Publications by authors named "Elizabeth Katana"

Background: Long-acting injectable (LAI)-PrEP provides better protection against HIV compared to oral PrEP, which requires taking a daily pill. Our study aimed to assess knowledge about oral and LAI-PrEP and identify factors associated with willingness to use LAI-PrEP among key populations (KP) in Uganda.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study at the Most at Risk Populations Initiative (MARPI) clinic between November and December 2021.

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Introduction: on March 21, 2020, the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Uganda. A total lockdown was initiated on March 30 which was gradually lifted May 5-June 30. On March 25, a toll-free call center was organized at the Kampala Capital City Authority to respond to public concerns about COVID-19 and the lockdown.

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Background: Despite adoption of the 'test-and-treat' strategy, a high proportion of antiretroviral therapy (ART) naïve people living with HIV (PLHIV) enrol in care with, and die of advanced HIV disease (AHD) in Uganda. In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of AHD among ART naïve adults enrolling in care and associated factors at selected public health facilities in Kampala, Uganda.

Methods: From April to July 2022, we conducted a mixed-methods study at Kiswa Health Centre III, Kitebi Health Centre III, and Kawaala Health Centre IV.

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Background: Dolutegravir (DTG)-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) is currently the preferred first-line treatment for persons living with HIV (PLHIV) including children and adolescents in many low- and middle-income countries including Uganda. However, there are concerns about excessive weight gain associated with DTG especially in adults. There remains paucity of current information on weight-related outcomes among adolescents on DTG.

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Background: High blood pressure (HBP), including hypertension (HTN), is a predictor of cardiovascular events, and is an emerging challenge in young persons. The risk of cardiovascular events may be further amplified among people living with HIV (PLHIV). We determined the prevalence of HBP and associated factors among PLHIV aged 13 to 25 years in Rwenzori region, western Uganda.

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Despite implementing measures to prevent introduction of COVID-19 in prisons, a COVID-19 outbreak occurred at Moroto Prison, northern Uganda in September 2020. We investigated factors associated with the introduction and spread of COVID-19 in the prison. A case was PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection in a prisoner/staff at Moroto Prison during August-September 2020.

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Background: Identifying preventable causes of COVID-19 deaths is key to reducing mortality. We investigated possible preventable causes of COVID-19 deaths over a six-month period in Uganda.

Methods: A case-patient was a person testing reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction-positive for SARS-CoV-2 who died in Kampala Metropolitan Area hospitals from August 2020 to February 2021.

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Background: Safeguarding the psychological well-being of healthcare workers (HCWs) is crucial to ensuring sustainability and quality of healthcare services. During the COVID-19 pandemic, HCWs may be subject to excessive mental stress. We assessed the risk perception and immediate psychological state of HCWs early in the pandemic in referral hospitals involved in the management of COVID-19 patients in Uganda.

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Background: Emergence of drug resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) has aggravated the tuberculosis (TB) public health burden worldwide and especially in low income settings. We present findings from a predominantly nomadic population in Karamoja, Uganda with a high-TB burden (3500 new cases annually) and sought to determine the prevalence, patterns, factors associated with DR-TB.

Methods: We used mixed methods of data collection.

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Background: In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, Uganda inclusive, implemented lockdowns, curfew, banning of both private and public transport systems, and mass gatherings to minimize spread. Social control measures for COVID-19 are reported to increase violence and discrimination globally, including in Uganda as some may be difficult to implement resulting in the heavy deployment of law enforcement.

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We conducted an online survey in the first two months of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic in Uganda to assess the level and determinants of adherence to and satisfaction with the COVID-19 preventive measures recommended by the government. We generated Likert scales for adherence and satisfaction outcome variables and measured them with four preventive measures, including handwashing, wearing face masks, physical distancing, and coughing/sneezing hygiene. Of 1726 respondents (mean age: 36 years; range: 12-72), 59% were males, 495 (29%) were adherent to, and 545 (32%) were extremely satisfied with all four preventive measures.

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