Predictors of health care practitioners' normative attitudes and practices towards sexual and reproductive health and rights: a cross-sectional study of participants from low-income countries enrolled in a capacity-building program.

: Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) is a concept of human rights applied to sexuality and reproduction. Suboptimal access to SRHR services in many low-income countries results in poor health outcomes. Sustainable development goals (3.

Predictors of 30-day and 90-day mortality among hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke patients in urban Uganda: a prospective hospital-based cohort study.

Background: We report here on a prospective hospital-based cohort study that investigates predictors of 30-day and 90-day mortality and functional disability among Ugandan stroke patients.

Methods: Between December 2016 and March 2019, we enrolled consecutive hemorrhagic stroke and ischemic stroke patients at St Francis Hospital Nsambya, Kampala, Uganda. The primary outcome measure was mortality at 30 and 90 days.

Alcohol consumption, hypertension and obesity: Relationship patterns along different age groups in Uganda.

The prevalence of non-communicable diseases including hypertension and obesity is rising and alcohol consumption is a predisposing factor. This study explored the effect of alcohol consumption patterns on the hypertension-age group and obesity-age group relationships. The data were extracted from the 2014 National NCD Survey of adults aged 18-69 years.

'One-size doesn't fit all': Understanding healthcare practitioners' perceptions, attitudes and behaviours towards sexual and reproductive health and rights in low resource settings: An exploratory qualitative study.

Although progress has been made to improve access to sexual and reproductive health services globally in the past two decades, in many low-income countries, improvements have been slow. Discrimination against vulnerable groups and failure to address health inequities openly and comprehensively play a role in this stagnation. Healthcare practitioners are important actors who, often alone, decide who accesses services and how.

Contribution of street food to dietary intake of habitual urban consumers: A cross-sectional study in Kampala city, Uganda.

Background: Street food has continued to be a popular food source in the urban settings of developing countries and is proving to be a vital urban dietary source. However, its dietary contribution among urban populations is yet to be comprehensively understood.

Aim: To assess how street food contributes to the dietary intake of habitual street food consumers.

Impact of genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection on reproductive outcomes among infertile women undergoing tubal flushing: a retrospective cohort at a fertility centre in Uganda.

Background: The impact of current on clinical pregnancy and live birth rates among women undergoing tubal flushing is largely unknown. This study aimed to investigate whether current female genital infection affects the chance of achieving a clinical pregnancy and a live birth, among infertile women undergoing tubal flushing, at a fertility centre in Uganda.

Methods: A retrospective Cohort study at a peri-urban fertility centre.

Caring for a stroke patient: The burden and experiences of primary caregivers in Uganda - A qualitative study.

Aim: We assessed the burden and experiences of caregivers looking after stroke patients in Kampala, Uganda.

Design: We conducted a qualitative cross-sectional study between May 2018-July 2018 among primary caregivers of stroke patients.

Methods: The primary caregiver was defined as the person spending most of the time providing daily care for the stroke patient for at least four months.

Predictors of loss to follow up among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus attending a private not for profit urban diabetes clinic in Uganda - a descriptive retrospective study.

Background: Although the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus is increasing in Uganda, data on loss to follow up (LTFU) of patients in care is scanty. We aimed to estimate proportions of patients LTFU and document associated factors among patients attending a private not for profit urban diabetes clinic in Uganda.

Methods: We conducted a descriptive retrospective study between March and May 2017.

Use of traditional and complementary medicines by cancer patients at a national cancer referral facility in a low-income country.

Objective: The aim of this study was to describe use of traditional and complementary medicines (T&CM) and associated factors among patients with cancer.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study at the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) involving patients with selected solid tumours. Independent variables included age, sex, marital status, cancer site and stage.

The state of hypertension care in 44 low-income and middle-income countries: a cross-sectional study of nationally representative individual-level data from 1·1 million adults.

Background: Evidence from nationally representative studies in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) on where in the hypertension care continuum patients are lost to care is sparse. This information, however, is essential for effective targeting of interventions by health services and monitoring progress in improving hypertension care. We aimed to determine the cascade of hypertension care in 44 LMICs-and its variation between countries and population groups-by dividing the progression in the care process, from need of care to successful treatment, into discrete stages and measuring the losses at each stage.

Coronary artery calcium, HIV and inflammation in Uganda compared with the USA.

Objectives: To compare the prevalence of detectable coronary artery calcium (CAC) among higher risk, older people living with HIV (PLWH) and uninfected persons in Uganda versus the USA, and second to explore associations of CAC with HIV-specific variables and biomarkers of inflammation.

Methods: This cross-sectional study of 430 total subjects compared 100 PLWH on antiretroviral therapy and 100 age-matched and sex-matched HIV-uninfected controls in Uganda with 167 PLWH on antiretroviral therapy and 63 uninfected controls in the USA. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine associations with detectable CAC (CAC >0).

Diabetes management and treatment approaches outside of North America and West Europe in 2006 and 2015.

Aims: The impact of introducing new classes of glucose-lowering medication (GLM) on diabetes management remains unclear, especially outside North America and Western Europe. Therefore, we aimed to analyse trends in glycaemic control and the usage of new and old GLMs in people with type 2 diabetes from 2006 to 2015.

Methods: Summary data from clinical services from nine countries outside North America and Western Europe were collected and pooled for statistical analysis.

Cardiovascular disease management in people with diabetes outside North America and Western Europe in 2006 and 2015.

Aim: Optimal treatment of cardiovascular disease is essential to decrease mortality among people with diabetes, but information is limited on how actual treatment relates to guidelines. We analysed changes in therapeutic approaches to anti-hypertensive and lipid-lowering medications in people with Type 2 diabetes from 2006 and 2015.

Methods: Summary data from clinical services in seven countries outside North America and Western Europe were collected for 39 684 people.

Interventions to reduce unnecessary caesarean sections in healthy women and babies.

Optimising the use of caesarean section (CS) is of global concern. Underuse leads to maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity. Conversely, overuse of CS has not shown benefits and can create harm.

Risk Factors for Hemorrhagic and Ischemic Stroke in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Introduction: In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), there is a significant burden of ischemic stroke (IS) and hemorrhagic stroke (HS), although data on risk factors for each type are sparse. In this systematic review we attempt to characterize the risk factors.

Methods: We systematically reviewed (PubMed, EMBASE, WHOLIS, Google Scholar, Wiley online, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL)) case-control studies and case series from 1980 to 2016 that reported risk factors for IS and/or HS in SSA.

Negotiating quality standards for effective delivery of labor and childbirth care in Nigeria and Uganda.

Objective: "Negotiated standards" describe a level of quality of care that is acceptable and achievable within a specific health system, based on consensus between key stakeholders. This paper presents the development of negotiated standards for effective labor and childbirth care in selected hospitals and communities in Nigeria and Uganda.

Methods: A four-step development process involving different methodologies.

Access to affordable medicines and diagnostic tests for asthma and COPD in sub Saharan Africa: the Ugandan perspective.

Background: Equitable access to affordable medicines and diagnostic tests is an integral component of optimal clinical care of patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In Uganda, we lack contemporary data about the availability, cost and affordability of medicines and diagnostic tests essential in asthma and COPD management.

Methods: Data on the availability, cost and affordability of 17 medicines and 2 diagnostic tests essential in asthma and COPD management were collected from 22 public hospitals, 23 private and 85 private pharmacies.

Household and familial resemblance in risk factors for type 2 diabetes and related cardiometabolic diseases in rural Uganda: a cross-sectional community sample.

Objectives: Prevention of type 2 diabetes (T2D) has been successfully established in randomised clinical trials. However, the best methods for the translation of this evidence into effective population-wide interventions remain unclear. To assess whether households could be a target for T2D prevention and screening, we investigated the resemblance of T2D risk factors at household level and by type of familial dyadic relationship in a rural Ugandan community.

Access to medicines and diagnostic tests integral in the management of diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases in Uganda: insights from the ACCODAD study.

Background: Despite the burgeoning burden of diabetes mellitus (DM) and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in low and middle income countries (LMIC), access to affordable essential medicines and diagnostic tests for DM and CVD still remain a challenge in clinical practice. The Access to Cardiovascular diseases, Chronic Obstructive pulmonary disease, Diabetes mellitus and Asthma Drugs and diagnostics (ACCODAD) study aimed at providing contemporary information about the availability, cost and affordability of medicines and diagnostic tests integral in the management of DM and CVD in Uganda.

Methods: The study assessed the availability, cost and affordability of 37 medicines and 19 diagnostic tests in 22 public hospitals, 23 private hospitals and 100 private pharmacies in Uganda.

Improving the quality of maternity services in Uganda through accelerated implementation of essential interventions by healthcare professional associations.

Objective: To assess whether the implementation of a package of activities through the joint action of the three international healthcare professionals associations (HCPAs) increased the use of intrapartum and postnatal essential interventions (EIs) in two hospitals in Uganda.

Methods: A non-controlled before-and-after study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of a package of activities designed to change practice relating to nine EIs among providers. Coverage of the EIs was measured in a 3-month pre-implementation period and a 3-month post-implementation period in 2014.

An exploratory study of men's companionship, perceptions and experiences during pregnancy and delivery in Uganda.

Background: Globally, low involvement of men in maternal health care services remains a problem to health care providers and policy makers. Men's support is essential for making women's world better. There are increasing debates among policymakers and researchers on the role of men in maternal health programs, which is a challenge in patriarchal societies like Uganda.

Prevalence of hyperglycaemia first detected during pregnancy and subsequent obstetric outcomes at St. Francis Hospital Nsambya.

Background: Women with hyperglycaemia detected during pregnancy are at greater risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes. Data on hyperglycaemia in pregnancy in sub-Saharan Africa is scanty and varied depending on the populations studied and the methodologies used to define hyperglycaemia in pregnancy. With the recent 2013 World Health Organisation (WHO) diagnostic criteria and classification, there is yet no sufficient data on the prevalence of hyperglycaemia in sub-Saharan Africa.

Burden of cumulative risk factors associated with non-communicable diseases among adults in Uganda: evidence from a national baseline survey.

Background: Modification of known risk factors has been the most tested strategy for dealing with non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The cumulative number of NCD risk factors exhibited by an individual depicts a disease burden. However, understanding the risk factors associated with increased NCD burden has been constrained by scarcity of nationally representative data, especially in the developing countries and not well explored in the developed countries as well.

Diabetes diagnosis and care in sub-Saharan Africa: pooled analysis of individual data from 12 countries.

Background: Despite widespread recognition that the burden of diabetes is rapidly growing in many countries in sub-Saharan Africa, nationally representative estimates of unmet need for diabetes diagnosis and care are in short supply for the region. We use national population-based survey data to quantify diabetes prevalence and met and unmet need for diabetes diagnosis and care in 12 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. We further estimate demographic and economic gradients of met need for diabetes diagnosis and care.

The Specialist Surgeon Workforce in East, Central and Southern Africa: A Situation Analysis.

Background: In East, Central and Southern Africa accurate data on the current surgeon workforce have previously been limited. In order to ensure that the workforce required for sustainable delivery of surgical care is put in place, accurate data on the number, specialty and distribution of specialist-trained surgeons are crucial for all stakeholders in surgery and surgical training in the region.

Methods: The surgical workforce in each of the ten member countries of the College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA) was determined by gathering and crosschecking data from multiple sources including COSECSA records, medical council registers, local surgical societies records, event attendance lists and interviews of Members and Fellows of COSECSA, and validating this by direct contact with the surgeons identified.