Mobile Phone-based intervention to promote un-interrupted HIV treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction: Keeping HIV-infected adults away from the health care system during the COVID-19 travel restrictions, presents a challenge to HIV treatment adherence. Methods: This study focused on the initial two phases where Phase 1 designed a Makerere College of Health Sciences (MakCHS) Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD)-based application; and Phase 2 piloted patient enrolment onto the application and determined the feasibility of remote follow-up of patients receiving long-term antiretroviral therapy (ART). Results: A off/online user application, MakCHS Health app, was developed. Overall, 112 patients [(66(59%) female] receiving ART at Mulago ISS clinic, Kampala, were enrolled onto the MakCHS Health app. Up to 89 (80%) utilized the app to access medical help. Patients' medical queries included needs for drug refills, missed taking HIV medication, medical illnesses, access to COVID-19 vaccination and other personal needs that required clinicians' attention. Conclusion: Piloting a MakCHS Health application for patient follow-up was feasible and well-received by HIV treatment providers and patients receiving ART. We recommend scale up of the application to enroll all patients receiving long-term treatment for HIV/AIDS, and subsequently expand to. other HIV treatment programs in similar settings

Prevalence, severity and factors associated with dental caries among school adolescents in Uganda: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Dental caries is one of the most prevalent diseases in developing countries. However, there is limited data on the prevalence and factors associated with dental caries in Ugandan adolescents. The purpose of the present study was to describe the prevalence, severity of dental caries and to determine the factors associated with the disease among school adolescents in Uganda. A cross sectional study was conducted at two secondary schools from Kampala (n=197) and Mukono (n=209) districts, Uganda. At both schools, random sampling was used to select the participating classes and the 406 adolescents (11-19 years) eligible to participate in the research. Dental caries was examined using the Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index, and a questionnaire was used to collect other relevant data in form of an oral interview. The data were analyzed using STATA version 12. The data was declared as survey data and all analyses were done with svy command. The prevalence of caries was determined as a percentage of individuals with DMFT score ≥1. Modified Poisson regression models were utilized to assess the association between prevalence, severity of dental caries and independent variables. The overall prevalence of dental caries was 66.0% and mean DMFT score of 2.18±2.67. Dental caries prevalence and severity were significantly (p<0.05) associated with tooth cleaning device, age and history of previous dental visit. There was a high prevalence and severity of dental caries among adolescents, which emphasizes the urgent need to develop and design appropriate interventions to reduce the disease burden.

Resumo A cárie dentária é uma das doenças mais prevalentes nos países em desenvolvimento. No entanto, existem dados limitados sobre a prevalência e os fatores associados à cárie dentária em adolescentes de Uganda. O objetivo do presente estudo foi descrever a prevalência e severidade da cárie dentária e determinar os fatores associados à doença em adolescentes escolares de Uganda. Um estudo transversal foi realizado em duas escolas secundárias dos distritos de Kampala (n = 197) e Mukono (n = 209), Uganda. Nas duas escolas, foi utilizada amostragem aleatória para selecionar as turmas participantes e os 406 adolescentes (11 a 19 anos) elegíveis para participar da pesquisa. A cárie dentária foi examinada usando o índice de dentes cariados, perdidos e obturados (CPOD), e um questionário foi usado para coletar outros dados relevantes na forma de uma entrevista oral. Os dados foram analisados no STATA versão 12. Os dados foram declarados como dados da pesquisa e todas as análises foram realizadas com o comando svy. A prevalência de cárie foi determinada como porcentagem de indivíduos com escore de CPOD ≥1. Modelos de regressão de Poisson modificados foram utilizados para avaliar a associação entre prevalência, gravidade da cárie dentária e variáveis independentes. A prevalência geral de cárie dentária foi de 66,0% e o escore médio do CPOD de 2,18 ± 2,67. A prevalência e severidade de cárie dentária foram significativamente (p<0,05) associadas ao dispositivo de limpeza dentária, idade e histórico de visita odontológica prévia. Houve alta prevalência e gravidade de cárie dentária entre os adolescentes, o que enfatiza a necessidade urgente de desenvolver e projetar intervenções apropriadas para reduzir a carga da doença.

Trends in Antimicrobial Resistance of Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Clinical Samples at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital in Rural Uganda.

Aim: This study aimed at describing the antibiotic susceptibility patterns of S. aureus isolated from clinical samples at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital from 2003 to 2012. Methods: This was a retrospective study that included clinical specimens cultured at the Microbiology laboratory of Mbarara Regional referral hospital between 2003 and 2012. Cultures and sensitivity data were abstracted from the laboratory registers using a data abstraction form. Among the positive culture reports, the antibiotic sensitivity of the common bacteria isolated were also recorded. Analysis of susceptibility data was limited to Staphylococcus aureus, the commonest organism identified. The data were entered into Epi info and exported to Stata Version 12.1 for analysis. Results: A total of 36,080 cultures were performed over a period of 10 years. Of these 7,744 (21.5%) specimens grew an organism. S. aureus was the most prevalent organism isolated. Fifty nine percent of the S. aureus was isolated from blood samples followed by 22% from pus samples, urine (8%) and HVS (5%). During the study period, resistance of S.aureus to chloramphenicol, amoxycillin, penicillin, tetracycline, and cotrimoxazole ranged from 50-90% while S. aureus resistance to Gentamicin and ceftriaxone ranged from 10-20%. Conclusion: Over the last decade, S. aureus isolates showed up to 90% resistance to commonly prescribed oral antibiotics. We recommend regular review of antibiotic resistance patterns to inform hospitals’ on guidelines on empirical antibiotic prescription, especially in resource-limited settings where susceptibility testing may not be feasible.