Browsing by Author "Zziwa, Swaibu"

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Assessing Knowledge and Practices of the Community towards Corona Virus Disease 2019 in Mbale Municipality, Uganda
(East African Health Research Journal, 2021-05-21) Naziru, Rashid; Nazziwa, Aisha; Kantono, Rehema; Kasujja, Hassan; Zziwa, Swaibu
Background: The Corona virus disease, first identified in Wuhan city, Hubei province of China, is a respiratory illness caused by Novel Corona Virus also known as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2 (SARS Cov.2). The disease is characterised by; dry cough and shortness of breath with difficulty in breathing and at least 2 of the following; fever, chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat and loss of test and smell. Uganda in general and Mbale in particular has people of diverse culture, religion and ethnic background as well as diverse socio economic activities with various practices. This multi-cultural environment creates differences in perception of information and practices. Most cultures encourage socialisation through social functions like attending weddings, funerals, work places and gatherings and Muslims who have to go for congregation prayers in the mosques 5 times a day among others. This puts such communities at risk of spreading the disease very fast and slow in adapting to control measures Aim: In this study, we aimed at assessing knowledge and practices of the community towards COVID 19 in Mbale municipality. Methods and Materials: A cross section study was used; Data was obtained using a Questionnaires to a sample of 355 respondents and an observation tool was also used to observe behaviour patterns and practices of 776 participants towards the control measures of COVID-19. Results: There was a total of 355 respondents with 208 /355 (58.59%) male and 147/355 (41.4%) female. 149/355(42%) possessed good knowledge, 131/355(36.9%) had moderate knowledge and 75/355(21%) had a little knowledge on COVID-19. Participants who were single and aged between 21-30 years were found to be more knowledgeable than other groups (P value=.001 and P value=.003 respectively).The source of COVID 19 information was mainly from television and radios 124/248 (50%) and social media 34/248 (21.8%) and the least source of information being 14/248(5.6%) and 9/248(3.6%) from health workers and Religious leaders respectively. 496/776 (64%) of the respondents observed, washed their hands and only124/776 (16%) of the respondents wore face masks. 98/776 (12.6%) were seen shaking hands and 15/776(2%) were seen hugging. Conclusion: Use of appropriate and well-designed Health education materials on radios, televisions and social media platforms like Facebook and twitter among others can be effective means of communication since they can reach the highest number of people. Ministry of Health should design ways for systematically integrating both political and religious leaders in Health Education Campaigns. Government should provide facemasks and enforce their use. A study to assess the ability of both political and religious leaders in health promotion campaigns should be carried out.
Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Towards COVID-19 Vaccination Among Students and Staff at the Islamic University in Uganda
(East African Health Research Journal, 2023-11-03) Naziru, Rashid; Nabukeera, Madinah; Kisambira, Zubair Jauhara; Zziwa, Swaibu; Ndagire, Mariam Abbasi; Nakayiza, Faridah
Whereas the burden of COVID-19 has greatly reduced worldwide in terms of morbidity and mortality, its impact is still affecting many countries economically, politically as well as in the healthcare systems. There is therefore a need to ensure that the community is protected and safe against the resurgence of the COVID-19 by embracing the vaccination against the disease. Taking up campaign messages about the COVID-19 vaccine, requires the community to have a certain level of understanding and have a good or positive attitude towards the vaccines, all of which influence good practices.
Knowledge, Attitude, and Perception on Hepatitis B Vaccination Among Non-health Workers Attending Selected Health Facilities in Mbale City, Uganda
(Science Publishing Group, 2021-10-30) Naziru, Rashid; Zziwa, Swaibu
Introduction Vaccination has for a long time been used for the prevention and control of communicable diseases among children and adults. For the vaccination to be effective in controlling the spread of communicable diseases a significant number of people must be vaccinated and immunized to achieve herd immunity. The success of a vaccination campaign and program depends on the communities' knowledge attitudes and perceptions on vaccines. Uganda is endemic for HBV disease with 10 national prevalence, and therefore needs to have a general community fully vaccinated to achieve herd immunity. The current study assessed the knowledge attitude and perceptions of the community on HBV vaccination. Methods: A cross- section study will be used by administering a questionnaire to all OPD clients who are above 18years at three selected health facilities in Mbale district. Data was analyzed using Stata SE/14. Results: Out of 1020 participants 51.86% (530) were males and 48.14% (492) were females, the majority were between 18-35 years and 35.49% had minimal tertiary level of education.58.8% of respondents had moderate knowledge on HBV disease and vaccination. There was a generally good attitude and perceptions on HBV Vaccination however 62.23% (636) believed that the HBV vaccine was not effective.29.68% (304) of respondents agreed that they would go for vaccination if given an opportunity 56.33% (579) preferred to get them vaccinated from government facilities and 75.53% (772) would recommend others to go for vaccination. Conclusion: More Education and sensitization on the use, availability, and safety of vaccines to the community is highly recommended to improve the knowledge and attitude; Opinion leaders should be given appropriate IEC materials on Vaccines; a study on the uptake of HBV vaccine and associated factors should be carried