THE PREVALENCE OF SELF-MEDICATION PRACTICE AMONG UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS AT LIRA UNIVERSITY, LIRA DISTRICT. A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

Background: The study aims to determine the prevalence of self-medication practice among undergraduate students, at Lira University, Lira district. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate students, at Lira University. The study was conducted at Lira University. The university is located in Ayere village, Barapwo parish, Lira sub-county, Erute County in Lira district. It covers a total area of 621 acres (251.3 hectares). Lira University has 3 faculties i.e. faculty of Management Sciences, Health Sciences, and Education and it runs 17 programmes, with a total enrolment of 976 students (531 males and 445 females) by the academic year 2018/2019. The study population was all students enrolled in undergraduate programs at Lira University, Lira district. By use of the purposive sampling technique, Lira University undergraduate students were chosen. Stratified random sampling was used to divide the study population into strata of gender (male or female). Simple random sampling was used finally to identify the participants that were involved in the research from each stratum. Results: Out of those who participated in the study, 129(45.42%) were females and 155(54.58%) were male. The prevalence of self-medication was 82.95%. Conclusions: The prevalence of self-medication among undergraduate students was found to be 82.95% which was considerably high. Recommendations: National guidelines and policies on medical access should be developed, need for public medical insurance for all people in the community, needs to be investigated more on student-related factors

Effect of COVID-19 restriction measures on multidrug resistant tuberculosis case notifications and treatment outcomes at treatment centres in Uganda

Abstract Background Multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is a global public health threat. In 2021, an incidence of 3.6% was reported among new TB patients, and 18% was reported among previously treated patients. The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the health sector, although little is known about the effect of restrictive COVID-19 measures on MDR-TB case notifications and treatment outcomes in Uganda. This study aimed to assess the effect of COVID-19 restriction measures on MDR-TB case notifications and treatment outcomes at treatment centres in Uganda. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study in which a total of 483 participants were enrolled—238 before (March 2018-February 2020) and 245 during (March 2020-February 2022) COVID-19 restrictions. The data were extracted from the Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (DR-TB) Health Management Information System (HMIS), and patient charts, and census sampling was employed. Interrupted time series (ITSA) was used to compare MDR-TB case notifications and treatment outcomes. Results Before the COVID-19 restrictions, the majority 58.0% were aged less than or equal to 38 years whereas during the restrictions, the majority 51.8% were aged greater than 38 years. A total of 238 cases of MDRTB were reported before, and 245 cases were reported during the restrictions. There was no immediate (β2; 0.134) or sustained (β3; 0.494) impact of COVID-19 restriction measures on monthly MDR-TB case notifications. The mean number of monthly MDR-TB notifications was similar for the 3-month period before (11.0 cases per month) and during (10.0 cases per month) the COVID-19 restrictions (p-value 0.661). The proportions of patients who achieved successful MDR-TB treatment before (81.5%) and during (81.7%) COVID-19 restriction was not significantly different (p- value < 0.001). During the COVID-19 restrictions, not being married (aPR 0.85, 95% CI: 0.74—0.97) and treatment delay greater than 7 days (aPR 0.87, 95% CI 0.78—0.96) were negatively associated with successful treatment outcomes. Conclusion Restrictive COVID-19 measures did not affect MDR-TB case notifications or treatment outcomes. Not being married and having a treatment delay greater than 7 days reduced the chances of a successful treatment outcome during COVID-19. The WHO and MoH should continue strengthening active case finding, contact screening and community engagement to consolidate MDR-TB control and management in preparation for similar future pandemics

Coping strategies of school-going adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic in the climate vulnerable Manafwa watershed, Uganda

Background The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted daily life, economies, and health, prompting strict government measures, including nationwide lockdowns and school closures in Uganda, resulting in significant academic setbacks for adolescents. The coping strategies employed by school-going adolescents in Uganda amidst the COVID-19 pandemic remain inadequately understood. This study aimed to assess the coping strategies adopted by school-going adolescents (early, middle and late adolescents) in the Manafwa watershed, recognized as one of Uganda's most vulnerable regions, during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods A cross sectional study design was conducted from I5th May, 2023 to 30th June, 2023 on 762 school going adolescents from government-aided secondary schools within the Manafwa watershed area. The adolescent version of the KidCope tool was used to evaluate adolescents' coping strategies. Factor analysis identified correlations among adolescents' coping strategies. Independent Samples t-Test and One-Way Variance of Analysis (ANOVA) was used for comparing the mean score differences of the coping strategies among the gender and adolescents' stages respectively.Results Majority (n = 141, 36.2%) of the participants employed adaptive coping followed by negative-emotion coping (n = 127, 32.6%) and avoidant coping (n = 122, 31.3%). Females employed statistically higher resignation as a coping strategy compared to males, (mean of 1.2 vs. 1.0, respectively; P = 0.026). A higher proportion (n = 88, 69.3%) of middle age adolescents employed negative-emotion regulation (P-value = 0.040). However, those in early adolescence significantly utilized distraction as a coping strategy more than those in middle adolescence (mean difference = 0.36, p = 0.013).Conclusion During the pandemic, majority of school-going adolescents employed adaptive coping mechanisms, including positive emotional regulation and social support. However, compared to males, females employed resignation more frequently. Moreover, middle-aged adolescents had a greater propensity for negative emotion copying. Findings from this study contribute valuable information for the development of targeted interventions and support mechanisms for adolescents facing unprecedented challenges

Prevalence and factors contributing to mental health challenges among school-going adolescents: a case of a climate-vulnerable Manafwa Watershed in Uganda

Abstract Background Globally, mental health challenges are common among school-going adolescents, with a prevalence of 50.2% and 43.6% for depression and anxiety disorders, respectively. In Northeastern Uganda, a prevalence of 26.6% and 8.6% for anxiety and depressive disorders respectively were reported among children. School-going adolescents are at higher risk of developing these mental health challenges and this could be worsened by natural disasters like landslides. We aimed to determine the prevalence and factors contributing to mental health challenges (having at least one of following; depression, anxiety, anger, disruptive behaviour and social concept) among school adolescents in the Manafwa Watershed area. Methods This was a cross-sectional study in 3 districts of the Manafwa watershed area (Bududa, Manafwa, and Butaleja). We selected school-going adolescents aged 13-18 years because of the nature of study tools. Mental health challenges (anxiety, depression, anger, disruptive behaviour and self-concept) were assessed using the Beck Youth Inventory-II. Descriptive statistics and inferential analysis were performed to determine factors associated with mental health challenges. Results A total of 762 adolescents participated, with a median age of 17 years (interquartile range =16–17 years). More than half of the students were females. The prevalence of mental health challenges was 65% with a (confidence interval) = 54.0% — 75.0%; the majority 44% of the participants had anxiety, and 31% had disruptive behaviour. Families with more than five children [adjusted odds ratio = 1.18, 95% confidence interval= 1.08—1.29, p value = <0.001] and substance abuse [adjusted odds ratio = 1.20, 95% confidence interval= 1.15—1.24, p value <0.001] were significantly associated with mental health challenges. Conclusion The prevalence of mental health challenges among students was high with majority having anxiety and disruptive behaviour. Adolescents from families with more than five children and those with substance abuse were more likely to have mental health challenges. We therefore recommend that various stakeholders such as the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Education, design a curriculum that caters to the mental health needs of children. Family planning awareness, awareness on Government laws prohibiting alcohol and substance use, and parenting skills should be raised by the local leaders