Browsing by Author "Saadick Mugerwa Ssentongo"

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    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
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    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.