Patterson, K., Clark, S., Berrang-Ford, L. et al. (5 more authors) (2020) Acute gastrointestinal illness in an African Indigenous population: the lived experience of Uganda's Batwa. Rural and Remote Health, 20 (1). 5141. ISSN 1445-6354
Abstract
Introduction: Indigenous populations in low-income regions are often the most acutely affected by social gradients that impact health, including high burdens of infectious disease. Using a mixed methods approach, this study characterized the lived experience of acute gastrointestinal illness (AGI) in an Indigenous Batwa population in south-western Uganda.
Methods: Quantitative data analyses were conducted on data from three cross-sectional census surveys of Batwa conducted in January 2013 (n=583), January 2014 (n=569) and April 2014 (n=540). Using a 14-day recall period, cases of AGI were defined as three or more loose stools or any vomiting in a 24-hour period. These analyses were supplemented by qualitative data from key informant interviews (n=11 interviews) and Batwa focus group discussions (n=61 participants).
Results: From the surveys, episodes of diarrhea and episodes of vomiting lasted on average 3.6 (95%CI 2.3–4.3) and 3.0 (95%CI 2.1–3.9) days, and individuals experienced an average of 4.3 (95%CI 3.9–4.8) and 2.6 (95%CI 2.1–3.1) loose stools and vomiting episodes in 24 hours. Focus group participants and key informants indicated that episodes of AGI for Batwa were not limited to symptom-based consequences for the individual, but also had economic, social and nutritional impacts.
Conclusion: Despite efforts to increase health literacy in disease transmission dynamics, risks and prevention measures, the perceived barriers and a lack of benefits still largely underscored adopting positive AGI prevention behaviors. This study moved beyond surveillance and provided information on the broader community-level burden of AGI and highlighted the current challenges and opportunities for improved uptake of AGI prevention measures for the Batwa.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | This item is protected by copyright. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence. |
Keywords: | Africa; Batwa; acute gastrointestinal illness; Health Belief Model; Indigenous health; mixed methods; Uganda |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Environment (Leeds) > School of Earth and Environment (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 20 Mar 2025 17:46 |
Last Modified: | 20 Mar 2025 17:46 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | James Cook University |
Identification Number: | 10.22605/rrh5141 |
Related URLs: | |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:224602 |