Perception of medical students at public universities in Uganda on their education environment: a cross-sectional study.

Background: The healthcare workforce is one of the six core components of a well-functioning and sufficient health system. The WHO highlights that improving education and training of the health workforce is critical to improving health systems. Medical education is a pillar of the healthcare workforce.

Antibiotic Susceptibility of Zoonotic Bacteria Isolated From Oral Cavities of Indigenous Dogs From Semi-Urban Areas in Uganda.

Dog bites are a source of zoonotic infections to humans, such as pasteurellosis and meningitis. Zoonotic bacterial identification and their antibiotic susceptibility assessment are key towards the successful management of such infections. This study isolated and identified zoonotic bacterial species from the oral cavities of indigenous dogs and also determined their antibiotic susceptibility profile.

Extracellular hydrolytic enzyme activities and biofilm formation in Candida species isolated from people living with human immunodeficiency virus with oropharyngeal candidiasis at HIV/AIDS clinics in Uganda.

Background: Commensal oral Candida species can become opportunistic and transition to pathogenic causes of oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC) in individuals with impaired immunity through ecological cues and the expression of extracellular hydrolytic enzyme activities and biofilm formation.

Objective: We evaluated phospholipase, proteinase, hemolysin, esterase, and coagulase enzymatic activities and biofilm formation in Candida species isolated from people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) with OPC.

Methods: Thirty-five Candida isolates from PLHIV with OPC were retrieved from a sample repository and evaluated for phospholipase activity using the egg yolk agar method, proteinase activity using the bovine serum albumin agar method, hemolysin activity using the blood agar plate method, esterase activity using the Tween 80 opacity test medium method, coagulase activity using the classical tube method, and biofilm formation using the microtiter plate assay method in vitro.

Determinants of adequate antenatal care among immediate postpartum mothers in Eastern Uganda: a multicenter cross-sectional study.

Background: Antenatal care is essential for reducing maternal and neonatal mortality, particularly in low-income regions. However, the adequacy of the care provided is crucial for achieving maternal health goals. Maternal mortality rates in Uganda are still among the highest globally.

Effectiveness of work-based educational interventions for antimicrobial stewardship: a systematic review.

Background: The pressing need for better antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) is invariably reliant on educational interventions in some form.

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of post-qualification educational interventions for AMS behaviour change among health professionals.

Methods: Seven databases were searched for articles published between 2013 and 2024 for post-qualification educational interventions aimed at health professionals to improve AMS.

Compliance with the WHO recommended 8+ antenatal care contacts schedule among postpartum mothers in eastern Uganda: A cross-sectional study.

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends at least 8 antenatal care (ANC) contacts during pregnancy, but many women in low and middle-income countries do not adhere to this schedule, which may contribute to high rates of maternal and neonatal mortality. This study assessed compliance to the WHO recommended 8+ ANC contacts schedule and associated factors among postpartum mothers in eastern Uganda.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional multicenter study conducted between July and August 2022 at four selected hospitals in Eastern Uganda using quantitative techniques.

Guillain-Barré Syndrome in Africa: Understanding, Addressing, and Empowering.

Introduction: Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is a spectrum of peripheral neuropathies characterized by rapid symmetrical limb weakness and sensory symptoms. GBS can be life-threatening and requires intensive care, particularly for patients with imminent respiratory failure. In Africa, limited research and high therapy costs pose challenges.

Provider assisted partner notification utilization and associated factors among adolescents living with HIV in Uganda, a cross-sectional study.

Background: Assisted Partner Notification (APN) is a high yield HIV testing strategy that is recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for adults and adolescents aged at least 15 years in sub-Saharan Africa for HIV care and prevention. Although studies among adults have been done, there remains a paucity of data of APN service utilization among adolescents in Uganda, yet Adolescents Girls and Young Women (AGYW) have the highest incidence of HIV in Uganda, and generally, adolescents have the lowest HIV viral suppression rates. Failure to disclose to sexual partners poses a risk of propagating infection.

Factors associated with retakes in health Professions Courses: A case study of Five selected Universities in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Background: Academic examination retakes are significant challenges in health professions education. With rigorous clinical assessments, limited training resources and high-stakes examinations, students struggle to meet academic requirements which cab result in retakes. This study aimed to assess the proportion of medical and nursing students with retakes across five Sub-Saharan African universities and to explore factors contributing to the retakes.

COVID-19 vaccination, perceptions about the vaccine and willingness to take the vaccine among unvaccinated individuals at two Ugandan border points of entry.

Background: A recent systematic review shows high COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness in fully-vaccinated people in Africa. However, vaccine uptake has varied across populations. We assessed the uptake, perceptions of and willingness to take the COVID-19 vaccine among unvaccinated individuals at two Ugandan border points of entry.

Unmasking the Ethical Dimensions of Data-sharing in Health Research: Perspectives from Researchers at a Public University in Uganda.

Background: In resource-limited settings like Uganda, ethical sharing of health research data is crucial for advancing scientific knowledge. Despite the growing trend of data sharing in the digital age, its adoption in low-resource contexts is often hampered by complex ethical considerations. This report investigates these ethical concerns using data from researchers at a public university, with the goal of informing the development of practical solutions to promote ethical data-sharing practices in Uganda.

Subclinical malaria among pregnant women living in refugee settlements in Northern Uganda.

Background: Malaria during pregnancy contributes to significant perinatal morbidity and mortality, accounting for almost 25% of global maternal mortality. However, the epidemiology and risk factors for subclinical malaria among pregnant women living in refugee settlements is poorly understood.

Objective: To determine the prevalence and predictors of subclinical malaria among pregnant women in refugee settlements in Northern Uganda.

Azithromycin in severe malaria bacterial co-infection in African children (TABS-PKPD): a phase II randomised controlled trial.

Background: African children with severe malaria are at increased risk of non-typhoidal salmonellae co-infection. Broad-spectrum antibiotics are recommended by guidelines but the optimal class and dose have not been established. We investigated the optimal dose of oral dispersible azithromycin and whether simple clinical criteria and point-of-care biomarkers could target antibiotics to those at greatest risk of bacterial co-infection.

Early postnatal growth failure in infants <1500 g in a Ugandan referral hospital: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Postnatal growth failure (PGF), a multifactorial condition is common in preterm infants and infants born weighing <1500 g and is associated with impaired neurodevelopmental and growth outcomes. In low-resource settings, like Uganda, parenteral nutrition and breastmilk fortifier are often unavailable, and preterm infants rely solely on their mother's expressed breastmilk, which can be inadequate. This retrospective cohort study, conducted in a level II neonatal unit in eastern Uganda, aimed to evaluate the incidence of and risk factors for postnatal growth failure among infants <1500 g.

Protein Expression in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer and Associated Clinicopathological Factors in Uganda.

gene dysfunction seen in epithelial ovarian carcinomas often results from germline mutations, somatic mutations, and promoter methylation. Identification of tumors with loss of protein expression has shown to have therapeutic and prognostic implications. The aim of this study was to determine the expression of protein in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) and the associated clinicopathological characteristics.

Metallic nanoparticles: a promising novel therapeutic tool against antimicrobial resistance and spread of superbugs.

In recent years, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become an alarming threat to global health as notable increase in morbidity and mortality has been ascribed to the emergence of superbugs. The increase in microbial resistance because of harboured or inherited resistomes has been complicated by the lack of new and effective antimicrobial agents, as well as misuse and failure of existing ones. These problems have generated severe and growing public health concern, due to high burden of bacterial infections resulting from scarce financial resources and poor functioning health systems, among others.

Comparing visual estimation and hematocrit change in the assessment of blood loss among women undergoing cesarean delivery in a tertiary facility in northern Uganda.

Background: Cesarean section poses a fourfold risk for postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), necessitating accurate blood loss estimation to enable timely interventions. However, the conventional visual estimation method often leads to underestimation, resulting in undiagnosed PPH even in our setting, Uganda. Yet, the quantitative standard techniques remain underutilized.