Publications by authors named "Samuel Etajak"

Background: Air pollution is a known risk factor for non-communicable diseases that causes substantial premature death globally. Rapid urban growth, burning of biomass and solid waste, unpaved sections of the road network, rising numbers of vehicles, some with highly polluting engines, contribute to the poor air quality in Kampala.

Objective: To provide evidence-based estimates of air pollution attributable mortality in Kampala city, with focus on ambient fine particulate matter (PM).

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Background: The use of insecticide-treated bed nets has been proven to be effective in reducing malaria transmission in highly endemic areas. Use of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) has been embraced by many malaria endemic countries. LLINs are up to 95% effective in inhibiting blood feeding, when used consistently even after 7 years.

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Objective: In this study, we aim to investigate the relationship between particulate matter, a common proxy indicator for air pollution, and markers of inflammation, monocyte activation, and subclinical vascular disease.

Design: A cross-sectional study.

Methods: Adolescents with perinatally acquired HIV (PHIV) and HIV-uninfected adolescents between 10 and 18years living near Kampala, Uganda were included.

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Background: Intensive adherence counseling (IAC) is an intervention recommended by the World Health Organization to improve anti-retroviral therapy (ART) adherence among people living with HIV on ART with unsuppressed viral load; and in 2016, the intervention was implemented in Uganda. This study evaluated the effect and experiences of providing IAC in an urban HIV care center in Kampala, Uganda.

Methods: This was a sequential explanatory mixed-method study that compared viral load suppression during IAC implementation (intervention) to the period before IAC at Kisenyi Health centre IV.

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Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection is an important occupational health risk among primary healthcare providers (PHCPs). However, there is limited evidence on whether PHCPs' level of knowledge and attitude can predict better HBV infection prevention practices. This study established the relationship between knowledge, attitude, and HBV infection prevention practices among PHCPs in Wakiso district, Central Uganda.

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Background: Type 2 diabetes is rapidly becoming a significant challenge in Uganda and other low and middle-income countries. A large proportion of the population remains undiagnosed. To understand diagnostic delay, we explored the diagnostic pathways for diabetes among patients receiving care at a semi-urban district hospital in eastern Uganda.

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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.

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Introduction: West Africa is experiencing the largest ever reported Ebola outbreak. Over 20,000 people have been infected of which about 9000 have died. It is possible that lack of community understanding of the epidemic and lack of institutional memory and inexperienced health workers could have led to the rapid spread of the disease.

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Background: Malaria is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Uganda particularly among children under 5 years of age.

Objectives: The study assessed the knowledge and practices on malaria prevention in 2 rural communities in Wakiso District, Uganda with emphasis on the various prevention methods.

Methods: The study was a cross-sectional survey carried out among 376 households using both quantitative and qualitative methods.

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Background: Interventions for prevention of type 2 diabetes ought to be acceptable to target communities. We assessed perceptions about type 2 diabetes and lifestyle change among people afflicted or at high risk of this disease in a low income setting in Iganga Uganda.

Methods: Twelve focus group discussions (FGDs) of eight participants each were conducted, balancing rural and peri-urban (near the Municipality) residence and gender.

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