Browsing by Author "Lwere, Kamada"

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Assessing the Learning Environment at Habib medical School, Islamic University in Uganda
(International Journal of Human and Health Sciences, 2017-01) Nazziwa, Aisha; Lwere, Kamada; Tebetyo, Zakia; Ankarali, Handan; Ankarali, Seyit
The learners’ environment is crucial for development of professionals. In Uganda, there was no studies assessing the learning environment have been found. Objective: This study was performed to assess the undergraduate students’ perceptions of medical education in general and educational environment in a newly established faculty of medicine in Islamic University in Uganda. Materials and Methods: The Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM), a validated inventory was distributed among undergraduate students in the first year of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery study. This scale consists a 50 item inventory each of the50 items is scored on a 5-point Likert scale (0 to4). Results: The average total DREEM score was found to be 127.5 (maximum point is 200 in the scale) for the students. This score was interpreted according to the practical guide of McAleer and Roff those students’ perceptions of their learning environment were more positive than negative. In addition, the descriptive values of 5 sub- dimensions of the scale were found as follows. The Perceptions of Learning dimension average is 33.69 ± 6.10, the Perceptions of Teachers dimension average is 25.89 ± 4.44, Students’ Academic Self-Perception 23.35 ± 3.91, Perceptions of Learning Atmosphere dimension average 29.83 ± 7.01 and Social self-perceptions dimension average 13.90 ± 3.92.Only the mean Social Self Perceptions sub-dimension score were below the expected average score (maximum score/2), and all of the other mean of dimensions were higher than the expected average. The best score is obtained from Perceptions of Learning. The items with low scores (less than 2) on the DREEM questionnaires were identified as in need of rehabilitation. Conclusion: On the whole, the study showed that the students’ perception of the educational environment and the teaching delivered were positive but the student’s social self-perception was not good. Measures to improve student’s social self-perception will be adopted.
KNOWLEDGE ABOUT HAND HYGIENE AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS AND NURSING STUDENTS IN MASAKA REGIONAL REFERRAL HOSPITAL
(Journal of Duzce University Health Sciences Institute, 2021) Nazziwa, Aisha; Lwere, Kamada; Ankarali, Handan; Ankarali, Seyit
Aim: The pathogenic bacterium on the hands of healthcare workers (HCWs) is considered as the main route of spread of hospital-acquired infections. This study determines the knowledge regarding hand hygiene among medical and nursing students in a Regional Referral Hospital. Material and Methods: 100 students participated in the study. Data was collected using the World Health Organization hand hygiene knowledge questionnaire (revised 2009). The questionnaire contains questions on the participant’s demographics, formal training in hand hygiene and questions to assess hand hygiene knowledge. Descriptive statistics of the variables were computed as Mean±SD and frequencies (n, %). The relationships between the categorical variables were investigated by using Pearson Chi-Square test. Also independent-samples t-test were used to investigate the difference between groups with regard to numerical variables. In all calculations, P< 0.05 is considered as the level of statistical significance. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 20 (IBM SPSS statistics, Somers, NY). Results: 90.8% of the students reported receiving formal training in hand hygiene. However only 2% of the students had good knowledge, 74% moderate knowledge and 24% low knowledge about hand hygiene. The study did not find any significant difference in the knowledge level between the students who had received formal training in hand hygiene and those who had not (p=0.392). Also, the mean knowledge score was not associated with gender (p=0.82), or profession (p=0.179). Conclusion: It is of importance to devise effective teaching methods that will help the students retain the knowledge on hand hygiene
Preparedness, Identification and Care of COVID-19 Cases by Front Line Health Workers in Selected Health Facilities in Mbale District Uganda
(East African Health Research Journal, 2021) Naziru, Rashid; Nazziwa, Aisha; Nanyeenya, Nicholas; Nabukeera, Madinah; Lwere, Kamada
Introduction The nature of work of Health care professionals exposes them to high risks of contracting COVID-19 and spreading it among themselves, to their patients and subsequently to the general community. Thus, it is essential that frontline health workers are equipped with both material and knowledge to enable them accurately suspect, detect, isolate, and manage COVID-19 cases. Findings have indicated a high prevalence of COVID-19 infections among front-line health workers. The Current Study assessed preparedness, identification, and care of COVID-19 Cases by frontline health workers in selected health facilities in Mbale District.
Prevalence of Bacteria Contaminating the Hands of Healthcare Workers: An Experience of Masaka Regional Referral Hospital, Uganda
(International Journal of Human and Health Sciences, 2022-04-02) Nazziwa, Aisha; Lwere, Kamada; Ankarali, Handan; Ankarali, Seyit
Background: The pathogenic bacterium on the hands of healthcare workers (HCWs) is considered as the main route of spread of nosocomial infections. Objectives:To determine bacterial contamination of the hands of healthcare workersduring routine patient care in Masaka Regional Referral Hospital, Uganda. Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive study included 70 health care workers, who were actively providing healthcare in the hospital. Doctors, nurses, midwives,laboratory technicians, and pharmacistsof the hospital were included in the study. The hand impressions of the participants were taken on 5% blood agar and processed as per guidelines. The criteria used for identification of bacteria werebased on colony morphology, Gram staining, catalase test (for Gram-positive cocci), coagulase test (for suspected Staphylococcus aureus) and other standard biochemical tests. Results: Out of 70 samples, 62(88.6)% showed growth of microorganisms. The most commonly isolated genus was Bacillus found in 46(74.2%) of isolates, followed by Coagulase negative Staphylococcus(CoNS) found in 39(62.9%) of isolates, Micrococcus 18(29%) of isolates, Pseudomonas found in 13(21%) isolates, Acinetobacter 9(14.5%) and Staphylococus 7(11.3%). Bacillus was found in all 5 midwives (100%), 3(75%) of drug dispensary workers, 9(69.2%) doctors, 3(60%) laboratory technicians and 25(64.1%) of nurses. Prevalence of Coagulase negative Staphylococcus was also found to be highest in 9(69.2%) of doctors, 2(40%) laboratory attendants, 4(10%) laboratory technicians, 3(60%) midwives and 20(51,3%) nurses. The prevalence rate of pathogenic bacteria is highest among doctors followed by nurses.Conclusion: The bacterial contamination on the hands of healthcare workers remains high and measures need to be taken to effectively implement hand hygiene.