CHALLENGES FACED BY HEALTH WORKERS IN PREVENTING IMMUNE - DEFICIENCY DISORDERS AMONG PATIENTS IN GULU REGIONAL REFERRAL HOSPITAL. A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY.

Abstract

Background

Immuno-deficiency disorders are conditions that impair the immune system’s ability to defend the body against foreign or abnormal cells that invade or attack the body. The study aims to assess the Challenges faced by health workers in preventing Immuno-deficiency disorders among patients in the Gulu Regional Referral Hospital. 

Methodology

The study considered a cross-sectional study where both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods to collect data from 30 respondents.

Results

The major challenges faced by the health workers were low attitude and willingness to focus on the prevention of immune deficiency disorders and low socioeconomic status. 17(56.7%) were not willing to sensitize patients to immune deficiency disorders, followed by 11(36.7%) of the respondents said they were willing and only 02(6.7%) said they never support. 30(100%) said health workers are required to have a good attitude towards sensitizing patients to immuno-deficiency disorders. 29(96.7%) said yes, while 01(3.3%) said no to the statement low socio-economic status hinders proper maintenance of a good immune system. As to whether it was true or false that patients who have a high misconception about immune deficiency disorder will have poor maintenance of their immune system, the majority 27(90%) said yes, while 03(10%) said no. The majority of respondents 16(53.3%) worked for only less than 2 years on patients with immuno-deficiency disorders, followed by 10(33.3%) of them who worked for 6-10 years.

Conclusion

The health workers at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital have a wide range of avoidable limitations that make them unable to effectively participate in the prevention of Immuno-deficiency disorders among patients which puts most patients at risk.

Recommendation

The health management team of GRRH should design a work plan that allows health workers to obtain regular training to improve their capacity in handling patients with immuno-deficiency disorders.