Browsing by Author "Ronald Opito"
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Item 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 MwakaBackground 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 servicesItem 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 OpitoIntroduction: 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.