ABSTRACT
HIV/AIDS is one of the commonest reasons for admission of youths in Gulu Hospital. There are no specific studies that have been carried out to determine the prevalence of HIV/AIDS among the youths in this post-conflict region. This study aimed to describe the characteristics of HIV positive youths attending care in Gulu Hospital. A cross-sectional study was conducted among youths aged 13 to 24 years in the specific clinics of Gulu Hospital from January to December 2010 to identify and describe those youths that were HIV positive. A total sample size of 280 HIV positive patients was calculated using the Kish & Leslie formula. Ethical approval was obtained from Gulu Hospital Committee. Majority of respondents 174 (62%) who re-tested for HIV knew their HIV status and most tested between April and June 90 (32%). HIV infection was more prevalent among females 252 (90%), particularly those who were single 118 (47%). HIV infection is more common among female youths in the post-conflict northern Uganda.
ABSTRACT
Nodding Syndrome (NS) was recently described in children in Northern Uganda. The affected children were in the age group 5 – 15 years. They were stunted, malnourished, dehydrated, mentally retarded and get recurrent seizures. The objective of this study was to describe the cluster distribution of NS cases in Northern Uganda. We conducted a cross-sectional study using available data on the burden of NS in Northern Uganda and used GPS to map the locations of the most affected areas. The results obtained indicate that Nodding Syndrome in Northern Uganda occurs in clusters in the following locations Odek, Atiak, Angagura, Awere, Laguti, Labongo-Amida, Atanga, Pajimo, Palabek Kal and Palabek Gem sub counties and mainly along Aswa and Pager rivers and their tributaries. Nodding Syndrome in Northern Uganda occurs in clusters predominantly along two rivers; perhaps it is an indication for environmental, dietary and common epidemiological exposures for the syndrome.