Browsing by Author "Opee, Jimmyy"

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    A One Health approach toward the control and elimination of soil-transmitted helminthic infections in endemic areas
    (IJID One Health, 2024-04-25) Lapata, Jolly Joe; Opee, Jimmyy; Apio, Monica Clara; Akello, Susan; Lakop Ojula , Christine; Onekalit, Robert; Oumo, Joseph Francisa ,; Lalweny , Dorah; Latigo , Katerega J.P; Lebuc , Sarah; Ochola, Emmanuel; Bongomin, Felix
    Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) pose significant health challenges, particularly in developing countries. Over 2 billion people are estimated to have been infected with at least one STH species. These parasites rely on the soil for part of their life cycle and are transmitted to humans through ova ingestion or skin penetration. Key risk factors include poor water, sanitation, hygiene practices, limited healthcare access, and poverty. Globally, STHs are primarily controlled through chemo-preventive deworming of high-risk groups in moderate (where prevalence of STHs is between 20 % and 50 %) to highly endemic areas (prevalence > 50 %). Despite the use of deworming to control the STHs in endemic areas, infections still occur. The aim of this article is to explore the potential for enhancing STH control and elimination as Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in endemic areas through an integrated approach—the One Health approach. The current control program has a single strategy of chemoprophylaxis; in the integrated approach to control of STHs, the parasite control strategies besides being based on the epidemiology of the parasite (endemicity), also include strategies based on the biology (transmission cycle) of the parasites and human behavior patterns in endemic areas. Through the involvement of local communities, healthcare authorities, and stakeholders, participatory approaches foster collaborative efforts to devise and implement control measures. By integrating this integrated approach into existing healthcare and educational initiatives, more effective results can be achieved. The promotion of health education, clean water access, improved sanitation, and hygiene awareness can further enhance control strategies and reduce STH prevalence sustainably. Here, we highlight the benefits of adopting an integrated (One Health) approach to tackle STHs in endemic areas. Through community empowerment and multi-sectorial collaboration, we can strengthen our collective efforts to combat STHs and alleviate the burden of these NTDs.
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    Efficacy of the Gulu University Reproductive Health Simulation Training for final year medical students and interns: a before-and-after study
    (Therapeutic Advances in Reproductive Health, 2024-04-09) Pebalo Pebolo , Francis; Okot, Jerom; Bongomin , Felix; Awor, Silvia; Arwinyo, Baifa; Ojara, Sande; Opee, Jimmyy; Jackline, Ayikoru; Ssennuni, Eric; Ouma, Simple
    Background: Reproductive health emergencies, such as postpartum hemorrhage, contribute significantly to maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality in Uganda due to knowledge and skills gaps. Medical interns, intern midwives, and nurses are crucial as frontline healthcare workers in responding to these emergencies. Our proposed hands-on strategy involves comprehensive simulation-based training (SBT) to equip these healthcare workers with the essential knowledge to manage common reproductive health emergencies and procedures in the country. Objectives: The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of comprehensive SBT in improving the knowledge of interns and fifth-year medical students on reproductive health emergencies and procedures at Gulu University and its Teaching Hospitals in Uganda. Design: A before-and-after study. Methods: A 4-day SBT was conducted for fifth-year medical students and interns (nurses, midwives, and doctors) at Gulu University Teaching Hospitals, focusing on reproductive health emergencies. Pre- and post-tests with 40 multiple-choice questions were used to evaluate knowledge enhancement, the scores were summarized as medians and interquartile ranges. Paired sample t-tests was used to test the difference in pre- and post-test scores. Independent sample t-tests compared median post-test results between interns and students, with a p-value
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    Proportion and factors associated with intra procedural pain among women undergoing manual vacuum aspiration for incomplete abortion at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, Uganda
    (Pan African Medical Journal, 2024-11-06) Opee, Jimmyy; Mayanja, Stephen Bawakanya; Kayondo, Musa; Tibaijuka, Leevan; Bongomin, Felix; Orach, Christopher Garimoi; Ngonzi, Joseph
    Introduction: Intra-Procedural Pain (IPP) is common among women undergoing Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA) for incomplete abortion. Globally, the proportion varies between 60% to 90% while in sub-Saharan Africa including Uganda, the proportion varies between 80% to 98%. Intra procedural pain management during MVA includes a para-cervical block (using 1% lidocaine) or an opioid (using 100 mg of intravenous pethidine). The study aimed to determine the proportion and factors associated with IPP among women undergoing MVA for incomplete abortion at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH). Methods: we conducted a cross-sectional study among 207 women who underwent MVA for incomplete abortion between December 2020 and May 2021. An interviewer-administered structured questionnaire was used, and pain assessment was done using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) considering an IPP as a pain score of 6 or more. The participant characteristics were summarized. The proportion of women with IPP was calculated. We performed multivariable logistic regression to determine the factors associated with IPP. Results: we consecutively enrolled 207 women with a mean age of 25.8 ± 5.8 years. The proportion of women with IPP undergoing MVA at MRRH was 82.6%, 95% C.I 76.8 - 87.2. The factors significantly associated with IPP were age and cervical dilatation. The odds of IPP increased with decreasing age of the women; compared to older women aged >30 years, teenagers aged <20 years; aOR: 8, 95% CI 1.8534.61; p=0.005, while women aged 20-24 years; aOR: 3.45, 95% CI 1.47-8.20; p=0.004 and those aged 25-30 years; aOR: 2.84, 95% CI 1.20-6.74; p=0.018. Women with cervical dilatation of 1-2 cm had the odds of IPP increased; aOR: 2.27, 95% CI 1.11-4.62; p=0.024 compared to a cervical dilation of 3-4 cm. Conclusion: majority of women undergoing MVA at MRRH experienced IPP. Younger women and those with cervical dilatation 1-2 cm are more likely to experience IPP. We recommend optimised and personalised pain management strategies for women undergoing MVA.