Publications by authors named "Steven Kiwuwa"

Article Synopsis
  • This study focused on detecting Estrogen Receptor (ER), Progesterone Receptor (PR), and HER-2 in breast cancer to help categorize the disease and guide treatment choices.
  • Researchers compared two preservation methods for breast tissue samples: traditional formalin fixation and RNAlater, utilizing Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) for analysis.
  • Findings revealed that ER and PR were positive in 60% of samples, while HER-2 was positive in only 25%, with no significant statistical difference between the results from the two preservation methods.
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Background: Malaria is a significant public health challenge in Uganda, with Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) responsible for most of malaria infections. The high genetic diversity and multiplicity of infection (MOI) associated with P.

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Article Synopsis
  • P. falciparum is a major health concern, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, contributing to 99% of malaria infections, with symptoms ranging from asymptomatic to severe based on various factors like host immunity and genetic diversity.
  • A study conducted on 225 malaria patients in Uganda utilized seven microsatellite markers to analyze the genetic diversity and multiplicity of infection (MOI) in P. falciparum infections among asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals.
  • Results showed high genetic diversity in both groups, with no significant difference in MOI, indicating a prevalence of polyclonal infections, and notable linkage disequilibrium between different infection types, while genetic differentiation among parasite populations was low.
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Background: In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), Plasmodium falciparum causes most of the malaria cases. Despite its crucial roles in disease severity and drug resistance, comprehensive data on Plasmodium falciparum genetic diversity and multiplicity of infection (MOI) are sparse in SSA. This study summarizes available information on genetic diversity and MOI, focusing on key markers (msp-1, msp-2, glurp, and microsatellites).

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There are many uncertainties on the future management of the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) in Africa. By July 2021, Africa had lagged behind the rest of the world in Covid-19 vaccines uptake, accounting for just 1.6% of doses administered globally.

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Background: In 2020-2021, long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) were distributed nationwide in Uganda during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 12 districts to evaluate the impact of the campaign 1-5 months after LLIN distribution.

Methods: During April-May 2021, households were randomly selected from target areas (1-7 villages) surrounding 12 government-run health facilities established as Malaria Reference Centres; at least 50 households were enrolled per cluster.

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Introduction: In Uganda, over 43% of all pregnancies among young women (15-24 years) living with HIV are either unwanted or mistimed. Unintended pregnancies account for 21.3% of neonatal HIV infections.

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Background: Routine malaria surveillance data in Africa primarily come from public health facilities reporting to national health management information systems. Although information on gender is routinely collected from patients presenting to these health facilities, stratification of malaria surveillance data by gender is rarely done. This study evaluated gender difference among patients diagnosed with parasitological confirmed malaria at public health facilities in Uganda.

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Background: Environmental factors such as temperature, rainfall, and vegetation cover play a critical role in malaria transmission. However, quantifying the relationships between environmental factors and measures of disease burden relevant for public health can be complex as effects are often non-linear and subject to temporal lags between when changes in environmental factors lead to changes in malaria incidence. The study investigated the effect of environmental covariates on malaria incidence in high transmission settings of Uganda.

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Background: Depression in adolescents constitutes a global public health concern. However, data on its prevalence and associated factors are limited in low income countries like Uganda.

Methods: Using a cross-sectional descriptive study design, 519 adolescent students in 4 secondary schools in Mukono district, Uganda, were randomly selected after meeting study criteria.

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In Uganda malaria causes more morbidity and mortality than any other disease and children below 5 years contribute the biggest percentage of malaria related mortality. Insecticide treated nets (ITNs) are currently one of the most cost effective option for reducing malaria-related morbidity and mortality, however the factors affecting their utilization in Uganda are still not well understood. This study examined the prevalence and factors associated with ITN utilization among children of age 0-12 years seeking health care from a Ugandan hospital using caregiver's reports.

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Background: Malaria is still a major public health problem in the world and sub-Saharan Africa is one of the most affected areas. Efforts to control malaria are highly affected by drug resistance to commonly used antimalarials. The introduction of artemisinin based combination therapy (ACT) as a first line drug seems to be a major step in treatment of uncomplicated malaria, though search for drugs to combine with artemisinins still continues.

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