Low knowledge levels and high willingness to use oral Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) among Key Populations in Kampala, Uganda: Implications for targeted educational interventions.

Background: Preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) reduces new human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) infections by up to 96% and is recommended for key populations by the World Health Organization. Understanding the knowledge and willingness to use PrEP is essential for effective implementation. This study assessed these factors and identifiedcharacteristics associated with differences in knowledge among key populations in Kampala, Uganda.

Poor neurodevelopment, nutritional and physical growth outcomes among children born to mothers with nodding syndrome.

Introduction: Nodding syndrome (NS), a poorly understood severe neurological disorder develops in children. In Uganda, some NS cases have grown into child-bearing adults. Babies born to mothers with NS may be prone to impaired neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Pelvic floor disorder prevalence and risk factors in a cohort of parous Ugandan women.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of pelvic floor disorders (PFDs) and associated risk factors among parous Ugandan women.

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study of parous Ugandan women. Demographics and assessment for PFD were obtained.

Female Genital Tract Host Factors and Tenofovir and Lamivudine Active Metabolites.

Background: We previously reported the effect of contraception on cervical tenofovir concentrations in Ugandan women with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Here we explored the role of cervicovaginal cytokines and drug metabolizing enzymes and transporters (DMETs) to elucidate female genital tract (FGT) drug disposition in a Ugandan cohort.

Methods: Cervicovaginal fluid and cervical biopsies were collected from Ugandan women with HIV receiving tenofovir/lamivudine-based therapy and intramuscular depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (n = 25), copper intrauterine device (cuIUD; n = 12), or condoms (n = 13) as contraception.

Development of tuberculosis treatment decision algorithms in children below 5 years hospitalised with severe acute malnutrition in Zambia and Uganda: a prospective diagnostic cohort study.

Background: In children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) tuberculosis is common, challenging to diagnose, and often fatal. We developed tuberculosis treatment decision algorithms (TDAs) for children under the age of 5 years with SAM.

Methods: In this prospective diagnostic study, we enrolled and followed up children aged <60 months hospitalised with SAM at three tertiary hospitals in Zambia and Uganda from 4 November 2019 to 20 June 2022.

Association Between Physical Activity and Pelvic Floor Disorders in Parous Ugandan Women.

Introduction And Hypothesis: The aim was to assess the association between the degree of physical activity (PA) and the presence of pelvic floor disorders (PFDs) in a cohort of parous Ugandan women.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, PFDs were measured using symptom assessment, standardized questionnaires (Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory and Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire), and a standardized physical examination (POP-Q and cough stress test [CST]). Degree of PA was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire.

Reliability and Validation of the PFIQ-7 and PFDI-20 in the Luganda Language.

Introduction And Hypothesis: Pelvic floor disorders (PFDs) impact women worldwide and are assessed using instruments such as the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI-20) and Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire (PFIQ-7). There are no known valid PFD instruments in Uganda. This study's purpose was to translate and test the reliability and validity of the PFDI-20 and PFIQ-7 in Luganda.

Exploring the consent process among pregnant and breastfeeding women taking part in a maternal vaccine clinical trial in Kampala, Uganda: a qualitative study.

Background: The involvement of pregnant women in vaccine clinical trials presents unique challenges for the informed consent process. We explored the expectations and experiences of the pregnant women, spouses/partners, health workers and stakeholders of the consent process during a Group B Streptococcus maternal vaccine trial.

Methods: We interviewed 56 participants including pregnant women taking part in the trial, women not in the trial, health workers handling the trial procedures, spouses, and community stakeholders.

Prevalence of overweight and obesity among adolescents living with HIV after dolutegravir - based antiretroviral therapy start in Kampala, Uganda.

Background: Dolutegravir (DTG)-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) is currently the preferred first-line treatment for persons living with HIV (PLHIV) including children and adolescents in many low- and middle-income countries including Uganda. However, there are concerns about excessive weight gain associated with DTG especially in adults. There remains paucity of current information on weight-related outcomes among adolescents on DTG.

Systemic inflammation in pregnant women with HIV: relationship with HIV treatment regimen and preterm delivery.

Objective: HIV treatment regimen during pregnancy was associated with preterm delivery (PTD) in the PROMISE 1077 BF trial. Systemic inflammation among pregnant women with HIV could help explain differences in PTD by treatment regimen. We assessed associations between inflammation, treatment regimen, and PTD.

Self-reported Antiretroviral Adherence: Association With Maternal Viral Load Suppression in Postpartum Women Living With HIV-1 From Promoting Maternal and Infant Survival Everywhere, a Randomized Controlled Trial in Sub-Saharan Africa and India.

Introduction: Optimal adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is crucial to promoting maternal-infant health.

Setting: Fourteen sites in 7 countries within sub-Saharan Africa and India.

Methods: The multicomponent, open-label strategy PROMISE trial enrolled breastfeeding mother-infant pairs not meeting in-country criteria for maternal ART (mART) initiation in the postpartum component within 5 days of delivery.

Cigarette smoking is associated with an increase in blood monocytes in people with tuberculosis: A cross-sectional study.

The effect of smoking on immune responses in people with tuberculosis (TB) is not well elucidated. We aimed to compare peripheral blood counts of CD4+ and CD87 + T-lymphocytes, monocytes, and neutrophils and the CD4:CD8 ratio in TB patients with and without history of cigarette smoking. We further determined factors associated with current smoking.

Factors associated with willingness to use oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in a fisher-folk community in peri-urban Kampala, Uganda.

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in key populations at elevated risk for exposure to HIV. If used effectively, PrEP can reduce annual HIV incidence to below 0.05%.

Global birth defects app: An innovative tool for describing and coding congenital anomalies at birth in low resource settings.

Background: Surveillance programs in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have difficulty in obtaining accurate information about congenital anomalies.

Methods: As part of the ZikaPLAN project, an International Committee developed an app for the description and coding of congenital anomalies that are externally visible at birth, for use in low resource settings. The "basic" version of the app was designed for a basic clinical setting and to overcome language and terminology barriers by providing diagrams and photos, sourced mainly from international Birth Defects Atlases.

Brief Report: Impact of ART on Maternal Health After Cessation of Breastfeeding.

IMPAACT PROMISE 1077BF/FF was a sequentially randomized study of pregnant and postpartum women living with HIV to investigate the efficacy and safety of antiretroviral therapy (ART). This Maternal Health Component investigated efficacy for the risk of developing AIDS or death; and safety among women randomized to continue ART (CTART: N = 289) or discontinue ART (N = 268) after cessation of breastfeeding or after confirmation of infant infection. No AIDS-defining illnesses were reported during follow-up in either arm.

The impact of short term Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) interruptions on longer term maternal health outcomes-A randomized clinical trial.

Background: Given well documented challenges faced by pregnant women living with HIV taking lifetime ART, it is critical to understand the impact of short-term ART exposure followed by treatment interruption on maternal health outcomes.

Methods: HIV+ breastfeeding (BF) and Formula Feeding (FF) women with CD4 counts > 350 cells/mm3, enrolled in the 1077BF/1077FF PROMISE trial were followed to assess the effect of ART during pregnancy and breastfeeding respectively. The first analysis compared ART use limited to the antepartum period (AP-only) relative to women randomized to Zidovudine.

Perceived risk versus objectively measured risk of HIV acquisition: a cross-sectional study among HIV-negative individuals in Serodiscordant partnerships with clients attending an Urban Clinic in Uganda.

Background: Acceptability of Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) could be hampered by low self-perceived risk for HIV acquisition. Moreover, discordance between risk perception and actual risk of HIV acquisition is likely to occur. We assessed congruence between the level of self- perceived and that of objectively scored risk of HIV acquisition among HIV-negative individuals in discordant relationships.

Vaccination timeliness and associated factors among preterm infants at a tertiary hospital in Uganda.

Background: Preterm infants are at increased risk of infections including vaccine preventable diseases. Therefore, timely vaccination is crucial to ensure adequate disease protection. Information on whether preterm infants are vaccinated according to chronological age as recommended is limited in low-income countries.

Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate and the Vaginal Microbiome as Modifiers of Tenofovir Diphosphate and Lamivudine Triphosphate Concentrations in the Female Genital Tract of Ugandan Women: Implications for Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate/Lamivudine in Preexposure Prophylaxis.

Background: Effective concentrations of antiretrovirals in the female genital tract (FGT) are critical for suppression of viral shedding or effective preexposure prophylaxis. The disposition of tenofovir diphosphate (TFV-DP) and emtricitabine triphosphate (FTC-TP) in the FGT have been previously described. Despite widespread use, however, lamivudine triphosphate (3TC-TP) exposure in the FGT is unknown.

Implementation of a Novel Adherence Monitoring Strategy in a Phase III, Blinded, Placebo-Controlled, HIV-1 Prevention Clinical Trial.

Background: Placebo-controlled HIV-1 prevention trials of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) have not generally used concurrent measurement of adherence because of the potential risk of unblinding. However, several pre-exposure prophylaxis trials for HIV-1 prevention among women failed to show effectiveness because of low product adherence. Evaluation of product adherence objectively during a study provides the opportunity for strengthening adherence activities at sites having low adherence.

Association of dietary intake and BMI among newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients attending diabetic clinics in Kampala.

Background: Dietary intake is a known determinant of body mass index (BMI) among different populations and is therefore a useful component for BMI control. To our knowledge, no study has investigated the usual dietary intake and its association with BMI in type 2 diabetes patients among the Ugandan population. This study aimed to analyse the usual dietary intake of newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients and determine the association between the different dietary nutrients and BMI.