Robinson Ssebuufu | Kampala International University (original) (raw)

Papers by Robinson Ssebuufu

Journal of Health and Environmental Research

Globally, water-borne diseases have continued to challenge the health conditions of both develope... more Globally, water-borne diseases have continued to challenge the health conditions of both developed and developing countries. In Uganda, most water-borne diseases are known to be the leading causes of serious health burden among the inhabitants. The study objectives were to characterize microscopic isolates using biochemical tests as well as identify the possible sources of contamination of spring water which is the commonest source of water used by rural inhabitants for domestic activities in Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality, Bushenyi district, Western Uganda. Samples of spring water were collected from all accessible spring water sources in Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality, Western Uganda. A total of 48 spring water samples were collected using 500 ml sterile glass bottles. The sources of contamination of the spring water samples were determined using a Sanitary Inspection Checklist which was designed using some standard response factors from a collection of standard reference checklists for drinking water quality assessment. Distribution of isolates and indicator pathogens of fecal contamination recovered from positive samples shows 77.8% from Nyakabirizi, 75% from Ishaka and 52.63% from Central divisions. Among the isolates, Pseudomonas spp and Shigella spp appeared more frequent with overall percentage of (52.63%) and (45.83%) whereas, Klebsiella, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were found in (31.25%), (12.5%) and (6.25%) respectively. Sanitary inspections showed that springs in Ishaka Division posed a much higher risk (66.7%) of bacterial contamination compared to what was observed in Central (58.3%) and Nyakabirizi (58.3%) Divisions. All the sampled water sources were contaminated hence they posed substantial risk to users in the communities. Regular water examination and quality control including microbial assessment of all water sources should be maintained in the three Divisions of the Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality, Western Uganda.

Journal of Hospital Administration, 2015

Objective: While several studies have focused on improving the quality of surgery, less attention... more Objective: While several studies have focused on improving the quality of surgery, less attention has been paid to reducing pre-operative delays in care. We undertook a hospital quality improvement (QI) effort to reduce pre-operative delays in a teaching hospital in Rwanda. Without a coordinated admission schedule, many surgical patients arriving at the hospital for admissions were turned away because of unavailable beds. For those admitted for surgery, the pre-operative waits were long.Methods: A pre- and post-intervention study was conducted to examine the impact of a QI effort on two metrics: 1) pre-operative length-of-stay (LOS) for elective surgical patients, and 2) the number of elective surgical patients who were turned away on the scheduled admission date. Intervention: A multi-disciplinary work group utilized a Strategic Problem Solving Approach and implemented a centralized patient wait list and new schedule process utilizing the existing resources available at the hospita...

East and Central African Journal of Surgery, Jul 11, 2016

Background: Beginning in 2012, the Government of Rwanda implemented the Human Resources for Healt... more Background: Beginning in 2012, the Government of Rwanda implemented the Human Resources for Health (HRH) program to enhance capacity building in the Rwandan health education sector. Through this program, surgical training at University of Rwanda (UR) has expanded. The aim of this presentation is to describe the scaling up of the UR surgical residency program Methods: We performed a descriptive analysis of the UR surgical residency program after initiation of the Rwanda HRH Program. Results: Through the HRH Program, faculty from US institutions supplements the existing Rwandan educational infrastructure to increase the teaching capacity in Rwanda. Intake of surgical trainees more than doubled within the first year of the program. Service-based surgical training has changed to competency-based training through curriculum development, dedicated academic days and surgical education within firms. Lectures remain a dominant feature of the educational program, but more focus is placed on bedside teaching and peer-education. Shortage of operative space and a tremendous number of emergency patients overwhelm public teaching hospitals posing a challenge towards providing residents with a broad spectrum of operative experiences, especially elective surgical cases. Conclusion: Through this program, the ursurgical residency program has greatly expanded. Over time, the quantity and quality of surgical residents is expected to increase.

Patient Preference and Adherence

Background: Self-medication has become a serious public health problem posing great risks, especi... more Background: Self-medication has become a serious public health problem posing great risks, especially with the increasing number of cases of COVID-19 disease globally and in Uganda. This may be partly because of the absence of a recognized treatment for the disease, however, the differing prevalence and nature from country to country may influence human behavioral responses. Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the behavioral response to self-medication practices during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown in comparison to the pre-COVID period in Western Uganda. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted from June to August 2020 in western Uganda using online Google forms and printed questionnaires to investigate the level of self-medication practice before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. This included 280 participants, aged 18 and above who consented to participate in the study. Participants were selected using a convenience sampling technique, and sampling was done by sending a structured online questionnaire via Google forms and printed questionnaires to participants who did not use the online Google forms. Results: Respondents that knew about self-medication were 97% of the 272 participants. Those that are aware of self-medication, have heard about it either through different avenues. Respondents who practiced self-medication before the COVID-19 pandemic were 239 (88%); those who practiced self-medication during the COVID-19 pandemic were 156 (57%); those that did not were 115 (43%). There was a statistically significant decrease in the number of respondents who practice self-medication during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown compared to the practice before the pandemic lockdown. p < 0.05 at 95% confidence interval (OR = 5.39, 95% CI = 3.48, 8.32). Conclusion: Our investigation showed adequate knowledge of self-medication and a high level of self-medication practice with a decrease in self-medication practices during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown compared to the practice before the lockdown.

Frontiers in Reproductive Health, 2022

IntroductionSexual and Reproductive Health access to Information services is still a pressing nee... more IntroductionSexual and Reproductive Health access to Information services is still a pressing need for youth in Uganda even during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has disrupted health care access in many countries. The aim of this study was to explore the challenges in access and utilization of sexual and reproductive health services as faced by youth during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in Uganda.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study carried out from 28th April 2020 to 11th May 2020 in Uganda. An online questionnaire was disseminated to youth aged between 18 and 30 years over a period of 14 days. The snowball sampling method was used to recruit participants. STATA version 14.2 was used for statistical analysis.ResultsOf 724 participants, 203 (28%) reported that they did not have access to information and/or education concerning sexual and reproductive health (SRH). More than a quarter of the participants (26.9%, n = 195) reported that testing and treatment services of sexually tran...

Supplemental material, Supplement_File for University Lecturers and Students Could Help in Commun... more Supplemental material, Supplement_File for University Lecturers and Students Could Help in Community Education About SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Uganda by Isaac Echoru, Keneth Iceland Kasozi, Ibe Michael Usman, Irene Mukenya Mutuku, Robinson Ssebuufu, Patricia Decanar Ajambo, Fred Ssempijja, Regan Mujinya, Kevin Matama, Grace Henry Musoke, Emmanuel Tiyo Ayikobua, Herbert Izo Ninsiima, Samuel Sunday Dare, Ejike Daniel Eze, Edmund Eriya Bukenya, Grace Keyune Nambatya, Ewan MacLeod and Susan Christina Welburn in Health Services Insights

Background: Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a devastating complication of diabetes mellitus (DM) ass... more Background: Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a devastating complication of diabetes mellitus (DM) associated with high mortality and morbidity including amputations of lower extremities; and a high economic burden especially in low-income countries like Uganda. The aim of this study was to identify the factors associated with severity of DFU and assess the anatomical distribution of DFU among patients in Uganda. Methodology: This was a multicenter cross-sectional study conducted in 7 selected referral hospitals in Uganda. 117 patients with DM type 1 and 2 and foot ulcers were enrolled for this study from January to March 2021. Using the Wagner classification, patients were categorized as less severe DFU (grade 1 and grade 2) and severe DFU for grade 3 and above. A pre tested questionnaire was used to collect data. Data were analyzed using STATA Version 14 with significance at 95% and p-value of <0.05. Results: Out of 117 patients with DFU, 70 (59.8%) had severe DFU and 47 (40.2%) had...

African Journal of Urology, 2018

Introduction: Penile cancer is rare in developed countries but has a high prevalence in some deve... more Introduction: Penile cancer is rare in developed countries but has a high prevalence in some developing countries. Surgery includes inguinal lymphadenectomy, which remains the mainstay treatment of the disease. Objective: This study reports on the epidemiological profile of penile cancer and clinical management options in Rwanda.

Frontiers in Public Health

Background: Low-income earners are particularly vulnerable to mental health, consequence of the c... more Background: Low-income earners are particularly vulnerable to mental health, consequence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown restrictions, due to a temporary or permanent loss of income and livelihood, coupled with government-enforced measures of social distancing. This study evaluates the mental health status among low-income earners in southwestern Uganda during the first total COVID-19 lockdown in Uganda.Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was undertaken amongst earners whose income falls below the poverty threshold. Two hundred and fifty-three (n = 253) male and female low-income earners between the ages of 18 and 60 years of age were recruited to the study. Modified generalized anxiety disorder (GAD-7), Spielberger's State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2 (STAXI-2), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) tools as appropriate were used to assess anxiety, anger, and depression respectively among our respondents.Results: Severe anxiety (68.8%) followed ...

Journal of Pediatrics & Neonatal Biology, 2020

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a new respiratory disease that is caused by Severe Acute Respir... more Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a new respiratory disease that is caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). First described in December 2019, in Wuhan, China, the virus rapidly spread across continents leading to an enormous global public health crisis. To date, it has infected more than 35.6 million people worldwide, with a case fatality rate of 2.9 percent. Although massive research has been published on this subject, the majority involve adults, and yet, neonates have not been spared by the disease. Currently, there are more questions than answers, and available evidence is changing rapidly. Compared to adults, infected neonates are more likely to be asymptomatic or to develop non-specific multisystemic features; and to have favorable outcomes. At present, no specific therapy or vaccine has been approved for use in neonates with COVID-19, and the current treatment protocols are informed by expert consensus, and extrapolation of adult recommendation...

Background: Chronic hypertension is one of the major sequelae of preeclampsia with associated lon... more Background: Chronic hypertension is one of the major sequelae of preeclampsia with associated long term morbidity and mortality among previously normotensive women diagnosed with preeclampsia. We identi ed the predictors of developing this complication in women with preeclampsia admitted at the Carlos Manuel de Cèspedes Teaching Hospital in Cuba based on histological assessment of their placenta so as to guide the health care providers in early identi cation of the patients at risk for timely intervention against this vicious condition. Methods: A three-year prospective cohort study was conducted between March 2017 and March 2020. A cohort of 178 women diagnosed with preeclampsia was recruited and followed up at 12 weeks postpartum for chronic hypertension. Histological studies were done on their placenta following delivery and the respective result forms used to collect the data. Cox's hazards regression model was applied to estimate the risk using STATA version 14.2.

Background—misinformation and mistrust often undermines community vaccine uptake, yet information... more Background—misinformation and mistrust often undermines community vaccine uptake, yet information in rural communities, especially of developing countries, is scarce. This study aimed to identify major challenges associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine clinical trials among healthcare workers and staff in Uganda. Methods—a rapid exploratory survey was conducted over 5 weeks among 260 respondents (66% male) from healthcare centers across the country using an online questionnaire. Twenty-seven questions assessed knowledge, confidence, and trust scores on COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials from participants in 46 districts in Uganda. Results—we found low levels of knowledge (i.e., confusing COVID-19 with Ebola) with males being more informed than females (OR = 1.5, 95% CI: 0.7–3.0), and mistrust associated with policy decisions to promote herbal treatments in Uganda and the rushed international clinical trials, highlighting challenges for the upcoming Oxford–AstraZene...

Objectives: A shortage of specialists in low resource settings limits opportunities for general s... more Objectives: A shortage of specialists in low resource settings limits opportunities for general surgeons to learn valuable specialty surgery procedures. Simulation-based education is increasingly utilized in surgical training. By evaluating a new thoracic surgery simulation course we hope to establish a proof-of-concept for a low-cost, short-term thoracic surgery simulation in resource limited settings without specialty thoracic surgeons. Methods: Senior thoracic surgeons at an American teaching hospital developed a one-day thoracic surgery simulation training that was implemented at the two teaching hospitals in Rwanda. Models included mannequins, goat tissue, and tissue simulations. Participants completed a 25 question survey based on established principles of simulation assessment. Descriptive analysis using a 5-level Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree, 5 = strongly agree) was performed, reporting medians, modes, and percentage agreement. Results: 36 participants filled out surv...

Background: Thrombocytopenia is a serious threat both to the mother and the fetus world over. We ... more Background: Thrombocytopenia is a serious threat both to the mother and the fetus world over. We established the prevalence and associated immediate maternal complications of thrombocytopenia among women delivering at Kampala International University Teaching Hospital (KIUTH) so as to help us draw a platform for provision of appropriate interventions. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study involving 386 women was conducted in the months of May 2019 to August 2019. Questionnaires and laboratory result forms were used to obtain the data. Data analyses were conducted using STATA version 14.2. Results: The prevalence of thrombocytopenia was 15.8%. Significant immediate maternal outcomes were placenta abruption which was higher among women with thrombocytopenia (44.3%) than those with no thrombocytopenia (2.2%; p<0.001) and postpartum haemorrhage which was higher among those with thrombocytopenia (45.9%) than those with no thrombocytopenia (6.8%; p<0.001). Conclusions: Thrombocytopenia is a serious obstetric issue worth paying extra attention at this facility.

BMC Health Services Research

Objective This study aimed to assess health facilities’ readiness to provide safe surgical care d... more Objective This study aimed to assess health facilities’ readiness to provide safe surgical care during Ebola and COVID-19 era in Uganda and in the Eastern DR Congo. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in selected national, regional referral and general hospital facilities in Uganda and in the eastern part of DR Congo from 1st August 2020 to 30th October 2020. Data was analysed using Stata version 15. Results The participation rate was of 37.5 % (72/192) for both countries. None of the hospitals fulfilled the readiness criteria for safe surgical care provision in both countries. The mean bed capacity of participating health facilities (HF) was 184 in Eastern DR Congo and 274 in Uganda with an average surgical ward bed capacity of 22.3 % (41/184) and 20.4 % (56/274) respectively. The mean number of operating rooms was 2 and 3 in Eastern DR Congo and Uganda respectively. Nine hospitals (12.5 %) reported being able to test for Ebola and 25 (34.7 %) being able to test for COVID...

Objective: This study aimed at highlighting the extent to which Uganda and the Eastern DR Congo a... more Objective: This study aimed at highlighting the extent to which Uganda and the Eastern DR Congo are ready for safe surgical care provision during the double burden of Ebola and COVID-19. Methods: An online cross-sectional study was conducted in selected National, Regional Referral and General Hospital facilities of Uganda and in the Eastern part of D.R. Congo from 1st August 2020 to 30 October 2020. Data was analysed using Stata version 14.2. Results: A participation rate of 37.5% for both countries (72/192). The mean bed capacity of participating health facilities (HF) was 184 in Eastern DR. Congo and 274 in Uganda with an average surgical ward bed capacity of 22.3% (41/184) of the beds in the DR. Congo and 20.4% (56/274) in Uganda. The mean number of operating rooms was 2 and 3 in Eastern DR. Congo and Uganda respectively. Nine hospitals (12.5%) reported being able to test for Ebola and 25 (34.7%) being able to test for COVID-19. Only 7 (9.7%) hospitals reported having a specific ...

Pediatric Health, Medicine and Therapeutics, 2020

Background Prematurity contributes greatly to the neonatal mortality burden in sub-Saharan Africa... more Background Prematurity contributes greatly to the neonatal mortality burden in sub-Saharan Africa. This study evaluated the proportion of preterm neonatal death, medical conditions at admission, and determinants of mortality of preterm neonates in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of a tertiary hospital in Western Uganda. Materials and Methods A prospective cohort study of 351 consecutively enrolled preterm neonates was conducted from March to June 2019. Interviewer-administered questionnaires and physical assessment of neonates were used to obtain socio-demographic and clinical data for mothers and their preterm neonates. Descriptive statistics for participants’ characteristics were generated, while bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were fitted so as to establish the determinants of mortality outcome. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results In-hospital neonatal mortality of 31.6% (95% CI: 26.9–36.7) was noted, with 65.8% of dea...

European Journal of Medical Case Reports