Publications by authors named "Bongomin F"
Double outlet right ventricle (DORV) is a rare congenital heart defect where both the aorta and pulmonary artery originate from the right ventricle, often accompanied by additional cardiac anomalies to mitigate circulatory imbalance, though such compensations usually fail. We report a 15-month-old infant with recurrent respiratory infections and poor weight gain, referred for computed tomography angiography. Physical examination showed a small, non-syndromic infant with pallor, tachypnea, irritability, and finger clubbing.
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- The study explores the relationship between pancytopenia (a decrease in blood cells) and disseminated histoplasmosis, noting that this connection is rarely documented in existing literature.
- The authors reviewed 72 cases worldwide, primarily from the Americas, finding that many patients had underlying conditions, such as HIV and haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.
- Recovery rates were relatively high at 73.6%, but significant mortality was attributed to diagnostic delays and complications, indicating that early recognition of pancytopenia may be crucial for better patient outcomes.
In patients presenting with post-malarial anemia following intravenous artesunate treatment, post-artesunate delayed hemolysis should be considered in the differential diagnosis, even in endemic settings. Close monitoring for signs of delayed hemolysis in patients previously treated with intravenous artesunate for severe malaria, regardless of their malaria exposure history or geographic location is crucial.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Following the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an increase in teenage pregnancies nationally, however, limited data exists regarding the same among girls living in refugee settlements.
Objectives: We evaluated the prevalence of teenage pregnancy and associated factors in Palorinya and Bidi Bidi refugee settlements in Obongi and Yumbe districts of northern Uganda, in the post-COVID-19 era.
Design: We conducted a cross-sectional study.
Background: Despite antifungal treatment, chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate rates of mortality and its predictors in CPA.
Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted across MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science to identify studies in English, reporting mortality in CPA, from database inception to Aug 15, 2023.
Background: Abortion-related complications are the third leading cause of maternal mortality in Uganda, accounting for approximately one-fourth of all maternal deaths. Most are preventable through adequate use of the full package of postabortion care (PAC) services.
Objective: We aimed to assess the level of utilization of PAC services and the associated sociodemographic, obstetric, gynecological, and system-related factors at a high-volume tertiary health facility in Northern Uganda.
Background: Mycetoma is a fungal neglected tropical disease. Accurate dissemination of information is critical in endemic areas. YouTube, a popular platform for health information, hosts numerous videos on mycetoma, but the quality and reliability of these videos remain largely unassessed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Malaria during pregnancy contributes to significant perinatal morbidity and mortality, accounting for almost 25% of global maternal mortality. However, the epidemiology and risk factors for subclinical malaria among pregnant women living in refugee settlements is poorly understood.
Objective: To determine the prevalence and predictors of subclinical malaria among pregnant women in refugee settlements in Northern Uganda.
Background: Female Healthcare Workers (FHCWs) play a crucial role in advocating for, delivering modern contraceptive methods (MCM) to reproductive-age women and potential users. Despite the high frequency of women seeking healthcare annually, less than half receive adequate contraceptive counseling and services. Investigating FHCWs' adherence to these practices and understanding the obstacles they encounter is essential.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Cesarean section poses a fourfold risk for postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), necessitating accurate blood loss estimation to enable timely interventions. However, the conventional visual estimation method often leads to underestimation, resulting in undiagnosed PPH even in our setting, Uganda. Yet, the quantitative standard techniques remain underutilized.
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- A systematic review analyzed 17 studies comparing liver and renal functions of individuals with SCD (HbSS) to healthy controls (HbAA) across five African countries, involving over 2,800 participants.
- The results showed significant differences in liver enzymes and renal profiles, indicating poorer liver and kidney functions in people with SCD compared to those without the disease.
Article Synopsis
- Mycetoma is a rare tropical disease in Uganda, and the study aimed to enhance the knowledge of community health workers (CHWs) in Northern Uganda to identify and refer cases.
- The research involved a mixed methods approach, including a one-day training session for CHWs, with assessments conducted before, immediately after, and six months later to track knowledge improvement.
- Despite noticeable knowledge gains post-training, barriers like stigma, myths, and logistical challenges remained significant obstacles for CHWs in recognizing and referring mycetoma cases.
Background: With the global rise in the elderly population, ensuring geriatric-friendly healthcare services is paramount. This study aimed to assess the current readiness of health facilities in Kampala City, Uganda, to provide geriatric-friendly care services.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in 35 health facilities (HF) including Private for-profit (PFP), Private not-for-profit, and public (government-run) facilities at different levels i.
Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) treatment in Africa remains unexplored. We present a 23-year-old Ugandan male, previously treated thrice for pulmonary tuberculosis, developing CPA. Imaging showed lung fibrosis, bronchiectasis, and a fungal ball.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) ranks among the top three global causes of death, with 90% of fatalities concentrated in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The projected rise in COPD burden, especially in LMICs, emphasizes the need to address the challenges for effective control and reversal of this trend. We aimed to provide an overview, and propose potential solutions to these challenges.
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- * It included 28 studies with data showing that Black Africans are generally younger, have a lower body mass index (BMI), but higher glycated hemoglobin levels compared to White Europeans.
- * The findings highlight significant ethnic differences in T2D manifestations, emphasizing the need for tailored management and prevention strategies that consider these differences.
Introduction: Screening and diagnostic mammography are associated with some risk of radiation-induced breast cancer. This study was conducted to establish the National Diagnostic Reference Levels (NDRLs) for digital diagnostic and screening mammography in Uganda to achieve breast radiation dose optimization.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among female participants recruited by consecutive sampling from three selected hospitals with digital mammography in Uganda.
Background: Pulmonary complications are common among children with sickle cell disease (SCD). However, there is little literature on associated lung function abnormalities in Uganda. We aimed to determine the prevalence, patterns, and factors associated with abnormal lung function among children with SCD in a tertiary care hospital in Uganda.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Uganda has a high incidence of road traffic accidents and high mortality rates, yet lacks a mature prehospital emergency care system. Our study addresses this gap by assessing the experiences, training, and confidence in providing first aid (FA) among diverse layperson first responders in Northern Uganda, expanding beyond previous research, which was limited to Central Uganda and specific occupational groups.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey among layperson first responders of various occupations in Gulu City, Acholi sub-region, Uganda.
Background: Undernutrition has deleterious consequences to both the mother and the unborn child, significantly contributing to maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. We assessed dietary diversity, the prevalence, and predictors of undernutrition among pregnant adolescents and young women (PAYW) attending antenatal clinic (ANC) at two large teaching hospitals in northern Uganda.
Methods: Between 12th June 2023 to 27th October 2023, we conducted a facility-based, cross-sectional study at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital (GRRH) and St Mary's Hospital Lacor (SMHL), both in Gulu district, Uganda.