Ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicity of the genus .

The genus (Rhamnaceae) comprises at least 50 recognized species distributed across tropical and subtropical regions. species have been ethnomedicinally used to treat a variety of ailments. Despite their widespread medicinal use, there is no comprehensive documentation that consolidates the ethnobotanical knowledge, phytochemicals, pharmacological properties, and toxicity of species.

Vagus nerve stimulation in dementia: A scoping review of clinical and pre-clinical studies.

Background: Dementia is a prevalent, progressive, neurodegenerative condition with multifactorial causes. Due to the lack of effective pharmaceutical treatments for dementia, there are growing clinical and research interests in using vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) as a potential non-pharmacological therapy for dementia. However, the extent of the research volume and nature into the effects of VNS on dementia is not well understood.

Predictors of HIV Knowledge, Perceived Stigma and Risk among Transport Workers in Mbarara City, Southwestern Uganda.

Background: The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalence among transport workers in sub-Saharan Africa remains high, estimated at as high as 9.9% in western Uganda compared with the national prevalence of 5.4%.

Perceptions of yellow fever emergency mass vaccinations among vulnerable groups in Uganda: A qualitative study.

Background: Yellow fever (YF), a mosquito-borne viral hemorrhagic fever, is endemic in Uganda and causes frequent outbreaks. A total of 1.6 million people were vaccinated during emergency mass immunization campaigns in 2011 and 2016.

Self-medication and medication storage practices among Lira University students in Lira city, Northern Uganda.

Background: Self-medication (SM) is a global public health concern, particularly prevalent in developing nations. It involves the consumption of drugs without professional guidance, encompassing both over-the-counter and prescription medicines. Responsible SM can alleviate healthcare burdens, reduce costs, and empower individuals to manage minor ailments independently.

Gender differences in substance use and associated factors among urban refugees in Uganda.

Background: Alcohol and other substances use related problems among refugees is a global public health concern. Although there is substantial research on the use of alcohol and other substances among the refugees, little is known about gender and other factors that might be associated with the use of alcohol and other substances. Our study aimed to assess the prevalence of alcohol and substance use across gender and other specific associated factors among urban refugees living in Mbarara city, Southwestern Uganda.

Sexual violence and associated factors among women of reproductive age in Rwanda: a 2020 nationwide cross-sectional survey.

Background: Sexual violence against women is a global public health issue with both short- and long-term effects on the physical and mental health of women. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of sexual violence and its associated factors among women of reproductive age in Rwanda.

Methods: We used secondary data from the 2020 Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey of 1,700 participants, who were selected using multistage stratified sampling.

Utilization of health insurance by patients with diabetes or hypertension in urban hospitals in Mbarara, Uganda.

Background: Diabetes and hypertension are among the leading contributors to global mortality and require life-long medical care. However, many patients cannot access quality healthcare due to high out-of-pocket expenditures, thus health insurance would help provide relief. This paper examines factors associated with utilization of health insurance by patients with diabetes or hypertension at two urban hospitals in Mbarara, southwestern Uganda.

Factors influencing the use of multiple HIV prevention services among transport workers in a city in southwestern Uganda.

The use of multiple HIV prevention services has been found to decrease the risk of acquiring HIV when tailored to individuals at risk of HIV exposure, including transport workers. Therefore, we assessed the uptake of multiple HIV prevention services (≥2) and associated factors among transport workers in a city in Southwestern Uganda. This cross-sectional study comprised motorcycle taxi riders, motor vehicle and truck drivers, aged 18 to 55 years who were selected and responded to an interviewer-administered questionnaire, between November 2021 and February 2022.

Enrollment and retention of female sex workers in HIV care in health facilities in Mbarara city.

Background: Sex work is a global driver of the HIV epidemic, and the risk of acquiring HIV is 13 times higher for female sex workers (FSWs) compared to the general population. The enrollment and retention of FSWs in HIV care is a challenge and has been a major contributing factor to increased new HIV infections.

Methods: We conducted a qualitative study among 30 FSWs and 21 healthcare workers (HCWs) working in antiretroviral therapy (ART) clinics at the selected three primary health facilities in Mbarara City, Southwestern Uganda.

Experiences of Caring for Adolescents Living with HIV (ALHIV): A Qualitative Interview with Caregivers.

Purpose: This study aims at exploring experiences of people caring for adolescents living with HIV, also known as caregivers. By 2021, 150,000 adolescents were living with HIV and 32,000 adolescents were dying of AIDS related causes. HIV/AIDS remains one of the most serious public health problems, especially among the adolescents.

Experiences and Perceptions on Community Client-Led ART Delivery (CCLADS) Model of Antiretroviral (ART) Delivery: Patients' and Providers' Perspectives in South Western Uganda.

Purpose: Community Client-Led ART Delivery groups (CCLADS) were introduced as part of the differentiated service delivery models in 2017 to better serve growing number of HIV patients and reduce unnecessary burden on the HIV care delivery system. However, there is limited evidence on the exact patients' and care providers' experiences and perceptions regarding the CCLADS model of ART delivery. We therefore aimed to explore the experiences and perceptions on CCLADS model from the patient and provider perspectives.

Stigma and Discrimination of HIV/AIDs Recipients of Care in Western Uganda: Experiences and Roles of Expert Clients.

Purpose: Stigma and discrimination (SAD) remains a major challenge facing HIV/AIDs management in most countries of sub-Saharan Africa. Expert clients can potentially play a role in the fight against SAD. Our study explored the experiences and the role of expert clients in reducing SAD among people living with HIV/AIDs enrolled on care in health facilities in Western Uganda.

Trends in inequality in maternal and child health and health care in Uganda: Analysis of the Uganda demographic and health surveys.

Background: Uganda has made great strides in improving maternal and child health. However, little is known about how this improvement has been distributed across different socioeconomic categories, and how the health inequalities have changed over time. This study analyses data from Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) conducted in 2006, 2011, and 2016 in Uganda, to assess trends in inequality for a variety of mother and child health and health care indicators.

The Role of Mass Media Campaigns in Improving Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy Among Adolescents Living with HIV in Southwestern Uganda.

Background: Globally, about 1.8 million adolescents between the ages of 10 and 19 were living with HIV by close of 2021, of these, about 1.5 million were living in sub-Saharan Africa.

Factors associated with HIV viral suppression among adolescents in Kabale district, South Western Uganda.

Background: The goal of antiretroviral therapy is to achieve sustained human immune deficiency virus (HIV) viral suppression. However, research on factors associated with viral load suppression among adolescents in low and middle-income countries is limited. The objectives of this study were to determine HIV viral suppression levels among adolescents in Kabale district and the associated clinical, adherence and psychosocial factors.

Exploring parental understanding of child sexual abuse and prevention as a measure for HIV prevention in Rwampara district.

Background: Worldwide, more than 95 million children are sexually abused each year with children in sub-Saharan Africa experiencing sexual assault at higher rates than those in more developed areas. In Uganda, 20% of young people indicated that their sexual debut was non-consensual. The risk for transmission of HIV to children through Child Sexual Abuse is high because of greater mucosal tissue damage and the often repetitive nature of abuse.

Intimate partner violence disclosure and associated factors among pregnant women attending a city hospital in South-Western Uganda: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy is a public health problem in Uganda that negatively impacts maternal and newborn health outcomes. However, IPVdisclosure and associated factors among pregnant women have remained poorly documented in southwestern Uganda. Therefore, this study determined IPV disclosure and associated factors among pregnant women attending a large City hospital.

Experiences of HIV Positive Serostatus Disclosure to Sexual Partner Among Individuals in Discordant Couples in Mbarara City, Southwestern Uganda.

Purpose: Disclosure of HIV status is key in HIV management. Despite many studies on serostatus disclosure, there is a gap in experiences regarding HIV status disclosure among discordant couples. The current study addressed this research gap, and explored the lived experiences of serostatus disclosure among discordant couples in Mbarara City, South Western Uganda.