Evaluating the accuracy of multiple rapid diagnostic tests for HIV detection in serum samples analysed during point-of-care proficiency testing assessments.

Background: HIV rapid diagnostic tests are crucial for timely diagnosis, especially in resource-limited settings. The World Health Organization recommends sensitivity ≥99 % and specificity ≥98 %. This study assessed RDT performance across South Africa's provinces using a proficiency testing program.

Subclinical malaria among pregnant women living in refugee settlements in Northern Uganda.

Background: 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.

Prehospital Emergency Care: A Cross-Sectional Survey of First-Aid Preparedness Among Layperson First Responders in Northern Uganda.

Background: 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.

Efficacy of the Gulu University Reproductive Health Simulation Training for final year medical students and interns: a before-and-after study.

Background: Reproductive health emergencies, such as postpartum hemorrhage, contribute significantly to maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality in Uganda due to knowledge and skills gaps. Medical interns, intern midwives, and nurses are crucial as frontline healthcare workers in responding to these emergencies. Our proposed hands-on strategy involves comprehensive simulation-based training (SBT) to equip these healthcare workers with the essential knowledge to manage common reproductive health emergencies and procedures in the country.

Malaria vaccine acceptance among next of kin of children under 5 years of age in Gulu, northern Uganda in 2023: a community-based study.

Background: Malaria is a leading cause of death among children under 5 years of age in sub-Saharan Africa. The malaria vaccine is an important preventive measure introduced by the World Health Organization to reduce malaria and its associated mortality and morbidity. We aimed to assess the acceptance of the malaria vaccine among next of kin of children under 5 years of age in Gulu City, Northern Uganda.

Rheumatology Training for Undergraduate Medical Students in Uganda: A Need Assessment Survey.

Objectives: Despite the rise in the common rheumatological and musculoskeletal disorders (RMDs) in Africa, rheumatology remains an under recognized field with limited training and exposure of medical students. We assessed the knowledge of undergraduate medical students in Uganda on RMDs occurring in our settings.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among clinical year medical students at 9 universities in Uganda offering undergraduate medical degrees in March and April 2022.

Self-Reported Hypertension and Associated Factors Among Adults in Butambala District, Central Uganda: A Community-Based Prevalence Study.

Background: The prevalence of hypertension (HTN) differs among regions and income groups, showing a substantial increase in low- and middle-income countries. The development of hypertension is modulated by modifiable lifestyle factors, and uncontrolled hypertension poses a risk for the onset of cardiovascular diseases.

Objective: To determine the community-level point-prevalence and factors associated with self-reported HTN among adults in Butambala district, central Uganda.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis use among female sex workers in Gulu city, Uganda: a community-based cross-sectional study.

Background: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an important intervention for reducing the risk of HIV transmission among high-risk populations such as female sex workers in Africa, where HIV prevalence remains high. We aimed to assess the use of PrEP among female sex workers in Gulu, Uganda.

Methods: In this community-based cross-sectional study, we included HIV-negative female sex workers purposely selected from hotspots within Gulu city, Uganda between February and March 2023.

Dual contraceptive use and associated factors among female sex workers in Gulu City, Uganda in 2023.

Background: Dual contraception is an essential approach to mitigating the heightened risks of unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections faced by female sex workers (FSWs). We determined the prevalence and factors associated with dual contraceptive use among FSWs in Northern Uganda.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Gulu city, Uganda between February, and March 2023.

High blood pressure prevalence, awareness, treatment, and blood pressure control among Ugandans with rheumatic and musculoskeletal disorders.

Background: Rheumatic and musculoskeletal disorders (RMDs) are associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), with hypertension being the most common. We aimed to determine the prevalence of high blood pressure (HBP), awareness, treatment, and blood pressure control among patients with RMDs seen in a Rheumatology clinic in Uganda.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study at the Rheumatology Clinic of Mulago National Referral Hospital (MNRH), Kampala, Uganda.

Carotid Doppler findings among patients admitted with stroke in two tertiary care facilities in Uganda: A Hospital-based Cross-sectional Study.

Background: Carotid Atherosclerotic Disease (CAD) Doppler findings including carotid artery stenosis, thickened intima media thickness, and high-risk atherosclerotic plaques are associated with increased risk of stroke and symptomatic cerebrovascular disease. However, few studies have explored these Doppler characteristics among stroke patients in Africa. This study, therefore, investigates these carotid artery Doppler characteristics among stroke patients in Uganda.

Coronavirus disease-2019 morbidity and mortality among health care workers in Uganda.

Background: Health care workers (HCWs) are at increased risk of acquiring coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study aimed to determine and compare the morbidity and mortality rates due to COVID-19 among the HCWs and the general population (non-HCWs).

Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review.

A Preliminary Report on Herbal Medicine Use Among Patients Hospitalized at Two-Large COVID-19 Treatment Centers in Uganda.

Introduction: Herbal medication use among patients with COVID-19 imposes a significant risk of drug-herbal interactions and adverse events. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with herbal medicine use among patients hospitalized with COVID-19 attending two large COVID-19 Treatment Units (CTU) in Uganda.

Methods: A hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted recruiting patients with COVID-19 hospitalized at the Mulago National Referral Hospital and Namboole Stadium CTUs.

COVID-19, HIV-Associated Cryptococcal Meningitis, Disseminated Tuberculosis and Acute Ischaemic Stroke: A Fatal Foursome.

Background: Several viral, bacterial and fungal co-infections have been associated with increased morbidity and mortality among patients with COVID-19. We report a fatal case of severe COVID-19 pneumonia in a patient with a recent diagnosis of advanced HIV disease complicated by cryptococcal meningitis, disseminated tuberculosis and acute ischemic stroke.

Case Presentation: A 37-year-old Ugandan woman was diagnosed with HIV infection 8 days prior to her referral to our center.

Fear of COVID-19 and the Media Influence on Herbal Medication Use in Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has created fear in people around the world. This has led to the widespread use of various herbal remedies in its prevention and treatment regardless of the paucity of scientific evidence about their safety and efficacy. This study assessed the fear of COVID-19 and the influence of media on the use of herbal medicine to prevent or treat COVID-19 in Uganda.

Oral health seeking behaviors of adults in Nebbi District, Uganda: a community-based survey.

Background: Dental health is often neglected by the majority of the population and has contributed to the global burden of oral diseases. We assessed awareness, utilization and barriers to seeking oral health care among adults in Nebbi District, Uganda.

Methods: A community-based, cross sectional study was conducted in the central division, Nebbi District in Uganda among adults between the age of 18 years or older.