Developing and testing tele-support psychotherapy using mobile phones for depression among youth in Kampala district, Uganda: study protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: In the post-COVID-19 era, depressive disorders among youth have risen significantly, creating an urgent need for accessible, cost-effective mental health interventions. This study adapts Group Support Psychotherapy into Tele-Support Psychotherapy (TSP) via mobile phones. It aims to evaluate its feasibility, acceptability, effectiveness, and cost-efficiency in addressing mild to moderate depression among youth in central Uganda.

Using artificial intelligence on dermatology conditions in Uganda: a case for diversity in training data sets for machine learning.

Background: In pursuit of applying universal non-biased Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare, it is essential that data from different geographies are represented.

Objective: To assess the diagnostic performance of an AI-powered dermatological algorithm called Skin Image Search on Fitzpatrick 6 skin type (dark skin) dermatological conditions.

Methods: 123 dermatological images selected from a total of 173 images were retrospectively extracted from the electronic database of a Ugandan telehealth company, The Medical Concierge Group (TMCG) after getting their consent.

Feasibility and Acceptability of a Ugandan Telehealth Engagement Platform for Informational Messaging on Modern Contraception: Pilot Cross-sectional Study.

Background: With the region's highest population growth rate (30%), Uganda is on the brink of a population explosion, yet access to and utilization of public health control measures like modern contraception is a challenge. This is due to remotely located health facilities, noncustomized health content, and poor or nonfunctional post-facility follow-up.

Objective: The aim of our study was to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a telehealth engagement platform primarily targeting men; the platform provided behavioral and informational messaging on modern contraception (ie, family planning) and its impact on shaping sexual and reproductive health and knowledge and uptake of family planning services.

Qualitative study of mental health attribution, perceptions and care-seeking in Kampala, Uganda.

Background: Mental health problems contribute to a substantial proportion of the global burden of disease. In Uganda, the World Health Organization estimates that 2.2 million people are affected by mental health disorders.

HiSTEP: A Single-Arm Pilot Study of a Technology-Assisted HIV Self-testing Intervention in Kampala, Uganda.

We developed and pilot tested a 3-month HIV self-testing intervention called HiSTEP ("HIV Self-testing Engagement Project") among 95 adult (18+ years) at-risk (condomless sex < 3 months) adults in Kampala, Uganda. HiSTEP leverages theoretically-grounded (in the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills model) text messages, a telehealth centre with live support, and "last-mile" HIV self-testing kit delivery to a location chosen by the participant. Nearly 94% of participants were retained at month 3.

Point-of-care testing for HIV and sexually transmitted infections reveals risky behavior among men at gambling centers in Uganda".

In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), men are generally difficult to engage in healthcare programs. However, sports gambling centers in SSA can be used as avenues for male engagement in health programs. We offered point-of-care HIV and syphilis testing for men located at five gambling centers in Uganda and assessed HIV risky sexual behavior.

Continuity of health service delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic: the role of digital health technologies in Uganda.

In response to coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic (COVID-19), the government of Uganda instituted movement restrictions to curb disease spread. However, this affected accessibility to medical services in a setting where the healthcare system is not equipped to handle most healthcare needs of the populace outside hospital premises. This gap led to the prominence and unprecedented rise in the use of digital health technologies to deliver health information and services at a distance (telehealth) during the COVID-19 outbreak.