Inadequate Housing and Poor Sanitation Contribute to the Spread of Infectious Disease Kampala, Uganda: Results from the TOPOWA Study.
Disciplines
Community Health and Preventive Medicine | Virus Diseases | Women's Health
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Introduction: Significant health disparities plague the youth of Kampala, Uganda, stemming from a multitude of social determinants such as limited healthcare accessibility, substandard housing, and pervasive poverty. These inequities disproportionately affect young females within the community due to compounded challenges including restricted healthcare access and entrenched gender norms. Establishing meaningful connections with these marginalized women is paramount, enabling us to discern the most suitable intervention strategies. The goal of this study is to fulfill the responsibility of amplifying the voices of women in Kampala, Uganda, thereby cultivating a more cohesive and empowered community. Methods: As a component of an ongoing R01 intervention study supported by NIH, Six focus groups were held with three distinct locations in the Kampala, Uganda region. Ten young women, ranging in age from 18 to 25, who were suffering in the Kampala, Uganda area were included in each group (n = 60). Four thematic groups were identified through a thematic analysis. Results: Using the viewpoints of the women who use these resources as a basis, the analysis produced four theme clusters that represent healthcare vulnerabilities. In particular, Cluster 2 concentrated on how poor housing and sanitation allow infectious diseases to spread. Participants stated that poor housing, improper sewage, and overcrowding all contribute to the development of infectious diseases. Conclusion: This research shows the social factors that contribute to the health burden and transmission of infectious diseases, typically overlooked by sources such as scientific literature. Reviewing this subject and giving it greater attention is vital since we must understand what adjustments should be made in order to better their community. They also outlined a range of resources that should be used at both the communal and individual scales in order to address the primary causes of stress in Kampala, Uganda.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
WCHHS - Social Work and Human Services
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Matthew Lyons
Inadequate Housing and Poor Sanitation Contribute to the Spread of Infectious Disease Kampala, Uganda: Results from the TOPOWA Study.
Introduction: Significant health disparities plague the youth of Kampala, Uganda, stemming from a multitude of social determinants such as limited healthcare accessibility, substandard housing, and pervasive poverty. These inequities disproportionately affect young females within the community due to compounded challenges including restricted healthcare access and entrenched gender norms. Establishing meaningful connections with these marginalized women is paramount, enabling us to discern the most suitable intervention strategies. The goal of this study is to fulfill the responsibility of amplifying the voices of women in Kampala, Uganda, thereby cultivating a more cohesive and empowered community. Methods: As a component of an ongoing R01 intervention study supported by NIH, Six focus groups were held with three distinct locations in the Kampala, Uganda region. Ten young women, ranging in age from 18 to 25, who were suffering in the Kampala, Uganda area were included in each group (n = 60). Four thematic groups were identified through a thematic analysis. Results: Using the viewpoints of the women who use these resources as a basis, the analysis produced four theme clusters that represent healthcare vulnerabilities. In particular, Cluster 2 concentrated on how poor housing and sanitation allow infectious diseases to spread. Participants stated that poor housing, improper sewage, and overcrowding all contribute to the development of infectious diseases. Conclusion: This research shows the social factors that contribute to the health burden and transmission of infectious diseases, typically overlooked by sources such as scientific literature. Reviewing this subject and giving it greater attention is vital since we must understand what adjustments should be made in order to better their community. They also outlined a range of resources that should be used at both the communal and individual scales in order to address the primary causes of stress in Kampala, Uganda.