Prevalence and factors associated with opioid use disorder among adolescents with sickle cell disease in Mulago hospital, Uganda.

Background: Opioid use disorder (OUD) among adolescents with sickle cell disease (SCD) patients increases their risk of complications from sickle cell disease, such as infections, stroke, acute chest syndrome, sudden death, and organ failure. This negatively impacts families, communities, the national health system, and the economy. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with opioid use disorder among adolescents with SCD at Mulago Hospital Uganda.

Doxycycline for the treatment of nodding syndrome: a randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial.

Background: Nodding syndrome is a poorly understood neurological disorder that predominantly occurs in Africa. We hypothesised that nodding syndrome is a neuroinflammatory disorder, induced by antibodies to Onchocerca volvulus or its Wolbachia symbiont, cross-reacting with host neuronal proteins (HNPs), and that doxycycline can be used as treatment.

Methods: In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial, we recruited participants from districts affected by nodding syndrome in northern Uganda.

Views and experiences of traditional and Western medicine practitioners on potential collaboration in the care of people living with mental illness in Malawi.

Introduction: Collaboration between traditional and biomedical medicine can lead to holistic care and improved health outcomes for people with mental illnesses. The current study aimed to explore the views and experiences of traditional and western medicine practitioners on potential collaboration in the care of people living with mental illness in Blantyre, Malawi.

Method: A phenomenological qualitative research design was used.

Vitamin D and Probability of Developmental Disorders among Perinatally HIV-Affected and Unaffected Ugandan Children.

We tested the hypothesis that vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is associated with higher developmental disorder probability in 604 children with perinatal HIV infection (CPHIV, = 199), HIV exposed and uninfected (CHEU, = 196), and HIV unexposed uninfected (CHUU, = 201). Children at 6-18 years old and their adult caregivers were assessed at enrollment, 6, and 12-month follow-ups. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin-D (25OHD) levels in children quantified per the NHANES protocol were used to define VD categories as VDD (25OHD < 20 ng/mL), VD insufficient (VDI, 20 ≤ 25OHD ≤ 25 ng/mL), and VD sufficient (VDS = reference group if 25OHD > 25 ng/mL).

Victimization among adolescents of female sex workers: findings from the children of at-risk parents (CARP) study in Uganda.

Background: Female sex workers (FSWs) live and work in high-risk environments, experience high levels of adversity, and have multigenerational trauma that can negatively affect their children. Yet not much is known about the prevalence of victimization (i.e.

Levels of depression, anxiety, and psychological distress among Ugandan adults during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic: cross-sectional evidence from a mobile phone-based population survey.

Objectives: Policy measures to slow the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), such as curfews and business closures, may have negative effects on mental health. Populations in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) may be particularly affected due to high rates of poverty and less comprehensive welfare systems, but the evidence is scarce. We evaluated predictors of depression, anxiety, and psychological distress in Uganda, which implemented one of the world's most stringent lockdowns.

Drugs and alcohol Use patterns among those seeking care in urban rehabilitation centres before and during early months of COVID-19 in Uganda.

Introduction: There is a rise in alcohol and other drug (AOD) abuse in the country but details of the practice are scanty. This paper provides characteristics of clients in the rehabilitation centres, their AOD related practices before and early months of COVID-19, and correlates of repeat treatment.

Methods: The study was conducted in 10 rehabilitation centres in Kampala Metropolitan area.

Risk Factors for Nodding Syndrome and Other Forms of Epilepsy in Northern Uganda: A Case-Control Study.

Epidemiological studies suggest a link between onchocerciasis and various forms of epilepsy, including nodding syndrome (NS). The aetiopathology of onchocerciasis associated epilepsy remains unknown. This case-control study investigated potential risk factors that may lead to NS and other forms of non-nodding epilepsy (OFE) in northern Uganda.

Sex differences in age of diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder: Preliminary evidence from Uganda.

This study was performed to determine (a) the age at which autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is first diagnosed in Ugandan children receiving mental health services, (b) whether age at diagnosis varies by sex and clinical presentation, and (c) the average age of ASD diagnosis in children manifesting comorbid conditions. A retrospective chart review was performed and demographic as well as clinical data were collected from children with ASD diagnoses who attended two mental health clinics in Uganda between 2014 and 2019. Descriptive statistics such as percentages, means, and standard deviations were used to summarize the data.

Client-perpetrated gender-based violence among female sex workers in conflict-affected Northern Uganda: a cross-sectional study.

Study Objective: To determine the prevalence and associated factors of client-perpetrated gender-based violence among female sex workers in conflict-affected Northern Uganda.

Design And Settings: We conducted a cross-sectional study among female sex workers in Gulu district in conflict-affected Northern Uganda.

Participants: The study participants included 300 female sex workers aged 18+ years.

Epilepsy in Sero-Positive Patients From Northern Uganda-Clinical, EEG and Brain Imaging Features.

Globally, epilepsy is the most common chronic neurological disorder. The incidence in sub-Saharan Africa is 2-3 times higher than that in high income countries. Infection by may be an underlying risk factor for the high burden and based upon epidemiological associations, has been proposed to cause a group of disorders- associated epilepsies (OAE) like nodding syndrome (NS).

Prevalence and factors associated with major depression among female sex workers in post-conflict Gulu district: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Female sex workers operating in conflict-affected settings could be at a much greater risk of major depression. However, the epidemiology of major depression in this population remains understudied. We aimed to determine the prevalence and the factors associated with major depression among FSWs in the post-conflict Gulu district in Northern Uganda.

Assessment of the relationship between life events with psychosocial competence of students in selected secondary schools in Northern and Central Uganda.

Introduction: As they grow, young people transit through adolescence; a particularly challenging phase. Many go through without difficulties but some experience maladaptive responses in form of conduct and adjustment problems, pubertal challenges and life stress. Published research from the developed societies demonstrates consistent associations between young people's exposure to life events, psychosocial competence (PSC) and mental health problems.

Household poverty, schooling, stigma and quality of life in adolescents with epilepsy in rural Uganda.

Background: Epilepsy remains a leading chronic neurological disorder in Low- and Middle-Income Countries. In Uganda, the highest burden is among young rural people. We aimed to; (i) describe socio-economic status (including schooling), and household poverty in adolescents living with epilepsy (ALE) compared to unaffected counterparts in the same communities and (ii) determine the factors associated with the overall quality of life (QoL).

Traditional and Complementary Medicine Use Among Adult Cancer Patients Undergoing Conventional Treatment in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Scoping Review on the Use, Safety and Risks.

Background: Use of traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) is very common among patients in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). However, there are limited data on concurrent use of T&CM with conventional cancer therapies. In this scoping review, we sought to describe the (i) prevalence of use, (ii) types of medicine, (iii) reasons for taking T&CM, (iv) current knowledge on safety and risks, (v) characteristics of adult cancer patients who use T&CM, and (vi) perceived treatment outcomes among cancer patients undergoing conventional cancer treatment in SSA.

Major Depressive Disorder Among HIV Infected Youth in Uganda: Incidence, Persistence and Their Predictors.

Incidence and persistence of major depressive disorder (MDD) in children and adolescents with HIV (CA-HIV) in Uganda is described. 1339 CA-HIV attending care were enrolled and followed up for 12 months. MDD was assessed using the DSM-5 referenced Child and Adolescent Symptom Inventory-5 (CASI-5), with a prevalence for MDD at baseline of 5% (95% CI 3.

Stigma and epilepsy in onchocerciasis-endemic regions in Africa: a review and recommendations from the onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy working group.

Background: In onchocerciasis-endemic areas, particularly in those with a sub-optimal onchocerciasis control programme, a high prevalence of epilepsy is observed. Both onchocerciasis and epilepsy are stigmatizing conditions. The first international workshop on onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy (OAE) was held in Antwerp, Belgium (12-14 October 2017) and during this meeting, an OAE alliance was established.

Prevalence and factors associated with major depressive disorder in children and adolescents at the Uganda Cancer Institute.

Background: The prevalence and factors associated with major depressive disorder (MDD) among adults with cancer have been documented in the scientific literature. However, this data is limited among children and adolescents with cancer; especially in low resource settings such as Uganda. We assessed the prevalence and factors associated with MDD in children and adolescents attending the Uganda cancer institute out-patient clinic.

Qualitative evaluation of the outcomes of care and treatment for children and adolescents with nodding syndrome and other epilepsies in Uganda.

Background: In 2012, the Ugandan Government declared an epidemic of Nodding Syndrome (NS) in the Northern districts of Gulu, Kitgum, Lamwo and Pader. Treatment guidelines were developed and NS treatment centres were established to provide symptomatic control and rehabilitation. However, a wide gap remained between the pre-defined care standards and the quality of routine care provided to those affected.

Doxycycline for the treatment of nodding syndrome (DONS); the study protocol of a phase II randomised controlled trial.

Background: Nodding syndrome is a poorly understood neurological disorder of unknown aetiology, affecting several thousand children in Africa. There has been a consistent epidemiological association with infection by the filarial parasite, Onchocerca volvulus and antibodies to leiomodin and DJ-1, cross-reacting with O.volvulus proteins, have been reported.