Aim: To establish the prevalence and risk factors for hypertension, diabetes and obesity among teaching and non-teaching staff of Bishop Stuart University, Mbarara-Uganda. Background: None communicable diseases (NCDs) are projected to exceed communicable diseases as the most common causes of death by 2030 in Africa. Most sub-Saharan African countries however lack detailed countrywide data on hypertension and other NCDs risk factors. Cognizant of Uganda's recent inclusion of Hypertension and diabetes in the health policy agenda, this study was conducted among the university staff in a rural setting to provide benchmark information for design of appropriate interventions. Study Design: This was a descriptive cross-sectional, institutional based survey design. Place and duration of the study: This study was conducted among the teaching and none teaching staff of Bishop Stuart University Mbarara, Uganda from 18th April-6 th June 2017. Methodology: A structured questionnaire was used to gather social demographic and risk factors data from the university workers at their work stations. Blood pressure of each participant was measured and Hypertension was defined as systolic BP > 140 and/or diastolic (BP) > 90 mmHg. Anthropometric measurements: Body Mass index (BMI) was done by weight in (Kg) and Height in (M 2) to establish weight levels. Obesity was considered at BMI > 40. A random Blood Sugar (RBS) > 200 mg/dl was considered as diabetic. Epi-info version 7 was used to enter data, analyzed using SPSS version 19. Results: A total of 156 University staff aged 25-75 years of both sexes, mean age 42 ± 8 were interviewed of whom 51% were males. About 15% were administrative staff, 55% teaching staff, 3% senior lecturers and professors and 25% non-teaching staff.
Purpose: Globally, about 40% of pregnant women have anemia. Pregnant women are at high risk of iron and folic acid deficiency anemia due to increased nutrient requirement during pregnancy. Iron/folic acid supplementation with optimal adherence is the main cost-effective strategy for prevention of iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women. However, there remains poor adherence to iron and folic acid supplementation in pregnancy in many countries especially low-income countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of adherence and the factors influencing adherence to iron and folic acid supplementation among pregnant women attending antenatal care in Rubanda District, south Western-Uganda. Methodology: A multi-Health facility based observational and descriptive cross-sectional study was done. One hundred seventy two (172) pregnant mothers attending antenatal clinic in six selected health facilities in Rubanda District were enrolled in this study from December 2021 to March 2022. The interviewer administered questionnaire was used to study the participant characteristics and logistic regression was used to identify the factors influencing adherence to iron and folic acid supplements. Findings: Majority of women were aged between 20-29 years (57.56%), married (94.77%) and unemployed (80.23%). More than half of the respondents (62.21%, 95% CI 54.89%-69.53%) had taken at least 80% of the prescribed iron and folic acid tablets. This reflected good adherence level. Factors independently influencing adherence included maternal age below 20 years (aOR 3.83, 95% CI 1.12-13.08, p-value 0.032), age between 20-29 years (aOR=4.86, 95%CI: 2.03-11.63, p value <0.001), adherence partner (aOR=2.82, 95%CI: 1.34-5.91, pvalue <0.001) and being counselled on importance of iron and folic acid tablets (aOR=4.42, 95%CI: 2.08-9.42, p-value <0.001). Recommendations: Intensive counselling during antenatal care about the importance of iron and folic acid supplements should be done on a daily basis with particular attention to women aged 30 years and above.
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