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Najjuka SM, Iradukunda A, Kaggwa MM, Sebbowa AN, Mirembe J, Ndyamuhaki K, Nakibuule C, Atuhaire JP, Nabirye E, Namukwaya E, Kiguli S. The caring experiences of family caregivers for patients with advanced cancer in Uganda: A qualitative study. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0293109. [PMID: 37878610 PMCID: PMC10599584 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer morbidity and mortality is rising in sub-Saharan Africa. Given this rise, family caregivers play an integral role in provision of quality cancer care services. This study explored the family caregivers (FCGs)/relatives' experiences of caring for patients with advanced cancer (stage 3 or stage 4) in Uganda. METHODS This was a descriptive qualitative study exploring the lived experiences of FCGs of patients with advanced cancer attending care at the Uganda cancer institute. We purposively recruited twelve FCGs and conducted face-to-face in-depth interviews using an interviewer-guided semi-structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed by thematic analysis. RESULTS The age range of participants was 19 to 49 years. Most participants were children of the patients (n = 7), had attained tertiary education (n = 7), and had taken care of their loved ones for at least one year (n = 10). Six themes emerged from data analysis; (i) caring roles, (ii) caring burdens, (iii) role conflict, (iv) health system tensions, (v) support and motivation, (vi) caring benefits, lessons and recommendations. CONCLUSION Study findings highlight the fundamental role of FCGs in the care of their loved ones, and illuminate the neglected physical, psychological and social challenges of family caregivers amidst health system tensions and conflicting roles. The needs of family caregivers should be embedded within cancer care, prevention and control programs particularly in low resource settings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mark Mohan Kaggwa
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
- Forensic Psychiatry Program, St Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Joy Mirembe
- College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | | | | | - Elizabeth Nabirye
- Department of Palliative Care Medicine, College of Health Sciences Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Elizabeth Namukwaya
- Department of Palliative Care Medicine, College of Health Sciences Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Sarah Kiguli
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, College of Health Sciences Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
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Ssewante N, Wekha G, Iradukunda A, Musoke P, Kanyike AM, Nabukeera G, Wamala NK, Zziwa W, Kamuhangire L, Kajjimu J, Luggya TS, Tagg A. Basic life support, a necessary inclusion in the medical curriculum: a cross-sectional survey of knowledge and attitude in Uganda. BMC Med Educ 2022; 22:140. [PMID: 35241065 PMCID: PMC8892119 DOI: 10.1186/s12909-022-03206-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Uganda continues to depend on a health system without a well-defined emergency response system. This is in the face of the rising cases of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest contributed largely to the high incidence of road traffic accidents. Non-communicable diseases are also on the rise further increasing the incidence of cardiac arrest. Medical students are key players in the bid to strengthen the health system which warrants an assessment of their knowledge and attitude towards BLS inclusion in their study curriculum. METHODS A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 2021 among undergraduate medical students across eight public and private universities in Uganda. An online-based questionnaire was developed using Google forms and distributed via identified WhatsApp groups. Chi-square or Fisher's exact test and logistic regression were performed in STATA 15 to assess the association between knowledge of BLS and demographics. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS Out of the total 354 entries obtained, 351 were analyzed after eligibility screening. Of these, (n = 250, 71.2%) were male less than 25 years (n = 273, 77.8%). Less than half (n = 150, 42.7%) participants had undergone formal BLS training. Less than a third of participants (n = 103, 29.3%) had good knowledge (≥ 50%) with an overall score of 42.3 ± 12.4%. Age (p = 0.045), level of academic progress (p = 0.001), and prior BLS training (p = 0.033) were associated with good knowledge. Participants with prior training were more likely to have more BLS knowledge (aOR: 1.7, 95% CI: 1.1-2.7, p = 0.009). The majority (n = 348, 99.1%) believed that BLS was necessary and would wish (n = 343, 97.7%) to have it included in their curriculum. CONCLUSIONS Undergraduate medical students have poor BLS knowledge but understand its importance. Institutions need to adopt practical teaching methods such as clinical exposures, field experience in collaboration with local implementers, and participating in community health promotion campaigns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nelson Ssewante
- School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
| | - Godfrey Wekha
- School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Angelique Iradukunda
- School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Phillip Musoke
- School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | | | - Nicholas Kisaakye Wamala
- Faculty of Clinical Medicine and Dentistry, Kampala International University, Ishaka-Bushenyi, Uganda
| | - Wilson Zziwa
- Faculty of Medicine, Gulu University, Gulu, Uganda
| | - Lauben Kamuhangire
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine, and Health, King Caesar University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Jonathan Kajjimu
- Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Tonny Stone Luggya
- Department of Anesthesia and Emergency Medicine, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Andrew Tagg
- Emergency Department, Western Hospital-Footscray, Footscray, Victoria, Australia
- School of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Wekha G, Ssewante N, Iradukunda A, Jurua M, Nalwoga S, Lanyero S, Olum R, Bongomin F. Colorectal Cancer in Uganda: A 10-Year, Facility-Based, Retrospective Study. Cancer Manag Res 2021; 13:7697-7707. [PMID: 34675666 PMCID: PMC8504868 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s334226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most common type of gastrointestinal malignancies and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths for both sexes worldwide. Although the burden of CRC is highest in developed countries, reports are indicating a rise in the incidence of early-onset CRC in developing countries. In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of CRC among patients hospitalized with lower gastrointestinal complaints at a tertiary health facility in Uganda. Methods We conducted a 10-year retrospective chart review of patients admitted to Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala, Uganda, between 1st January 2010 and 31st December 2020. We reviewed all charts of patients admitted to the lower gastrointestinal tract (GIT) ward. Charts with grossly missing data, pediatric patients, and those from other non-lower GIT specialties were excluded. Results Data of 1476 unique eligible patients were analyzed. Of these,138 had a diagnosis of CRC (prevalence: 9.3%, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 6.5-11.7%). Among patients with CRC, the female:male ratio was 1:1. The most common site for CRC was the rectum (59.8%, n= 79). For the 138 participants with CRC, 44 had staging data with 72.8% (n=32) having advanced disease, that is, stage 3 or 4. Factors independently associated with CRC were age ≥50 years (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 4.3, 95% CI: 2.6-7.1, p < 0.001), female sex (aOR: 1.8, 95% CI: 1.2 -2.8, p = 0.005), being widowed (aOR: 2.5, 95% CI: 1.3-5.0, p = 0.006), and presence of any risk factor for CRC (aOR: 5.3, 95% CI: 2.9-9.9, p < 0.001). Conclusion CRC is relatively common among patients hospitalized with lower GIT complaints, particularly among women and those with known risk factors for CRC. Awareness creation and screening programs should be instituted to allow early diagnosis of CRC in our setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Godfrey Wekha
- School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Nelson Ssewante
- School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Angelique Iradukunda
- School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Micheal Jurua
- School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Shadia Nalwoga
- School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Sharon Lanyero
- School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Ronald Olum
- School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Felix Bongomin
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Gulu University, Gulu, Uganda.,Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
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Iradukunda A, Kembabazi S, Ssewante N, Kazibwe A, Kabakambira JD. Diabetic Complications and Associated Factors: A 5-Year Facility-Based Retrospective Study at a Tertiary Hospital in Rwanda. Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes 2021; 14:4801-4810. [PMID: 34984012 PMCID: PMC8703046 DOI: 10.2147/dmso.s343974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin production, insulin action, or both. Despite advances in DM diagnosis and management, the incidence of DM-related complications remains high. This study aimed to determine patterns of common complications and associated factors among hospitalized patients in Rwanda. METHODS A cross-sectional study, with retrospective chart review, was conducted at CHUK from July to August, 2021. Charts for DM patients admitted from January 2016 to December 2020 were considered while those inaccessible at the time of data collection were excluded. Linear regression model was used to assess the relationship between dependent and independent variables with a p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. RESULTS A total of 246 charts were reviewed. The median age was 56 years (IQR: 14-90). More than half of participants (n = 135; 54.9%) were females; majority from the Central region (n = 138; 56.7%). Recorded DM risk factors included alcohol intake (n = 81; 48.5%); smoking (n = 40; 24.2%), obesity (n = 43; 52.4%), and family history of DM (n = 27; 56.3%). Majority (n = 153; 84.5%) had type 2 DM and (n = 147; 69%) had known their diagnosis for at least 6 years. Hypertension (n = 124, 50.4%), acute hyperglycemic state (n = 59, 24%), nephropathy (n = 58, 23.6%), and stroke (n = 38, 15.4%) were frequently reported complications. Nearly all participants (n = 81, 95.2%) with complications had poor glycemic control. Alcohol intake, age ≥45 years, and T1DM were associated with higher odds of DM complications (aOR = 8, 95% CI = 2-32.6, p = 0.003, aOR = 6.2, 95% CI = 1.4-27.6, p = 0.016 and aOR = 14.1, 95% CI = 1.2-161.5, p = 0.034, respectively). Duration of DM (p = 0.001) was significant at bivariate analysis. CONCLUSION DM complications were prevalent among the studied population with poor glycemic control mainly influenced by alcohol consumption and duration of DM. Expansion of integrated DM and hypertension screening services to lower-level centers is needed to reduce the associated morbidity and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelique Iradukunda
- School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- Correspondence: Angelique Iradukunda School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda Email
| | - Shallon Kembabazi
- School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Nelson Ssewante
- School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Andrew Kazibwe
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
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