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Browsing Public Health by Author "Echoru, Isaac"
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- ItemEpidemiology of Coccidian Parasites in HIV Patients of Northern Uganda(SCIENCEDOMAIN international, 2015-04) Echoru, Isaac; Herman, Lule; Micheni, Lisa; Ajagun-Ogunleye, Mulkah O.; Kalange, Muhamudu; Kasozi, Keneth IcelandAim: The epidemiology of coccidian parasites in HIV patients of sub-sahara Africa is poorly understood. This study aimed at determining the epidemiology of coccidian parasites and their associated risk factors. This was a cross sectional study carried out in Arua district in West Nile region of Northern Uganda for a period of five months. Materials and Methods: Participants in the study included HIV positive patients presenting with diarrhea. A total of 111 patients were included and classified into children, middle aged and adults. A structured questionnaire was administered, stool samples were obtained using sterile stool containers and laboratory analysis carried out using modified Ziehl-Neelsen technique (ZN). Ethical clearance was acquired and the consent of the patients was sought. Results and Discussion: Prevalence of Coccidian parasites among HIV patients was found to be 5.4% and Cryptosporidium parvum showed more prevalence than Isospora belli and Cyclospora cayatenensis i.e. (3.6%), (1.8%) and (0.0%) respectively. Most Cryptosporidium parvum infections occurred in children (13.6%) compared to adults (3.3%); with a significant relationship of (p = 0.02). The infection was higher in females (7.1%) than males (2.4%) (p = 0.19). The major risk factors associated with the disease were mainly consumption of contaminated and un-boiled water from taps and boreholes. HIV patients who took co-trimoxazole and drunk boiled water were shown to have a low prevalence of coccidian parasites of 1.9% and 2.6% respectively (p<0.05). This is because cotrimoxazole is a prophylactic drug for opportunistic infections and proper boiling of drinking water kills coccidian parasites. Conclusion and Recommendations: The study highlighted the importance and need to screen for coccidian parasites and emphasis on regular taking of prophylactic treatment as a way of controlling opportunistic infections in HIV patients. Future prevalence studies of Coccidia amongst healthy, HIV sero-negative children and adults of similar age groups in similar settings are recommended to ratify the relationship.
- ItemA Study to Investigate Major Community Health Challenges and Their Predisposing Factors in Bushenyi District of South Western Uganda(Scientific Research Publishing, 2015) Echoru, Isaac; Kasozi, Keneth Iceland; Ayikobua, Emmanuel Tiyo; Emorut, Simon PeterPoor health care systems have contributed to poor standard of living in Uganda. The aim of the study was to assess major health challenges to community health and identify major predisposing factors. This was a cross sectional study in Kyakagina Village of Bushenyi of South Western Uganda. A total of 39 households which included 102 children (<19 years) and 80 adults (>19 years) were included in the study and a semi structured questionnaire was used. It was shown that there were 39 homes and 182 members with more males than females. Age and gender were shown not to be associated (P = 0.157). The majority of participants who boiled water in the community were showed to be of both primary and secondary level of education at 48.7% and 51.3%, respectively, while a significant proportion was found to drink only filtered and sedimented water without treatment at levels of 87.2% and 82.1% who were of only secondary level of education. The adoption of modern contraceptive pills, tube ligation and injections especially amongst the secondary educated level was found to be high, i.e. 94.9%, 87.2%, 82.1%, respectively. Inferential analysis showed that there existed marked differences (P < 0.001) in the health practices between persons of different education levels. Major health challenges identified included malaria, cough and cold, diarrhea which were most prevalent amongnst children at 19.6%, 13.7%, and 10.8%, respectively. In conclusion, failure to clear bushes, boil drinking water and cover pit latrines (P = 0.213) were the major risk factors identified independent of age and education status in the various homesteads.