Analysis of factors associated with recent illness in Kyotera

Abstract

This study analysed the factors associated with recent illness among residents of Kyotera Rural Community using secondary data from the 2024 Community Health Survey conducted by the Rakai Health Sciences Program (RHSP). A sample of 500 adult respondents was examined, with recent illness within the previous 14 days as the binary dependent variable and age, sex, education level, smoking status, alcohol consumption, physical activity, and Body Mass Index (BMI) as the independent variables. Both bivariate (Chi-square tests and Independent Samples t-tests) and multivariate (Binary Logistic Regression) analytical techniques were employed. The findings revealed that age, smoking status, alcohol consumption, education level, and Body Mass Index (BMI) were significant determinants of recent illness. Older individuals were more likely to experience recent illness (OR = 1.212), while smokers had substantially higher odds of reporting recent illness compared to non-smokers (OR = 4.498). Alcohol consumers were also more likely to experience recent illness (OR = 2.361). Higher BMI was associated with increased odds of recent illness (OR = 1.126), whereas higher levels of education reduced the likelihood of recent illness (OR = 0.685). Sex and physical activity were not significant predictors in the multivariable model. The study concludes that demographic, lifestyle, and anthropometric factors significantly influence recent illness among residents of Kyotera Rural Community. Smoking emerged as the strongest modifiable risk factor, while higher educational attainment offered a protective effect. The study recommends strengthening smoking cessation programs, promoting responsible alcohol consumption, encouraging healthy weight management, and enhancing health education initiatives to reduce the burden of recent illness and improve community health outcomes.