Association between early life second-hand smoke exposure on child sleep and psychoactive substance use on adult sleep patterns in an urban informal settlement in Uganda.

Background: Psychoactive substance use in adults and second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure among children are leading contributors to sleeping problems. Despite this, there is limited data on how these exposures influence sleep patterns in informal settings. Our study assessed the associations between substance use, SHS exposure and sleep disturbances among adults and children in an urban informal settlement in Uganda.

Barriers and facilitators of compliance with infection prevention and control measures during the COVID-19 pandemic in health facilities in Kampala city, Uganda.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) was crucial to reduce the spread of the virus in health facilities. This study explored the barriers and facilitators of IPC compliance among healthcare workers (HCWs) during the COVID-19 pandemic in Kampala City, Uganda. Key informant interviews were conducted with 14 participants in 12 health facilities located in Nakawa division, Kampala City.

Uptake of the hepatitis B vaccine among brothel-based female sex workers in Kampala, Uganda.

Background: Hepatitis B is a significant health problem worldwide, particularly among high-risk groups such as female sex workers (FSWs). In Uganda, it is highly recommended that FSWs receive the hepatitis B vaccine. However, there is limited evidence of the level of uptake of the hepatitis B vaccine and associated factors among FSWs in Uganda.

Improving the last mile delivery of vaccines through an informed push model: Experiences, opportunities and costs based on an implementation study in a rural district in Uganda.

Developing countries face challenges in ensuring equitable, timely, and efficient vaccine availability at health facilities. In Uganda, the distribution of vaccines from district stores to the last-mile health facilities is hindered by an unpredictable and unreliable mixed push-pull delivery system. This system often results in poor vaccine management, stock-outs, and missed vaccination opportunities.

Application of the behaviour-centred design to understand facilitators and deterrents of hand hygiene among healthcare providers: findings from a formative phase of a cluster randomised trial in the Kampala Metropolitan area.

Background: Hand hygiene is known to reduce healthcare-associated infections. However, it remains suboptimal among healthcare providers. In this study, we used the Behaviour-centered Design approach to explore the facilitators and deterrents to hand hygiene among healthcare providers in the Kampala Metropolitan area, Uganda.

Factors associated with full COVID-19 vaccination among persons living with diabetes mellitus in Uganda-A cross-sectional study.

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with severe outcomes of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), including death. COVID-19 vaccination is crucial for preventing infection and severe disease in the general population, but most importantly, among high-risk populations such as persons with DM. However, while COVID-19 vaccination uptake in the general population is regularly tracked, information on vaccination behavior specific to persons with DM is scarce.

Exposure behaviour to Escherichia coli among households in Imvepi refugee settlement, Terego district Uganda.

Introduction: Exposure to Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a risk factor for diarrhoeal diseases, which pose a significant problem in refugee settlements. Refugee populations are exposed to faecal microorganisms through multiple pathways including sub-optimal sanitary facilities, contaminated drinking water, produce and food, flood water, bathing water, and soil among others.

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders among desludging operators in Uganda.

Background: Despite the limited evidence, desludging operators remain at a heightened risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). This study established the prevalence and predictors of WMSDs among desludging operators in Uganda.

Methods: A digitalized structured questionnaire was used to collect cross-sectional data on musculoskeletal disorders and routine workplace activities from 303 desludging operators in 11 cities in Uganda.

Lifejackets or just jackets? Seaworthiness of lifejackets sold at landing sites of Lake Albert, Uganda.

. Upon immersion in water, a cascade of human physiological responses is evoked, which may result in drowning death. Although lifejackets are over 80% effective in preventing drowning, many people in lakeside fishing communities in Uganda shy away from wearing them because of active distrust in the quality of the lifejackets on the local market.

Factors associated with compliance with Infection Prevention and Control measures during the COVID-19 pandemic among healthcare workers in Kampala City, Uganda.

Background: In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic that originated from China in December 2019 and spread around the world, Kampala City witnessed a high number of infections and deaths among healthcare workers (HCWs). This study assessed the level of compliance with Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures and its associated factors among HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic, in Kampala City, Uganda.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Nakawa Division, Kampala City, among 240 HCWs and used multistage sampling in government and private not-for-profit (PNFP) healthcare facilities.

Peer-led training improves lifejacket wear among occupational boaters: Evidence from a cluster randomized controlled trial on Lake Albert, Uganda.

Background: The burden of drowning among occupational boaters in low and middle-income countries is highest globally. In Uganda, over 95% of people who drowned from boating-related activities were not wearing lifejackets at the time of the incident. We implemented and evaluated a peer-led training program to improve lifejacket wear among occupational boaters on Lake Albert, Uganda.

Distribution of Hepatitis B prevention services in Wakiso District, Central Uganda.

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection remains a significant global public health challenge especially in low-and-middle income countries. Although there are significant global and national efforts to control Hepatitis B, equitable distribution and access to prevention services such as testing and vaccination remains a challenge. Efforts to increase access are hindered by inadequate evidence on the availability and distribution of HBV services.

Development and validation of an intervention package to improve lifejacket wear for drowning prevention among occupational boaters on Lake Albert, Uganda.

Background: Occupational drowning is a growing public health concern globally. The human cost of fishing is highest in sub-Saharan Africa. Although lifejackets prevent drowning, the majority of boaters in Uganda do not wear them.

Epidemiology of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli at the human-animal-environment interface in a farming community of central Uganda.

Background: Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-Ec) represents a significant global public health concern. The epidemiology of ESBL-Ec in Uganda is not well understood although it is harbored by humans, animals, and the environment. This study explains the epidemiology of ESBL-Ec using a one health approach in selected farming households in Wakiso district, Uganda.

Understanding the effect of gender-based violence on uptake and utilisation of HIV prevention, treatment, and care services among transgender women: a qualitative study in the greater Kampala metropolitan area, Uganda.

Background: Transwomen (also known as transgender women) are disproportionately affected by all forms of gender-based violence (GBV). The high prevalence of physical, sexual and emotional violence not only predisposes transwomen to HIV infection but also limits the uptake/access to HIV prevention, care, and treatment services. Despite the high prevalence of HIV infection and GBV among transwomen, there is limited evidence on how GBV affects the uptake and utilisation of HIV prevention, care, and treatment services.

Prevalence and predictors of sex under the influence of psychoactive substances among young people in informal settlements in Kampala, Uganda.

Background: The use of psychoactive substances such as alcohol, heroin and marijuana is associated with negative health outcomes such as sexual violence and unintended pregnancies, and risky sexual behaviours. Although there is evidence linking psychoactive substance use and risky sexual behaviours such as inconsistent condom use and multiple sexual relationships, there is limited data on sex under the influence of psychoactive substances among young people. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and predictors of sex under the influence of psychoactive substances among young people in informal settlements in Kampala, Uganda.

Phenotypic Characterization and Antibiograms of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing Isolated at the Human-Animal-Environment Interface Using a One Health Approach Among Households in Wakiso District, Uganda.

Background: The occurrence of extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing bacteria such as has increasingly become recognized beyond hospital settings. Resistance to other types of antibiotics limits treatment options while the existence of such bacteria among humans, animals, and the environment is suggestive of potential zoonotic and reverse-zoonotic transmission. This study aimed to establish the antibiotic susceptibility profiles of the ESBL-producing (ESBL-EC) from human, animal, and environmental isolates obtained among farming households within Wakiso district using a One Health approach.

Help-seeking and challenges faced by transwomen following exposure to gender-based violence; a qualitative study in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area, Uganda.

Background: The high prevalence of gender-based violence (GBV) among transwomen is a human rights and public health challenge. Nonetheless, there is limited evidence of sources of GBV support services and the challenges faced by transwomen while help-seeking, especially in transphobic settings like Uganda. This study explored the sources of GBV support services and the challenges faced by transwomen in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area during help-seeking.

Predictors of consistent condom use among young psychoactive substance users in Kampala's informal settlements, Uganda.

Introduction: The use of psychoactive substances increases the likelihood of unprotected sexual intercourse with individuals whose health status is not known, and consequently sexually transmitted infections, especially among young people. Despite this risk, there is limited evidence of the predictors of consistent condom use among young psychoactive substance users (YPSUs) in informal settings. This study examined the predictors of condom use among YPSUs in Kampala's informal settlements, Uganda.

Effect of community-level intervention on antenatal care attendance: a quasi-experimental study among postpartum women in Eastern Uganda.

Background: Early Initiation of antenatal care (ANC) and at least four visits during pregnancy allow screening and support for a healthy lifestyle and self-care during pregnancy however, community-directed interventions to improve access to these services are rarely explored.

Objective: To assess the effect of community health worker (CHW) involvement on utilisation of antenatal services during pregnancy in resource-constrained rural settings in Uganda.

Methods: We conducted a quasi-experimental evaluation study among mothers from Eastern Uganda.

Health and Safety Risk Mitigation among Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Miners in Zimbabwe.

Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is often associated with no or compromised attention to health and safety. Although headlines of fatal accidents in Zimbabwe characterise ASGM, little attention is paid to prevention strategies. This study, therefore, explores health and safety risk mitigation in ASGM in Zimbabwe to inform prevention strategies.

Predictors of Stunting and Underweight Among Children Aged 6 to 59 months in Bussi Islands, Wakiso District, Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Child undernutrition is a major public health concern in Uganda that can lead to increased risks of death with its prevalence higher in rural hard-to-reach areas than in urban areas. While it is assumed that the prevalence will be more concerning in islands with restricted accessibility to healthcare resources, limited research has been conducted on the prevalence and associated factors of stunting and underweight among children in Bussi Islands of Uganda. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and predictors of stunting and underweight among children aged 6 to 59 months in Bussi Islands of Wakiso District in Uganda.

Employment status of AFROHUN-Uganda one health alumni, and facilitators and barriers to application of the one health approach: a tracer study.

Background: The One Health (OH) approach integrates multiple competencies in the prevention and control of disease outbreaks. Through a range of OH competence-based activities, the Africa One Health University Network (AFROHUN) built the capacity of selected students at Makerere University and Mbarara University of Science and Technology. This study applied the Systems Theoretical Framework (STF) of career development to establish the employment status of AFROHUN-Uganda alumni, and the facilitators and barriers to application of the OH approach in their organisations.

Use of biomass fuels predicts indoor particulate matter and carbon monoxide concentrations; evidence from an informal urban settlement in Fort Portal city, Uganda.

Background: Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) is a leading cause of respiratory and cardiopulmonary illnesses. Particulate matter (PM) and carbon monoxide (CO) are critical indicators of IAQ, yet there is limited evidence of their concentrations in informal urban settlements in low-income countries.

Objective: This study assessed household characteristics that predict the concentrations of PM and CO within households in an informal settlement in Fort Portal City, Uganda.