COVID-19 in Uganda: Epidemiology and Response

Ajari, Esther Ejiroghene; Kanyike, Andrew Marvin; Ojilong, Daniel; Abdulbasit, Ibrahim Olawale

doi:10.30935/ejmets/8269

Cited by 9 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…1 Faculty of Health Sciences, Busitema University, Mbale, Uganda, 2 Mbale Regional Referral Hospital, Ministry of Health , Uganda, 3…”

Section: Declaration Of Competing Interestmentioning

confidence: 99%

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COVID-19 Vaccination Uptake and Self-Reported Side Effects among Healthcare Workers in Mbale City Eastern Uganda

Akech

Kanyike

Nassozi

et al. 2022

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Background Fear of anticipated side effects has hindered the COVID-19 vaccination program globally. We report the uptake and the self-reported side effects (SEs) of the COVID-19 vaccine among Healthcare workers (HCWs) in Mbale City Eastern Uganda. Methods A cross-sectional survey of HCWs at seven different level health facilities was conducted from 6 th September to 7 th October 2021 using a structured self-administered questionnaire. Results COVID-19 vaccine had been received by 119 (69%) participants of which 79 (66%) received the two recommended doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine. Getting vaccinated was associated with working in a lower health facility (aOR= 14.1, 95% CI: 4.9 – 39.6, P=0.000), perceived minor risk of contracting COVID-19 (aOR= 12.3, 95% CI: 1.0 – 44.6, p=0.047), and agreeing that COVID-19 vaccine is protective (aOR= 16.7, 95% CI: 5.6 – 50.4, p=0.000). 97 (82%) of participants experienced side effects to at least one dose of which most were mild on both the first (n=362, 51%) and second dose (n=135, 69%). The most frequently reported side effects on the first and second dose were fever (79% and 20%), injection site pain (71% and 25%), and Fatigue (69% and 20%) respectively. Conclusions The majority of the HCWs in Mbale City had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and experienced a side effect. The side effects were mostly mild on either dose thus the vaccines are generally safe.

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“…1 Faculty of Health Sciences, Busitema University, Mbale, Uganda, 2 Mbale Regional Referral Hospital, Ministry of Health , Uganda, 3…”

Section: Declaration Of Competing Interestmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As of 26 th November 2021, over 260 million cases and over 5.2 million deaths have been reported worldwide (Worldometer, 2021). In Uganda, the first case of COVID-19 was reported on 21 st March 2020 (3), and as of 26 th November 2021, over 126,965 cases and about 3,239 deaths reported (Ministry of Health Uganda, 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 Vaccination Uptake and Self-Reported Side Effects among Healthcare Workers in Mbale City Eastern Uganda

Akech

Kanyike

Nassozi

et al. 2022

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“…Globally there have been over 750 million confirmed cases and about 7 million deaths as a result of COVID-19 [ 4 ]. As of January 2020, Uganda had over 170,000 confirmed cases and over 3,500 deaths as a result of COVID-19 [ 5 ]…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Awareness, perceptions and challenges among public transport operators during the implementation of COVID-19 preventive measures in eastern Uganda: a qualitative study

Napyo,

Hopp,

Mukunya

et al. 2023

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Background: Public transportation plays a vital role in increasing transmission of COVID-19 due to the high-risk confined spaces in vehicles. It is therefore very crucial to employ the use of COVID-19 prevention measures during the use of public transportation to reduce risk of COVID-19 transmission. The success of the implementation and use of these measures depends largely on the public transportation users. We aimed at exploring the awareness, perceptions and challenges among public transport operators during the implementation of COVID-19 preventive measures in Eastern Uganda. Methods: This qualitative study was done in Eastern Uganda between January and February 2021. We conducted four focus group discussions, six in-depth interviews and three key informant interviews to document the awareness, perceptions and challenges faced by public transport operators including 10 boda boda riders, 19 taxi operators and 11 truck (cargo) transporters. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using NVIVO software Version 12 plus using a thematic framework approach. Results: Generally public transport operators were aware of that COVID-19 exists, its symptoms, how it’s transmitted and ways in which it can be prevented.. However, they were not aware of what causes it and had misconceptions that it’s spread through food and mosquitoes. Meanwhile some participants perceived COVID-19 as non-existent and that it was manufactured as a biological weapon. Some COVID-19 measures were perceived as having worked well during the pandemic like putting sanctions at the country borders, vaccination, observing hand hygiene, wearing a face mask, avoiding to touch the ‘soft parts’, quarantining in a hospital setting and social distancing. The COVID-19 preventive measures perceived as having not worked well were: home isolation, covid vaccination, using alcohol-based hand sanitizer, setting up curfew time, wearing a face mask, and reducing the number of passengers in the taxis and other public transportation vehicles. Challenges faced were mainly: financial loss resulting from reduction of passengers that used public transportation and setting up of curfew time, passengers not being able to use alcohol base hand sanitizer due to religious beliefs, loss of trust in public transportation by the public, hostility and defiance from passengers, competition for passengers among public transport operators and being mistreated by implementers of COVID-19 preventive measures like police. Various key players in the implementation of COVID-19 preventive measures included: the government, health workers, media, leaders in public transport and the police. Conclusion and recommendation: Our study brings to light insights on the likely challenges that impede the use of preventive measures in public transportation use during an epidemic / pandemic like COVID-19 which could potentially escalate transmission. Focus should be put to the demystification of myths on COVID-19. Public transport passengers should be sensitized on risk of COVID-19 transmission during public transportation use and on the importance of complying with COVID-19 preventive measures. We recommend further exploration on the challenges faced by the public transportation passengers in implementing preventive measures in the event of an epidemic like COVID-19.

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“…In Uganda a nation-wide mandatory closure of all institutions of learning was imposed at around mid-March 2020 and an isolation policy was introduced by the government with only about 25% of workers in both public and private sectors being allowed to continue working [18]. The rst lockdown was eased and learning institutions opened in February 2021 however they were shortly closed again after four months due to a more deadly second wave of the pandemic.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Anxiety and Coping Strategies during the Covid-19 Pandemic among Students at a Multi- Campus University in Uganda

Ojilong

Kanyike

Nakawuki

et al. 2022

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Background Uganda has had the longest COVID-19-induced closures of schools world over of over 20 months, according to a recent UNICEF report, which has greatly affected learning and mental health of University students. This study assessed levels of anxiety, challenges and coping strategies of students at a university in Uganda during the COVID-19 pandemic lock down. Methods We conducted an online, descriptive, cross-sectional study between 26th June and 26th July 2021 using mixed quantitative and qualitative methods among students of Busitema University in Eastern Uganda. The survey assessed anxiety levels of students using General Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7) scale, and its associations using the Chi-Square or Fischer’s exact test and multivariate logistic regression. We also explored the challenges and coping strategies employed by students through in-depth interviews. Results A total of 338 students participated, 213 (63%) were male with median age of 23 years (21–25), majority from Faculty of health sciences (n = 153, 45%). Overall, 179 (53%) of the students had anxiety which was mostly mild anxiety (n = 127, 38%). Students concerned about inadequate internet facilities to support online learning were twice more likely to have anxiety (aOR 2.0, 95% CI 1.1–3.7; p = 0.021). Among those with anxiety, avoidance coping strategies had higher scores with a median of 8 (3–12) compared to other strategies (p < 0.001). In-depth interviews revealed challenges with online learning, academic progress, and changes to daily routine and fear of contracting COVID-19 and getting vaccinated. Conclusion The largest number of students had anxiety especially those from faculty of health sciences and engineering of which most used avoidance strategies to cope up with the anxiety. This highlights areas where the university authorities should gear effort to design appropriate strategies to maintain mental health of students even after the pandemic.

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COVID-19 in Uganda: Epidemiology and Response

Cited by 9 publications

References 18 publications

COVID-19 Vaccination Uptake and Self-Reported Side Effects among Healthcare Workers in Mbale City Eastern Uganda

COVID-19 Vaccination Uptake and Self-Reported Side Effects among Healthcare Workers in Mbale City Eastern Uganda

Awareness, perceptions and challenges among public transport operators during the implementation of COVID-19 preventive measures in eastern Uganda: a qualitative study

Anxiety and Coping Strategies during the Covid-19 Pandemic among Students at a Multi- Campus University in Uganda

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