Browsing by Author "Hellen Akurut"

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Factors Associated with Cervical Cancer Screening Uptake Among Women Attending Outpatient Department in a Rural District Hospital in Uganda. A Cross-Sectional Study
(International Journal of Women's Health, 2025-08-21) Jimmy Ekinu; Emmanuel Tiyo Ayikobua; Elizabeth Icodu; Hellen Akurut; Olympia Olivia Akot; Steven Oder; John Micheal Opinya; Tonny Egau; David Aderu; Moses Eremu; James Daniel Odongo; Walter Dreak Erabu; Ronald Opito
Background: Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) faces persistently low cervical cancer screening uptake, averaging only 13% over the past f ive years, with Uganda reporting less than 5%. This study aimed to assess the factors influencing cervical cancer screening uptake in a rural district hospital to inform targeted interventions that enhance screening coverage for the rural community. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at Kaberamaido General Hospital (KGH) outpatient department. A total of 422 participants aged between 25 and 49 years were interviewed and data analyzed using STATA version 16.0. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed using modified Poisson regression with robust error estimates to identify key factors associated with cervical cancer screening uptake. Variables with P-value <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: The average age of participants was 32 (SD ±7) years. 77.5% (n=327) of participants were married, had primary level of education, 69.2% (n=292), and were unemployed, 89.3% (n=377). Awareness about screening was high as 85.5% (n=360) of respondents had heard about cervical cancer screening. Cervical cancer screening uptake was low, as only 20.4% (n=86) had been screened in the past five years. Factors significantly associated with increased screening uptake, including age older than 35 years, adjusted Prevalence Ratio [aPR]= 1.7 (95% CI: 1.08–2.69), availability of free government screening services, aPR = 1.6 (95% CI: 1.09–2.38), provision of screening service at the nearest health facility, aPR = 2.1 (95% CI: 1.09–3.97), and a positive family history of cervical cancer, aPR = 1.7 (95% CI: 1.14–2.65). Conclusion: Our study confirms that cervical cancer screening uptake in Kaberamaido District remains low, highlighting the need for enhanced awareness campaigns and improved access to screening services. Our findings emphasize the need for policies that strengthen community outreach programs and expand cervical cancer screening services at primary healthcare facilities. Keywords: uterine cervical neoplasms, cervical cancer screening, women, cervical cancer awareness
Factors Associated with Cervical Cancer Screening Uptake Among Women Attending Outpatient Department in a Rural District Hospital in Uganda. A Cross-Sectional Study
(International Journal of Women’s Health, 2025-08-21) Jimmy Ekinu; Emmanuel Tiyo Ayikobua; Elizabeth Icodu; Hellen Akurut; Olympia Olivia Akot; Steven Oder; John Micheal Opinya; Tonny Egau; David Aderu; Moses Eremu; James Daniel Odongo; Walter Dreak Erabu; Ronald Opito
Background: Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) faces persistently low cervical cancer screening uptake, averaging only 13% over the past five years, with Uganda reporting less than 5%. This study aimed to assess the factors influencing cervical cancer screening uptake in a rural district hospital to inform targeted interventions that enhance screening coverage for the rural community. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at Kaberamaido General Hospital (KGH) outpatient department. A total of 422 participants aged between 25 and 49 years were interviewed and data analyzed using STATA version 16.0. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed using modified Poisson regression with robust error estimates to identify key factors associated with cervical cancer screening uptake. Variables with P-value <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: The average age of participants was 32 (SD ±7) years. 77.5% (n=327) of participants were married, had primary level of education, 69.2% (n=292), and were unemployed, 89.3% (n=377). Awareness about screening was high as 85.5% (n=360) of respondents had heard about cervical cancer screening. Cervical cancer screening uptake was low, as only 20.4% (n=86) had been screened in the past five years. Factors significantly associated with increased screening uptake, including age older than 35 years, adjusted Prevalence Ratio [aPR]= 1.7 (95% CI: 1.08–2.69), availability of free government screening services, aPR = 1.6 (95% CI: 1.09–2.38), provision of screening service at the nearest health facility, aPR = 2.1 (95% CI: 1.09–3.97), and a positive family history of cervical cancer, aPR = 1.7 (95% CI: 1.14–2.65). Conclusion: Our study confirms that cervical cancer screening uptake in Kaberamaido District remains low, highlighting the need for enhanced awareness campaigns and improved access to screening services. Our findings emphasize the need for policies that strengthen community outreach programs and expand cervical cancer screening services at primary healthcare facilities. Keywords: uterine cervical neoplasms, cervical cancer screening, women, cervical cancer awareness
Factors associated with uptake and acceptability of cervical cancer screening among female sex workers in Northeastern Uganda: A cross-sectional study
(PLOS One, 2025-01-24) Ronald Opito; Emmanuel Tiyo Ayikobua; Hellen Akurut; Susan Alwedo; Saadick Mugerwa Ssentongo; Walter Drake Erabu; Lazarus Oucul; Musa Kirya; Lameck Lumu Bukenya; Elly Ekwamu; Abraham Ignatius Oluka; Samuel Kabwigu; Emmanuel Othieno; Amos Deogratius Mwaka
Background Cervical cancer screening program in Uganda is opportunistic and focuses mainly on women aged 25–49 years. Female sex workers (FSWs) are at increased risk of developing invasive cervical cancer. There is limited data regarding the uptake and acceptability of cervical cancer screening among FSWs in Uganda. This study aimed at identifying factors associated with uptake and acceptability of cervical cancer screening among FSWs in Eastern Uganda. Methods This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 423 FSWs aged 18–49 years attending care at six health facilities serving Key Populations (FSWs, Men who have sex with men, transgender people, people who inject drugs and people in prisons) in the Teso sub-region. Data was collected using structured investigator administered questionnaire and analyzed using Stata statistical software version 15.0 (Stata Corp, Texas, USA). The primary outcome was uptake of cervical cancer screening measured as the proportion of female sex workers who have ever been screened for cervical cancer. Chi-square test was used to compare the differences in uptake of cervical cancer screening by HIV status. Modified Poisson regres sion model with a robust variance estimator was used to determine association between the outcome variables and selected independent variables including demographic charac teristics. Prevalence ratios (PR) with accompanying 95% confidence intervals have been reported. Statistical significance was considered at two-sided p-values ≤ 0.05. Results The mean age of the participants was 28.1 (±SD = 6.6) years. The self-reported HIV prevalence was 21.5% (n = 91). There were 138 (32.6%) participants who had ever been screened for cervical cancer (uptake), while 397 (93.9%) were willing to be screened (acceptability). There was a significant difference in cervical cancer screening uptake between women living with HIV (WLHIV) and those who were HIV negative, 59.3% vs 26.9% respectively (P < 0.001). The significant factors associated with uptake of cervical cancer screening included living with HIV, adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR) = 1.53 (95%CI: 1.15–2.07), increasing number of biological children, aPR = 1.14 (1.06–1.24) living near a private not for profit (PNFP) facility, aPR = 2.84 (95% CI; 1.68–4.80) and availability of screening services at the nearest health facility, aPR = 1.83 (95% CI, 1.30–2.57). Factors significantly associated with acceptability of cervical cancer screening included being 40 years or older, aPR = 1.22 (95%CI: 1.01–1.47), having a family history of cervical cancer, aPR = 1.05 (1.01–1.10), and living near a PNFP facility, aPR = 1.17 (95% CI, 1.09–1.27) and having ever screened before, aPR = 0.92 (0.86–0.98). Conclusion Female sex workers living with HIV are more likely to screen for cervical cancer than the HIV negative clients. Cervical cancer screening uptake is relatively low among the female sex workers. However, majority of the FSWs are willing to be screened for cervical cancer if the services are provided in the nearby healthcare facilities. There is need to make cer vical cancer screening services available to all eligible women especially the female sex workers and integrate the services with sexual reproductive health services in general and not just HIV/ART clinics services
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
Uptake and Completion of Human Papilloma Virus Vaccination by Adolescent Girls Attending Primary Healthcare Facilities in Soroti City, Northeastern Uganda; A Cross Sectional Study
(Journal of Nursing & Healthcare, 2025-02-03) Lydia Dora Nagudi; James Kateregga; Clement Munguiko; Hellen Akurut; Josephine Namujju; Moses Esabu; Ronald Opito
Introduction: Uganda adopted and implemented Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination since 2015 for adolescent girls aged 9-13 years for primary prevention of cervical cancer. However, the vaccine uptake and dose completion have remained relatively low national wide. Therefore, this study aimed at determining the uptake and dose completion of HPV vaccination and associated factors in Soroti city, Northeastern Uganda. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study that employed quantitative methods of data collection and analysis. A sample of 287 adolescent girls aged 10-19 years were selected consecutively from four health centers in Soroti City between March and April 2024. Data was analyzed using Stata statistical software, version 15.0. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed to determine the level of HPV vaccine uptake and dose completion. Bivariate and multivariate analyzes were performed using modified Poisson regression with robust error estimates to determine association between independent factors and uptake and dose completion. Results were reported with a 95% confidence interval (CI) and factors whose P-Values were less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: Of the 287 adolescent girls, their mean age was 14 years (SD=2.9). Most of the participants were in school, 231(80.5%). Majority, 79 % (n=228) had never heard about HPV Vaccination. HPV Vaccination uptake among the study participants was suboptimal as only 58.8% (n=166) had received at least one dose whereas only 30% (n=86) had completed the two doses of the vaccine. The factors that were significantly associated with vaccination uptake were school enrollment status (P=0.022), religion (P=0.010), and awareness about HPV vaccine (P<0.001), while factors that were significantly associated with completion of HPV vaccination were: School enrollment status (P=0.046) and awareness about HPV vaccine (P=0.007). Conclusion: The uptake and completion of HPV vaccination in Soroti was suboptimal compared to WHO target of 90%. School enrollment status and awareness about HPV vaccine were factors significantly associated with HPV uptake and dose completion. Strengthening the school-based HPV vaccination program and creating awareness about HPV vaccination, in schools, at the health facilities and in the community may significantly improve the HPV vaccination and dose completion in the region.