Browsing by Author "James, Mugisha"

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A 10-hours workshop improves physical activity prescription for mental illness knowledge and confidence in health care professionals: a nation-wide multicentre study from Uganda
(Taylor & Francis Group, 2021-11) Vancampfort, Davy; Samuel, Kimbowa; Ward, Philip. B.; Kenneth, Onekalit; Hasfa, Lukwata; James, Mugisha
Purpose Lack of knowledge about and confidence in physical activity (PA) prescription for people with mental illness are important barriers for clinical practice in low-income countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a 10-hour workshop improved the knowledge and confidence in PA prescription among health care professionals in 13 regional referral hospitals across Uganda. Material and methods 260 health care professionals (age = 40.4 ± 10.8 years; 48% women; 63.8% nurses, 10% social workers, 8.1% psychologists, 7.3% medical doctors, 5.8% psychiatrists, 5% physical or occupational therapists) completed the Exercise in Mental Illness Questionnaire – Health Professionals Version (EMIQ-HP) pre- and post-workshop. Results The EMIQ-HP PA knowledge score (3.1 ± 0.7 versus 1.3 ± 1.3, p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 1.28, 95% confidence interval, CI = 1.04–1.52, i.e., large effect) and EMIQ-HP confidence in PA prescription score (3.0 ± 0.8 versus 1.2 ± 1.2, p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 1.14, 95% CI = 0.91–1.36, i.e., large effect) improved significantly following training. Significantly more benefits and fewer barriers to prescribing PA in busy low-resourced settings were reported. Conclusions Training in PA counseling improved the knowledge and confidence in PA prescription in Ugandan health care professionals. Future research should investigate whether PA uptake in people with mental illness can be improved via additional training of health care professionals.
Associations between mild depression and anxiety and physical inactivity among school-going Ugandan adolescents aged 14 to 17 years
(Journal of Child & Adolescent Mental Health, 2024-04) James, Mugisha; Tine, Van Damme; Davy, Vancampfort
Objective: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate associations between physical activity levels and emotional and behavioural problems in school-going adolescents aged 14 to 17 years in Uganda. Methods: Two-hundred and five adolescents [median (interquartile range) age = 16.0 (1.0) years; female = 61.9%] completed the interviewer-administered Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), the Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 questionnaire (GAD-7), and the Physical Activity Vital Sign (PAVS) measure. Spearman’s rho correlations and Mann–Whitney U-tests were applied. Results: Among 205 adolescents, 97.1% were physically inactive (PAVS < 420min/week), while 64.4% reported either mild depressive (PHQ-9 ≥ 5) or anxiety (GAD-7 ≥ 5) symptoms. Higher PAVS scores correlated significantly with lower SDQ emotional problems (ρ = −0.23, p < 0.001), lower PHQ-9 (ρ = −0.26, p < 0.001), and lower GAD-7 (ρ = −0.22, p < 0.001) scores. Those with emotional problems (SDQ ≥ 5) (n = 86) were significantly less physically active than those without (n = 119) [30.0 (62.5) versus 60.0 (105.0) min/week, p < 0.001]. Those with depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 ≥ 5) were significantly less physically active than those without [35.0 (70.0) versus 60.0 (120.0) min/week, p < 0.001]. Conclusion: Physical inactivity and mental health problems are related important public health concerns in school-going adolescents in low-income countries such as Uganda. The efficacy and effectiveness of school-based mental health literacy programs, including physical activity promotion, should be explored in these low-resource settings.
Correlates of physical activity stages of change in people living with HIV in a Ugandan community
(Taylor & Francis Group, 2020-05) Vancampfort, Davy; Byansi, Peter Kayiira; Hilda, Namutebi; Lilian, Nalukenge; Eugene, Kinyanda; Bbosa, Richard Serunkuma; Ward, Philip. B.; Hasfa, Lukwata; James, Mugisha
Purpose The transtheoretical model (TTM) of behavioral change posits that individuals move through five stages of change when adopting new behaviors: pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance. The aim of this study was to determine the proportion of patients with HIV/AIDS within a Ugandan fishing community in the different physical activity (PA) stages. We also explored differences in variables, motives, and barriers for PA across the stages. Methods In total, 256 individuals (77 men, 40.5 ± 10.3 years) completed the Patient-centered Assessment and Counseling for Exercise Questionnaire, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) to assess depressive symptoms, and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. They were also asked about their most important PA motive and barrier. Results Seventy-five individuals (29%) were in the (pre-)preparatory stages, 140 (55%) in the action and 41 (16%) in the maintenance stage. Those in the (pre-)preparatory stages had higher PHQ-9 total scores (p < 0.001) and were more likely to report barriers than those in the later stages (p < 0.001). Compared with those in the (pre-)preparatory stage, patients in the action stage experienced less body weakness (p = 0.015). Conclusions Depression and barriers to PA should be considered in people with HIV/AIDS in low-resource settings when implementing interventions to assist them to become more active.
Efficacy of an 8-hour education intervention on dementia knowledge, attitude and skills in healthcare professionals in regional hospitals: a nation-wide study from Uganda
(Pan African Medical Journal, 2023-04-11) Davy, Vancampfort; James, Mugisha; Samuel, Kimbowa; Hafsa, Lukwata; Tine, Van Damme; Mathieu, Vandenbulcke
Introduction: dementia imposes an enormous burden, mainly in low-income countries (LICs). Due to lack of well-trained healthcare professionals, 70-90% of people with dementia do not receive adequate care in LICs. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a one-day, 8-hour medical education intervention on dementia care improves the knowledge and attitude about and confidence in providing dementia care among healthcare professionals in 8 referral hospitals in Uganda. Methods: in this pre-test/post-test study without a control group, participants completed the Alzheimer´s Disease Knowledge Scale (ADKS), Dementia Care Attitude Scale (DCAS), and 9 visual analogue scales (VAS) regarding confidence in specific dementia care skills pre- and post-medical education intervention. Results: in one hundred twelve healthcare professionals (age = 41.7±10.2 years; 54.5% women), the ADKS, DCAS, and VAS scores for recognizing and assessing core dementia symptoms, communicating effectively, providing psycho-education, activating patients mentally and physically, managing behavioral and psychological symptoms, and involving carers in the treatment improved significantly (P < 0.001) post-medical education intervention. Conclusion: our study demonstrates that brief educational interventions are efficacious in strengthening the dementia literacy among healthcare professionals in a low- income country. Future research should explore whether such brief educational interventions also result in implementation of efficacious dementia care into routine clinical practice and whether it ultimately may lead to improved health outcomes in patients and formal and informal caregivers
“Here, your only relative is money…” why slum social networks do not facilitate neighborhood community development: insights through a sanitation lens
(BMC Public Health, 2023-11) Japheth, Nkiriyehe Kwiringira; Joseph, Rujumba; Paulino, Ariho; James, Mugisha; Henry, Zakumumpa; Liz, Perry Mohlin; Mathias, Akugizibwe; Innocent, Kamara Tumwebaze; Charles, Onyutha
Introduction Though social networks which are deemed vehicles of community development exist in slum areas, underdevelopment still persists in these areas. We explored the nature and role of social networks in facilitating community development in the slums of Kampala through a sanitation lens. Methods Qualitative Social Network Analysis (SNA) was done to understand the nature of slum social networks primarily through the analysis of sanitation behavior. Data were collected through six Focus Group Discussions (FGD), six In-depth Interviews (IDIs), and 18 Key Informant Interviews (KII) with Government, civil society and private stakeholders. We used both inductive and deductive thematic analysis. Results Four themes emerged in our analysis; i); Unsupportive environments, uncooperative neighbours and uncertainty of tenure: participants reported slums as unsupportive of community development due to a shortage of space, poverty and unplanned services. Tenants perceived landlords as exploitative and predatory and wished the tables are turned. This notion of cyclic exploitation did not encourage collective action for community good. Short-term economic survival trumped long-term community interests ii) Patronage and poor service delivery: varying degrees of patronage led to multiple forms of illegalities and violations such as tax evasion. Due to vested interests and corruption among public officials, the slum population was lethargic. iii) Intersecting realities of poverty and unemployment: slum dwellers lived on the margins daily. Hence, poor living conditions were a secondary concern. iv) Social relations for personal development: Slum social networks were driven by individual interests rather than community good. Slum dwellers prioritized connections with people of common socio-economic interests. As such social networks were instrumental only if they ‘added value’. Conclusion Social networks in slums are only concerned about survival needs. Slums require responses that address the complexity of slum formation and broader livelihood challenges, as well as re-assessing the meaning of community. We posit that more needs to be done in understanding the meaning and workings of a sociology beyond physical societies. Poverty is a modifier of social systems and processes and should be a concern for all stakeholders involved in slum development.
The effect and acceptability of an HIV education intervention for adolescents with intellectual disability in Uganda: a quasi-experimental study
(2024-12) Anita, Arinda; Noeline, Nakasujja; Mary, M McKay; Fred, M Ssewamala; James, Mugisha
Adolescents with intellectual disability (ID) are often deficient in knowledge about HIV/AIDS. This pilot study evaluated the impact and acceptability of an HIV education intervention for adolescents with mild-to-moderate ID delivered in a peri-urban setting in Uganda. This quasi-experimental study involved 60 adolescents with mild to moderate ID evenly split between the intervention and control groups. Data were collected using a questionnaire that included sociodemographic information, HIV knowledge and attitudes, and acceptability measures, administered at baseline, immediately postintervention, and 3 months later. Approximately 53.3% of the participants were male, and 50% had mild ID. Immediately post-intervention, the intervention group reported a significantly higher increase in HIV knowledge (8.5 vs. -0.2, p < .001) and attitudes (3.9 vs. 0.1, p < .001) than the control group. A similar significant increase was maintained at 3 months post-intervention. These findings show that tailored education programs can improve HIV knowledge and attitudes in adolescents with ID.
Towards entrapment: an escalating reality for children and adolescents living with HIV/Aids in Uganda
(Towards Evidence Generation and Policy Development, 2022) James, Mugisha; William, Byansi
In 2004, UNAIDS, UNICEF, and USAID collaborated and authored an influential report titled Children in the Brink (UNICEF, 2004). This report is used to set the context of this book chapter. The publication did not only give comprehensive statistics on children orphaned by AIDS and other causes but also gave a framework for understanding the fundamental issues that relate to protection, care, and support for orphaned and vulnerable children (OVC) living in a world plagued by HIV and AIDS. In terms of statistics, the report gave a glaring picture. For example, sub- Saharan Africa (SSA) was reported to have 43.4 million orphans (of all causes) in 2003. During this period, more than 12.3 million children had been orphaned by HIV/AIDS. The same report labored to provide a framework for the protection, care, and support for OVC. This framework was to be used by national governments to attach resources and also offer both policy and programmatic basis for interventions responding to the growing OVC epidemic. Further, this framework for protection, care, and support of OVC was affirmed by the Global Partners’ Forum, with support from UNICEF and other major donors. The weight and value given to this frame- work raised a lot of hope that children will be removed from what the report referred to as the “brink.” It is now over a decade, since this influential report came out of print.
Urban agriculture as an evolved sustainable urban livelihood: evidence from Kampala city, Uganda
(Agriculture & Food Security, 2024-12-22) Japheth, Kwiringira; Elizabeth, W. Perry Mohling; Akugizibwe, Mathias; Paulino, Ariho; James, Mugisha; Henry, Zakumumpa; Joseph, Rujumba; Innocent, Kamara Tumwebaze
Background For centuries, urban agriculture has been a vital livelihood strategy of urban households in developing countries. Previous studies looked at urban agriculture at a point in time as an urban livelihood for the urban poor that struggle with eking out a living, without the current dynamism, which attracts the non-poor into the practice. Having become an integral part of the urban economy, the study objective was to use poultry farming, to explore the role of urban agriculture as an evolved and dynamic urban livelihood that attracts the non-poor. Methods The study was conducted in Kampala, Uganda’s capital city. The unit of analysis were urban farming households. Data were collected through four (4) Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), sixteen (16) key informants and twenty (20) In-Depth Interviews (IDIs) using purposive sampling techniques. Data were collected for a period of two (2) months using unstructured research instruments, triangulated and thematically analysed. Results Our results indicate that; urban agriculture is an evolving urban activity. This evolution and continuities were driven by the merits of urban agriculture (food, jobs and income) to urban dwellers. Urban agriculture also contributed to the economic inclusion of women and the urban poor. There was household resource logic in practicing urban agriculture, especially in the private sector, where jobs were scarce. In view of these innovations, the urban authorities were supporting urban farmers with demonstrations and certifed inputs for farmers in Kampala and beyond. To further develop urban agriculture, it is recommended that farmers organize themselves into viable groups to further realize corporate advantages such as better resource access such as afordable fnancing, access to better inputs and linkages with various institutions and stakeholders in production, value addition, policy and marketing for better returns and sustainable farming practices. Conclusions These fndings if used in perspective by planners and regional managers have utility for the anchoring of urban agriculture in the urbanisation agenda for Uganda and beyond. It is envisaged that, stakeholders can draw useful actions relating to sustainable urban food production (consumer food shed), waste management, incomes, job creation, training, research and innovations in urban areas.