Factors That Affect the Adoption of Fertilizer Among Cocoa Farmers in Developing Countries: A Review.

Sub-Saharan Africa's adoption of inorganic fertilizer lags behind other developing nations, creating limitations for small-holder cocoa producers. Using the Diffusion of Innovations (DOI) Theory, articles assessing inorganic fertilizer (non)adoption by cocoa producers in Sub-Saharan Africa are reviewed. Factors influencing adoption fell into two major categories: socioeconomic characteristics of the potential adopter and characteristics of the innovation itself.

Patterns and Factors Associated with Dyslipidemia Among Patients with Diabetes Mellitus Attending Hoima Regional Referral Hospital, Uganda.

Background: Dyslipidemia in Sub-Saharan Africa has been on the disproportionate rise among diabetes patients across various contextual settings due to its patterns and associated factors. This study determined the patterns and factors associated with dyslipidemia among diabetes patients attending Hoima Regional Referral Hospital (HRRH).

Methods: This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study conducted at HRRH between October 2022 and January 2023, enrolled 375 adult diabetes patients consecutively from diabetic outpatient clinic.

Climate Change and Veterinary Medicine: A Call to Action for a Healthier Planet.

Climate change is rapidly transforming ecosystems and reshaping the landscapes of animal health, with profound consequences for public health, food security, and biodiversity. Rising temperatures, shifting weather patterns, and increased frequency of natural disasters are driving the emergence and spread of infectious diseases, particularly zoonotic and vector-borne diseases. These environmental shifts endanger the health and welfare of animals and the delicate balance between human populations, livestock, and wildlife.

Ugandan Physician Attitudes towards a Potential, Local Trauma Fellowship Program.

Background In low-income countries, clinicians trained through a context-specific trauma surgery fellowship program (TFP) can help reduce injury-related mortality to levels closer to those observed in higher-resource settings. Successful implementation, however, hinges on buy-in from local clinicians. We therefore assessed clinician support for a potential TFP in Uganda, considering perceived need, curricular recommendations, barriers, and motivating factors.

Community health system capacities and capabilities within an evolving community health policy framework: mixed methods study of stakeholders in central Uganda.

Objectives: Empowering communities through identifying and unlocking community capacities and capabilities is vital for improving community health systems. This study assessed the community health system's status quo and readiness for implementing a government-led, partner-supported community health worker project.

Design: A mixed methods cross-sectional study.

Validation of the Contraception-Focused Preference-Aligned Fertility Management Index in Uganda and Nigeria.

Objective: To evaluate construct validity of the contraception-focused "Preference-aligned Fertility Management" (PFM) Index, a new person-centered and rights-based outcome measure, in Nigeria and Uganda.

Study Design: We analyzed survey data from convenience samples of new users of contraception and non-users of contraception in Uganda and users of contraception in Nigeria. PFM Index scores were calculated by combining two indicators: Indicator 1 assessing alignment between desire to use contraception and actual use; Indicator 2 evaluating whether users' current methods are desired.

Prevalence and contributors to anaemia among children aged 6 to 59 months in Kyangwali Refugee settlement, Western Uganda: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Anaemia is a major cause of morbidity among children under five years in Uganda. However, its magnitude among refugee populations is marginally documented. In this study, the prevalence and contributors to anaemia among children 6 to 59 months in Kyangwali refugee settlement in Western Uganda was determined.

Community-based interventions against HIV-related stigma: a systematic review of evidence in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Background: HIV-related stigma remains a key barrier to the attainment of the UNAIDS global goal of ending AIDS by 2030. Due to the social and contextual nature of HIV-related stigma, community-based interventions may be more effective in addressing it. In this review, we synthesized evidence on the effectiveness and features of community-based interventions against HIV-related stigma in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Management of environmental impacts of fossil fuel use in refugee camps through transition to renewable energy infrastructure: Case studies in Uganda and Bangladesh.

Many refugee camps exist for decades but associated infrastructure needs are only planned for the very short term, including provision of power. This study advocates a shift in approach to sustainable electrification of essential services in refugee camps for lighting, refrigeration, health, water, education, alongside camp operations. Qualitative and quantitative surveys were conducted in refugee camps in Uganda and Bangladesh which assessed the electrical supply needs across such categories.

Antibiotic consumption and utilization at a large tertiary care level hospital in Uganda: A point prevalence survey.

Introduction: Effective antimicrobial stewardship programs require data on antimicrobial consumption (AMC) and utilization (AMU) to guide interventions. However, such data is often scarce in low-resource settings. We describe the consumption and utilization of antibiotics at a large tertiary-level hospital in Uganda.

Genome-wide association mapping of bruchid resistance loci in soybean.

Soybean is a globally important industrial, food, and cash crop. Despite its importance in present and future economies, its production is severely hampered by bruchids (Callosobruchus chinensis), a destructive storage insect pest, causing considerable yield losses. Therefore, the identification of genomic regions and candidate genes associated with bruchid resistance in soybean is crucial as it helps breeders to develop new soybean varieties with improved resistance and quality.

Brief Report: Antiretroviral Treatment Use Over Time Among Adolescents and Young Adults in the Rakai Community Cohort Study, 2011-2020.

Background: In sub-Saharan Africa, pediatric and adult treatment programs have not met the needs of youth living with HIV (15-24 years), whose enrollment in antiretroviral treatment (ART) programs is much lower than that of adults. To inform targeted interventions, we analyzed factors associated with ART use among youth in Uganda.

Methods: Data were from 42 communities between 2011 and 2020 (5 survey rounds) from the Rakai Community Cohort Study, an open, population-based cohort.

Semi-field experiments reveal contrasted predation and movement patterns of aquatic macroinvertebrate predators of Anopheles gambiae larvae.

Background: Members of the Anopheles gambiae complex are major malaria vectors in sub-Saharan Africa. Their larval stages inhabit a variety of aquatic habitats in which, under natural circumstances, they are preyed upon by different taxa of aquatic macroinvertebrate predators. Understanding the potential impact of predators on malaria vector larval population dynamics is important for enabling integrated local mosquito control programmes with a stronger emphasis on biocontrol approaches.

Impact of COVID-19 Public Health Measures on Antiretroviral Therapy Use Among Ugandans Living with HIV in Sero-Different Couples.

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) use and HIV suppression among people living with HIV (PLHIV) are critical for HIV control and prevention. Extreme restrictions on movement early during the COVID-19 pandemic in Uganda may have impeded the ability to initiate and sustain access to and use of ART. From our stepped-wedge cluster-randomized trial of an integrated PrEP and ART intervention for HIV-serodifferent couples at 12 ART clinics in Uganda, we identified participants who enrolled and had a 6-month post-ART initiation viral load measured before the beginning of the first COVID-19 lockdown (Period 1), participants whose enrollment and 6-month viral load measurement straddled pre-COVID and COVID lockdown times (Period 2), and participants whose enrollment and 6-month viral load were quantified entirely during COVID-19 (Period 3).

Modeling suction of unsaturated granular soil treated with biochar in plant microbial fuel cell bioelectricity system.

There is an initiative driven by the carbon-neutrality nature of biochar in recent times, where various countries across Europe and North America have introduced perks to encourage the production of biochar for construction purposes. This objective aligns with the zero greenhouse emission targets set by COP27 for 2050. This research work seeks to assess the effectiveness of biochar in soils with varying grain size distributions in enhancing the soil-water characteristic curve (SWCC).

Indirect evidence of an early mating advantage in wild cooperatively breeding male banded mongooses.

Promiscuous females reduce male reproductive control. Males can attempt to monopolise access to these females, but distractions and sneaky rivals mean extra copulations cannot always be blocked. By mating first, males can obtain a headstart in sperm competition, but this may be negated by sperm storage and cryptic female choice mechanisms.

Factors influencing COVID-19 vaccine acceptability among household heads in northern Nigeria: a community-based cross-sectional study.

Objectives: COVID-19 vaccine was rolled out for the public in August 2021 in Zamfara state, Northen Nigeria. We determined the factors influencing COVID-19 vaccine acceptance.

Settings: We executed a community-based analytical cross-sectional study during the first 4 months of the second phase of the COVID-19 (Oxford/AstraZeneca) mass vaccination campaign in Zamfara state.

Avoidable factors associated with maternal death from postpartum haemorrhage: a national Malawian surveillance study.

Background: Despite strong evidence-based strategies for prevention and management, global efforts to reduce deaths from postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) have failed, and it remains the leading cause of maternal mortality. We conducted a detailed review of all maternal deaths from 33 facilities in Malawi to identify health system weaknesses leading to deaths from PPH.

Methods: Data were collected regarding every maternal death occurring across all district and central hospitals in Malawi.

Targeted Next-Generation Sequencing of Cell-Free DNA to Detect -Immunoglobulin Translocation and Epstein-Barr Virus DNA in Plasma of Burkitt Lymphoma Patients in East Africa.

Purpose: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive Burkitt lymphoma (BL) affects children in sub-Saharan Africa, but diagnosis via tissue biopsy is challenging. We explored a liquid biopsy approach using targeted next-generation sequencing to detect the -immunoglobulin (-Ig) translocation and EBV DNA, assessing its potential for minimally invasive BL diagnosis.

Materials And Methods: The panel included targets for the characteristic -Ig translocation, mutations in intron 1 of , mutations in exon 2 of , and three EBV genes: EBV-encoded RNA (EBER)1, EBER2, and EBV nuclear antigen 2.

Cervical cancer care at a tertiary oncology facility in Uganda: Comparing daily practice with national treatment targets on cervical cancer control.

Objective: Treatment of cervical cancer patients in Uganda is hampered by late diagnosis due to the unavailability of timely screening and limited availability of advanced cancer care. This study evaluated the clinical presentation and management of cervical cancer patients presenting at the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) in Kampala, the tertiary oncology facility in Uganda with access to radiotherapy and reflected on daily clinical practice to identify priority areas for improving cervical cancer care in Uganda.

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed medical records of all cervical cancer patients presenting to UCI between January 2017 and March 2018 for sociodemographic characteristics and clinical variables with descriptive statistics.

Exploring barriers to accessing treatment for Lymphatic Filariasis through a socio-ecological lens in Buvuma and Napak districts, Uganda.

Background: The World Health Organization launched the Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis in 2000, which aimed at eradicating the disease by 2030. This goal depends on community mass drug administration and essential care. Despite these efforts, many rural communities still face untreated lymphatic filariasis and lack access to treatment and self-management.

Widespread use of ChatGPT and other Artificial Intelligence tools among medical students in Uganda: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer (ChatGPT) is a 175-billion-parameter natural language processing model that uses deep learning algorithms trained on vast amounts of data to generate human-like texts such as essays. Consequently, it has introduced new challenges and threats to medical education. We assessed the use of ChatGPT and other AI tools among medical students in Uganda.

Family Caregivers' Perceptions of Schizophrenia and Community Members' Attitudes Toward Patients and Their Family Caregivers.

Schizophrenia is a complex disorder with no known single cause which makes family caregivers of patients to develop their own perceptions and interpretations of the condition. We aimed to find out family caregivers' perceptions and how they influence their treatment seeking behavior as well as attitudes of community members toward family caregivers and their patients. Qualitative data were collected from 24 family caregivers, of patients with schizophrenia who were residents of Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area.

Development of a non-specialist worker delivered psychological intervention to address alcohol use disorders and psychological distress among conflict-affected populations in Uganda and Ukraine.

Background: Despite the significant burden of alcohol use disorders (AUD), there is a large treatment gap, especially in settings and populations affected by armed conflict. A key barrier to care is the lack of contextually relevant interventions and adequately skilled human resources to deliver them. This paper describes the systematic development of the CHANGE intervention, a potentially scalable psychological intervention for people with co-existing AUD and psychological distress in conflict-affected populations, delivered by non-specialist workers (NSWs).

Enablers of and barriers to ART adherence among female sex workers in mid-western Uganda: a qualitative study.

Introduction: Female sex workers (FSWs) in Uganda experience numerous barriers to antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence. We used the planned behavior theory to help explore the enablers and barriers to ART adherence among FSWs. Understanding the barriers to ART adherence may help contribute to the development of interventions to improve ART adherence among the FSWs.