Browsing by Author "Joseph, Kawuki"

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Differential COVID-19 vaccination uptake and associated factors among the slum and estate communities in Uganda: a cross-sectional population-based survey
(MDPI, 2023-02) Joseph, Kawuki; Joweria, Nambooze; Paul, Shing-fong Chan; Siyu, Chen; Xue, Liang; Phoenix, K. H. Mo; Zixin, Wang
Vaccination against COVID-19 remains one of the ultimate solutions to the ongoing pandemic. This study examined and compared the completion of primary COVID-19 vaccination series and associated factors in the slum and estate communities of Uganda. This was a cross-sectional survey conducted among 1025 slum and estate residents. Logistic regression models were fitted. Of the 1025 participants, 511 were slum residents and 514 were estate residents. Completion of COVID-19 vaccination was 43.8% in the slum community and 39.9% in the estate community (p = 0.03). Having more knowledge about COVID-19 was positively associated with completing COVID-19 vaccination in both communities. Perceived benefits and cues to action also had a positive association, but only among the slum residents. However, perceiving people infected with COVID-19 as having a high death rate, perceived barriers such as serious side effects and long distances, and depressive symptoms had negative associations with vaccine uptake among the slum community, but not in the estate community. Addressing barriers to vaccination, strengthening and utilizing the various cues to action, engagement of religious and cultural leaders, and continued community education and sensitization tailored to the needs of each community are potentially vital strategies in raising vaccination rates. Consideration of socioeconomic impact-alleviation strategies, especially among the urban poor, would also be beneficial.
Differential practice and associated factors of COVID-19 personal preventive measures among the slum and estate communities of Uganda: A community-based cross-sectional survey
(Journal of Global Health, 2023-09) Joseph, Kawuki; Joweria, Nambooze; Paul, Shing-fong Chan; Siyu, Chen; Xue, Liang; Phoenix, K H Mo; Zixin, Wang
Background Compliance with personal preventive measures (PPMs) remains essential in the prevention and control of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and future infectious disease outbreaks. This study aimed at examining and compar- ing the practice of COVID-19 PPMs and associated factors in selected slum and estate communities of Uganda. Methods This was a cross-sectional survey conducted among 1025 slum and estate residents in Uganda. The outcome variable was compliance with COVID-19 PPMs, including face mask use, hand washing / hygiene, and social distancing. Logistic re- gression models were fitted to assess the associated factors, using SPSS (version 26). Results Of the 1025 participants, 511 and 514 were slum and estate residents, respec- tively. Compliance with PPMs was as follows; face mask use (slum 45.0% vs. estate 49.6%; P = 0.27), hand washing/ hygiene (slum 38.4% vs. estate 44.9%; P = 0.04) and social distancing (slum 19.4% vs. estate 36.0%; P < 0.001). Compared to estate residents, slum residents had more knowledge related to COVID-19, perceived COVID-19 would have a longer timeline and larger impact on their life, had more depression and anxiety symptoms, and faced more difficulties to access information. Illness perceptions, in- fection risk, and severity perceptions were associated with higher odds of PPMs com- pliance in both groups, except for perceiving a high chance of contracting COVID-19, which was associated with lower odds of social distancing in the slum community. Depression and anxiety symptoms were associated with higher odds of PPMs com- pliance in both groups. Frequent exposure to COVID-19 information through health care workers and family members and friends was associated with higher odds of all the PPMs in both communities. Moreover, getting COVID-19 information from local channels was significantly associated with higher odds of mask use and hand hygiene, but only in the estate community. Conclusions Our findings provided implications to improve PPMs compliance in future infectious disease outbreaks. To improve PPMs compliance rates, redesigning community education to focus on fostering positive perceptions and addressing the water and sanitation needs of slum communities are essential. Moreover, designing programs that provide free or subsidised face masks and soap to the most vulnerable and engaging religious leaders are also vital strategies.