Dietary risk factors for colorectal cancer in Uganda: a case-control study.

Introduction: Low-income countries in East Africa have a lower incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) than high-income countries; however, the incidence has steadily increased in the last few decades. In Uganda, the extent to which genetic and environmental factors, particularly dietary factors, contribute to the aetiology of CRC is unclear. Therefore, the objective of our study was to determine the relationship between dietary factors and CRC in Uganda.

Colorectal adenocarcinoma in Uganda: are right-sided and left-sided colon cancers two distinct disease entities?

Introduction: In Western countries, right-sided colon cancers (RSCC) present at an older age and advanced stage. Researchers believe that there is a difference between left-sided colon cancer (LSCC) and RSCC. In Uganda, however, it is unknown whether differences exist in the pathological profile between RSCC and LSCC.

Paenibacillus spp infection among infants with postinfectious hydrocephalus in Uganda: an observational case-control study.

Background: Paenibacillus thiaminolyticus is a cause of postinfectious hydrocephalus among Ugandan infants. To determine whether Paenibacillus spp is a pathogen in neonatal sepsis, meningitis, and postinfectious hydrocephalus, we aimed to complete three separate studies of Ugandan infants. The first study was on peripartum prevalence of Paenibacillus in mother-newborn pairs.

Uvula infections and traditional uvulectomy: Beliefs and practices in Luwero district, central Uganda.

Uvulitis is the inflammation and swelling of the uvula, usually associated with infection of nearby structures. Uvulitis can be treated symptomatically, using medication or in some cases with uvulectomy, the uvula surgical removal or shortening. Traditional uvulectomy by traditional practitioners has been practiced in Africa for ages, associated with adverse outcomes.

Neonatal Paenibacilliosis: Paenibacillus Infection as a Novel Cause of Sepsis in Term Neonates With High Risk of Sequelae in Uganda.

Background: Paenibacillus thiaminolyticus may be an underdiagnosed cause of neonatal sepsis.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled a cohort of 800 full-term neonates presenting with a clinical diagnosis of sepsis at 2 Ugandan hospitals. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction specific to P.

Risk Factors for Colorectal Adenocarcinoma in an Indigenous Population in East Africa.

Introduction: The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) is increasing in East Africa. Changes in lifestyle and dietary changes, particularly alcohol consumption, smoking, and consumption of cooked meats with a reduction in fibre in the diet may be responsible. The objective of our study was to determine the risk factors responsible for CRC in Uganda.

Prognostic Factors for Survival of Colorectal Adenocarcinoma Patients in Uganda.

Background: In Uganda, similar to other countries in East Africa, the incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) has been steadily increasing. This increase in incidence is accompanied by a poor prognosis. There is limited knowledge on factors responsible for the poor outcome of patients with CRC in Uganda.

Evaluation of the initial 12 months of a routine cryptococcal antigen screening program in reduction of HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis in Uganda.

Background: Asymptomatic Cryptococcal Antigenemia (CrAg) patients develop meningitis within a month of testing positive. Pre-emptive antifungal therapy can prevent progression to Cryptococcal meningitis (CM). In April 2016, a national CrAg screening program was initiated in 206 high-volume health facilities that provide antiretroviral therapy in Uganda.

Cytomegalovirus infections in infants in Uganda: Newborn-mother pairs, neonates with sepsis, and infants with hydrocephalus.

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections among newborn-mother pairs, neonates with sepsis, and infants with hydrocephalus in Uganda.

Design And Methods: Three populations-newborn-mother pairs, neonates with sepsis, and infants (≤3 months) with nonpostinfectious (NPIH) or postinfectious (PIH) hydrocephalus-were evaluated for CMV infection at 3 medical centers in Uganda. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) was used to characterize the prevalence of CMV.

Quality of life and associated factors among HIV positive patients after completion of treatment for Cryptococcal meningitis.

Background: Cryptococcal meningitis (CCM) remains one of the leading causes of mortality among HIV infected patients. Due to factors such as the severity of CCM pathology, the quality of life (QOL) of patients post-treatment is likely to be poor. Few studies have reported on QOL of CCM patients post treatment completion.

Determinants of two-year mortality among HIV positive patients with Cryptococcal meningitis initiating standard antifungal treatment with or without adjunctive dexamethasone in Uganda.

Globally, early initiation of antiretroviral therapy for HIV led to a reduction in the estimated mortality from cryptococcal meningitis (CCM) from 624,700 in 2009 to 181,100 in 2014. However, CCM remains one of the leading causes of mortality among HIV infected patients especially in sub-Saharan Africa where 75% of the deaths occur. Most of the studies evaluating mortality have reported short-term mortality (at or before 10 weeks of therapy).

infection with frequent viral coinfection contributes to postinfectious hydrocephalus in Ugandan infants.

Postinfectious hydrocephalus (PIH), which often follows neonatal sepsis, is the most common cause of pediatric hydrocephalus worldwide, yet the microbial pathogens underlying this disease remain to be elucidated. Characterization of the microbial agents causing PIH would enable a shift from surgical palliation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) accumulation to prevention of the disease. Here, we examined blood and CSF samples collected from 100 consecutive infant cases of PIH and control cases comprising infants with non-postinfectious hydrocephalus in Uganda.

Prevalence, associated factors and clinical features of congenital syphilis among newborns in Mbarara hospital, Uganda.

Background: While congenital syphilis is a significant public health problem that can cause severe disabilities, little is known about the situation in Uganda. We describe prevalence, associated factors and clinical presentation of congenital syphilis in Mbarara, Uganda.

Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out among mother- newborn dyads from the postnatal ward of Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH).

Determinants of loss to follow-up among HIV positive patients receiving antiretroviral therapy in a test and treat setting: A retrospective cohort study in Masaka, Uganda.

Background: Retaining patients starting antiretroviral therapy (ART) and ensuring good adherence remain cornerstone of long-term viral suppression. In this era of test and treat (T&T) policy, ensuring that patients starting ART remain connected to HIV clinics is key to achieve the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets. Currently, limited studies have evaluated the effect of early ART initiation on loss to follow up in a routine health care delivery setting.

Factors affecting mortality among HIV positive patients two years after completing recommended therapy for Cryptococcal meningitis in Uganda.

Background: Cryptococcal meningitis (CCM) remains a leading cause of mortality amongst HIV infected patients in sub-Saharan Africa. When patients receive recommended therapy, mortality at 10 weeks has been reported to vary between 20 to 36%. However, mortality rate and factors affecting mortality after completing recommended therapy are not well known.

Individual, maternal and household risk factors for anaemia among young children in sub-Saharan Africa: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: Anaemia affects the majority of children in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Previous studies of risk factors for anaemia have been limited by sample size, geography and the association of many risk factors with poverty. In order to measure the relative impact of individual, maternal and household risk factors for anaemia in young children, we analysed data from all SSA countries that performed haemoglobin (Hb) testing in the Demographic and Health Surveys.

Pneumonia in HIV-exposed and Infected Children and Association With Malnutrition.

We evaluated the association between HIV exposed-uninfected (HEU) status, malnutrition and risk of death in Ugandan children hospitalized with pneumonia. Both HIV exposure and infection were associated with lower anthropometric indices on univariate analysis, and mid-upper arm circumference was significantly associated with overall mortality (odds ratio (OR), 0.96) in a multivariable model.

Factors associated with HIV positive sero-status among exposed infants attending care at health facilities: a cross sectional study in rural Uganda.

Background: East and South Africa contributes 59% of all pediatric HIV infections globally. In Uganda, HIV prevalence among HIV exposed infants was estimated at 5.3% in 2014.

Dyslipidemia and its Correlates among HIV Infected Children on HAART Attending Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital.

Background: HAART and chronic HIV associated inflammation has been attributed to abnormal lipids in HIV infected people. Little is known about dyslipidemia among children in Uganda in the era of increasing Highly Active Anti Retroviral Therapy (HAART) use. We determined the prevalence of lipid abnormalities, the correlation of the lipid abnormalities to CD4 count, HIV clinical stage and duration on HAART among HIV infected children.

Outcome of Children With Presumptive Tuberculosis in Mbarara, Rural Uganda.

Background: Mortality among children with presumptive tuberculosis (TB) empiric TB treatment can be high. We describe the predictors of death among children with presumptive TB, and the relation between treatment and mortality.

Methods: A prospective cohort of children with presumptive TB who underwent clinical assessment, chest radiograph, tuberculin skin test and sputum bacterial tests for TB was followed up for 3 months.

Pediatric out-of-hospital deaths following hospital discharge: a mixed-methods study.

Background: Out-of-hospital death among children living in resource poor settings occurs frequently. Little is known about the location and circumstances of child death following a hospital discharge.

Objectives: This study aimed to understand the context surrounding out-of-hospital deaths and the barriers to accessing timely care for Ugandan children recently discharged from the hospital.

Separating Putative Pathogens from Background Contamination with Principal Orthogonal Decomposition: Evidence for Leptospira in the Ugandan Neonatal Septisome.

Neonatal sepsis (NS) is responsible for over 1 million yearly deaths worldwide. In the developing world, NS is often treated without an identified microbial pathogen. Amplicon sequencing of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene can be used to identify organisms that are difficult to detect by routine microbiological methods.

Selecting candidate predictor variables for the modelling of post-discharge mortality from sepsis: a protocol development project.

Background: Post-discharge mortality is a frequent but poorly recognized contributor to child mortality in resource limited countries. The identification of children at high risk for post-discharge mortality is a critically important first step in addressing this problem.

Objectives: The objective of this project was to determine the variables most likely to be associated with post-discharge mortality which are to be included in a prediction modelling study.

Application of Sepsis Definitions to Pediatric Patients Admitted With Suspected Infections in Uganda.

Objectives: Acute infectious diseases are the most common cause of under-5 mortality. However, the hospital burden of nonneonatal pediatric sepsis has not previously been described in the resource poor setting. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of sepsis among children 6 months to 5 years old admitted with proven or suspected infection and to evaluate the presence of sepsis as a predictive tool for mortality during admission.