Browsing by Author "Joweria, Nambooze"

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Automated wearable cameras for improving recall of diet and time use in Uganda: a cross-sectional feasibility study
(Nutrition journal, 2023-01) Andrea, L. S. Bulungu; Luigi, Palla; Joweria, Nambooze; Jan, Priebe; Lora, Forsythe; Pamela, Katic; Gwen, Varley; Bernice, D. Galinda; Sarah, Nakimuli; Kate, Wellard; Elaine, L. Ferguson
Background Traditional recall approaches of data collection for assessing dietary intake and time use are prone to recall bias. Studies in high- and middle-income countries show that automated wearable cameras are a promising method for collecting objective health behavior data and may improve study participants’ recall of foods consumed and daily activities performed. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of using automated wearable cameras in rural Eastern Ugandan to collect dietary and time use data. Methods Mothers of young children (n = 211) wore an automated wearable camera on 2 non-consecutive days while continuing their usual activities. The day after wearing the camera, participants’ dietary diversity and time use was assessed using an image-assisted recall. Their experiences of the method were assessed via a questionnaire. Results Most study participants reported their experiences with the automated wearable camera and image-assisted recall to be good (36%) or very good (56%) and would participate in a similar study in the future (97%). None of the eight study withdrawals could be definitively attributed to the camera. Fifteen percent of data was lost due to device malfunction, and twelve percent of the images were "uncodable" due to insufficient lighting. Processing and analyzing the images were labor-intensive, time-consuming, and prone to human error. Half (53%) of participants had difficulty interpreting the images captured by the camera. Conclusions Using an automated wearable camera in rural Eastern Uganda was feasible, although improvements are needed to overcome the challenges common to rural, low-income country contexts and reduce the burdens posed on both participants and researchers. To improve the quality of data obtained, future automated wearable camera-based image assisted recall studies should use a structured data format to reduce image coding time; electronically code the data in the field, as an output of the image review process, to eliminate ex post facto data entry; and, ideally, use computer-assisted personal interviews software to ensure completion and reduce errors. In-depth formative work in partnership with key local stakeholders (e.g., researchers from low-income countries, representatives from government and/or other institutional review boards, and community representatives and local leaders) is also needed to identify practical approaches to ensuring that the ethical rights of automated wearable camera study participants in low-income countries are adequately protected.
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.