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Auma B, Musinguzi M, Ojuka E, Kigongo E, Tumwesigye R, Acup W, Kabunga A, Opio B. Prevalence of diarrhea and water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) associated factors among children under five years in Lira City Northern Uganda: Community based study. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0305054. [PMID: 38848329 PMCID: PMC11161017 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0305054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children under the age of five experience a significant disease burden from diarrheal illnesses. This poses a severe public health risk as the second leading cause of infant death worldwide, after pneumonia. Lira City in Uganda is one of the developing urban areas with limited information about the diarrheal disease among children under the age of 5 years. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and assess the water, sanitation and hygiene related factors associated with diarrheal diseases among children under five years in Lira City. METHODS The study was conducted among 492 care takers of children under the age of 5 years in Lira City between August 2022 and September 2022. Data was collected using an interviewer administered questionnaire and a multi-stage sampling was used to select study participants. Data was analyzed by bivariate and multivariate logistic regression using STATA version 17. P-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS Out of 541 participants, 492 responded. The majority of the respondents, 425(86.4%) were female, 146(29.7%) had children aged 1-12 months, 192 (39%) had primary level education, and 155(31.5%) were self-employed. The prevalence of diarrhea among children under five years was 130(26.4%) and the associated factors with diarrheal disease were children between 49-60 months old (AOR = 0.12, 95% CI: 0.03-0.39, P = 0.001), cleaning the latrine more times (AOR = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.22-0.81, P = 0.010) and not treating water (AOR = 1.84, 95% CI: 1.11-3.06, P = 0.018). CONCLUSION There is high prevalence of diarrhea among children under 5 years of age. The study's findings highlight the need for ongoing efforts to lower the prevalence of diarrheal illnesses among children under the age of five in Uganda's emerging urban areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenda Auma
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Public Health, Lira University, Lira, Uganda
| | - Marvin Musinguzi
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Public Health, Lira University, Lira, Uganda
| | - Edward Ojuka
- Department of Quality Assurance, Lira University, Lira, Uganda
| | - Eustes Kigongo
- Department of Environmental Health and Disease Control, Faculty of Public Health, Lira University, Lira, Uganda
| | - Raymond Tumwesigye
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Lira university, Lira, Uganda
| | - Walter Acup
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Public Health, Lira University, Lira, Uganda
| | - Amir Kabunga
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Lira University, Lira, Uganda
| | - Bosco Opio
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Public Health, Lira University, Lira, Uganda
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Saleem J, Zakar R, Butt MS, Aadil RM, Ali Z, Bukhari GMJ, Ishaq M, Fischer F. Application of the Boruta algorithm to assess the multidimensional determinants of malnutrition among children under five years living in southern Punjab, Pakistan. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:167. [PMID: 38216908 PMCID: PMC10787446 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-17701-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malnutrition causes nutrient deficiencies that have both physical and clinical consequences in severe acute malnutrition children. Globally, there were 47 million wasted children under the age of five in 2019. One in four were located in sub-Saharan Africa, with half being in South Asia. This study aims to apply the Boruta algorithm to identify the determinants of undernutrition among children under five living in Dera Ghazi Khan, one of the marginalized districts of densely populated Punjab Province in Pakistan. METHODS A multicenter cross-sectional study design was used to collect data from 185 children with severe acute malnutrition aged under five years visiting the OTPs centers located in Dera Ghazi Khan, Punjab, Pakistan. A purposive sampling technique was used to collect data using a pretested structured questionnaire from parents/caregivers regarding family sociodemographic characteristics, child nutrition, and biological and healthcare characteristics. Anthropometric measurements, including height, weight, and mid-upper arm circumference, were collected. The Boruta models were used to incorporate the children's anthropometric, nutritional, and household factors to determine the important predictive variables for undernutrition using the Boruta package in R studio. RESULTS This study included 185 children, with a mean age of 15.36 ± 10.23 months and an MUAC of 10.19 ± 0.96 cm. The Boruta analysis identifies age, mid-upper arm circumference, weaning practices, and immunization status as important predictors of undernutrition. Income per month, exclusive breastfeeding, and immunization status were found to be key factors of undernutrition in children under the age of five. CONCLUSION This study highlights age, mid-upper arm circumference, weaning practices, and immunization status as key determinants of weight-for-height and weight-for-age in children under five years. It also suggests that economic context may influence undernutrition. The findings can guide targeted strategies for combating undernutrition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javeria Saleem
- Department of Public Health, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Rubeena Zakar
- Department of Public Health, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | | | - Rana Muhammad Aadil
- National Institute of Food Sciences and Technology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Zulfiqar Ali
- College of Statistical Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | | | - Muhammad Ishaq
- Department of Sociology, Institute of Social and Cultural Studies, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Florian Fischer
- Institute of Public Health, Charité- Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
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Ssekandi N, Tlotleng N, Naicker N. Sociodemographic and environmental factors associated with diarrhoeal illness in children under 5 years in Uganda, 2016: a cross-sectional study. BMC Infect Dis 2023; 23:480. [PMID: 37464294 PMCID: PMC10355024 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08458-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Uganda is among the 10 countries in the sub-Saharan Africa region that have the highest prevalence of diarrhoeal disease. Evidence suggests that the severity of childhood diarrhoeal disease is escalated through various sociodemographic and environmental factors. OBJECTIVES To assess prevalence of diarrheal illness in children below the age of 5 years in Uganda in 2016 and associated factors. METHODS A cross-sectional study was employed that analyzed secondary data from the 2016 Uganda Demography and Health Surveys. Children with and without diarrhea were compared. A logistic regression was used to determine sociodemographic and environmental factors associated with diarrheal illness in children with statistical significance at p < 0.05. RESULTS The prevalence of childhood diarrhoeal illness for children below the age of 5 years in Uganda was 20.9% (n = 2838/13,753). There was a statistically significant difference when comparing children diarrhoeal with the following sociodemographic factors: caregiver's age, child's age and gender and duration of breastfeeding (p < 0.0001). Children with a caregiver aged between 15 and 24 years (aOR;1.42; 95% CI:1.24-1.62) and 25-34 years (aOR;1.19; 95% CI:1.04-1.37) were more likely to report diarrhoeal disease, compared to those with a caregiver aged 35-49 years. For environmental factors, households using springs water, access to health facility and children who received a dose of vitamin A had a decreased risk of reporting children diarrhoeal. CONCLUSION Significant factors in the study like caregiver's age, gender and duration of breastfeeding will create the opportunity for all interventions to shift their focus to these factors thus a better evidence-based approach to reducing of diarrhoeal disease will be achieved in the country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Ssekandi
- Epidemiology and Surveillance Section, National Institute for Occupational Health, National Health Laboratory Services, 25 hospital St, Construction hill, Braamfontein, South Africa.
- Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa.
| | - Nonhlanhla Tlotleng
- Epidemiology and Surveillance Section, National Institute for Occupational Health, National Health Laboratory Services, 25 hospital St, Construction hill, Braamfontein, South Africa
- Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Health Systems and Public Health, University of Pretoria, Arcadia, South Africa
| | - Nisha Naicker
- Epidemiology and Surveillance Section, National Institute for Occupational Health, National Health Laboratory Services, 25 hospital St, Construction hill, Braamfontein, South Africa
- Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Nuwa A, Baker K, Bonnington C, Odongo M, Kyagulanyi T, Bwanika JB, Richardson S, Nabakooza J, Achan J, Kajubi R, Odong DS, Nakirunda M, Magumba G, Beinomugisha G, Marasciulo-Rice M, Abio H, Rassi C, Rutazaana D, Rubahika D, Tibenderana J, Opigo J. A non-randomized controlled trial to assess the protective effect of SMC in the context of high parasite resistance in Uganda. Malar J 2023; 22:63. [PMID: 36814301 PMCID: PMC9945593 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-023-04488-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Until recently, due to widespread prevalence of molecular markers associated with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) and amodiaquine (AQ) resistance in east and southern Africa, seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) has not been used at scale in this region. This study assessed the protective effectiveness of monthly administration of SP + AQ (SPAQ) to children aged 3-59 months in Karamoja sub-region, Uganda, where parasite resistance is assumed to be high and malaria transmission is seasonal. METHODS A two-arm quasi-experimental, open-label prospective non-randomized control trial (nRCT) was conducted in three districts. In two intervention districts, 85,000 children aged 3-59 months were targeted to receive monthly courses of SMC using SPAQ during the peak transmission season (May to September) 2021. A third district served as a control, where SMC was not implemented. Communities with comparable malaria attack rates were selected from the three districts, and households with at least one SMC-eligible child were purposively selected. A total cohort of 600 children (200 children per district) were selected and followed using passive surveillance for breakthrough confirmed malaria episodes during the five-month peak transmission season. Malaria incidence rate per person-months and number of malaria episodes among children in the two arms were compared. Kaplan-Meier failure estimates were used to compare the probability of a positive malaria test. Other factors that may influence malaria transmission and infection among children in the two arms were also assessed using multivariable cox proportional hazards regression model. RESULTS The malaria incidence rate was 3.0 and 38.8 per 100 person-months in the intervention and control groups, respectively. In the intervention areas 90.0% (361/400) of children did not experience any malaria episodes during the study period, compared to 15% (29/200) in the control area. The incidence rate ratio was 0.078 (95% CI 0.063-0.096), which corresponds to a protective effectiveness of 92% (95% CI 90.0-94.0) among children in the intervention area. CONCLUSION SMC using SPAQ provided high protective effect against malaria during the peak transmission season in children aged 3-59 months in the Karamoja sub-region of Uganda.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kevin Baker
- grid.475304.10000 0004 6479 3388Malaria Consortium, London, UK ,grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Musa Odongo
- grid.452563.3Malaria Consortium Uganda, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | | | - Sol Richardson
- grid.475304.10000 0004 6479 3388Malaria Consortium, London, UK ,grid.12527.330000 0001 0662 3178Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Jane Nabakooza
- grid.415705.2National Malaria Control Division, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Jane Achan
- grid.475304.10000 0004 6479 3388Malaria Consortium, London, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Hilda Abio
- grid.452563.3Malaria Consortium Uganda, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Christian Rassi
- grid.475304.10000 0004 6479 3388Malaria Consortium, London, UK
| | - Damian Rutazaana
- grid.415705.2National Malaria Control Division, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Denis Rubahika
- grid.415705.2National Malaria Control Division, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Jimmy Opigo
- grid.415705.2National Malaria Control Division, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
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Atalell KA, Alene KA. Spatiotemporal distributions of under-five mortality in Ethiopia between 2000 and 2019. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 3:e0001504. [PMID: 36972238 PMCID: PMC10042344 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
Under-five mortality declined in the last two decades in Ethiopia, but sub-national and local progress remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the spatiotemporal distributions and ecological level factors of under-five mortality in Ethiopia. Data on under-five mortality were obtained from five different Ethiopian Demographic and Health Surveys (EDHS), conducted in 2000, 2005, 2011, 2016, and 2019. Environmental and healthcare access data were obtained from different publicly available sources. Bayesian geostatistical models were used to predict and visualize spatial risks for under-five mortality. The national under-five mortality rate in Ethiopia declined from 121 per 1000 live births in 2000 to 59 per 1000 live births in 2019. Spatial variation in under-five mortality was observed at regional and local levels with the highest rates reported in the Western, Eastern, and Central parts of Ethiopia. Spatial clustering of under-five mortality was significantly associated with population density, access to a water body, and climatic factors such as temperature. Under-five mortality rate declined over the past two decades and varied substantially at sub-national and local levels in Ethiopia. Increasing access to water and health care may help to reduce under-five mortality in high-risk areas. Therefore, interventions targeted to reduce under-five mortality should be strengthened in the areas that had a clustering of under-five mortality in Ethiopia by increasing access to quality health care access.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kendalem Asmare Atalell
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health Nursing, School of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Kefyalew Addis Alene
- Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia
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Puvanachandra P, Ssesumugabo C, Balugaba BE, Ivers R, Kobusingye O, Peden M. The epidemiology and characteristics of injuries to under 5's in a secondary city in Uganda: a retrospective review of hospital data. Int J Inj Contr Saf Promot 2022; 29:550-555. [PMID: 35797975 DOI: 10.1080/17457300.2022.2089686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Child injuries are largely preventable yet cause significant mortality and morbidity globally. Injury data from low-income countries is limited for children under the age of 5 and therefore the current understanding of the magnitude of injuries in this age group is low. Hospital-based registries are one mechanism by which injury data can be gathered. This paper presents findings from a retrospective hospital record review of 4 hospitals in Jinja, a rural setting in Uganda, involving the extraction of data for children under the age of 5-years who sustained an injury during a 6-month period in 2019. A total of 225 injury cases were retrieved from the hospitals. Over half (57.3%) of the events occurred among males. The majority (92%) suffered one injury per injury event. Most of the injuries occurred among those aged 13 to 24 months (32.9%). Burns (32%) and cuts (20%) were the most common cause of injury. This study presents a hospital-based analysis of injuries amongst under 5's in rural Uganda. It provides information on the characteristics of children entering healthcare facilities in Uganda and highlights the burden of paediatric injuries in the hospital setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Puvanachandra
- The George Institute for Global Health, UK, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - C Ssesumugabo
- School of Public Health, Makerere School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - B E Balugaba
- School of Public Health, Makerere School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - R Ivers
- School of Population Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - O Kobusingye
- School of Public Health, Makerere School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - M Peden
- The George Institute for Global Health, UK, Imperial College London, London, UK
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Mwanga-Amumpaire J, Ndeezi G, Källander K, Obua C, Migisha R, Nkeramahame J, Stålsby Lundborg C, Kalyango JN, Alfvén T. Capacity to provide care for common childhood infections at low-level private health facilities in Western, Uganda. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0257851. [PMID: 34669729 PMCID: PMC8528317 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Low-level private health facilities (LLPHFs) handle a considerable magnitude of sick children in low-resource countries. We assessed capacity of LLPHFs to manage malaria, pneumonia, diarrhea, and, possible severe bacterial infections (PSBIs) in under-five-year-olds. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional survey in 110 LLPHFs and 129 health workers in Mbarara District, Uganda between May and December 2019. Structured questionnaires and observation forms were used to collect data on availability of treatment guidelines, vital medicines, diagnostics, and equipment; health worker qualifications; and knowledge of management of common childhood infections. RESULTS Amoxicillin was available in 97%, parental ampicillin and gentamicin in 77%, zinc tablets and oral rehydration salts in >90% while artemether-lumefantrine was available in 96% of LLPHF. About 66% of facilities stocked loperamide, a drug contraindicated in the management of diarrhoea in children. Malaria rapid diagnostic tests and microscopes were available in 86% of the facilities, timers/clocks in 57% but only 19% of the facilities had weighing scales and 6% stocked oxygen. Only 4% of the LLPHF had integrated management of childhood illness (IMCI) booklets and algorithm charts for management of common childhood illnesses. Of the 129 health workers, 52% were certificate nurses/midwives and (26% diploma nurses/clinical officers; 57% scored averagely for knowledge on management of common childhood illnesses. More than a quarter (38%) of nursing assistants had low knowledge scores. No notable significant differences existed between rural and urban LLPHFs in most parameters assessed. CONCLUSION Vital first-line medicines for treatment of common childhood illnesses were available in most of the LLPHFs but majority lacked clinical guidelines and very few had oxygen. Majority of health workers had low to average knowledge on management of the common childhood illnesses. There is need for innovative knowledge raising interventions in LLPHFs including refresher trainings, peer support supervision and provision of job aides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliet Mwanga-Amumpaire
- Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
- Clinical Epidemiology Unit, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- * E-mail:
| | - Grace Ndeezi
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Karin Källander
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
- Programme Division, Health Section, UNICEF, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Celestino Obua
- Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Richard Migisha
- Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Juvenal Nkeramahame
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | - Joan Nakayaga Kalyango
- Clinical Epidemiology Unit, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Tobias Alfvén
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
- Sachs’ Children and Youth Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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Zhang H, Fink G, Cohen J. The impact of health worker absenteeism on patient health care seeking behavior, testing and treatment: A longitudinal analysis in Uganda. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0256437. [PMID: 34415980 PMCID: PMC8378719 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Absenteeism of frontline health workers in public sector facilities is widespread in low-income countries. There is little quantitative evidence on how health worker absenteeism influences patient treatment seeking behavior, though low public sector utilization and heavy reliance on the informal sector are well documented in low-income settings. METHODS Using a unique panel dataset covering health facilities and households over a 10-month period in Uganda, we investigate the extent to which health worker absenteeism (defined as zero health workers present at a health facility) impacts patient care seeking behavior, testing, and treatment. RESULTS We find high rates of health worker absenteeism at public sector health facilities, with most of the absenteeism occurring at lower level public health clinics. On average, no health worker was present in 42% of all days monitored in lowest level public health clinics, whereas this number was less than 5% in high level public hospitals and private facilities. In our preferred empirical model with household fixed effects, we find that health worker absenteeism reduces the odds that a patient seeks care in the public sector (OR = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.44-0.95) and receives malaria testing (OR = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.53-0.99) and increases the odds of paying out-of-pocket for treatment (OR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.10-1.80). The estimated differences in care-seeking are larger for children under-five than for the overall study population. CONCLUSIONS The impact of health worker absenteeism on the quality of care received as well as the financial burden faced by households in sub-Saharan Africa is substantial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Zhang
- Department of Global Health and Population and Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Günther Fink
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jessica Cohen
- Department of Global Health and Population and Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
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Appropriateness of Care for Common Childhood Infections at Low-Level Private Health Facilities in a Rural District in Western Uganda. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18157742. [PMID: 34360041 PMCID: PMC8345429 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18157742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
In Uganda, >50% of sick children receive treatment from primary level-private health facilities (HF). We assessed the appropriateness of care for common infections in under-five-year-old children and explored perspectives of healthcare workers (HCW) and policymakers on the quality of healthcare at low-level private health facilities (LLPHF) in western Uganda. This was a mixed-methods parallel convergent study. Employing multistage consecutive sampling, we selected 110 HF and observed HCW conduct 777 consultations of children with pneumonia, malaria, diarrhea or neonatal infections. We purposively selected 30 HCW and 8 policymakers for in-depth interviews. Care was considered appropriate if assessment, diagnosis, and treatment were correct. We used univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses for quantitative data and deductive thematic analysis for qualitative data. The proportion of appropriate care was 11% for pneumonia, 14% for malaria, 8% for diarrhea, and 0% for neonatal infections. Children with danger signs were more likely to receive appropriate care. Children with diarrhea or ability to feed orally were likely to receive inappropriate care. Qualitative data confirmed care given as often inappropriate, due to failure to follow guidelines. Overall, sick children with common infections were inappropriately managed at LLPHF. Technical support and provision of clinical guidelines should be increased to LLPHF.
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