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Subject: correlates ×

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    Correlates and prevalence of overweight and obesity among women of reproductive age (15-49 years) in Sierra Leone. A secondary data analysis of the demographic health survey of 2019
    (2023-07-12) Okot Atim, Pamela; Alema, Nelson Onira; Pebolo, Francis Pebalo; Okot, Christopher; Ochula, Denis; Okot, Smart Geoffrey; Ikoona, Eric Nzirakaindi; Toure, Mame Awa; Namulemo, Lucy; Kamara, Kassim; Oyat, Freddy Wathum Drinkwater; Aloyo, Judith; Njenga, Amon; Kaluya, Ronald; Matovu, John Bosco; Olal, Emmanuel; Kitara, David Lagoro
    Background: Overweight and obesity are emerging public health problems globally and are independent risk factors for heart, blood vessels, reproductive health, and metabolic disorders. This study aimed to determine the correlates and prevalence of overweight and obesity among women of reproductive age (15-49 years) in Sierra Leone using secondary data analysis of the Demographic Health Survey of 2019. Methods: This study was based on the 2019 Sierra Leone Demographic Health Survey (SLDHS) that used a two-stage stratified cluster sampling technique. A total of 7514 non-pregnant women of reproductive age (15-49 years) were used in the analysis. Simple descriptive, bivariable, and multivariable regression analyses were conducted with a significant p-value set at <0.05. Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity among women of reproductive age in Sierra Leone was 19.7% and 7.4%, respectively. Overweight was more likely among women of 15-19 age group (adjusted Odds Ratios, aOR=1.933,95%CI:1.532- 2.348;p<0.001); women from the north (aOR=1.308,95%CI:1.104-1.581;p<0.006); women without formal education (aOR=1.211,95%CI:1.009-1.454;p<0.040); in poorest (aOR=1.501,95%CI:1.231-1.853;p<0.001) and poorer (aOR=1.419,95%CI:1.154-1.745;p=0.001) wealth indices. However, overweight was 39.9% less likely among 30-39-year (aOR=0.601,95%CI:0.507-0.713;p<0.001) and 49% less likely among 40-49-year (aOR=0.510,95%CI:0.415-0.628;p<0.001) age-groups. It was 27.3% less likely among married women (aOR=0.727,95%CI:0.613-0.863;p<0.001), 24.9% less likely in the south (aOR=0.751,95%CI:0.623-0.911;p=0.002), 38.2% and 48.7% less likely in richer (aOR=0.618,95%CI:0.494-0.773;p<0.001) and richest (aOR=0.513,95%CI:0.389-0.677;p<0.001) wealth indices, respectively. Also, obesity was more likely among women 15-19-year (aOR=2.051,95%CI:1.316-3.198;p=0.002); from the north (aOR=1.426,95%CI:1.038-1.958;p=0.044); in poorest (aOR=2.390,95%CI:1.618-3.532;p<0.001) and poorer (aOR=1.667,95%CI:1.151- 2.415;p=0.007) wealth indices. However, it was 68.3% and 79.6% less likely among women 30-39-year (aOR=0.317,95%CI:0.241-0.419;p<0.001) and 40-49-year (aOR=0.204,95%CI:0.149-0.278;p<0.001) age-groups, respectively. It was 36.8% less likely among female-headed households (aOR=0.732,95%CI:0.590-0.909;p=0.005) and 24% less likely among married women (aOR=0.760,95%CI:0.580-0.995;p=0.046); 26.2% less likely in the south (aOR=0.738,95%CI:0.550-0.992;p=0.044); 62.1% and 75.9% less likely in richer (aOR=0.379,95%CI:0.266-0.540;p<0.001) and richest (aOR=0.241,95%CI:0.159-0.367;p<0.001) wealth indices, respectively; and 39.9% less likely among women who listened to radios (aOR=0.601,95%CI:0.507-0.713;p<0.001). Conclusion: The prevalence of overweight and obesity among women of reproductive age (15-49 years) in Sierra Leone was higher compared to world data. Younger age groups, northern region, poorest and poorer wealth indices, and women without formal education were more likely to be overweight and obese. However, overweight and obesity were less likely among older age-groups, married, southern region, richer and richest wealth indices, female-headed households, and listening to radios. There is an urgent need for policymakers in Sierra Leone to tackle overweight and obesity among women of reproductive age (15-49 years) if the current trends are to be reversed.
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    Facemask wearing in COVID-19 pandemic:
    (medRxiv, 2023-10-24) Alema, Nelson Onira; Okot, Christopher; Olal, Emmanuel; Ikoona, Eric Nzirakaindi; Oyat, Freddy Wathum Drinkwater; Baguma, Steven; Ochula, Denish Omoya; Olwedo, Patrick Odong; Oloya, Johnson Nyeko; Pebolo, Francis Pebalo; Atim, Pamela Okot; Okot, Godfrey Smart; Nantale, Ritah; Aloyo, Judith; Kitara, David Lagoro
    Background: The WHO and the US. CDC documented that facemask-wearing in public situations is one of the most important prevention measures that can limit the acquisition and spread of COVID-19. Considering this, WHO and US. CDC developed guidelines for using facemasks in public settings. This study aimed to determine correlates and prevalence of facemask wearing during COVID-19 pandemic among adult population of Northern Uganda. Methods. We conducted a cross-sectional study on five hundred and eighty-seven adult population of northern Uganda. A single stage stratified, and systematic sampling methods were used to select respondents from twenty four Acholi subregion’s health facilities. Data was collected in a face-to-face questionnaire interview with an internal validity of Cronbach's α=0.72. A local IRB approved the study, and Stata 18 was used for data analysis at multivariable Poisson regression with a p-value set at ≤0.05. Results: The most substantial findings from this study were the high prevalence of face mask-wearing in public among respondents [88.7%,95%CI:86%-91%]. At a multivariable Poisson regression analysis, we found that obese respondents were 1.12 times more likely to wear facemasks than those who were not, [adjusted Interval Rates Ratios, aIRR=1.12,95%CI:1.04-1.19;p<0.01], and respondent who agreed to the lockdown measures were 1.23 times more likely to wear facemasks during COVID-19 pandemic than those who did not, [aIRR=1.23, 95%CI:1.07- 1.41;p<0.01]. Other sociodemographic characteristics such as sex, age, occupation, level of education, religion, tribes, marital status, nationality, race, and comorbidities were not statistically significant at 95% Confidence Intervals. Conclusion: The most significant findings from this study were the high prevalence of face mask-wearing among adult community members in northern Uganda. The correlates of facemask wearing in public were the obese and respondents who agreed with the presidential directives on the lockdown measures. Although this was within acceptable prevalence rates, the strict enforcement of face mask-wearing by security forces raised concerns among many community members and human rights advocates. We recommend more studies on communities' perspectives on the challenges and benefits of facemask-wearing during the COVID-19 pandemic.