Abstract:
This dissertation delineates the factors associated with Typhoid Fever among children below 15
years living in slum of Namuwongo Makindye Division, Kampala City, Uganda. Typhoid fever
infection remains a significant public health threat in low-resource settings like Uganda, with a
significant impact on the quality of life. There is however, limited information regarding typhoid
fever among children below 15 years especially in slums like yoka,kanyogga in Namuwongo,
Makindye Division, Kampala District. The study aimed to (a) determine the prevalence of typhoid
fever among children below 15 years of Slum dwellers of Namuwongo, Makindye Division
Kampala City, Uganda (b) to assess the individual related factors associated with typhoid fever,
(c) explore the environmental factors associated with typhoid fever among children below 15 years
in Namuwongo, Makindye division Kampala District. A descriptive cross-section study design
was used to collect quantitative data from caretakers and children below 15 years in Namuwongo
Makindye Division, Kampala District in July 2024. Data was entered using Epi-data Entry
Software version 3.0, processed, and analyzed using the statistical package for Software Sciences
program version 21.0. Chi-square tests and regression analyses were used to determine any
association between the dependent and independent Variables. Data was presented in the form of
tables, figures, and words. The prevalence of typhoid fever was 17.5% (95%CI: 09.14 – 25.34).
The factors associated with typhoid fever included being a girl (OR=2.3, 95%CI: 1.0-5.0,
P<0.040), Overcrowding (OR=2.4, 95%CI: 1.1-5.3, P<0.031), Not washing hands after using
the toilet (OR=1.2, 95%CI: 0.9-2.4, P<0.003), buying food from food vendors (OR=1.3,
95%CI: 1.1-2.0, P<0.039), and not having a VIP latrine (OR=1.2, 95%CI: 0.6-2.1, P<0.001).
The prevalence of typhoid fever was high. This was associated with being a girl, overcrowding,
not washing hands, eating food from vendors, and not having a VIP latrine. Efforts to reduce
typhoid fever in slums like Yoka in Namuwongo should focus more on hygienic practices, as well
as increasing knowledge of urban dwellers on dangers of poor hygiene.
Key words:
Typhoid Fever, Epidemiology, Namuwongo Makindye Division, Kampala District, Children
