A Study to Investigate Major Community Health Challenges and Their Predisposing Factors in Bushenyi District of South Western Uganda
Affiliation(s)
1 Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Kampala International University Western Campus, Bushenyi, Uganda. 2 Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Kampala International University Western Campus, Bushenyi, Uganda. 3 Department of Public Health, Faculty of Allied Health sciences, Kampala International University Western Campus, Bushenyi, Uganda.
1 Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Kampala International University Western Campus, Bushenyi, Uganda. 2 Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Kampala International University Western Campus, Bushenyi, Uganda. 3 Department of Public Health, Faculty of Allied Health sciences, Kampala International University Western Campus, Bushenyi, Uganda.
ABSTRACT
Poor health care systems have contributed to poor standard of living in Uganda. The aim of the study was to assess major health challenges to community health and identify major predisposing factors. This was a cross sectional study in Kyakagina Village of Bushenyi of South Western Uganda. A total of 39 households which included 102 children (<19 years) and 80 adults (>19 years) were included in the study and a semi structured questionnaire was used. It was shown that there were 39 homes and 182 members with more males than females. Age and gender were shown not to be associated (P = 0.157). The majority of participants who boiled water in the community were showed to be of both primary and secondary level of education at 48.7% and 51.3%, respectively, while a significant proportion was found to drink only filtered and sedimented water without treatment at levels of 87.2% and 82.1% who were of only secondary level of education. The adoption of modern contraceptive pills, tube ligation and injections especially amongst the secondary educated level was found to be high, i.e. 94.9%, 87.2%, 82.1%, respectively. Inferential analysis showed that there existed marked differences (P < 0.001) in the health practices between persons of different education levels. Major health challenges identified included malaria, cough and cold, diarrhea which were most prevalent amongst children at 19.6%, 13.7%, and 10.8%, respectively. In conclusion, failure to clear bushes, boil drinking water and cover pit latrines (P = 0.213) were the major risk factors identified independent of age and education status in the various homesteads.
Poor health care systems have contributed to poor standard of living in Uganda. The aim of the study was to assess major health challenges to community health and identify major predisposing factors. This was a cross sectional study in Kyakagina Village of Bushenyi of South Western Uganda. A total of 39 households which included 102 children (<19 years) and 80 adults (>19 years) were included in the study and a semi structured questionnaire was used. It was shown that there were 39 homes and 182 members with more males than females. Age and gender were shown not to be associated (P = 0.157). The majority of participants who boiled water in the community were showed to be of both primary and secondary level of education at 48.7% and 51.3%, respectively, while a significant proportion was found to drink only filtered and sedimented water without treatment at levels of 87.2% and 82.1% who were of only secondary level of education. The adoption of modern contraceptive pills, tube ligation and injections especially amongst the secondary educated level was found to be high, i.e. 94.9%, 87.2%, 82.1%, respectively. Inferential analysis showed that there existed marked differences (P < 0.001) in the health practices between persons of different education levels. Major health challenges identified included malaria, cough and cold, diarrhea which were most prevalent amongst children at 19.6%, 13.7%, and 10.8%, respectively. In conclusion, failure to clear bushes, boil drinking water and cover pit latrines (P = 0.213) were the major risk factors identified independent of age and education status in the various homesteads.
KEYWORDS
Community Health Challenges in Uganda, Community Health in Western Uganda, Public Health Uganda
Community Health Challenges in Uganda, Community Health in Western Uganda, Public Health Uganda
Cite this paper
Echoru, I. , Kasozi, K. , Ayikobua, E. and Emorut, S. (2015) A Study to Investigate Major Community Health Challenges and Their Predisposing Factors in Bushenyi District of South Western Uganda. Open Journal of Epidemiology, 5, 81-88. doi: 10.4236/ojepi.2015.52011.
Echoru, I. , Kasozi, K. , Ayikobua, E. and Emorut, S. (2015) A Study to Investigate Major Community Health Challenges and Their Predisposing Factors in Bushenyi District of South Western Uganda. Open Journal of Epidemiology, 5, 81-88. doi: 10.4236/ojepi.2015.52011.
References
[1] WHO/UNICEF (2004) WHO/UNICEF Joint Statement: Management of Pneumonia in Community Settings. World Health Organization, Geneva. [2] Bagonza, J., Kibira, S.P.S. and Rutebemberwa, E. (2014) Performance of Community Health Workers Managing Malaria, Pneumonia and Diarrhoea under the Community Case Management Programme in Central Uganda: A Cross Sectional Study. Malaria Journal, 13, 367.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1475-2875-13-367 [3] Müller, O. and Krawinkel, M. (2005) Malnutrition and Health in Developing Countries. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 173, 279-286.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.050342 [4] Amuna, P. and Zotor, F.B. (2008) Epidemiological and Nutrition Transition in Developing Countries: Impact on Human Health and Development. The Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 67, 82-90.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0029665108006058 [5] Montgomery, M.A., Bartram, J. and Elimelech, M. (2009) Increasing Functional Sustainability of Water and Sanitation Supplies in Rural Sub-Saharan Africa. Environmental Engineering Science, 26, 1017-1023.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/ees.2008.0388 [6] Agustina, R., Sari, T.P., Satroamidjojo, S., Bovee-oudenhoven, I.M.J., Feskens, E.J.M. and Kok, F.J. (2013) Association of Food-Hygiene Practices and Diarrhea Prevalence among Indonesian Young Children from Low Socioeconomic Urban Areas. BMC Public Health, 13, 1.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-13-977 [7] Basu, S., Andrews, J., Kishore, S., Panjabi, R. and Stuckler, D. (2012) Comparative Performance of Private and Public Healthcare Systems in Low-and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review. PLoS Medicine, 9, e1001244.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1001244 [8] Kipyegen, C.K., Shivairo, R.S. and Odhiambo, R.O. (2012) Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites among HIV Patients in Baringo, Kenya. The Pan African Medical Journal, 13, 37. [9] Cairncross, S., Hunt, A.C., Boisson, S., Bostoen, K., Curtis, V., Fung, I.C.H. and Schmidt, W.-P. (2010) Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for the Prevention of Diarrhoea. International Journal of Epidemiology, 39, i193-i205.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyq035 [10] Guerrero, L.A., Maas, G. and Hogland, W. (2013) Solid Waste Management Challenges for Cities in Developing Countries. Waste Management, 33, 220-232.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2012.09.008 [11] Imam, A., Mohammed, B., Wilson, D.C. and Cheeseman, C.R. (2008) Solid Waste Management in Abuja, Nigeria. Waste Management, 28, 468-472.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2007.01.006 [12] Ssempebwa, J.C. and Carpenter, D.O. (2010) The Generation, Use and Disposal of Waste Crankcase Oil in Developing Countries: A Case for Kampala District, Uganda. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 161, 835-841. [13] Jukes, M. (2007) Impact of Early Childhood Health and Nutrition on Access to Education in Developing Countries. Paediatrics and Child Health, 17, 485-491.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.paed.2007.09.006 [14] Cook, G.C. (1991) Tropical Medicine. Postgraduate Medical Journal, 67, 798-822.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/pgmj.67.791.798 [15] Cleland, J.G., Ndugwa, R.P. and Zulu, E.M. (2011) Family Planning in Sub-Saharan Africa: Progress or Stagnation? Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 89, 137-143.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2471/BLT.10.077925 [16] Cleland, J., Bernstein, S., Ezeh, A., Faundes, A., Glasier, A. and Innis, J. (2006) Family Planning: The Unfinished Agenda. Lancet, 368, 1810-1827.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(06)69480-4 [17] Babalola, S., Vondrasek, C., Brown, J. and Traore, R. (2001) The Impact of a Regional Family Planning Service Promotion Initiative in Sub-Saharan Africa: Evidence from Cameroon. International Family Planning Perspectives, 27, 186-193.
http://www.jstor.org/stable/2673854
http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/2673854
[1] WHO/UNICEF (2004) WHO/UNICEF Joint Statement: Management of Pneumonia in Community Settings. World Health Organization, Geneva. [2] Bagonza, J., Kibira, S.P.S. and Rutebemberwa, E. (2014) Performance of Community Health Workers Managing Malaria, Pneumonia and Diarrhoea under the Community Case Management Programme in Central Uganda: A Cross Sectional Study. Malaria Journal, 13, 367.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1475-2875-13-367 [3] Müller, O. and Krawinkel, M. (2005) Malnutrition and Health in Developing Countries. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 173, 279-286.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.050342 [4] Amuna, P. and Zotor, F.B. (2008) Epidemiological and Nutrition Transition in Developing Countries: Impact on Human Health and Development. The Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 67, 82-90.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0029665108006058 [5] Montgomery, M.A., Bartram, J. and Elimelech, M. (2009) Increasing Functional Sustainability of Water and Sanitation Supplies in Rural Sub-Saharan Africa. Environmental Engineering Science, 26, 1017-1023.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/ees.2008.0388 [6] Agustina, R., Sari, T.P., Satroamidjojo, S., Bovee-oudenhoven, I.M.J., Feskens, E.J.M. and Kok, F.J. (2013) Association of Food-Hygiene Practices and Diarrhea Prevalence among Indonesian Young Children from Low Socioeconomic Urban Areas. BMC Public Health, 13, 1.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-13-977 [7] Basu, S., Andrews, J., Kishore, S., Panjabi, R. and Stuckler, D. (2012) Comparative Performance of Private and Public Healthcare Systems in Low-and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review. PLoS Medicine, 9, e1001244.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1001244 [8] Kipyegen, C.K., Shivairo, R.S. and Odhiambo, R.O. (2012) Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites among HIV Patients in Baringo, Kenya. The Pan African Medical Journal, 13, 37. [9] Cairncross, S., Hunt, A.C., Boisson, S., Bostoen, K., Curtis, V., Fung, I.C.H. and Schmidt, W.-P. (2010) Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for the Prevention of Diarrhoea. International Journal of Epidemiology, 39, i193-i205.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyq035 [10] Guerrero, L.A., Maas, G. and Hogland, W. (2013) Solid Waste Management Challenges for Cities in Developing Countries. Waste Management, 33, 220-232.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2012.09.008 [11] Imam, A., Mohammed, B., Wilson, D.C. and Cheeseman, C.R. (2008) Solid Waste Management in Abuja, Nigeria. Waste Management, 28, 468-472.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2007.01.006 [12] Ssempebwa, J.C. and Carpenter, D.O. (2010) The Generation, Use and Disposal of Waste Crankcase Oil in Developing Countries: A Case for Kampala District, Uganda. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 161, 835-841. [13] Jukes, M. (2007) Impact of Early Childhood Health and Nutrition on Access to Education in Developing Countries. Paediatrics and Child Health, 17, 485-491.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.paed.2007.09.006 [14] Cook, G.C. (1991) Tropical Medicine. Postgraduate Medical Journal, 67, 798-822.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/pgmj.67.791.798 [15] Cleland, J.G., Ndugwa, R.P. and Zulu, E.M. (2011) Family Planning in Sub-Saharan Africa: Progress or Stagnation? Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 89, 137-143.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2471/BLT.10.077925 [16] Cleland, J., Bernstein, S., Ezeh, A., Faundes, A., Glasier, A. and Innis, J. (2006) Family Planning: The Unfinished Agenda. Lancet, 368, 1810-1827.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(06)69480-4 [17] Babalola, S., Vondrasek, C., Brown, J. and Traore, R. (2001) The Impact of a Regional Family Planning Service Promotion Initiative in Sub-Saharan Africa: Evidence from Cameroon. International Family Planning Perspectives, 27, 186-193.
http://www.jstor.org/stable/2673854
http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/2673854