Effect of fear on the use of insecticide treated nets amongs pregnant women aged 15 - 49 years in Tororo district, Uganda

A research report submitted to the School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Public Health. November 10, 2015Introduction: Insecticide Treated mosquito Nets (ITNs) are recommended as one of the most effective interventions for the prevention of malaria in pregnancy. It is recommended that pregnant women sleep under an ITN everyday through their pregnancy to avoid exposure to the mosquitoes. Despite increased coverage due to free distribution programs, ITN use remains low among some pregnant women, attributed to various factors. This study investigated the effect of fear on the use of insecticide treated nets amongst pregnant women 15-49 years in Tororo district in eastern Uganda. Other factors affecting ITN use were also explored. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted with 230 pregnant women attending antenatal care services at Tororo district hospital in January 2015. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire with items measuring ITN use, the four constructs of the Extended Parallel Process Model (perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, self efficacy, and response efficacy), and covariates including age, education, marital status and socio economic status. Bivariate and multivariate analysis was conducted to establish the relationship between perceived susceptibility, severity, self efficacy and response efficacy and ITN use among the study population. Results: More than a three quarters of the participants (n=230) reported using ITNs the night before the study. The two constructs of the Extended Parallel Process Model which were associated with ITN use were perceived efficacy (aOR 4.96, 95% CI 2.42 – 10.18) and perceived severity, which was negatively associated with ITN use (aOR 0.35, 95% CI 0.14 – 0.85). Other factors which were marginally associated with ITN use were socio economic status (aOR 1.67, 95% CI 0.95 – 2.92) and educational attainment (aOR 3.59, 95% CI 0.85 – 15.11). The main reasons given for not using ITNs were net being too hot (23.91%), worn-out or in poor condition (21.74%), not enough nets in the house (10.87%), net not hung (6.62%) and net being too cold or used by someone else (both at 2.17%). Majority of the non ITN users (32.61%) mentioned other reasons for non use such as visiting a friend where there was no net, and spending the night at a funeral. Conclusion: Overall the findings of this study show that efficacy is significantly associated with ITN use among pregnant women more than any other known factors including fear. Results have important implications for social and behavior change communication (SBCC) programs aimed at promoting ITN use for pregnant women as behavioral interventions should focus on increasing the self-efficacy to use the ITNs

Working with health workers to improve maternal health services

Poor quality of maternal and newborn health services in Uganda have resulted in low maternal health service utilisation and high newborn mortality rates, both at home and at health facilities. The support Future Health Systems (FHS) provided to health workers to improve maternal health service delivery illustrates how a package of interventions that equips health workers with the necessary knowledge, skills and equipment, supplies and other non-financial incentives can improve the quality of maternal and newborn health service deliver

Saving money, saving lives: community saving groups lead to improvements in maternal and newborn health care in Uganda

Future Health Systems (FHS) work on maternal and newborn health in the poorest districts of eastern Uganda has contributed to a story of community empowerment where people have learnt to prioritise, prepare and save money for childbirth. This increases the likelihood of delivery in a health facility, and therefore the chances of a healthy pregnancy and safe childbirth under skilled care

Factors that predict fertility desires for people living with HIV infection at a support and treatment centre in Kabale, Uganda

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Studies from different contexts worldwide indicate that HIV positive patients manifest high-risk sexual behavior characterized by fertility intentions, multiple sexual partners, non-use of contraceptives and non-disclosure of HIV status to their sex partners. The objective was to analyze fertility desires among persons living with HIV at a treatment centre in Kabale Hospital, Southwestern Uganda.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>From January to August 2009, we interviewed 400 HIV positive patients seeking care using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. We assessed socio-demographic variables, reproductive history, sexuality and fertility desires. At bivariate and multivariate analysis, characteristics of participants who reported or did not report desire to have a child in the near future were compared.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of the 400 respondents, (25.3%) were male, 47.3% were aged 25-34 years, over 85% were currently married or had ever been married, and the 62% had primary level of education or less. Over 17% had produced a child since the HIV diagnosis was made, and 28.6% reported that they would like to have a child in the near future. Age of the respondent, being single (versus being ever-married) and whether any of the respondents' children had died were inversely associated with fertility intentions.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Factors inversely associated with fertility intentions were age of the respondent, marital status and whether any of the respondents' children had died. Use of antiretroviral therapy was not associated with fertility intentions.</p

The future of financing for HIV services in Uganda and the wider sub-Saharan Africa region: should we ask patients to contribute to the cost of their care?

Whilst multi-lateral funding for HIV/AIDS dramatically increased from 2004 to 2008, it has largely plateaued in the last 8 years. Across sub-Saharan Africa, up to 20 % of total spending on health is used for HIV services, and of this over 85 % is estimated to come from international funding rather than in-country sources. In Uganda, the fiscal liability to maintain services for all those who are currently receiving it is estimated to be as much as 3 % of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In order to meet the growing need of increased patient numbers and further ART coverage the projected costs of comprehensive HIV care and treatment services will increase substantially. Current access to HIV care includes free at point of delivery (provided by Ministry of Health clinics), as well as out-of-pocket financing and health insurance provided care at private for- and not for- profit facilities. The HIV response is funded through Ugandan Ministry of Health national budget allocations, as well as multilateral donations such as the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS in Africa (PEPFAR) and Global Fund (GF) and other international funders. We are concerned that current funding mechanism for HIV programs in Uganda may be difficult to sustain and as service providers we are keen to explore ways in which provide lifelong HIV care to as many people living with HIV (PLHIV) as possible. Until such time as the Ugandan economy can support universal, state-supported, comprehensive healthcare, bridging alternatives must be considered. We suggest that offering patients with the sufficient means to assume some of the financial burden for their care in return for more convenient services could be one component of increasing coverage and sustaining services for those living with HIV

The future of financing for HIV services in Uganda and the wider sub-Saharan Africa region: should we ask patients to contribute to the cost of their care?

Abstract Whilst multi-lateral funding for HIV/AIDS dramatically increased from 2004 to 2008, it has largely plateaued in the last 8 years. Across sub-Saharan Africa, up to 20 % of total spending on health is used for HIV services, and of this over 85 % is estimated to come from international funding rather than in-country sources. In Uganda, the fiscal liability to maintain services for all those who are currently receiving it is estimated to be as much as 3 % of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In order to meet the growing need of increased patient numbers and further ART coverage the projected costs of comprehensive HIV care and treatment services will increase substantially. Current access to HIV care includes free at point of delivery (provided by Ministry of Health clinics), as well as out-of-pocket financing and health insurance provided care at private for- and not for- profit facilities. The HIV response is funded through Ugandan Ministry of Health national budget allocations, as well as multilateral donations such as the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS in Africa (PEPFAR) and Global Fund (GF) and other international funders. We are concerned that current funding mechanism for HIV programs in Uganda may be difficult to sustain and as service providers we are keen to explore ways in which provide lifelong HIV care to as many people living with HIV (PLHIV) as possible. Until such time as the Ugandan economy can support universal, state-supported, comprehensive healthcare, bridging alternatives must be considered. We suggest that offering patients with the sufficient means to assume some of the financial burden for their care in return for more convenient services could be one component of increasing coverage and sustaining services for those living with HIV

Trajectories of women's physical and psychosocial health following obstetric fistula repair in Uganda: a longitudinal study.

ObjectivesTo explore trajectories of physical and psychosocial health, and their interrelationship, among women completing fistula repair in Uganda for 1 year post-surgery.MethodsWe recruited a 60-woman longitudinal cohort at surgical hospitalisation from Mulago Hospital in Kampala Uganda (Dec 2014-June 2015) and followed them for 1&nbsp;year. We collected survey data on physical and psychosocial health at surgery and at 3, 6, 9 and 12&nbsp;months via mobile phone. Fistula characteristics were abstracted from medical records. All participants provided written informed consent. We present univariate analysis and linear regression results.ResultsAcross post-surgical follow-up, most women reported improvements in physical and psychosocial health, largely within the first 6&nbsp;months. By 12&nbsp;months, urinary incontinence had declined from 98% to 33% and general weakness from 33% to 17%, while excellent to good general health rose from 0% to 60%. Reintegration, self-esteem and quality of life all increased through 6&nbsp;months and remained stable thereafter. Reported stigma reduced, yet some negative self-perception remained at 12&nbsp;months (mean 17.8). Psychosocial health was significantly impacted by the report of physical symptoms; at 12&nbsp;months, physical symptoms were associated with a 21.9 lower mean reintegration score (95% CI -30.1, -12.4).ConclusionsOur longitudinal cohort experienced dramatic improvements in physical and psychosocial health after surgery. Continuing fistula-related symptoms and the substantial differences in psychosocial health by physical symptoms support additional intervention to support women's recovery or more targeted psychosocial support and reintegration services to ensure that those coping with physical or psychosocial challenges are appropriately supported

Perceptions of Adolescent Pregnancy Among Teenage Girls in Rakai, Uganda.

The leading causes of death and disability among Ugandan female adolescents aged 15 to 19 years are pregnancy complications, unsafe abortions, and childbirth. Despite these statistics, our understanding of how girls perceive adolescent pregnancy is limited. This qualitative study explored the social and contextual factors shaping the perceptions of adolescent pregnancy and childbirth among a sample of 12 currently pregnant and 14 never pregnant girls living in the rural Rakai District of Uganda. Interviews were conducted to elicit perceived risk factors for pregnancy, associated community attitudes, and personal opinions on adolescent pregnancy. Findings indicate that notions of adolescent pregnancy are primarily influenced by perceptions of control over getting pregnant and readiness for childbearing. Premarital pregnancy was perceived as negative whereas postmarital pregnancy was regarded as positive. Greater understanding of the individual and contextual factors influencing perceptions can aid in development of salient, culturally appropriate policies and programs to mitigate unintended adolescent pregnancies

Exploring attitudes and perceptions of patients and staff towards an after-hours co-pay clinic supplementing free HIV services in Kampala, Uganda.

BACKGROUND: There has been a rapid scale up of HIV services and access to anti-retroviral therapy in Africa over the last 10 years as a result of multilateral donor funding mechanisms. However, in order to continue to expand and to sustain these services it is important that "in country" options are explored. This study sought to explore attitudes and perceptions of people living with HIV (PLHIV) and health care staff towards using a fee-based "after hours" clinic (AHC) at the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) in Kampala, Uganda. METHODS: A cross-sectional study design, using qualitative methods for data collection was used. A purposeful sample of 188 adults including PLHIV accessing care at IDI and IDI staff were selected. We conducted 14 focus group discussions and 55 in-depth interviews. Thematic content analysis was conducted and Nvivo Software Version 10 was used to manage data. RESULTS: Findings suggested that some respondents were willing to pay for consultation, brand-name drugs, laboratory tests and other services. Many were willing to recommend the AHC to friends and/or relatives. However, there were concerns expressed of a risk that the co-pay model may lead to reduction in quality or provision of the free service. Respondents agreed that, as a sign of social responsibility, fees for service could help underprivileged patients. CONCLUSION: The IDI AHC clinic is perceived as beneficial to PLHIV because it provides access to HIV services at convenient times. Many PLHIV are willing to pay for this enhanced service. Innovations in HIV care delivery such as quality private-public partnerships may help to improve overall coverage and sustain quality HIV services in Uganda in the long term