Prevalence and Factors Associated with Cervical Premalignant Lesions in Women 25-65 Years Attending ynaecology Clinic at Kampala International University Teaching Hospital

The prevalence of cervical premalignant lesions and factors associated with progression into cervical cancer are poorly documented in Uganda. Knowledge of those at risk is mandatory to guide clinical practice and preventive policy formulation. In this Cross-sectional descriptive and analytical study of consecutively recruited participants, we determined the prevalence and factors associated with cervical premalignant lesions amongst women aged 25-65 years attending the gynecology clinic at Kampala International University Teaching Hospital, using investigator administered survey questionnaire between February 2017 and May 2017. We cystopathologically analyzed Pap smear samples obtained from study participants for positivity and grades of cervical premalignant lesions. We then conducted bivariate and multivariate analyses using STATA 14.0, to determine factors significantly associated with positivity and different grades of cervical premalignant lesions. Ethical clearance was obtained from Mbarara University of Science and Technology Research and Ethics Committee (IRB N0. 09/10-16).Of 315, cervical premalignant lesions were prevalent in 22% (n=69) with high grade squamous intra epithelial lesions (HSIL) comprising 13%. Those with history of tobacco smoking were twice more likely to test positive for cervical premalignant lesions (aPR 2.12; 95% CI [1.03-4.39]). Females who had ever screened before for cervical premalignant lesions were 1.7 times more likely to turn out positive compared to those who had never (aPR 1.71; 95%CI [1.01- 2.91]). Participants with presumed financial ability to pay for a pap test were 65% less likely to test positive for cervical premalignant lesions as compared to those who were financially not able to pay for pap test (aPR 0.35; 95% CI [0.15-0.83]. The prevalence of cervical premalignant lesions of 22% was higher compared to that reported in earlier studies. Tobacco smoking and prior history of screening were independent factors significantly associated with positivity for cervical premalignant lesions. Government and stakeholders should incorporate cessation of tobacco smoking campaigns into cervical cancer screening programs and prioritize the poor who cannot afford the Pap test.</p

Children’s conceptions of peace in two Ugandan primary schools: Insights for peace curriculum

Oppenheimer urged communities all over the world to study how children come to understand peace, conflict, and war. Set in various countries, their review of studies, as well as more recent examinations reveal trends in how children view these phenomena, often differing by gender, age, and extent to which they were exposed to highly dangerous and traumatizing situations, like being forced to be child soldiers or sex slaves. No such research has been published in the contemporary post-war Uganda context. Using focus group methodology, we asked: How might Ugandan primary school children’s stories about peace (traditional and otherwise) help them navigate conflict? What sorts of conflicts do these children observe in their home, school, and community, and how do they describe peace as being resolved by themselves or others? The purpose of our study was to contribute to the knowledge base on peace education in Uganda and to ultimately develop written materials that students can use as part of their learning in their respective schools. Local studies like this one are relevant to the global situation because racial and economic conditions are global phenomena. The local manifestations can speak to those racial and economic conditions as perspectives not often used to put the global situation in relief. This paper explores the findings related to the children’s overarching conceptions of peace and their ideas of peacebuilding, including activities that both hinder and encourage peace. The voices of the children speak strongly of the connection between peace and access to basic necessities in the community

Factors influencing the use of multiple HIV prevention services among transport workers in a city in southwestern Uganda

The use of multiple HIV prevention services has been found to decrease the risk of acquiring HIV when tailored to individuals at risk of HIV exposure, including transport workers. Therefore, we assessed the uptake of multiple HIV prevention services (≥2) and associated factors among transport workers in a city in Southwestern Uganda. This cross-sectional study comprised motorcycle taxi riders, motor vehicle and truck drivers, aged 18 to 55 years who were selected and responded to an interviewer-administered questionnaire, between November 2021 and February 2022. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistical and modified Poisson regression analyses. Out of 420 participants, 97.6% were male, with a median age of 28 years and the majority were aged \u3c34 years (84.6%). Overall, less than half (45.3%) of the participants had used multiple (≥2) HIV prevention services within a one-year period. Many participants had used condoms (32.2%) followed by voluntary HIV counseling and testing (27.1%), and safe male circumcision (17.3%). Most participants who tested for HIV had ever used condoms (16.2%), followed by those who received safe male circumcision and had ever used condoms (15%), and those who tested for HIV and had started on antiretroviral therapy (ART) (9.1%). In the adjusted model, factors that were significantly associated with the use of multiple HIV prevention services included religion (aPR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.05–1.49), the number of concurrent sex partners (aPR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.10–1.61), prior HIV testing and awareness of HIV serostatus (aPR = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.43–0.70), awareness of HIV prevention services (aPR = 2.49, 95% CI = 1.16–5.38), and financial payment to access HIV services (aPR = 2.27, 95% CI = 1.47–3.49). In conclusion, the uptake of multiple HIV prevention services among transport workers remains suboptimal. Additionally, individual behavioral factors influence the use of multiple HIV services compared with other factors. Therefore, differentiated strategies are needed to increase the utilization of HIV prevention services among transport workers

Factors influencing the use of multiple HIV prevention services among transport workers in a city in southwestern Uganda.

The use of multiple HIV prevention services has been found to decrease the risk of acquiring HIV when tailored to individuals at risk of HIV exposure, including transport workers. Therefore, we assessed the uptake of multiple HIV prevention services (≥2) and associated factors among transport workers in a city in Southwestern Uganda. This cross-sectional study comprised motorcycle taxi riders, motor vehicle and truck drivers, aged 18 to 55 years who were selected and responded to an interviewer-administered questionnaire, between November 2021 and February 2022. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistical and modified Poisson regression analyses. Out of 420 participants, 97.6% were male, with a median age of 28 years and the majority were aged <34 years (84.6%). Overall, less than half (45.3%) of the participants had used multiple (≥2) HIV prevention services within a one-year period. Many participants had used condoms (32.2%) followed by voluntary HIV counseling and testing (27.1%), and safe male circumcision (17.3%). Most participants who tested for HIV had ever used condoms (16.2%), followed by those who received safe male circumcision and had ever used condoms (15%), and those who tested for HIV and had started on antiretroviral therapy (ART) (9.1%). In the adjusted model, factors that were significantly associated with the use of multiple HIV prevention services included religion (aPR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.05-1.49), the number of concurrent sex partners (aPR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.10-1.61), prior HIV testing and awareness of HIV serostatus (aPR = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.43-0.70), awareness of HIV prevention services (aPR = 2.49, 95% CI = 1.16-5.38), and financial payment to access HIV services (aPR = 2.27, 95% CI = 1.47-3.49). In conclusion, the uptake of multiple HIV prevention services among transport workers remains suboptimal. Additionally, individual behavioral factors influence the use of multiple HIV services compared with other factors. Therefore, differentiated strategies are needed to increase the utilization of HIV prevention services among transport workers

Children’s conceptions of peace in two Ugandan primary schools: Insights for peace curriculum

Oppenheimer urged communities all over the world to study how children come to understand peace, conflict, and war. Set in various countries, their review of studies, as well as more recent examinations reveal trends in how children view these phenomena, often differing by gender, age, and extent to which they were exposed to highly dangerous and traumatizing situations, like being forced to be child soldiers or sex slaves. No such research has been published in the contemporary post-war Uganda context. Using focus group methodology, we asked: How might Ugandan primary school children’s stories about peace (traditional and otherwise) help them navigate conflict? What sorts of conflicts do these children observe in their home, school, and community, and how do they describe peace as being resolved by themselves or others? The purpose of our study was to contribute to the knowledge base on peace education in Uganda and to ultimately develop written materials that students can use as part of their learning in their respective schools. Local studies like this one are relevant to the global situation because racial and economic conditions are global phenomena. The local manifestations can speak to those racial and economic conditions as perspectives not often used to put the global situation in relief. This paper explores the findings related to the children’s overarching conceptions of peace and their ideas of peacebuilding, including activities that both hinder and encourage peace. The voices of the children speak strongly of the connection between peace and access to basic necessities in the community

Ownership and use of long-lasting insecticidal nets three months after a mass distribution campaign in Uganda, 2021

Abstract Background Uganda conducted its third mass long-lasting insecticidal net (LLIN) distribution campaign in 2021. The target of the campaign was to ensure that 100% of households own at least one LLIN per two persons and to achieve 85% use of distributed LLINs. LLIN ownership, use and associated factors were assessed 3 months after the campaign. Methods A cross-sectional household survey was conducted in 14 districts from 13 to 30 April, 2021. Households were selected using multistage sampling. Each was asked about LLIN ownership, use, duration since received to the time of interview, and the presence of LLINs was visually verified. Outcomes were having at least one LLIN per two household members, and individual LLIN use. Modified Poisson regression was used to assess associations between exposures and outcomes. Results In total, 5529 households with 27,585 residents and 15,426 LLINs were included in the analysis. Overall, 95% of households owned ≥ 1 LLIN, 92% of the households owned ≥ 1 LLIN < 3 months old, 64% of households owned ≥ 1 LLIN per two persons in the household. Eighty-seven per cent could sleep under an LLIN if every LLIN in the household were used by two people, but only 69% slept under an LLIN the night before the survey. Factors associated with LLIN ownership included believing that LLINs are protective against malaria (aPR = 1.13; 95% CI  1.04–1.24). Reported use of mosquito repellents was negatively associated with ownership of LLINs (aPR = 0.96; 95% CI 0.95–0.98). The prevalence of LLIN use was 9% higher among persons who had LLINs 3–12 months old (aPR = 1.09; 95% CI  1.06–1.11) and 10% higher among those who had LLINs 13–24 months old (aPR = 1.10; 95% CI  1.06–1.14) than those who had LLINs < 3 months old. Of 3,859 LLINs identified in the households but not used for sleeping the previous night, 3250 (84%) were < 3 months old. Among these 3250, 41% were not used because owners were using old LLINs; 16% were not used because of lack of space for hanging them; 11% were not used because of fear of chemicals in the net; 5% were not used because of dislike of the smell of the nets; and, 27% were not used for other reasons. Conclusion The substantial difference between the population that had access to LLINs and the population that slept under LLINs indicates that the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) may need to focus on addressing the main drivers or barriers to LLIN use. NMCP and/or other stakeholders could consider designing and conducting targeted behaviour change communication during subsequent mass distribution of LLINs after the mass distribution campaign to counter misconceptions about new LLINs