Browsing by Author "Moses Eremu"

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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
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