Determinants maintaining healthcare personnel's motivation during COVID-19 pandemic in Uganda.

Background: Maintaining the physical and psychological well-being of healthcare workers (HCWs) is crucial for health system resilience. In sub-Saharan Africa, particularly Uganda, HCWs faced significant challenges during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, compounded by pre-existing resource constraints. This study investigated challenges faced by HCWs at a designated COVID-19 hospital ('the Hospital') and explored determinants of maintaining healthcare personnel's motivation during the COVID-19 pandemic in Uganda.

Are we ready for the next anthrax outbreak? Lessons from a simulation exercise in a rural-based district in Uganda.

Anthrax is a bacterial zoonotic disease caused by We qualitatively examined facilitators and barriers to responding to a potential anthrax outbreak using the capability, opportunity, motivation behaviour model (COM-B model) in the high-risk rural district of Namisindwa, in Eastern Uganda. We chose the COM-B model because it provides a systematic approach for selecting evidence-based techniques and approaches for promoting the behavioural prompt response to anthrax outbreaks. Unpacking these facilitators and barriers enables the leaders and community members to understand existing resources and gaps so that they can leverage them for future anthrax outbreaks.

Strengthening anthrax outbreak response and preparedness: simulation and stakeholder education in Namisindwa district, Uganda.

Background: Anthrax is a zoonotic disease caused by Bacillus anthracis that poses a significant threat to both human health and livestock. Effective preparedness and response to anthrax outbreak at the district level is essential to mitigate the devastating impact of the disease to humans and animals. The current diseaae surveillance in animals and humans uses two different infrastructure systems with online platform supported by established diagnostic facilities.

Lessons for Strengthening a Resilient Health System from the View of Health Facilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 caused significant negative damage to the health status of populations and health systems globally. In Uganda, our previous study revealed that the strict Public Health and Social measures (PHSMs) and the closure of Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital (ERRH) led to missed healthcare access among the citizens in the Entebbe municipality. Limited studies, however, exist on the impact of the response measures on the local health systems.

A compound analysis of medical device clinical trials registered in Africa on clinicaltrials.gov.

Background: Africa, specifically the Sub-Saharan region, has had numerous medical technology clinical trials to address the various healthcare challenges around infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, and nutritional disorders it is facing. Medical device clinical trials provide performance data in terms of safety, efficacy, and efficiency, which is a requirement before commercialization. Key players such as academicians, governments, international organizations, and funders collaborate to drive these trials, but their growth in Africa remains slower compared to other parts of the globe.

Impact of supportive supervision visits on the availability of World Health Organization infection prevention and control core components in health facilities in Southwestern Uganda.

Background: In sub-Saharan Africa, the provision of infection prevention and control (IPC) measures are often limited by resource constraints.

Aim: To determine the association of supportive supervision activities with the availability of the WHO core components for IPC at health facilities in Southwestern Uganda.

Methods: We employed a before and after quality improvement study design.

Study protocol for a type-II hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial to reach teenagers using mobile money shops to reduce unintended pregnancies in Uganda.

Introduction: Unintended teenage pregnancies have become a global public health challenge, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. There is a notably high prevalence of unintended pregnancies among unmarried teenagers in Uganda. This study will develop an intervention programme using mobile money shops (vendors) as a platform to deliver sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services to teenagers and assess its effectiveness and scalability in Uganda.

Antiviral use among hepatitis B infected patients in a low resource setting in Africa: a case study of West Nile, Uganda.

Failure to access antiviral medications is a leading cause of hepatitis B (HBV)-associated morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Despite guideline availability, SSA is not on course to meet its elimination targets. We characterized factors associated with antiviral medication use and challenges to offering chronic care in a large Ugandan institution.

Impact of Hospital Closure on Patients with Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Uganda: A Cross-Sectional and Mixed-Methods Study.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic and its measures have had a profound impact on universal access to health services. We investigated the impact of the closure of the Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital (ERRH) for two years on the accessibility to necessary healthcare among non-COVID-19 patients.

Methods: This mixed-methods study focused on ERRH patients with tuberculosis (TB), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), diabetes/hypertension, and mental illness.

Enhancing community health system resilience: lessons learnt during the COVID-19 pandemic in Uganda through the qualitative inquiry of the COVID Task Force.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the elements of a resilient community health system during the COVID-19 pandemic and discuss whether the frameworks described in previous studies can be applied to real-world situations with those who implemented the Community Engagement Strategy, a strategy to make health systems work in their communities during health crises in Uganda.

Methods: Focus group discussions (22 participants in total) were conducted with COVID Task Force members in four districts in Uganda in March 2022. These districts implemented a Community Engagement Strategy to ensure that health systems in their communities continued to function during health scares, and have been evaluated to ensure that the strategies have been implemented.

A di-electrophoretic simulation procedure of iron-oxide micro-particle drug attachment system for leukemia treatment using COMSOL software: a potential treatment reference for LMICs.

Background: Leukemia encompasses various subtypes, each with unique characteristics and treatment approaches. The challenge lies in developing targeted therapies that can effectively address the specific genetic mutations or abnormalities associated with each subtype. Some leukemia cases may become resistant to existing treatments over time making them less susceptible to chemotherapy or other standard therapies.

Translating medical device innovations to market - a Ugandan perspective.

There is a disparity between low and middle-income countries (LMICs) and high-income countries (HICs) in translating medical device innovations to the market, affecting health care service delivery. Whereas medical technologies developed in HICs face substantial challenges in getting to the bedside, there are at least clear pathways in most of the major markets, such as the UK, the EU, and the USA. Much less is known about the challenges that innovators of medical technologies face in LMICs.

Repair strategies for assistive technology in low resource settings.

Purpose: To investigate the practices of repair that exist for users of mobility assistive products in low resource settings, as well as the psychosocial impact that the repair, or non-repair, of these devices has on users' lives.

Materials And Methods: This article collates data on repair practices and the responses from participants on the topic of repair from studies conducted by the authors across four different low resource settings in Kenya, Uganda, Sierra Leone, and Indonesia. This data was then analyzed to identify the common themes found across geographies.

Experiences of medical device innovators as they navigate the regulatory system in Uganda.

Objective: A medical device must undergo rigorous regulatory processes to verify its safety and effectiveness while in use. In low-and middle-income countries like Uganda however, medical device innovators and designers face challenges around bringing a device from ideation to being market-ready. This is mainly attributed to a lack of clear regulatory procedures among other factors.

KeyLoop retractor for global gasless laparoscopy: evaluation of safety and feasibility in a porcine model.

Background: Many surgeons in low- and middle-income countries have described performing surgery using gasless (lift) laparoscopy due to inaccessibility of carbon dioxide and reliable electricity, but the safety and feasibility of the technique has not been well documented. We describe preclinical testing of the in vivo safety and utility of KeyLoop, a laparoscopic retractor system to enable gasless laparoscopy.

Methods: Experienced laparoscopic surgeons completed a series of four laparoscopic tasks in a porcine model: laparoscopic exposure, small bowel resection, intracorporeal suturing with knot tying, and cholecystectomy.

Evaluation of the current status of prosthetic rehabilitation services for major limb loss: a descriptive study in Ugandan Referral hospitals.

Purpose: Low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs) have a large burden of major limb loss. No recent study has reported on Uganda's state of public sector prosthetics services. This study aimed to document the landscape of major limb loss, and the structure of available prosthetics services in Uganda.

Mobile Health Access and Utilisation in Uganda: Knowledge, Attitudes and Perceptions of Health and Veterinary Workers.

Despite its strong growth in many parts of the world, mobile health access is still limited in low- and middle-income countries. Among the many factors restricting implementation are the lack of information security, insufficient evidence base, low sensitization, and user acceptance. Limited evidence has been obtained on current practices, perceptions, and user acceptability in such settings.

Systems and processes for regulation of investigational medical devices in Uganda.

Background: In many parts of the world, medical devices and the processes of their development are tightly regulated. However, the current regulatory landscape in Uganda like other developing countries is weak and poorly defined, which creates significant barriers to innovation, clinical evaluation, and translation of medical devices.

Aim: To evaluate current knowledge, systems and infrastructure for medical devices regulation and innovation in Uganda.

Low Cost Gastroschisis Silo for Sub-Saharan Africa: Testing in a Porcine Model.

Background: Gastroschisis mortality in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) remains high at 59-100%. Silo inaccessibility contributes to this disparity. Standard of care (SOC) silos cost $240, while median monthly incomes in SSA are < $200.

Review of investigational medical devices' clinical trials and regulations in Africa as a benchmark for new innovations.

Medical technologies present a huge potential in improving global health playing a key role toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3 by 2030. A number of clinicians, innovators, business entities and biomedical engineers among others have developed a number of innovative medical devices and technologies to address the healthcare challenges especially in Africa. Globally, medical devices clinical trials present the most acceptable method for determining the risks and benefits of medical device innovations with the aim of ascertaining their effectiveness and safety as compared with established medical practice.

The lived experience of people with upper limb absence living in Uganda: A qualitative study.

Background: The impact of upper limb absence on people's lived experiences is understudied, particularly in African countries, with implications for policy and service design.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to explore the lived experiences of people with upper limb absence (PWULA) living in Uganda.

Method: Informed by preliminary work, we designed a qualitative study employing semi-structured interviews to understand the experience of living with upper limb absence in Uganda.

Green synthesis and characterization of iron-oxide nanoparticles using Moringa oleifera: a potential protocol for use in low and middle income countries.

Objective: Green synthesized iron(III) oxide (FeO) nanoparticles are gaining appeal in targeted drug delivery systems because of their low cost, fast processing and nontoxicity. However, there is no known research work undertaken in the production of green synthesized nano-particles from the Ugandan grown Moringa Oleifera (MO). This study aims at exploring and developing an optimized protocol aimed at producing such nanoparticles from the Ugandan grown Moringa.

Availability of the core components of the World Health Organization infection prevention and control strategies in health facilities in Southwestern Uganda: Implications for control of COVID-19.

Background: Infection prevention and control (IPC) practices are required to prevent nosocomial infection by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. In low- and middle-income countries, where resources are often limited, IPC practices are infrequently assessed.

Aim: To assess the availability of the core components of World Health Organization (WHO) IPC practices at health facilities in Southwestern Uganda.

A systematic review of modeling and simulation approaches in designing targeted treatment technologies for Leukemia Cancer in low and middle income countries.

Virtual experimentation is a widely used approach for predicting systems behaviour especially in situations where resources for physical experiments are very limited. For example, targeted treatment inside the human body is particularly challenging, and as such, modeling and simulation is utilised to aid planning before a specific treatment is administered. In such approaches, precise treatment, as it is the case in radiotherapy, is used to administer a maximum dose to the infected regions while minimizing the effect on normal tissue.