The PSYCHOLOGICAL CORRELATES OF TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCES AND COPING STRATEGIES OF POST AMPUTATION: A CASE STUDY OF MULAGO SPECIALIZED NATIONAL HOSPITAL, KAMPALA-UGANDA

Background: The study assessed the effect of psychological correlates of traumatic experiences on coping strategies of post-amputation basing on evidence from Mulago specialized national hospital, Kampala-Uganda. It specifically analyzed the personality styles that enhance coping among amputees, assessed the psychological consequences among amputees, and examined the psychological interventions among amputees. Methodology: The study adopted a hospital-based prospective post-treatment design employing a quantitative research approach. The quantitative data were collected using questionnaires from 72 patients who were admitted for amputations and attending weekly amputee clinics and those using prostheses and orthosises. The data was processed at both the descriptive and inferential levels using SPSS version 20.0. Results: The study found extraversion as a statistically positive correlate with the confrontational form of coping style (r = 0.279, p = 0.031 < 0.05). It found a significantly positive correlate that enhanced planful problem solving (r =0.278, p =0.032< 0.05) and positive reappraisal (r = 0.301, p = 0.019 < 0.05) compared to conscientiousness as a negative correlate of coping styles particularly self-control (r =-0.326, p = 0.011< 0.05) and escape avoidance (r =-0.263, p =0.043 < 0.05). Results showed abnormal depression (46.7%), suffering abnormal anxiety (45.0%) alongside demonstrating symptoms of at least 2 Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders (46.7%) as the psychological consequences. The psychological interventions study found included specialized physician services (60.0%), primary care provision (45.0%) and financial assistance (46.7 among others  Conclusion and discussion: Personality styles of extraversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness are crucial in the coping styles among amputees and therefore need to be well established and aligned with supporting initiatives. The administrative staff of specialized units needs to put in place workable measures like avoiding unfair self-blame and inculcating a belief that they are still worth as to help amputees to improve their self-esteem thereby minimizing adverse psychological consequences

School-Based Sexual and Reproductive Health Services for Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy in the Hoima District, Uganda: Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

Uganda has persistently had high adolescent pregnancy prevalence; 25% for the last 10 years. This protocol presents the design of a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial (CRCT) to investigate the effectiveness of School-Based Sexual and Reproductive Health (SBSRH) interventions on prevention of pregnancy among school girls aged 15–19 years in the Hoima District, Uganda. 18 secondary schools (clusters) will be selected using cluster sampling and allocated 1:1 into control or intervention group stratified by geographical location. 1080 (60 each cluster) participants/girls aged 15–19 years will be selected using simple random sampling. The intervention group will receive tailored SRH information, in-school medical care and referral over 12 months. The control group will receive no intervention from the research team; however, they can access alternative services elsewhere if they wish. Data will be obtained at baseline, 6 months and 12 months. The outcomes are reduction in occurrence of pregnancy, utilization of SRH services and sexual behavioral change. To our knowledge, this is the first CRCT providing combined SRH interventions for prevention of adolescent pregnancy in Uganda. If effective, it could have great potential in preventing adolescent pregnancy. Trial Registration: Pan African Clinical Trial Registry (PACTR201810882140200) Registered on 16 October 2018