3 research outputs found
Barriers and factors affecting personal protective equipment usage in St. Mary’s Hospital Lacor in Northern Uganda
Background: To protect health workers (HCWs) from risky occupation exposure, CDC developed the universal precautions (Ups) including Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs). However compliance to it by HCWs has remained poor even in high-risk clinical situation. The objective of this study was to identify and describe the factors that influence a HCWs’ decision to wear PPEs and the barriers that exist in preventing their useMethods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out in the St. Mary’s Hospital Lacor in all the wards to collected quantitative information as well as qualitative and observational data on PPE useResults: Out of the total 59 respondents, 2% do not know the purpose of PPE, 23.7% do not know how to don and doff PPEs, 13.6% do not use PPE even when indicated and 10% are not using an appropriate PPE. The main barriers relates to poor fitting and weak domestic gloves, few of aprons, frequent stock out and inadequate PPE as well as lack of training in PPEConclusion: This study provides a baseline for measuring the effectiveness of interventions to improve compliance
Sigmoid Volvulus and Ileosigmoid Knotting at St. Mary’s Hospital Lacor in Gulu, Uganda
Background : Sigmoid volvulus is a common cause of intestinal
obstruction in developing countries where it affects relatively young
people. Little is known about this condition in our country and there
is yet no literature from an environment like ours (northern Uganda)
where civil war has devastated the economy with most of the populace
displaced into internally displaced peoples’ camp. The main
objective of this study was to determine the demographics, treatment
and outcome of sigmoid Volvulus cases seen at Lacor Hospital. Methods
: This was both a retrospective and prospective study of patients who
presented with sigmoid volvulus at St. Mary’s Hospital Lacor over
a period of 61/2 years from 1st January 2002 to 31st July 2008. Medical
records of patients who underwent sigmoid surgery was stratified for
the following measures; demographic characteristics, presentation to
hospital (emergency or elective), operative finding and operative
procedure, complication, co-ominous factors and outcome. Similar data
was gathered from patients who were prospectively followed up. Data was
analyzed using SPSS. Results : One hundred eighty two patients aged
10 years and above met the inclusion criteria. They had fasted 6 hours
prior to the operation and undergone both general anaesthesia and
surgery. Patients who had medical and surgical conditions that led to
nausea and vomiting were excluded. 53% of the patients were males and
43% were females. The prevalence of PONV was 40.7% within 24 hours
after surgery. Factors that were statistically significantly (p value
< 0.05) associated with PONV following univariate analysis included
: age group 20 to 30 years, female gender, history of PONV,
intra-operative use of Pethidine, type of operation (orthopaedic
surgery) and postoperative use of Pethidine. Independent predictors of
PONV include; age group of 20 to 30 years, history of PONV, and the
type of operation. Conclusion : Sigmoid volvulus is relatively rare in
our community. It commonly affect males particularly the old. Most of
the patients presented acutely, requiring immediate resuscitation and
surgical approach. In viable bowel, primary resection and anastomosis
of the twisted sigmoid is feasible as it may not adversely affect
outcome. Nevertheless colostomy should be considered if the bowel is
gangrenous or perforated. Though the disease carries a high mortality,
most of the patient who die are either older and/or have co-morbid
conditions