Use of a context-specific package to increase sputum smear monitoring among people with pulmonary tuberculosis in Uganda: a quality improvement study.

Background: People with bacteriologically confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis (BC-PTB) require sputum smear monitoring (SSM) to ascertain response to anti-TB treatment and cure from TB disease. We aimed to increase SSM at 2, 5 and 6 months among people with BC-PTB from the baseline (March to July 2021) of 68%, 37% and 39%, respectively, to 90% in February 2022 by implementing a context-specific improvement package at a rural health facility in northeastern Uganda.

Methods: We designed a continuous quality improvement (CQI) study for people with BC-PTB, developed and tested an improvement package that consisted of the following context-specific measures: (1) line listing of all eligible persons for SSM; (2) use of reminder stickers to identify eligible persons for SSM; (3) use of community health workers to conduct home visits for people with missed clinic visits; and (4) integration of SSM into community-based ART points for distant persons.

High prevalence of risky sexual behaviour among key populations receiving antiretroviral therapy at a large HIV clinic in northern Uganda.

Background: Risky sexual behaviour (RSB) among key populations pose a significant risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection but remains understudied.

Objectives: We assessed the prevalence and factors associated with RSB among key populations living with HIV (KPLHIV) in the post-conflict region of northern Uganda.

Methods: We designed a cross-sectional study using secondary data, with the outcome as RSB defined as having multiple sexual partners, or condomless sex in the past 3 months, or sexual intercourse with a commercial sex worker in the past 3 months, or sexual intercourse under the influence of substance use in the past 3 months.

Complete sputum smear monitoring among adults with pulmonary tuberculosis in central Uganda: evidence from a retrospective cohort study.

Background: People with bacteriologically confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis require sputum smear monitoring at 2, 5, and 6 months to establish treatment outcomes. However, there is limited information about sputum smear monitoring in Uganda, similar to other developing countries. We examined factors associated with complete sputum smear monitoring among persons with bacteriologically confirmed pulmonary TB aged ≥ 15 years in central Uganda.

HIV infection modifies the relationship between distance to a health facility and treatment success rate for tuberculosis in rural eastern Uganda.

Rationale: Distance from residence to a health facility especially in rural areas presents a physical barrier and may influence tuberculosis (TB) treatment outcomes.

Objectives: We examined the association between distance from residence to a health facility and TB treatment outcomes namely treatment success rate (TSR) and mortality, and whether HIV influences this relationship among people with TB in Kumi district in rural eastern Uganda.

Methods: In this cross-sectional design, we abstracted data from TB unit registers across four large health facilities.

Alcohol consumption increases non-adherence to ART among people living with HIV enrolled to the community-based care model in rural northern Uganda.

Background: Non-adherence to anti-retroviral therapy (ART) is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality among people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (PLHIV). Community-based ART delivery model offers a decentralized and patient-centered approach to care for PLHIV, with the advantage of improved adherence to ART hence good treatment outcomes. However, data are limited on the magnitude of non-adherence to ART among PLHIV enrolled to the community-based ART model of care.

Precancerous Cervix in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infected Women Thirty Years Old and above in Northern Uganda.

Background. Little is known about precancerous cervical lesion (PCCL), the precursor of cervical cancer among Human Immunodeficiency (HIV) infected women in a postconflict setting of Northern Uganda. Objective.