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.

Chemical contaminant exposures assessed using silicone wristbands among fuel station attendants, taxi drivers and commercial motorcycle riders in Kampala, Uganda.

There are concerns over traffic-related air pollution in Uganda's capital, Kampala. Individuals in the transportation sector are hypothesized to be at greater risk for exposure to volatile organic compounds, given their proximity to vehicle exhaust. Silicone wristbands are a wearable technology that passively sample individuals' chemical exposures.

Capacity of enforcers and level of enforcement of the Tobacco Control Act 2015 in Kampala, Uganda.

Tobacco use is a leading cause of preventable deaths worldwide. Uganda enacted the Tobacco Control Act (TCA) 2015 to domesticate implementation of the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) regulations. This study assessed the capacity to enforce the TCA and associated factors, as well as the level and barriers to its enforcement in Kampala, Uganda.

Indoor air pollutants and respiratory symptoms among residents of an informal urban settlement in Uganda: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Indoor air pollutants (IAP) and household conditions such as dampness, crowding and chemical exposures have been associated with acute and chronic respiratory infections. In Uganda, literature on the effects of IAP on respiratory outcomes in informal settlements is limited.

Methods: We describe the baseline household characteristics of 284 adults and their children in an informal settlement in Uganda from April to May 2022.

Consumer Awareness and Health Risk Perceptions of Pesticide Residues in Fruits and Vegetables in Kampala Metropolitan Area in Uganda.

Consumer awareness of the presence of pesticides in fruits and vegetables and associated health risks influences the actions they undertake to reduce their exposure. This study was carried out to explore consumers' awareness of pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables and perceptions towards associated health effects in Kampala Metropolitan Area (KMA) in Uganda. Eight focus group discussions (FGDs) were done with fruit and vegetables consumers in KMA.

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.

Antimicrobial resistance among farming communities in Wakiso District, Central Uganda: A knowledge, awareness and practice study.

Background: Antibiotics are increasingly becoming ineffective as antimicrobial resistance (AMR) continues to develop and spread globally-leading to more difficult to treat infections. Countries such as Uganda are still challenged with implementation of AMR related strategies due to data paucity. This includes a lack of data on the prevailing knowledge and awareness of antimicrobial resistance and antibiotic use among farming communities, both commercial and subsistence, which are instrumental in the implementation of targeted interventions.

Association between recent COVID-19 diagnosis, depression and anxiety symptoms among slum residents in Kampala, Uganda.

Background: Despite the known link between poor living conditions and mental health, there has been little research on the mental health of slum dwellers worldwide. Although the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to an increase in mental health issues, little focus has been given to the impact on slum dwellers. The study aimed to investigate the association between recent COVID-19 diagnosis and the risk of depression and anxiety symptoms among people living in an urban slum in 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.

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.

Factors Associated With Utilization of Ecological Sanitation Technology in Burera District, Rwanda: A Mixed Methods Research.

Background: The utilization of "on-site excreta decomposition technology" known as "Ecological sanitation (Ecosan)" has a rational use of human excreta. It is a resource-oriented sanitation mostly feasible in areas with rocky soil and prone to agriculture. This technology was implemented in Rwanda for more than a decade.

Pesticide Residues in Fresh Fruit and Vegetables from Farm to Fork in the Kampala Metropolitan Area, Uganda.

This study assessed concentrations of pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables from farm-to-fork in Kampala Metropolitan Area, Uganda. A total of 160 samples of fruit and vegetables collected from farms, markets, streets, restaurants and homes were analysed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry; and Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer for dithiocarbamates. Multiple pesticide residues were detected in majority of the samples (95.

An assessment of health risks posed by consumption of pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables among residents in the Kampala Metropolitan Area in Uganda.

Background: Pesticide use for fruits and vegetable production in Uganda may result in presence of residues on produce which may pose health risks to consumers. Uganda does not have an established system for monitoring pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables and assessing potential health risks. This research aimed to conduct a health risk assessment of presence of pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables in the Kampala Metropolitan Area in Uganda.

Contextual and psychological factors influencing open defecation free status: an exploratory qualitative study in rural South Western Uganda.

Introduction: Achieving the Open defecation free (ODF) status remains a major challenge in Uganda, yet it contributes significantly to child health improvement. Literature on social, cultural and behavioral aspects that influence the ODF status in rural Uganda is limited. The study therefore, explored perceived factors influencing the ODF status in rural South Western Uganda.

Pesticide Residue Trends in Fruits and Vegetables from Farm to Fork in Kampala Metropolitan Area, Uganda-A Mixed Methods Study.

This mixed methods study used laboratory measurements of pesticide residues in produce, semi-structured questionnaires, and in-depth interview data to describe trends in pesticide residue in produce and handling and processing practices for fruits (watermelon and passion fruit) and vegetables (tomato, cabbage, and eggplant) along the farm to fork chain. Of the 50 farmers visited, 34 (68.0%) sold their fruits and vegetables to transporters, 11 (22.

Integrated malaria prevention in rural communities in Uganda: a qualitative feasibility study for a randomised controlled trial.

Background: A randomised controlled trial (RCT) on integrated malaria prevention, which advocates the use of several malaria prevention methods holistically, has been proposed. However, before conducting an RCT, it is recommended that a feasibility study is carried out to provide information to support the main study, particularly for such a complex intervention. Therefore, a feasibility study for an RCT on integrated malaria prevention in Uganda was conducted.

Precision and accuracy of FEV1 measurements from the Vitalograph copd-6 mini-spirometer in a healthy Ugandan population.

Objective: Evaluate the accuracy and precision of the copd-6 mini-spirometer for FEV1 in a rural Ugandan population.

Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 171 smallholder farmers performed spirometry with copd-6, and a diagnostic-quality spirometer.

Results And Discussion: The copd-6 underestimated FEV1 at low flows and overestimated FEV1 at high flows.

Factors associated with health facility deliveries among mothers living in hospital catchment areas in Rukungiri and Kanungu districts, Uganda.

Background: Health facility deliveries are generally associated with improved maternal and child health outcomes. However, in Uganda, little is known about factors that influence use of health facilities for delivery especially in rural areas. In this study, we assessed the factors associated with health facility deliveries among mothers living within the catchment areas of major health facilities in Rukungiri and Kanungu districts, Uganda.

Organophosphate and carbamate insecticide exposure is related to lung function change among smallholder farmers: a prospective study.

Introduction And Aim: Exposure to some insecticides may cause airway obstruction, but existing evidence is limited by cross-sectional designs and inadequate confounder control. We investigated the relation between organophosphate and carbamate insecticides and pulmonary function in a prospective study accounting for important confounders.

Methods: In a cohort of 364 smallholder farmers in Uganda (69% women), participants underwent pre-bronchodilator spirometry at baseline (September/October 2018) and at two follow-up visits (November/December 2018 and January/February 2019).

Assessment of water, sanitation and hygiene service availability in healthcare facilities in the greater Kampala metropolitan area, Uganda.

Background: Improved Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in Healthcare facilities (HCFs) is of significant public health importance. It is associated with a reduction in the transmission of healthcare acquired infections (HAIs), increased trust and uptake of healthcare services, cost saving from infections averted, increased efficiency and improved staff morale. Despite these benefits, there is limited evidence on availability of WASH services in HCFs in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area (GKMA).

Hepatitis B screening and vaccination status of healthcare providers in Wakiso district, Uganda.

Background: Screening and vaccination against Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains the most effective intervention in curbing the disease. However, there is limited evidence on the factors associated with the uptake of these services in Uganda. This study determined the uptake of HBV screening and vaccination status, and associated factors among Healthcare Providers (HCPs) in Wakiso district, Uganda.

Exposure to cholinesterase inhibiting insecticides and blood glucose level in a population of Ugandan smallholder farmers.

Objectives: The risk of diabetes mellitus may be elevated among persons exposed to some pesticides, including cholinesterase-inhibiting insecticides (organophosphates and carbamates). The objective of this study was to investigate how acetylcholinesterase activity was associated with mean blood glucose levels among smallholder farmers in Uganda.

Methods: We conducted a short-term follow-up study among 364 smallholder farmers in Uganda.

Mercury Exposure Among Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Miners in Four Regions in Uganda.

Background: Artisanal and small-scale gold mining is a human health concern, especially in low-income countries like Uganda due to the use of mercury (Hg) in the mining process.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to assess Hg exposure among artisanal and small-scale gold miners in Uganda through biologic monitoring parameters and Hg-related clinical manifestations.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from June to July 2018 among 183 miners from Ibanda (Western region), Mubende (Central region), Amudat (Karamoja region) and Busia (Eastern region) in Uganda.

Determinants of occupational injuries among building construction workers in Kampala City, Uganda.

Background: Globally, about 1000 people die and close to 860,000 people sustain injury at work daily. Injury prevention and control require contextual evidence, although most studies in Uganda have focused on general causes. Factors associated with occupational injuries among building construction workers were assessed in this study.