"She would sit with me": mothers' experiences of individual peer support for exclusive breastfeeding in Uganda

Background: Different strategies have been used to improve the initiation and duration of breastfeeding. Peer counsellors are reported to improve exclusive breastfeeding levels, but few studies have assessed the satisfaction of women with the support given, especially in Africa. In this paper we describe women’s experiences of peer counselling for exclusive breastfeeding in an East African setting. Methods: In the Ugandan site of PROMISE-EBF, a multi-centre community randomised trial to evaluate the effect of peer counselling for exclusive breastfeeding on infant health, 370 women in the intervention arm participated in a study exit interview. Individual peer counselling was offered to women in 12 of the 24 study clusters, scheduled as five visits: before childbirth and during weeks 1, 4, 7 and 10 after childbirth. During the visits, the women were given information and skills to help them breastfeed exclusively. After the 10-week visit, they were interviewed about their feelings and experiences related to the peer counselling. Results: Overall, more than 95% of the women expressed satisfaction with the various aspects of peer counselling offered. Those who had received five or more visits were more likely to give positive responses about their experience with peer counselling than those who had received fewer visits. They explained their satisfaction with time spent with the peer counsellor in terms of how much she discussed with them. Most women felt their knowledge needs about breastfeeding were covered by the peer counsellors, while others expressed a desire to learn about complementary feeding and family planning. Attributes of the peer counsellors included their friendliness, being women and giving support in a familiar and relaxed way. Women were positive about the acquisition of knowledge and the benefit to their babies from the peer counselling. They preferred a peer counsellor to a health worker for support of exclusive breastfeeding because of their friendly approach. Conclusions: Individual peer counselling to support exclusive breastfeeding was positively received by the women

Intimate partner violence among pregnant teenagers in Lira district, northern Uganda: a cross-sectional study

Background/aims: Intimate partner violence during pregnancy is associated with adverse health outcomes for mothers and their unborn babies. Whereas the literature on intimate partner violence in the general population is extensive, little is known about this type of violence among pregnant teenagers, especially in resource-limited settings. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with intimate partner violence among pregnant teenagers attending antenatal care clinics in Lira District, northern Uganda. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 310 pregnant teenagers attending antenatal care clinics at the Lira Regional Referral Hospital and Ogur Health Center IV. Eligible teenagers were recruited consecutively until the required sample size was accrued. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Intimate partner violence was determined using the Revised Conflict Tactile Scale 2. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with violence during pregnancy, while considering potential confounding factors. Results: The overall prevalence of intimate partner violence among pregnant teenagers was 40.6%. The prevalence of psychological violence was 37.1%, sexual assault was 29%, and physical violence was 24.8%. Partner alcohol intake (odds ratio=5.00, P=0.000); polygamy (odds ratio=2.80, P=0.001) and the inability of the teenage mother to make major decisions in the home (odds ratio=2.42, P=0.006) were independently associated with intimate partner violence during pregnancy. Conclusions: Approximately 4 in 10 pregnant teenagers in Lira district, northern Uganda experienced intimate partner violence. This is higher than has been reported in the general population of pregnant women in Uganda. Intimate partner violence screening and counselling should be part of the routine antenatal care package.publishedVersio

Malaria Parasitaemia among Infants and Its Association with Breastfeeding Peer Counselling and Vitamin A Supplementation: A Secondary Analysis of a Cluster Randomized Trial

Background: Malaria is the second highest contributor to the disease burden in Africa and there is a need to identify low cost prevention strategies. The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence of malaria parasitaemia among infants and to measure the association between peer counselling for exclusive breastfeeding (EBF), vitamin A supplementation, anthropometric status (weight and length) and malaria parasitaemia. Methods: A cluster randomized intervention trial was conducted between 2006 and 2008 where 12 of 24 clusters, each comprising one or two villages, in Eastern Uganda were allocated to receive peer counselling for EBF. Women in their third trimester of pregnancy (based on the last normal menstrual period) were recruited in all 24 clusters and followed up until their children’s first birthday. Blood was drawn from 483 infants between 3 and 12 months of age, to test for malaria parasitaemia. Results: The prevalence of malaria parasitaemia was 11% in the intervention areas and 10% in the control areas. The intervention did not seem to decrease the prevalence of malaria (PR 1.7; 95% CI: 0.9, 3.3). After controlling for potential confounders, infants not supplemented with Vitamin A had a higher prevalence for malaria compared to those who had been supplemented (PR 6.1; 95% CI: 2.1, 17.6). Among children supplemented with vitamin A, every unit increase in lengthfor- age Z (LAZ) scores was associated with a reduced prevalence in malaria (PR 0.5; 95% CI:0.4, 0.6). There was no association between LAZ scores and malaria among children that had not been supplemented. Conclusion: Peer counselling for exclusive breastfeeding did not decrease the prevalence of malaria parasitaemia. Children that had not received Vitamin A supplementation had a higher prevalence of malaria compared to children that had been supplemented

Adding video-debriefing to Helping-Babies-Breathe training enhanced retention of neonatal resuscitation knowledge and skills among health workers in Uganda: a cluster randomized trial

Background: Skilled birth attendants must be competent to provide prompt resuscitation to save newborn lives at birth. Both knowledge and skills (competence) decline with time after training but the optimal duration for refresher training among frontline-skilled birth attendants in low-resource settings is unknown. Objectives: We assessed the effect of an innovative Helping-Babies-Breathe simulation-based teaching method using video-debriefing compared to standard Helping-Babies-Breathe training on 1) neonatal resuscitation knowledge and skills attainment and 2) competence retention among skilled birth attendants in Northern Uganda. Methods: A total of 26 health facilities with 86 birth attendants were equally randomised to intervention and control arms. The 2nd edition of the American Association of Pediatrics Helping-Babies-Breathe curriculum was used for training and assessment. Knowledge and skills were assessed pre- and post-training, and during follow-up at 6 months. A mixed effects linear regression model for repeated measures was used to assess the short and long-term effects of the intervention on neonatal resuscitation practices while accounting for clustering. Results: Eighty-two (95.3%) skilled birth attendants completed follow-up at 6 months. Approximately 80% of these had no prior Helping-Babies-Breathe training and 75% reported practicing neonatal resuscitation routinely. Standard Helping-Babies-Breathe training with video-debriefing improved knowledge and skills attainment post-training [adjusted mean difference: 5.34; 95% CI: 0.82–10.78] and retention [adjusted mean difference: 2.97; 95% CI: 1.52–4.41] over 6 months post-training compared to standard training after adjusting for confounding and clustering. Factors that reduced knowledge and skills retention among birth attendants were monthly resuscitation of one neonate or more and being in service for more than 5 years. Conclusion: Adding video-debriefing to standard Helping-Babies-Breathe training had an effect on birth attendants’ competence attainment and retention over 6 months in Uganda. However, more research is needed to justify the proposed intervention in this context.publishedVersio

“The cord is the child”: meanings and practices related to umbilical cord care in Central Uganda

Background: Infections account for a quarter of all newborn deaths and the umbilical cord has been identified as a major route of newborn infections. Objective: To explore the meanings and practices related to the umbilical cord among caretakers of newborns in central Uganda. Methods: This was a qualitative study, designed to inform the design, and interpretation of a randomized controlled trial assessing the effectiveness of chlorhexidine use for the umbilical cord. We conducted 22 in-depth interviews exploring umbilical cord care practices among ten mothers, four health workers, five traditional birth attendants, and three men. We also conducted three focus group discussions with young mothers and elderly women. We used qualitative content analysis to analyze our findings and we borrow upon Mary Douglas’ concepts of dirt to present our findings. Results: The umbilical cord had a symbolic position in newborn care. The way it was perceived and handled had far reaching consequences for the survival and wellbeing of the baby. The umbilical cord was a centre of anxiety, a possible gate to illness, a test of fatherhood and a signifier of parental responsibility. Hence, the umbilical cord and the way it was cared for played a part in the present and future survival of the baby, as well as the survival and wellbeing of the household. Persons other than the mother such as older female relatives were very influential in the care of the umbilical cord. Conclusions: The umbilical cord carried symbolic meanings, which extended beyond the newborn and the newborn period, and in turn influenced the various practices of umbilical cord care. The important position of the cord in local newborn care practices should be recognized and taken into consideration when scaling up newborn care interventions in the country.publishedVersio

Vaginal colonisation of women in labour with potentially pathogenic bacteria: A cross sectional study at three primary health care facilities in Central Uganda

Background: Potentially pathogenic bacteria that colonise the lower genital tract of women in labour can be passed to the baby during birth. While many babies become colonised with these bacteria after delivery, a few develop neonatal infections. The lower genital tract is a reservoir for potential pathogens and a source of infection for neonates. We determined the prevalence of vaginal colonisation of potentially pathogenic bacteria among women in labour in Central Uganda and identified potential risk factors associated with this colonisation. Methods: We conducted a cross sectional study at three primary health care facilities and collected vaginal swabs from HIV-1 negative women in labour. Specimens were cultured on different selective microbiological media, and biochemical tests were used to classify bacterial isolates on the species level. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to estimate the association between relevant exposures and colonisation with potentially pathogenic bacteria. Results: We recruited 1472 women in labour whose mean age was 24.6 years (standard deviation [SD] 4.9). Of these, 955 (64.9%; 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 62.4, 67%) were vaginally colonised with at least one potentially pathogenic bacterial species. The most commonly isolated species were Escherichia coli (n = 508; 34.5%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 144; 9.8%) and Staphylococcus aureus (n = 121; 8.2%). Results from exploratory multivariable regression analyses indicated that having had ≥5 previous pregnancies (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.59; 95% CI 0.35, 0.97) or being ≥30 years old (aOR 1.52; 95% CI 1.03, 2.23) could be associated with vaginal colonisation with any potentially pathogenic bacteria, as well as with vaginal colonisation with S. aureus (aOR 0.33; 95% CI 0.12, 0.88, and aOR 2.17; 95% CI 1.17, 4.00, respectively). Possession of domestic animals in a household (aOR 0.57; 95% CI 0.35, 0.92) could be associated with vaginal colonisation with E. coli. Conclusions: Two-thirds of HIV-1 negative women in labour were vaginally colonised by potentially pathogenic bacteria, mainly E. coli, K. pneumoniae, and S. aureus.publishedVersio

Umbilical Cord Stump Infections in Central Uganda: Incidence, Bacteriological Profile, and Risk Factors

Umbilical cord stump infection (omphalitis) is a risk factor for neonatal sepsis and death. We assessed the incidence of omphalitis, described the bacteriological and antibiotic-resistance profile of potentially pathogenic bacteria isolated from the umbilical cord stump of omphalitis cases, and evaluated whether bacteria present in the birth canal during birth predicted omphalitis. We enrolled 769 neonates at birth at three primary healthcare facilities and followed them for 28 days with scheduled visits on days 3, 7, 14, and 28. Cox regression models were used to estimate the rates of omphalitis associated with potential risk factors. Sixty-five (8.5%) neonates developed omphalitis, with an estimated incidence of 0.095 cases per 28 child-days (95% CI 0.073, 0.12). Potentially pathogenic bacteria were isolated from the cord stump area of 41 (63.1%) of the 65 neonates with omphalitis, and the most commonly isolated species were Escherichia coli (n = 18), Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 10), Citrobacter freundii (n = 5), and Enterobacter spp. (n = 4). The Enterobacteriaceace isolates were resistant to gentamicin (10.5%, 4/38), ampicillin (86.8%, 33/38), and ceftriaxone (13.2%, 5/38). Delayed initiation of breastfeeding was associated with an increased risk of omphalitis (aHR 3.1; 95% CI 1.3, 7.3); however, vaginal colonization with potentially pathogenic bacteria did not predict omphalitis.publishedVersio

Effects of complementary feeding on attained height among lower primary school-aged children in Eastern Uganda: A nested prospective cohort study

Background: Despite the fact that Uganda has been a signatory to the global strategy for Infant and Young Children Feeding practices (IYCF) for nearly a decade, the prevalence of stunting among children under five years of age remains tragically high at 17% in Eastern Uganda and twofold higher countrywide. Only 6% of all children aged 6–23 months feed adequately. This study aimed to establish the covariates of complementary feeding (CF) and its effect on attained height among primary school-aged children in Mbale district (Eastern Uganda). Methods: This was a community-based prospective cohort study using data from the PROMISE EBF trial. The main exposure variable was adequate complementary feeding (CF) measured in a parent questionnaire at 18–24 months of age. We defined adequate CF as having received animal food, cereals and fruit, juice and/or vegetables during the 24 hours preceding the interview. An adapted minimum acceptable diet was defined as having been given milk or milk products at least twice a day, an adapted meal frequency of two and solid or semi-solid food from at least four food groups on a 24-hour dietary recall based on modified IYCF criteria. The main outcome variable was attained height [(height-for-age Z score (HAZ)] measured between five and eight years of age using the WHO growth standards. Effects of CF on HAZ were estimated using linear regression analyses with cluster-robust standard errors. Results: A total of 506 children were studied. The majority (85%) were from rural areas and the average age at the end of the study was 6.9 (standard deviation: 0.63) years. Of these, 23.9% were adequately fed and 2.3% received the adapted minimum acceptable diet. Adequate CF was not associated with HAZ (adjusted β = -0.111; 95% CI: -0.363, 0.141; p = 0.374). Factors significantly associated with attained height were baseline HAZ (0.262; 0.152, 0.374; p<0.001) and WHZ (-0.147; -0.243, -0.051; p = 0.004), child’s age (0.454; -0.592, -0.315; p<0.001) and maternal education (0.030; 95% CI: 0.003, 0.057; p = 0.034). Conclusion: Adequate CF at age 18–24 months was worryingly insufficient and not associated with attained HAZ at age 5–8 years. Further strategies need to be considered to improve child nutrition and linear growth in resource-constrained settings.publishedVersio

“I feel good when I drink”—detecting childhood-onset alcohol abuse and dependence in a Ugandan community trial cohort

Background Alcohol, substance use, and mental health disorders constitute major public health issues worldwide, including in low income and lower middle-income countries, and early initiation of use is an important predictor for developing substance use disorders in later life. This study reports on the existence of childhood alcohol abuse and dependence in a sub-study of a trial cohort in Eastern Uganda. Methods The project SeeTheChild—Mental Child Health in Uganda (STC) included a sub-study of the Ugandan site of the study PROMISE SB: Saving Brains in Uganda and Burkina Faso. PROMISE SB was a follow-up study of a trial birth cohort (PROMISE EBF) that estimated the effect that peer counselling for exclusive breast-feeding had on the children’s cognitive functioning and mental health once they reached 5–8 years of age. The STC sub-study (N = 148) used the diagnostic tool MINI-KID to assess mental health conditions in children who scored medium and high (≥ 14) on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) in the PROMISE SB cohort N = (119/148; 80.4%). Another 29/148 (19.6%) were recruited from the PROMISE SB cohort as a comparator with low SDQ scores (< 14). Additionally, the open-ended questions in the diagnostic history were analysed. The MINI-KID comprised diagnostic questions on alcohol abuse and dependence, and descriptive data from the sub-study are presented in this paper. Results A total of 11/148 (7.4%) children scored positive for alcohol abuse and dependence in this study, 10 of whom had high SDQ scores (≥ 14). The 10 children with SDQ-scores ≥ 14 had a variety of mental health comorbidities of which suicidality 3/10 (30.0%) and separation anxiety disorder 5/10 (50.0%) were the most common. The one child with an SDQ score below 14 did not have any comorbidities. Access to homemade brew, carer’s knowledge of the drinking, and difficult household circumstances were issues expressed in the children’s diagnostic histories. Conclusions The discovery of alcohol abuse and dependence among 5–8 year olds in clinical interviews from a community based trial cohort was unexpected, and we recommend continued research and increased awareness of these conditions in this age group. Trial registration Trial registration for PROMISE SB: Saving Brains in Uganda and Burkina Faso: Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01882335), 20 June 2013. Regrettably, there was a 1 month delay in the registration compared to the commenced re-inclusion in the follow-up study: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01882335?term=saving+brains&draw=2&rank=1publishedVersio

Risk factors for obstructed labour in Eastern Uganda: A case control study

Introduction: Obstructed labour (OL) is an important clinical and public health problem because of the associated maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Risk factors for OL and its associated obstetric squeal are usually context specific. No epidemiological study has documented the risk factors for OL in Eastern Uganda. This study was conducted to identify the risk factors for OL in Mbale Hospital. Objective: To identify the risk factors for OL in Mbale Regional Referral and Teaching Hospital, Eastern Uganda. Methods: We conducted a case control study with 270 cases of women with OL and 270 controls of women without OL. We consecutively enrolled eligible cases between July 2018 and February 2019. For each case, we randomly selected one eligible control admitted in the same 24-hour period. Data was collected using face-to-face interviews and a review of patient notes. Logistic regression was used to identify the risk factors for OL. Results: The risk factors for OL were, being a referral from a lower health facility (AOR 6.80, 95% CI: 4.20–11.00), prime parity (AOR 2.15 95% CI: 1.26–3.66) and use of herbal medicines in active labour (AOR 2.72 95% CI: 1.49–4.96). Married participants (AOR 0.59 95% CI: 0.35–0.97) with a delivery plan (AOR 0.56 95% CI: 0.35–0.90) and educated partners (AOR 0.57 95% CI: 0.33–0.98) were less likely to have OL. In the adjusted analysis, there was no association between four or more ANC visits and OL, adjusted odds ratio [(AOR) 0.96 95% CI: 0.57–1.63)]. Conclusions: Prime parity, use of herbal medicines in labour and being a referral from a lower health facility were identified as risk factors. Being married with a delivery plan and an educated partner were protective of OL. Increased frequency of ANC attendance was not protective against obstructed labour.publishedVersio