HIV Infection and 90-Day Stroke Outcomes in Uganda: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study.

Background And Objectives: Little is known about the impact of HIV infection on the clinical presentation and outcomes after stroke in the modern antiretroviral therapy (ART) era. We aimed to compare stroke characteristics and outcomes between persons with HIV (PWH) and without HIV (PWOH) presenting with stroke in Uganda.

Methods: We conducted a matched cohort study at Mulago National Referral Hospital and Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital between January 2018 and November 2020.

Systemic inflammation and Oxidative stress with stroke mortality among patients admitted in tertiary Hospital in Uganda: a prospective cohort study in southwestern Uganda.

Background: Stroke is an inflammatory state that causes death and chronic disability. Inflammation and oxidative stress are a predictor of poor clinical outcome, its effects are controversial and has not been evaluated in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study of CT head confirmed ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke admitted within 7 days of onset of motor weakness.

Blood pressure variability and early neurological outcomes in acute and subacute stroke in Southwestern Uganda.

Background: Greater blood pressure variability has detrimental effects on clinical outcome after a stroke; its effects are controversial and have not been evaluated in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

Methods: We conducted a prospective study of patients with CT head confirmed ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes admitted to a tertiary hospital within 7 days of onset of unilateral neurological deficits. Blood pressure variability indices, standard deviation (SD) and coefficient of variation (CV) of systolic and diastolic blood pressure between day 0 and day 7, were calculated with a subsequent modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score on day 14 post-stroke.

"Walking the Journey Together": Creating a unique learning module in provider-patient communication for the care of epilepsy in Uganda.

Objective: This report documents the creation of a practical communication skills module about epilepsy care, specifically targeted at first-line care providers who treat patients with epilepsy in Uganda.

Methods: Our team conducted semi-structured interviews, utilizing Zoom video conferencing, with Ugandan physicians specializing in epilepsy care. Our interview guide promoted a semi-structured conversational interview that explored aspects related to developing a patient-provider relationship, how epilepsy is described in a culturally appropriate manner, exploration of alternative treatments, the impact of the stigma of epilepsy, and facilitators and barriers to antiepileptic drug treatment adherence.

An Analysis of Stroke Risk Factors by HIV Serostatus in Uganda: Implications for Stroke Prevention in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Objective: HIV infection is an important stroke risk factor in sub-Saharan Africa.  However, data on stroke risk factors in the era of antiretroviral therapy (ART) are sparse. We aimed to determine if stroke risk factors differed by HIV serostatus in Uganda.

HIV Infection Is an Independent Predictor of Mortality Among Adults with Reduced Level of Consciousness in Uganda.

The clinical epidemiology of adults admitted with reduced level of consciousness (LOC) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and the impact of HIV infection on the risk of mortality in this population is unknown. We secondarily analyzed data from a cohort study that enrolled 359 consecutive adults with reduced LOC presenting to Mbarara Regional Hospital in Uganda with the aim of comparing the prognostic utility of the Full Outline of Unresponsiveness (FOUR) score to the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) Score. For this analysis, we included 336 individuals with known HIV serostatus, obtaining clinical, laboratory, and follow-up data.

Stroke Mortality Outcomes in Uganda.

Background And Purpose: Stroke outcome data in Uganda is lacking. The objective of this study was to capture 30-day mortality outcomes in patients presenting with acute and subacute stroke to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH) in Uganda.

Methods: A prospective study enrolling consecutive adults presenting to MRRH with abrupt onset of focal neurologic deficits suspicious for stroke, from August 2014 to March 2015.

Healthcare provider perspectives regarding epilepsy care in Uganda.

Objective: Epilepsy is the most common chronic neurological disorder in the world and imposes a large economic burden on global healthcare systems, especially in low-income settings and rural areas as is found in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Despite the high epilepsy prevalence, there are no systematic descriptions of healthcare provider (HCP) perceptions and needs in managing people with epilepsy (PWE) in Uganda. Identifying these perceptions and needs is crucial for understanding community priorities, thereby enhancing the development of culturally sensitive communications, interventions, and research approaches.

Clinical Conditions of Hospitalized Older Adult Patients and Their Outcomes in a Regional Referral Hospital in Southwestern Uganda.

Background: Recent advances in medicine have caused positive impact on the life expectancy of most countries, resulting in increased older adult population. Aging comes with a number of health challenges. This study investigated health conditions of older adults at admission and clinical outcomes in a regional referral hospital in southwestern Uganda.