the stillbirth phenomenon. These findings can be used to inform efforts aimed at providing support to women who fall victim of stillbirth so as to make the experience less painful. The findings will also pave way for more research on experiences of women following Stillbirths events and other silent tragedies impacting maternal health in the country and the world at large.
Perinatal Mortality and Its Predictors in Beni City, Democratic Republic of Congo a Cross-sectional Study
(BMC, 2023) Kahiririaa, Mathe Julien; Namyalo, Josephine; Otieno, Emmanuel; Mubarak, Nasur
Background: Globally, perinatal mortality rates have decreased considerably in the last 30 years. However, in sub-Saharan African countries perinatal mortality remains a public health burden. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the Perinatal Mortality Rate and the factors associated with perinatal mortality in Beni City, Northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Methods: A hospital-based retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted among 1394 deliveries that were documented in Beni General Referral Hospital from 2 January to May 31, 2022. The study was done in the conflictridden Beni city of the North Kivu Province. Analysis was done using Open Epi and SPSS version 22. Binary and Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. Odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was used to measure strength of association. Results: Findings indicate that 60.7% of 1394 participants were below the age of 21 years, and 95.1% (1325) Beni residents. The Perinatal Mortality Rate was 42.3 per 1000 live births. Majority (51) of the postpartum women who experienced perinatal mortality didn`t have a history of perinatal mortality as compared to their counterparts. Multivariable analysis revealed that birth weight (AoR = 0.082, 95% CI 0.014–0.449, p < 0.05) and Apgar score in the 10th minute (AoR = 0.082, 95% CI 0.000- 0.043, p < 0.05) were significantly associated with Perinatal mortality. Conclusion: The high perinatal mortality rate in Beni General Referral Hospital, approximately four in every 100 births remains a disturbing public health concern of which is attributable to low birth weight and Apgar score. This study may help policymakers and healthcare providers to design preventive interventions.
The Paradox of the Ugandan Health Insurance System: Challenges and Opportunities for Health Reform: Challenges and Opportunities for Health Reform
(The Korean Society for Preventive Medicine, 2023-12-12) Otieno, Emmanuel; Namyalo, Josephine
For nearly four decades, Ugandans have experienced a period marked by hope, conflict, and resilience across various aspects of health care reform. The health insurance system in Uganda lacks a legal framework and does not extend benefits to the entire population. In Uganda, community-based health insurance is common among those in the informal sector, while private medical insurance is typically provided to employees by their workplaces and agencies. The National Health Insurance Scheme Bill, introduced in 2019, was passed in 2021. If the President of Uganda gives his assent to the National Health Insurance Bill, it will become a significant policy driving health and universal health coverage. However, this bill is not without its shortcomings. In this perspective, we aim to explore the complex interplay of challenges and opportunities facing Uganda’s health sector