Culture and pandemic control at cross-roads: navigating the burial guidelines for COVID-19-related deaths in a Ghanaian setting.

BACKGROUND: Despite the large volume of scientific evidence on the rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated high morbidity and mortality, little is known about the sociocultural disruptions which ensued. The current study explored the nuanced navigation of the COVID-19-related death and burial protocols and its impact on traditional burial and funeral rites in Ghana. METHODS: This qualitative study was based on the 'focused' ethnographic design. Data were collected using key informant interviews from nineteen COVID-19-related bereaved family members and public health officials involved in enforcing adherence to COVID-19-related death and burial protocols in the Cape Coast Metropolis of Central region of Ghana. Recursive analysis was conducted to generate the themes and sub-themes from the data. RESULTS: The overarching theme was "Uncultural" connotations ascribed to the COVID-19-related death and burial protocols. The COVID-19-related death and burial protocols were ubiquitously deemed by participants to be 'uncultural' as they inhibited deep-rooted indigenous and eschatological rites of separation between the living and the dead. This was fueled by limited awareness and knowledge about the COVID-19 burial protocols, resulting in fierce resistance by bereaved family members who demanded that public health officials release the bodies of their deceased relatives. Such resistance in the midst of resource limitation led to negotiated compromises of the COVID-19-related death and burial protocols between family members and public health officials. CONCLUSIONS: Insensitivity to socio-cultural practices compromised the implementation of the COVID-19 pandemic control interventions, particularly, the COVID-19-related death and burial protocols. Some compromises that were not sanctioned by the protocols were reached to allow health officials and families respectfully bury their dead. These findings call for the need to prioritize the incorporation of sociocultural practices in future pandemic prevention and management strategies.

Factors associated with men's participation in postpartum family planning: a study of Kiswa Health Centre III, Kampala, Uganda.

Low uptake of family planning among women is predominantly attributed to low participation of men in postpartum family planning. In order to improve maternal health, strengthening male participation in family planning is an important public health initiative. This study aimed to assess factors associated with participation of men in postpartum care at Kiswa Health Centre III, Nakawa division, Kampala. An analytical cross-sectional study design involving collection of quantitative data was used. Systematic random sampling was used to select study participants. Data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires. Data entry and cleaning was performed using EpiData version 12 and analysed using Stata version 14. 80.0% of respondents participated in postpartum family planning. Approval of family planning use, knowledge on family planning and information source were significantly associated with male involvement in postpartum family planning. Respondents who approved family planning use at home were 15.5 times more likely to get involved in family planning services as compared to those who didn't approve family planning. Conclusively, there was a generally high level of male involvement in postpartum family planning in comparison with the national levels. Approval of family planning at home increased the likelihood of men's participation in family planning.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? Evidence has it that short birth intervals of less than 15 months have been found to be associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes including induced abortions, miscarriages, preterm births, neonatal and child mortalities, still births and maternal depletion syndrome. In Africa, generally, low family uptake among women is also attributed to low men participation in postpartum family planning.What do the results of this study add? Approval of family planning use, knowledge on family planning and information source were associated with male involvement in postpartum family planning. Respondents who approved family planning use at home were 15.5 times more likely to get involved in postpartum family planning services as compared to those who didn't approve family planning.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? In this study, the involvement of men was relatively high, but more studies are needed in other locations to compare with this finding. Otherwise, consolidation of such high involvement is highly needed, as this can be a starting point for further improvement.

Assessment of risk factors associated with multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in Gulu regional referral hospital.

Background: Multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is increasingly recognized as emerging infectious disease of public health concern. Globally, 206030 people were diagnosed with MDR-TB in 2019, representing a 10% increase from 186883people who had it in 2018. In Uganda, the prevalence of MDR among new TB cases is 4.4% and 17.7% among previously treated TB cases. Aim: To determine the risk factors associated with MDR-TB among tuberculosis patients in Gulu regional referral hospital. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study using both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection and analysis was used. Data was collected from 384 TB patients using data extraction form and 6 Key informant interviews conducted. Analysis using Pearson chi-square test was run. Results: HIV positive patients were 2.6 times more likely to be infected with MDR-TB than HIV negative patients [AOR=2.6: 95% CI 1.34- 5.85: P=0.006]. Previously treated TB patients were 2.8 times more likely to be infected with MDR-TB than newly diagnosed TB patients [AOR=2.8: 95% CI 1.33- 5.85: P=0.006]. Defaulting TB patients were 3.1 times more likely to be infected with MDR-TB than the non-defaulting TB patients [AOR=3.1]. Conclusion: There is high prevalence of drug resistance among patients attending TB treatment at the facility.

Factors influencing utilization of modern family planning services by persons living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus at Luwero Hospital, Uganda.

Introduction: The use of modern family planning methods is key for achieving the prevention of unintended pregnancies among women living with HIV, in the prevention of Mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) package. The purpose of this study was to examine the factors influencing the utilization of modern family planning services by persons living with HIV at Luwero Hospital, Uganda. Methods: The study was conducted among 210 persons living with HIV attending the ART clinic and was based on cross-sectional descriptive and analytical design. Sampling was by simple random techniques. Data was collected using researcher-administered questionnaires. Results: The uptake of Modern FP services is low (36.7%) among persons living with HIV. It was attributed to client-related factors such as being married [AOR: 2.2, 95% CI [1.123-4.140], p = 0.038]) and other factors. These are; religious views discouraging use of modern FP (p= 0.034), negative side effects (AOR: 1.8, 95% CI [0.043-1.968], p = 0.044) and services being unfriendly for persons living with HIV (p=0.000]). Conclusions: Despite the presence of modern family planning services, uptake among persons living with HIV is low. Poor utilization is a recipe for unintended pregnancy and thus jeopardizes efforts in the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

Factors influencing utilization of modern family planning services by persons living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus at Luwero Hospital, Uganda

Introduction: The use of modern family planning methods is key for achieving the prevention of unintended pregnancies among women living with HIV, in the prevention of Mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) package. The purpose of this study was to examine the factors influencing the utilization of modern family planning services by persons living with HIV at Luwero Hospital, Uganda. Methods: The study was conducted among 210 persons living with HIV attending the ART clinic and was based on cross-sectional descriptive and analytical design. Sampling was by simple random techniques. Data was collected using researcher-administered questionnaires. Results: The uptake of Modern FP services is low (36.7%) among persons living with HIV. It was attributed to client-related factors such as being married [AOR: 2.2, 95% CI [1.123-4.140], p = 0.038]) and other factors. These are; religious views discouraging use of modern FP (p= 0.034), negative side effects (AOR: 1.8, 95% CI [0.043-1.968], p = 0.044) and services being unfriendly for persons living with HIV (p=0.000]). Conclusions: Despite the presence of modern family planning services, uptake among persons living with HIV is low. Poor utilization is a recipe for unintended pregnancy and thus jeopardizes efforts in the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV

User - provider perspectives to overcome the challenges of TB/HIV service integration at Mulago National Referral Hospital _ Kampala.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis and Human Immunodeficiency Virus epidemics in sub-Saharan Africa have been closely related and persistent, proving a considerable burden for healthcare provision. This has complicated utilization of services, with noted opinions on the integration of these services from both users and providers of the services. OBJECTIVES: To establish the users and the provider's perspectives in overcoming the challenges of TB/HIV services integration at Mulago National Referral Hospital. METHODS: Descriptive cross-sectional design, with predominantly qualitative methods was used. Qualitative aspect adopted phenomenological design. Participants were randomly selected for FGDs and Key informants. An observation checklist collected quantitative data from the patients to measure level of services integration. FINDINGS: Level of service integration of TB/HIV services was at 68% (below the acceptable 100% level). Opinions from the users pointed to; increasing number of work-days for TB/HIV service provision, strengthening sensitisation and health education and integrating other services like reproductive health services, among others. Health care providers opinions pointed to increasing trainings for health workers, increasing staffing and need for more support from Ministry of Health. CONCLUSION: Opinions from both users and providers were similar. These ranged from increasing awareness to the users and healthcare providers about the integration of services.

Quality of life of adult individuals with intestinal stomas in Uganda: a cross sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Intestinal stomas remain important life-saving surgical options in a wide range of gastrointestinal pathologies globally. Living with a stoma has potential to impair the patient's quality of life, often with associated negative psychological effects. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the quality of life among intestinal stoma patients under Mulago National Referral Hospital (MNRH), with emphasis on psychological effects and effects on family-social interactions. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study carried out at surgical outpatient clinics of MNRH between January and June 2018. Data was collected using Stoma-QOL questionnaire, PHQ-9 and GAD-7 from 51 participants who had lived with intestinal stomas for at least a month. RESULTS: Of the 51 participants, male: female ratio was 4:1 and aged 18-84 years (mean age 44.04+18.47 years). 76.5% had colostomy; 23.5% had ileostomy. Majority (88.2%) had temporary stomas. The overall mean Stoma-QOL score was 55.12+ 17.04. Only about a quarter (24%) of participants had Stoma-QOL scores >70 (best). Most patients exhibited negative psychological effects (anxiety-100%, concerns about changed body image - 96.1% and depression - 88.4%). CONCLUSION: Most participants had low levels of stoma-related quality of life, suffered negative psychological effects and exhibited limited social interactions. This calls for efforts to support Stoma patients adapt beter life.