Browsing by Author "Atim, Fiona"

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Agony resulting from cultural practices of canine bud extraction among children under five years in selected slums of Makindye:
(BMC Oral health, 2018) Atim, Fiona; Nagaddya, Teddy; Nakaggwa, Florence; Mboowa, Mary Gorrethy N; Kirabira, Peter; Okiria, John Charles
Background: Canine Bud Extraction (CBE) is a process of removing or gouging children’s healthy canine tooth buds embedded underneath the gum using traditional unsterilized tools. The practice of CBE commonly known as false teeth removal continues to be an adopted cultural intervention of choice, in the prevention of morbidity and mortality from common childhood illnesses. However, it is a practice against the rights of children with serious consequences. While CBE is associated with the perceived myth of curative gains, the agony emanating from the cultural practice exposes children to ill-health conditions such as dehydration, malnutrition, blood-borne diseases like HIV/AIDs, septicemia, fever and death. This research sought to understand the factors underpinning the practice of CBE among urban slum dwellers. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted from five randomly selected slums in Makindye division; 298 household heads or guardians with children below 5 years, who had ever suffered from false teeth were interviewed. The variables measured included guardians’ socio-demographic profiles, determinants of CBE, common childhood illnesses assumed to be treated with CBE and the reported side-effects associated with the practice. Results: Of the 298 respondents with children who had ever suffered from “false teeth” interviewed, 56.7% had two or more children below 5 years and 31.9% were from the central region. The proportion of households practicing CBE was 90.3%; 69.8% of the caretakers mentioned that it was done by traditional healers and for 12.1% by trained health workers (dentists). Number of children (OR = 2.8, 95% CI: 1.1–7.2) and the belief that CBE is bad (OR = 0.1, 95% CI: < 0.001, p < 0.001) had a statistically significant association with CBE. Additionally, number of children (χ2 = 4.9, p = 0.027) and 2 sets of beliefs (CBE treats diarrhea (χ2 = 12.8, p = 0.0017) and CBE treats fever (χ2 = 15.1, p = 0.0005) were independent predictors of CBE practice. A total of 55.7% respondents knew that there were side effects to CBE and 31% mentioned death as one of them. Conclusion: The high proportion of households practicing CBE from this study ought to awaken the perception that the practice is ancient. CBE in this community as the study suggests was strongly driven by myths. The strong belief that CBE is bad provides an opportunity for concerted effort by primary health care providers, policymakers and the community to demystify the myths associated with false teeth and the gains of CBE.
Determinants of Canine Bud Extration Among Children Under the Age of Five Years:
(International Health Sciences University., 2014-11) Atim, Fiona
Introduction The study was to determine Canine Bud Extraction (CBE) practice among children under the age of five years in the selected villages in Makindye Division. The main objective was to determine the factors that influence CBE practice among children under the age of five years in the selected villages in Makindye Division and the specific objectives of the study were; to determine the prevalence of CBE, to assess the demographic factors of parents/caregivers that influence CBE, to determine the level of knowledge on the effects of CBE, to assess the socio-cultural factors that influence CBE, and to assess the perception of parents/caregivers towards CBE practice. Methodology A cross sectional study design was used where 298 respondents consented before being interviewed; both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection were used to obtain information in regards to the above stated study. Results Results from the 298 respondents interviewed, 90.3% of the children underwent CBE practice and the number of children below five years per household seen as a factor influencing the practice (OR=8.50, 95% CI 1.1-66.0, p-value 0.039). Individuals who knew where CBE services were offered where 0.30 times less likely to practice CBE (OR=0.30, 95% CI 0.2- 0.7, p-value 0.003). Those who knew the effects of CBE where 2.36 times more likely to practice with (OR=2.36, 95% CI 1.0-5.5, p-value 0.047), respondents who knew the instruments used during CBE were 12.19 times more likely to practice CBE (OR=12.19, 95% CI 1.5-97.0 p-value 0.018). And perception of the parents/caregivers towards CBE was statistically significant with P-Value 0.000. Concerning whether CBE treats common illnesses, those who strongly agreed that CBE treats diarrhea were 0.11 times less likely to practice (OR= 0.11, 95% CI 0.0-1.2, p-value 0.000). Monthly income and occupation of the respondents was also associated with the practice with p-value 0.000 Conclusion In conclusion, the prevalence of CBE practice was very high with 90.3% children having undergone the practice of CBE. Knowledge on the effects of CBE was high; however, this did not stop the community from practicing CBE with a claim that there is no treatment option for the condition and that the hospital based management of false teeth is not effective. Individuals who knew where CBE services were offered where less likely to practice CBE and those who knew the effects of CBE where more likely to practice with CBE. Respondents who knew the instruments used during CBE were also more likely to practice CBE with a claim that CBE treats common illnesses like diarrhea and fever. Recommendation Awareness creation needs to be emphasized and strategies to ensure that the local communities have access to information concerning effective hospital based management and treatment of the common signs and symptoms that children usually present with that subject them to the practice. Programs directed towards changing the attitude and perception of parents/caregivers should also be implemented to help curb down the practice. Furthermore, health promotion on personal and general hygiene practice in order to prevent some of the illnesses like diarrhea, and fever which are in most cases attributed to poor hygiene practices needs to be advocated for. Further studies therefore need to be done to establish the association between oral hygiene and the occurrence of false teeth among children below the age of five years.
Factors that shape unsafe sexual behaviors among young people with HIV AIDs aged 18-24 years in Ugandan universities:
(International Health Sciences University., 2016-11) Atim, Fiona
Objective The study was factors that shape unsafe sexual behaviors among young people with HIV/AIDs aged 18-24 years in Ugandan universities. A gender perspective, The study objective was to determine the demographic factors related to risky sexual behaviors among young people aged 18 to 24 years, to assess the individual factors related to risky sexual behaviors among young people aged 18 to 24 years, and to establish the life style factors related to risky sexual behaviors among young people aged 18 to 24 years. Methods The study used the descriptive cross-sectional study that contains of both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection. Data collection methods included a self-administered questionnaire and informant key interview. The sample size considered was 171 respondents while a response rate of 149 respondents. Results The study findings indicated that demographic factors such as age where by 21- 25 were 69.1 % while 29.5% were between the age of 18 – 20 and only 13 were above 26 years, sex, religion and place of residence all had a positive impact on risk factors that shape unsafe sexual behaviors in that age bracket between 18 to 24years. Also 54.4% were residing in hostels and 45.6% commuting from home. It was revealed that alcohol consumption, drug abuse, multiple partners, the use of condom, and academic performance all had an influence on the sexual behaviors of the respondent. It study indicated that 72% of the respondents had more than one sexual partner in the past 12 months and 67.1% who admitted to consuming alcohol on a daily basis compared to the 32.9% who had never consumed alcohol. Lastly lifestyle factors that had significant effects included the ability to use condoms effectively where by 73.8% were satisfied with their ability to use condoms while the remaining 26.2% indicated that they weren’t satisfied with their ability. Perception of degree of pleasure from condom use was also seen as a driving force to risky sexual behaviors where by 73.2% of the respondents said less pleasure, 20.1% said no difference while the remaining 6.7% said more pleasure. This implies a mixed reaction from the respondents however the majority are at risk. Majority of the respondents also said they never had a hard time demanding condom use but they also trusted condoms as a good method for protecting themselves against HIV/AIDS and unplanned pregnancies with 93.3% saying they were safe. The overall acceptance on the usage of condoms was noted as most respondents used condoms with their new partners and also agreed to the fact that they trusted methods they used in preventing HIV/AIDS. However, overall risky sexual behaviors were because of negligence and the desire to experiment given the level of freedom in a university setting. Conclusion There is quite a lot that needs to be done about the risky sexual behaviors among young people as the gap is still big and there is a lot of risky sexual behaviors being practiced. Many young people are sexually active and are involved in risky activities that make them prone to contracting HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. Such activities include alcohol and drug abuse that easily leads to having unprotected sex due to the influence of such substances. Recommendations Recommendation of the study included , Sex education to be more emphasized even at university level There should also be a policy of free distribution of condoms in all universities given the majority of the students are sexually active. The universities should design intervention programs for HIV prevention for students taking into consideration the role of alcohol and drug use and how they contribute to risky sexual behaviors in the design and implementation of HIV prevention for university students.