Browsing by Author "Bonniface Oryokot"

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Prevalence and factors associated with teenage pregnancy among girls aged 13 to 19 years in Atutur sub-county, Kumi district, Eastern Uganda: a community-based cross sectional study
(Reproductive Health, 2025-06-25) Michael Akol; Ronald Opito; Bonniface Oryokot; Hellen Akurut; James Kalema; Maxwell Chekwoti; John Paul Matovu; Nasta Mayamba Chelimo; Hannah Muwanguzi; Moses Eremu; Samuel Kabwigu
Abstract Background Teenage pregnancy remains a pressing public health issue with profound effects on health, education, and socio-economic outcomes. Rural areas, such as parts of Teso, often face higher prevalence of teenage pregnancy due to socioeconomic challenges. This study aimed at determining the prevalence of teenage pregnancy and associated factors in Atutur sub-county, Kumi district. Methodology The authors employed a cross-sectional study design and sampled 444 teenage girls aged 13–19 years from 12 randomly selected villages in Atutur sub-county, Kumi district in April 2024. They were interviewed using structured researcher administered questionnaire. Data was collected using kobo collect tool, downloaded, cleaned and exported to SPPS version 27.0 for further management and analysis. Descriptive statistics was conducted to determine the prevalence of teenage pregnancy. After adjusting for covariates, multivariate analysis was conducted using modified Poisson regression to determine predictors of teenage pregnancy. Results were reported with a 95% confidence interval (CI) and factors whose CI did not contain a null (1.0), with p-value (P < 0.05) for adjusted PR, were considered statistically significant. Results Of the 444 teenage girls, the mean age was 17 (standard deviation = 1.9) years. About one third of the participants, 132(29.7%) had ever conceived. Teenage girls in cohabitation were 3.0 times more likely to have conceived (aPR = 3.0, 95% CI: 2.23–4.10, P < 0.001) compared to those staying with their parents. Teenagers with both parents deceased were 1.9 times more likely to conceive (aPR = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.15–3.31, P = 0.032) compared to those whose parents were both alive. Teenage girls who were not satisfied with basic needs provided by parents were 3.3 times more likely to conceive (aPR = 3.3, 95% CI: 2.26–4.85, P < 0.001) compared to those satisfied with the basic needs provided by their parents. Conclusion Teenage pregnancy rates in Atutur sub-county Kumi district was higher than the national average, due to adverse socio-economic situation. Strengthening parental support of the girl child, with legal and community measures to reduce early marriages in rural settings may reduce teenage pregnancy. There is need to make deliberate efforts to provide socio-economic strengthening for the teenage girls to reduce their vulnerability. Keywords Teenage pregnancy, Prevalence, Cross-sectional, Early marriage
Prevalence and risk factors of neonatal sepsis in the neonatal intensive care unit at Soroti Regional Referral hospital, Uganda: a retrospective study.
(BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 2025-07-03) Saadick Mugerwa Ssentongo; Billy Ojok; Ronald Opito; Bonniface Oryokot; Moses Esabu; Amos Odit; Albert Lubowa; Joseph Okello; Ibrahim Musenze Abu; Cryton Mutambi; Flavia Luwedde
Background Neonatal sepsis remains a leading cause of newborn mortality globally, accounting for approximately 15% of neonatal deaths in 2018. The burden is particularly high in low-resource settings, with a reported prevalence of 29.92%. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of neonatal sepsis among neonates aged 0–28 days admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Soroti Regional Referral Hospital in Uganda, to inform targeted interventions. Methods We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study among neonates aged 0 to 28 days admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Soroti Region Referral Hospital. Systematic random sampling was used to select medical charts for review. Data on exposure and outcome variables were extracted using a structured abstraction tool. The primary outcome was neonatal sepsis. Modified Poisson regression was employed to identify factors associated with neonatal sepsis, reported as adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results Among the 276 neonates included, the median age was 2 days (interquartile range of 1.0–4.0), and the prevalence of neonatal sepsis was 35.5%. The factors significantly associated with Neonatal Sepsis included the Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respiration (Apgar) Score < 7 (aPR = 1.35, 95% CI; 1.04–1.76, P = 0.025), breech presentation (aPR = 1.79, 95%CI; 1.26–2.53, P = 0.001), Premature rupture of membranes (aPR = 1.78, 95%CI; 1.35–2.36, P < 0.001), Maternal Intrapartum infection (aPR = 1.78, 95% CI; 1.30–2.40, P < 0.001), presence foul-smelling amniotic fluid during delivery (aPR = 1.39, 95%CI; 1.06–1.81, P = 0.016), prolonged labour > 8 hours (aPR = 1.32, 95%CI; 1.00-1.72, P = 0.047), undergoing invasive procedures (aPR = 1.38, 95% CI; 1.03-1.82, P = 0.033) and febrile illness during pregnancy (aPR = 2.18, 95%CI; 1.54–3.08, P < 0.001). Conclusion Neonatal sepsis was significantly associated with an Apgar Score < 7, having a breech delivery, Premature rupture of membranes, Intrapartum infection, foul-smelling amniotic fluid, undergoing invasive procedures, prolonged labour > 8 hours, and febrile illness during pregnancy. These findings underscore the need for improved antenatal care, high-quality obstetric and neonatal care as potential strategies to reduce the burden of neonatal sepsis. Strengthening early identification and targeted interventions for high-risk neonates is critical to improving neonatal outcomes in resource-limited settings.
Profiling the disease burden in Teso subregion during community-based medical education and research services at Soroti University: a prospective study protocol
(Archives of Public Health, 2026-06-18) Opito Ronald; Amos Odiit; Hellen Akurut; Emmanuel Ayikobua Tiyo; Joash Okoboi; Letizia Maria Atim; Clement Munguiko; Lawrence Obado; Bonniface Oryokot; Fred Kirya; Ruth Muhindo; David Aderu; Patrick Lubogo; Stephen Econyu; Simon Icumar Omeke; Samuel Kabwigu; Amos Deogratius Mwaka
Background: Community-based medical education and research services (COBMERS) place medical students in primary health care facilities to strengthen their skills in community health service delivery, teamwork, leadership and professional ethics within limited-resource settings. Beyond training, COBMERS enables universities to generate evidence on local disease epidemiology, transmission dynamics, and control practices, resulting in a tangible, contextualized impact on the communities. There is however limited data on disease profile in Teso subregion, with limited epidemiological research in the area. This prospective study aims to profile the disease burden in the Teso subregion through COBMERS, thereby informing community-level interventions and health policy. Methods: The study will employ convergent parallel mixed-methods design, integrating quantitative and qualitative approaches. Quantitative ARTICLE IN PRESS components will include cross-sectional surveys to determine prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), and ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT ARTICLE IN PRESS infectious diseases, complemented by prospective cohort studies to assess temporal trends. Qualitative data will be gathered through focus group discussions and key informant interviews to explore community perceptions, health system capacity, and effectiveness of preventive measures. A community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach will guide all phases, ensuring that research is co-designed with community members, health practitioners, and local authorities. Medical students, under the supervision of faculty and site mentors, will serve as primary data collectors, integrating research with their COBMERS training. Discussion: The study is expected to provide evidence on the prevalence, trends, and risk factors of major diseases in the Teso subregion, alongside community perspectives on health priorities and barriers to care. Findings will stir up debates to inform tailored interventions, strengthen primary health care, and guide policy formulation. Additionally, embedding research within COBMERS is expected to build local research capacity among site mentors and students, fostering sustainability and continued community university collaboration. This protocol therefore provides an integrated framework that combines epidemiological surveillance, community engagement, and capacity building. By leveraging COBMERS and CBPR, the study seeks to provide actionable evidence to reduce the burden of NCDs, infectious diseases, and NTDs while promoting health system resilience in ARTICLE IN PRESS Eastern Uganda.