Browsing by Author "Andru, Monicah"

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    “I don’t support It for my children”: perceptions of parents and guardians regarding the use of modern contraceptives by adolescents in Arua City, Uganda
    (Hindawi, 2023-04-03) Vuamaiku, Godfrey Jalinga; Epuitai, Joshua; Andru, Monicah; Aleni, Mary
    Despite the high rates of adolescent pregnancies, the utilization of modern contraceptives is still low among adolescents in Uganda which highlights a missed opportunity for the prevention of unwanted pregnancies among adolescents. We explored the perception of parents and guardians regarding the use of modern contraceptives by adolescents and the roles parents and guardians play in the use of modern contraceptives by the adolescents. A descriptive qualitative study was conducted in one of the suburbs of Arua city in the West Nile subregion in Uganda. Fifteen (15) in-depth interviews were conducted with parents and or guardians to explore their perceptions and roles regarding the use of modern contraceptives by adolescents. Thematic analysis was used in qualitative data analysis. Parents did not support adolescents’ use of modern contraceptives. Lack of parental support was related to perceptions that modern contraceptives promote sexual promiscuity, fear that it causes infertility and that it is incompatible with cultural, religious, and moral norms. Parents and guardians opted to emphasize the importance of abstinence, conformity with cultural and religious norms, and the need to focus on completing school instead of encouraging the use of modern contraceptives. Few parents and guardians supported the use of modern contraceptives, specifically condoms, to prevent unwanted pregnancy by the adolescents and parents/guardians, sexually transmitted infections, and early school dropouts. Parents and guardians expressed feelings of inadequacy related to discussions on contraception use with their adolescent children and therefore avoided talking about it. Our study reveals a lack of parental support regarding the use of modern contraceptives among adolescents. Public health interventions which promote intergenerational, socioculturally, and religiously appropriate communication should be instituted in the communities in order to promote sustainable adoption of modern contraceptive use among adolescents.
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    Missed diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus due to selective screening: Evidence from a cross-sectional study in the West Nile Sub-Region, Uganda
    (Taylor & Francis, 2024-03-13) Abindu, Vincent; Hope, Derick; Aleni, Mary; Andru, Monicah; Mangwi, Richard Ayiasi; Afayo, Victor; Oyet, Caesar; Kiconco, Ritah
    Purpose: To ascertain the prevalence and risk factors of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in pregnant women receiving antenatal care (ANC) services within the West Nile subregion of Uganda. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on 233 pregnant women who are within 24–28 weeks of gestation and are receiving ANC services in selected hospitals. GDM was diagnosed according to the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria (2013). A questionnaire and anthropometric measurements were used to obtain relevant data. The chi-square test and logistic regression were used to determine the association between GDM and the study variables, including participants’ sociodemographic and medical characteristics. The prevalence of hyperglycemia first detected in pregnancy among the participants tested was 8%. Overall, 7.45% had GDM and 0.53% had diabetes mellitus in pregnancy. The fasting plasma glucose test alone was positive in 86.7% of the GDM cases. The factors that were significantly associated with GDM included age ≥25 years (p = 0.017, AOR = 3.51) and body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m2 (p = 0.024, AOR = 2.67). Out of the participants diagnosed with GDM, 28.6% did not have a known risk factor. Of the pregnant women with GDM, 57% would have been missed if the selective screening in the national clinical guidelines had been followed. Urinary tract infection (UTI) and Candida were detected in 36.36% and 13.85% of the participants, respectively. Conclusion: The study provides new data on the prevalence of GDM in rural settings in the West Nile subregion of Uganda. Of the participants, 7.5% were diagnosed with GDM, of which 57% would have been missed based on the selective screening of the national clinical guidelines. The study findings support the universal screening of GDM in pregnant women.
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    The state of patient-centered care and associated factors at a large referral hospital in Northwestern Uganda: Perceptions of patients
    (Elsevier, 2024-11-07) Aleni, Mary; Mwebesa, Edson; Twesigye, Deus; Andru, Monicah; Assusi, Mildred Edna; Atuhairwe, Irene; Nsubuga, Allan G.; Ewing, Helen; Roepke, Abbey
    Background: A Patient-Centered Care (PCC) approach to health service delivery is considered one of the essential domains of healthcare quality. This has been shown to improve patient satisfaction with health services and patient outcomes, but it has not been fully embraced in many low and middle income countries. Purpose: To evaluate patients’ perceptions of PCC and identify the factors influencing perceived PCC at a large referral hospital in Northwestern Uganda. Materials and Methods: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional correlational study. Four hundred and eighty (480) patients or their attendants participated in the study. Data was collected using an interviewer administered questionnaire. Statistical analysis was applied at univariate, bivariate and multivariate levels using Stata V.14 to assess the state of PCC, patient perceptions and factors associated with perceived PCC. Results: Sixty five percent (64.8 %) of the participants perceived they received PCC. Most of the dimensions of PCC were rated high on a 5-point Likert scale, with respect for patient’s values and preferences ranked highest; mean score of 3.9 (SD = 0.9) and coordination of care ranked lowest, mean score of 3.5 (SD = 0.9). Being outpatient, single or never in union had a reduced perception score of PCC. Patients who had heard of PCC had a higher perception of PCC. Conclusion: Patient-Centered Care was rated optimally at ARRH. All the PCC dimensions were rated highly except coordination of care and information, education and communication which could be improved by building the capacity of health workers in effective communication and coordination of health care services.