Alloimmunization to Rh Antigen (D, C, E, C, E) Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care in South Western Uganda.

Introduction: Maternal red cell alloimmunization to Rh antigen in pregnant women occurs when the immune system is sensitized by foreign red blood cell surface antigens, in this case fetal red blood cells, inducing an immune response. Various antigens of blood group systems may cause alloimmunization, especially the Rh, Kel, Fy, JK, and MNS systems. This study aimed to determine alloimmunization to the different frequencies of Rh antigen among pregnant women in South Western Uganda.

ABO and Rh Antigen Distribution Among Pregnant Women in South Western Uganda.

Introduction: ABO and Rh are the major blood group systems in Transfusion Medicine, the ABO system based on two red cell antigens (A, B) while the Rh has about 50 antigens of which five are highly clinically significant (D, C, , E, ). These vary among races and ethnic groups. Blood type phenotype incompatibility between mother and fetus may result in antigen mismatch, triggering alloimmunization, and thus causing hemolytic transfusion reaction (HTR), which results in hemolytic disease of fetus and newborn (HDFN).

The Mirasol Evaluation of Reduction in Infections Trial (MERIT): study protocol for a randomized controlled clinical trial.

Background: Transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs) are a global health challenge. One new approach to reduce TTIs is the use of pathogen reduction technology (PRT). In vitro, Mirasol PRT reduces the infectious load in whole blood (WB) by at least 99%.

Pedicle Morphometry of Subaxial Cervical Spine Using Computed Tomography Scans among Adult Ugandan Subpopulation.

Background: Accurate placement of pedicle screws in the subaxial cervical spine requires precise understanding of vertebra anatomy. Little is known about the morphometric characteristics of the subaxial cervical pedicle in the Ugandan population. The objective of the study was to determine the morphometric dimensions of pedicles in the subaxial cervical spine among the adult Ugandan population.

Transfusion Challenges in Patients with Hematological Malignancies in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Prospective Observational Study from the Uganda Cancer Institute.

Blood transfusion is fundamental in managing hematologic malignancies. We sought to evaluate the need and availability of blood products for patients with hematological malignancies at Uganda Cancer Institute. We prospectively studied the demand and supply of blood for patients with thrombocytopenia (platelet count ≤50 × 10/L), anemia (hemoglobin ≤10 g/dL), and bleeding (WHO grade ≥2).

The willingness of orthopaedic trauma patients in Uganda to accept financial loans following injury.

Background: Early access to a monetary loan may mitigate some of the socioeconomic burden associated with surgical treatment and lost wages following injury. The primary objective of this study was to determine the willingness of orthopaedic trauma patients in Uganda to accept a formal financial loan shortly after their time of injury.

Methods: A consecutive sample of adult orthopaedic trauma patients admitted to Uganda's national referral hospital was included in the survey.

Prevalence and patterns of traumatic bone loss following open long bone fractures at Mulago Hospital.

Introduction: Significant traumatic bone loss in developed countries occurs in a high proportion of open fractures ranging from 11.4% to 40%. However, literature from developing countries such as Uganda scarcely documents the prevalence and patterns of traumatic bone loss.

How low can you go: What is the safe threshold for platelet transfusions in patients with hematologic malignancy in sub-Saharan Africa.

Background: Despite the importance of platelet transfusions in treatment of hematologic cancer patients, the optimal platelet count threshold for prophylactic transfusion is unknown in sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods: We followed patients admitted to the Uganda Cancer Institute with a hematological malignancy in 3 sequential 4-month time-periods using incrementally lower thresholds for prophylactic platelet transfusion: platelet counts ≤ 30 x 109/L in period 1, ≤ 20 x 109/L in period 2, and ≤ 10 x 109/L in period 3. Clinically significant bleeding was defined as WHO grade ≥ 2 bleeding.

Survey to Assess Knowledge and Reported Practices Regarding Blood Transfusion Among Cancer Physicians in Uganda.

Purpose: Optimal decision making regarding blood transfusion for patients with cancer requires appropriate knowledge of transfusion medicine among physicians. We assessed blood transfusion knowledge, attitudes, and reported practices among physicians working at Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI).

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional self-administered survey of UCI physicians on their knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding blood transfusion was conducted from June to September 2014.

Role of North-South Partnership in Trauma Management: Uganda Sustainable Trauma Orthopaedic Program.

Uganda, as do many low-middle income countries, has an overwhelming volume of orthopaedic trauma injuries. The Uganda Sustainable Trauma Orthopaedic Program (USTOP) is a partnership between the University of British Columbia, McMaster University and Makerere University that was initiated in 2007. The goal of the project is to reduce the disabilities that occur secondary to musculoskeletal trauma in Uganda.

Degloving injuries with versus without underlying fracture in a sub-Saharan African tertiary hospital: a prospective observational study.

Background: Degloving injuries are surgical conditions in which an extensive portion of skin and subcutaneous tissue is detached from the underlying fasciae, muscles, or bone surface. Frequently, there is an association of fracture underlying the degloved area. We aimed to compare the short-term outcomes of degloving injuries with and without underlying fracture.

Seeking health care from a general hospital in Uganda following a fracture or a dislocation.

Introduction: Selecting a treatment approach and a facility to get treated from, poses a challenge in musculoskeletal injuries in Africa. The study aimed at determining demographic and injury characteristics of patients with musculoskeletal injuries and how these impact the time and reason for presenting to a general hospital in Uganda.

Methods: An observational study was carried out at Entebbe general hospital on patients presenting with musculoskeletal injuries between 1 November 2014 and 28 February 2015.

Patient Blood Management: An International Perspective.

This article describes practices in patient blood management (PBM) in 4 countries on different continents that may provide insights for anesthesiologists and other physicians working in global settings. The article has its foundation in the proceedings of a session at the 2014 AABB annual meeting during which international experts from England, Uganda, China, and Brazil presented the programs and implementation strategies in PBM developed in their respective countries. To systematize the review and enhance the comparability between these countries on different continents, authors were requested to respond to the same set of 6 key questions with respect to their country's PBM program(s).

The role of Ugandan District Hospital orthopedic units in the care of vulnerable road users: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Musculoskeletal injuries are a common cause of morbidity after road traffic injury (RTI) in motorizing countries. District hospitals provide front-line orthopedic care in Uganda and other sub-Saharan African nations. Improving care at the district hospital level is an important component of the World Health Organization's strategy for surgical and trauma systems strengthening, but the data necessary to inform RTI safety and care initiatives has previously been insufficient at the district hospital level.

Profiles of blood and blood component transfusion recipients in Zimbabwe.

Background: There are limited published data on the characteristics of blood transfusion recipients in sub-Saharan Africa. This study describes the demographic characteristics of blood transfusion recipients and patterns of blood and blood component use in Zimbabwe.

Materials And Methods: Data on the characteristics of the blood transfusion recipients (age, sex, blood group), blood components received (type, quantity), discharge diagnoses and outcomes following transfusion (discharge status, duration of stay in hospital), were retrospectively collected from four major hospitals for the period from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012.

Transfusion Medicine in Sub-Saharan Africa: Conference Summary.

In November 2014, a 3-day conference devoted to transfusion medicine in sub-Saharan Africa was held in Kampala, Uganda. Faculty from academic institutions in Uganda provided a broad overview of issues pertinent to transfusion medicine in Africa. The conference consisted of lectures, demonstrations, and discussions followed by 5 small group workshops held at the Uganda Blood Transfusion Service Laboratories, the Ugandan Cancer Institute, and the Mulago National Referral Hospital.

Blood utilization at a national referral hospital in sub-Saharan Africa.

Background: A safe and adequate supply of blood is critical to improving health care systems in sub-Saharan Africa, where little is known about the current use of blood. The aim of this study was to comprehensively describe the use of blood at a tertiary care hospital to inform future efforts to strengthen blood programs in resource-limited settings.

Study Design And Methods: Data were collected from blood bank documentation for all units issued at Mulago Hospital Complex in Kampala, Uganda, from mid-January to mid-April 2014.

Informed consent in blood transfusion: knowledge and administrative issues in Uganda hospitals.

Blood as a transplant is not free of risks. Clinicians and patients ought to know the parameters of a transfusion informed consent. A mixed methodology to explore patients' and clinicians' knowledge and opinions of administration and strategies to improve the transfusion informed consent process was conducted.