Publications by authors named "Alfred Mubangizi"
Uganda started implementing mass drug administration against schistosomiasis in 2003, with district used as an implementation unit. This resulted into misclassification of communities into wrong risk levels, under-or-over treatment and over request of praziquantel (PZQ) drugs. The objective of the current study was to reviewing the community data available at World Health Organization/ESPEN database to understand the status of schistosomiasis and identify pockets with infection.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections, particularly affecting Ugandan schoolchildren, have been targeted by biannual deworming efforts since 2003, yet little long-term impact data exists.
- A recent study in November 2023 surveyed 10-14-year-olds in five districts, revealing varying prevalence rates of STH, with the highest at 21.2% in Kamwenge and much lower rates elsewhere.
- Findings indicated that while infections are present, moderate-to-heavy cases are rare across all districts, suggesting effective control of serious STH-related morbidity among schoolchildren.
Background: Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are caused by roundworms (Ascaris lumbricoides), whipworms (Trichuris trichiura), and hookworms (Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale). In Uganda, baseline surveys conducted during the late 1990s and early 2000s suggested STH infections were common, with prevalence >50% among surveyed schoolchildren. In 2003, a national program was launched with mass preventative chemotherapy (PC) and health education for children 1-14 years old.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: The lack of subnational mapping of the zoonotic cestode Taenia solium in endemic countries presents a major challenge to achieving intensified T. solium control milestones, as outlined in the "World Health Organization neglected tropical disease roadmap by 2030". We conducted a mapping study in Uganda, considered to be endemic, to identify subnational high-risk areas.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Achieving elimination of trachoma as a public health problem in trichiasis-endemic districts requires a systematic approach to trichiasis case finding and outreach.
Methods: Programme monitoring data from seven countries for 2017-2019 were used to explore the efficiency of different community mobilisation approaches and uptake of trichiasis surgical services.
Results: Three countries (Ethiopia, Kenya and Mozambique) using broad-based community mobilisation strategies had large numbers of people presenting at outreach but only 2.
Article Synopsis
- Over 200 million people globally are infected with Schistosoma species, significantly affecting children, with praziquantel (PZQ) being the main treatment but only officially approved for those over four years old.
- A phase II trial will take place in Uganda and the Philippines with 600 children aged 12-47 months, testing different dosing regimens of PZQ and placebo treatments over a year, focusing on cure and egg reduction rates.
- The study aims to provide insights into the safety and effectiveness of higher PZQ doses in younger children and compare the effects of different treatment frequencies on health outcomes.
Purpose: There are several settlements in the Northern and Western Regions of Uganda serving refugees from South Sudan and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), respectively. Trachoma prevalence surveys were conducted in a number of those settlements with the aim of determining whether interventions for trachoma are required.
Methods: An evaluation unit (EU) was defined as all refugee settlements in one district.