Factors Associated with Teenage Pregnancies During the Covid-19 Period in Pakwach District, Northern Uganda: A Case-Control Study.

Background: Teenage pregnancy rates have globally decreased over the years, but remain high, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Among girls aged 15-19, teenage pregnancy remains the leading cause of death and a significant barrier to education and productivity. Its prevalence was high in pakwach district as reported by the DHO and police report during the pandemic.

Community Involvement in Onchocerciasis Post-elimination Surveillance in Bududa District, Eastern Uganda: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Globally, there are an estimated 20.9 million cases of onchocerciasis, with Africa bearing the greatest burden. The World Health Organization (WHO) has targeted the disease for elimination by 2030.

Effect of COVID-19 lock down on teenage pregnancies in Northern Uganda: an interrupted time series analysis.

Background: Pregnancy and childbirth complications are the leading cause of death among girls aged 15-19 years globally, with low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) accounting for 99% of global maternal deaths of women aged 15-49 years. Despite teenage pregnancies declining in many developing countries in recent years, the COVID-19 period intensified the problem and altered the trend for most countries. We determined the effect of the COVID-19 lockdown on the teenage pregnancy trend in Pakwach district, Uganda, to understand its magnitude in our study population.

Factors associated with retention of mother-baby pairs in the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV program in Kaberamaido district: A longitudinal analysis.

Background: Retention along the elimination of Mother to Child Transmission (eMTCT) cascade in Uganda remains poor as only 62.7%-69.5% are followed up to 18months.

Perceptions of adolescent mothers towards adolescent repeat childbirth in Soroti district, Teso sub-region, Uganda: A phenomenological study.

The percentage of adolescent mothers aged 15 to 19 years with a repeat childbirth in Uganda (26.1%) is higher than the global estimate (18.5%).

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among health workers in rural Uganda: A mixed methods study.

Background: COVID-19 vaccination is the latest preventive intervention strategy in an attempt to control the global pandemic. Its efficacy has come under scrutiny because of break through infections among the vaccinated and need for booster doses. Besides, although health workers were prioritized for COVID-19 vaccine in most countries, anecdotal evidence points to high levels of reluctance to take the vaccine among health workers.

Characteristics, treatment outcomes and experiences of COVID-19 patients under home-based care in Kapelebyong district in Uganda: a mixed-methods study.

Background: A rapid increase in community transmission of COVID-19 across the country overwhelmed Uganda's health care system. In response, the Ministry of Health adopted the home-based care strategy for COVID-19 patients with mild-to-moderate disease. We determined the characteristics, treatment outcomes and experiences of COVID-19 patients under home-based care during the second wave in Kapelebyong district, in eastern Uganda.

Side-Effects following Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine in Tororo District, Eastern Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Effective, safe and proven vaccines would be the most effective strategy against the COVID-19 pandemic but have faced rollout challenges partly due to fear of potential side-effects. We assessed the prevalence, profiles, and predictors of Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine side-effects in Tororo district of Eastern Uganda. We conducted telephone interviews with 2204 participants between October 2021 and January 2022.

Alcohol-based hand rub and incidence of healthcare associated infections in a rural regional referral and teaching hospital in Uganda ('WardGel' study).

Background: Good hand hygiene (HH) practice is crucial to reducing healthcare associated infections (HAIs). Use of alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) at health facilities is strongly recommended but it is limited in Uganda. Data on the practice of HH and the incidence of HAIs is sparse in resource-limited settings.