ABSTRACT
Background: Teenage pregnancy remains a common public health and social problem associated with negative health outcomes. We determined the prevalence and factors associated with teenage pregnancy among teenage girls aged 13-17 years in Agago district, Uganda. Methods: We conducted a community-based, cross-sectional study between October and November 2020 in Lapono Sub-County, Agago district among teenage girls 13-17 years. Multi-stage sampling technique was used. Parishes, villages, and households were randomly selected (computer generated random numbers were used for household selection). In each household, one participant was randomly selected for interview and pregnancy testing. We collected data on socio-demographic factors using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. All eligible participants were tested for urine human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was done to determine independent predictors of teenage pregnancy, with p<0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 289 eligible participants, with a mean age of 15.1±1.5 years, were enrolled. Most (n=246, 81.5%) participants had attained primary education, 18 (6.2%) were married, 41 (14.2%) used alcohol, 62 (21.5%) had a history of sexual intercourse and 32 (11.1%) were sexually abused. The prevalence of teenage pregnancy was 2.8% (n=8). Factors significantly associated with teenage pregnancy were alcohol consumption (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 13.2, 95% Confidence Interval (95% CI): 1.7-100.6, p=0.013) and having secondary/tertiary education (aOR: 10.2, 95% CI: 1.5-71.9, p=0.02). Conclusion: The study findings suggest that teenage pregnancy is still a public health and social problem in Agago district, Uganda. Interventions discouraging alcohol consumption and promoting education among teenagers are key in addressing the burden of teenage pregnancies in the district.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Hypertension may be common among market salespersons who are mostly physically inactive throughout the day. However, the burden of hypertension in this population remains unknown. In this study, we determined the prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension and associated factors among market salesperson in Kitgum central market, Kitgum district, Northern Uganda. Methods: A cross-sectional study, recruiting market salespersons aged 18 years or older without a prior diagnosis of hypertension or currently on anti-hypertensive therapy was conducted. A standardized questionnaire was administered, and body mass index (BMI) estimated. Hypertension was defined as two consistent measurements of systolic blood pressure ≥140mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥90mmHg measured 4 hours apart. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine factors independently associated with undiagnosed hypertension. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: We enrolled 240 participants. The mean age was 39.4 ± 12.8 years. Most (83.3%, n=199) participants were female and urban dwellers (88.3%, n=212). The prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension was 16.7% (n=40). Of the 40 participants with hypertension, 16 (40%) were younger than 40 years. Factors associated with undiagnosed hypertension were, age >50 years (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 7.0, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.9-25.6, p=0.003), male gender (aOR: 4.2, 95CI: 1.5-11.1, p=0.005), alcohol consumption (aOR: 2.6, 95CI: 1.1-6.0, p=0.021), and being overweight (aOR: 3.6, 95CI: 1.5-8.8, p=0.005). Conclusion: About one in six of market salespersons had undiagnosed hypertension, with a disproportionately high burden among those younger than 40 years. A larger multi-centric study is recommended to confirm our findings.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Dental health is often neglected by the majority of the population and has contributed to the global burden of oral diseases. We assessed awareness, utilization and barriers to seeking oral health care among adults in Nebbi District, Uganda. METHODS: A community-based, cross sectional study was conducted in the central division, Nebbi District in Uganda among adults between the age of 18 years or older. An interviewer-administered, semi-structured questionnaire was used for data collection on socio-demographic characteristics, oral health awareness, oral health utilization, associated factors and barriers. RESULTS: A total of 400 adults with a median age of 32 years (interquartile range 24-43) years were enrolled. More than half (57.5%, n = 230) of the participants were female. Participants identified smoking (42.8%, n = 171) and consumption of sugary foodstuffs (29.0%, n = 116) as risk factors for oral disease. Not brushing was also identified by 260 participants (65.0%) as the cause of tooth decay and 95.8% (n = 383) believed brushing one's teeth could prevent tooth decay. Of the 51.5% (n = 206) who had experienced a toothache or discomfort 12 months prior to the study but only about half (52%, n = 106) had sought healthcare from a dental clinic or facility. About 89.5% (n = 94) of the participants were able to see a dentist during their last visits. Dental carries (76.6%, n = 70) and gum bleeding (14.9%, n = 14) were the most frequent reasons for visiting a dental clinic, and 73.7% (n = 70) had their tooth extracted. Barriers to seeking oral healthcare were cost of treatment (47.5%, n = 190), and long waiting time (18.5%, n = 74). The odds of seeking oral healthcare was 2.8-fold higher in participants who were being married (Odds ratio (OR): 2.8, 95% CI 1.3-6.3, p = 0.011) and 3.5-fold higher among housewives (COR: 3.5, 95% CI 1.1-11.4, p = 0.040). CONCLUSION: About half of the participants had sought healthcare following a dental condition. Cost of treatment seems to be an important factor affecting utilization of oral health services. Optimization of costs, and creating awareness regarding benefits of utilizing preventive dental services are recommended.
