Adverse Perinatal Outcomes Among Teenage Mothers Delivering at a Tertiary Referral Hospital in Southwestern Uganda: Prevalence and Associated Factors.

INTRODUCTION: Each year, millions of teenagers in low-resource areas experience unintended pregnancies, many of which result in childbirth. These pregnancies often carry an increased risk of negative perinatal outcomes. OBJECTIVES: The study determined the prevalence and factors associated with adverse perinatal outcomes among teenagers delivering at a tertiary referral hospital in southwestern Uganda. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. We consecutively included all teenagers (13-19 years) in the postnatal ward who delivered. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize demographic and outcome data, and multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with adverse perinatal outcomes. RESULTS: Overall, 327 participants were enrolled. The mean age was 18.4 (SD 1.1) years, while the mean number of antenatal care (ANC) visits attended was 4.6 (SD 1.9). Less than half delivered by cesarean 136 (41.6%) and 16 (4.9%) were HIV seropositive. Approximately 140 (42.8%) participants had adverse perinatal outcomes, including neonatal death (7, 2.1%), APGAR score at five minutes <7 (44, 13.5%), or low birth weight <2.5 kg (52, 15.9%). ANC attendance was mildly protective against adverse perinatal outcomes (aOR 0.91 (95% CI 1.14, 3.01), p=0.03). Feeling indifferent toward the pregnancy was associated with increased odds of one or more adverse perinatal outcomes compared to feeling happy about the pregnancy (aOR 3.39 (95% CI 1.11, 10.37), p=0.02). Participants with a history of prior miscarriage had increased odds of adverse perinatal outcomes (aOR 9.03 (95% CI 2.45, 25.53), p=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Nearly half of teenagers experienced adverse perinatal outcomes, and a history of prior miscarriage was a significant risk factor for adverse perinatal outcomes, while ANC was protective. Prospective cohort studies to explore the newborn and child developmental outcomes among children born to teenage mothers are also recommended.

Prevalence of and Factors Associated With Adverse Maternal Obstetrical Events Among Teenage Mothers Delivering in a Tertiary Referral Hospital in Southwestern Uganda.

INTRODUCTION: Many female teenagers in low-resource settings conceive, of which half are unplanned and end in many deaths in sub-Saharan Africa, accounting for the majority of the cases. Teenage pregnancy is associated sometimes with poor maternal, newborn, and child deaths. OBJECTIVES:  The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence, maternal obstetric outcomes, and factors associated with poor maternal obstetric outcomes among teenage mothers delivering at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital. METHODS:  This was a cross-sectional study carried out in a maternity ward at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, where 9,200 mothers deliver annually. All the women coming in for the delivery of their babies were consecutively approached for inclusion in the study. The women were enrolled in the post-delivery ward after delivery and interviewed with pretested questionnaires to capture the sociodemographic, obstetric, and medical profiles of the mothers. Factors were significant if the p-value was <0.05.  Results: Out of the 327 participants, the majority were rural dwellers (68.5%), married (75.8%), attained primary education (69.4%), had not used contraception (89%), and had had a planned pregnancy (63.3%). The prevalence of adverse maternal obstetrical events was 59.9%. The HIV-positive rate was 4.9%, and about half of the participants had delivered by cesarean section (41.6%). The participants' mean age was 18.4 years and SD 1.1. The mean number of antenatal care contacts attended was 4.59 and SD 1.9. The adverse maternal outcomes included episiotomy (30.9%), perineal tear (18.7%), premature rupture of membranes (10.1%), placenta abruption (5.2%), and pre-eclampsia/eclampsia (4%). Having a cesarean delivery was found to significantly reduce the occurrence of adverse maternal obstetric events among the participants by 97% (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) (95% CI) of 0.03 (0.02-0.06), p-value<0.001). Having a prior history of a miscarriage was significantly associated with the occurrence of adverse maternal obstetrical events among the participants (aOR (95% CI) of 6.55 (1.46-29.42), p-value0.014). CONCLUSIONS:  Slightly more than half of the teenage mothers had adverse maternal obstetrical outcomes, and a history of a miscarriage in previous pregnancies was significantly associated with adverse maternal obstetrical outcomes. Having a cesarean delivery was found to significantly reduce the occurrence of adverse maternal obstetric events among the participants. Teenage mothers are at a high risk of adverse maternal obstetrical outcomes, and close antepartum and intrapartum surveillance is recommended.

Transition to Motherhood and Lived Experiences of Teenage Mothers Delivering in Kasese and Bundibugyo Districts, Western Uganda.

Introduction A large number of teenagers in low-resource settings experience pregnancy, with a significant number of these cases happening in sub-Saharan Africa. Teenage pregnancy is associated with unique physical and psychological experiences. Objective To explore the lived experiences of teenage mothers delivering at a tertiary referral hospital in southwestern Uganda. Methods This qualitative study used focus group discussions (FGDs) with teenage mothers in Kasese and Bundibugyo districts in Uganda. We purposively sampled 32 teenage mothers attending a tertiary referral hospital who had been pregnant at least once and had given birth. Sociodemographic information was obtained, and FGDs were conducted to capture the teenagers' experiences transitioning to motherhood. An inductive content analytic approach was used to analyze data.  Results The mean age of the participants was 18.4 (standard deviation [SD], 1.2) years, with the majority (22, 68.8%) being rural dwellers, married (23, 71.9%), unemployed (21, 65.6%), and having attained primary education (23, 71.9%). Teenage mothers' lived experiences were characterized by shattered dreams, concerns about changes in their body size and shape, abandonment and neglect by family members and spouses, considerations of terminating the pregnancy, forced early marriages, family stereotypes, and engaging in sex for survival. The process of transitioning to motherhood occurred along with resilience post-pregnancy and supportive environments from their loved ones, which enabled them to accept reality and care for their children. Conclusions The lived experiences of teenage mothers demonstrated social pressures, fear of abandonment, and poverty as major influences on their mindset and behavior. Further research to gain a comprehensive understanding of the challenges encountered by teenage mothers will aid the development of culturally appropriate strategies to reduce teenage pregnancy and improve perinatal outcomes.

Healthcare Workers' Perspectives on the Utilization of the International HIV Dementia Scale for the Screening HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorders: A Qualitative Study at TASO Centres in Central and Southwestern Uganda.

Introduction: HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) are becoming a significant public health concern in the continuum of human immune virus (HIV) treatment. These disorders range from subtle cognitive impairments to severe dementia. Despite many early-stage HAND cases being asymptomatic, healthcare workers (HCWs) rarely perform routine neurocognitive assessments. This leads to a high number of unrecognized cases and increases the risk of HAND among people living with HIV (PLWH). Material and Methods: We aimed to explore HCWs' perspectives on integrating the International HIV Dementia Scale (IHDS) into routine care for screening HAND at The AIDS Support Organization (TASO) centres in central and southwestern Uganda. Results: We conducted five focus group discussions with 37 HCWs from five TASO centres. Thematic analysis revealed eight key theme: 1) Impaired brain function, 2) Changes in activities of daily living, 3) Promotion of quality care perspectives, 4) Tool applicable and user-friendly, 5) Client increased self-awareness and self-confidence, 6) Integration of IHDS into routine HIV care, 7) Uncertainty about IHDS use, and 8) Continuous training for HCWs. Conclusion: As PLWH enjoy longer and healthier lives, their risk for HAND increases, potentially affecting their quality of life. The use of the IHDS has raised awareness among HCWs and improved decision-making through cognitive assessments, emphasizing it value in PLWH. We recommend a prospective study to assess the long-term outcomes and efficacy of increased HAND screening. Furthermore, integrating a HAND screening module into the consolidated HIV guidelines is recommended to enhance its relevance.

Validating the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale Against the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition for Use in Uganda.

Background: The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is a widely acknowledged screening tool for postpartum depression (PPD) globally, but its validation in Uganda has been lacking. This study aimed to assess the EPDS's accuracy as a PPD screening tool in Uganda compared to the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI 7.0.2) based on the DSM-5. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at a referral hospital and two peri-urban primary care postpartum clinics in rural southwestern Uganda. We enrolled 287 mothers aged 18 to 49 at their six-week postpartum visit. The EPDS was used for initial screening, and the MINI 7.0.2 was employed for clinical diagnosis. The study used the Runyankore-Rukiga language version of the EPDS and collected data from November 11, 2019, to June 10, 2020, with the MINI 7.0.2 as the reference standard. Results: The overall PPD prevalence was 29.5%, as opposed to 26.5% with EPDS and MINI 7.0.2 DSM-5 criteria (p = 0.239). The EPDS demonstrated a sensitivity of 86.8%, specificity of 92.1%, positive predictive value of 80.5%, and negative predictive value of 94.9%. A cutoff score of ≥10 was found to be the most effective acceptable point after drawing the AUC of ROC and determining the most appropriate point using Youden's index. The area under the ROC curve, indicating the scale's overall performance against MINI 7.0.2, was 0.89 for Bwizibwera HCIV, 0.97 for Kinoni HCIV, and 0.84 for MRRH. In conclusion, the EPDS can effectively screen for postpartum depression in southwestern Uganda using a cutoff score of ≥10. It exhibits strong diagnostic performance in correctly identifying PPD in postpartum mothers.

The meaning of caring for patients with cancer among traditional medicine practitioners in Uganda: A grounded theory approach.

Traditional medicine practitioners (TMPs) are a critical part of healthcare systems in many sub-Saharan African countries and play vital roles in caring for patients with cancer. Despite some progress in describing TMPs' caring experiences in abstract terms, literature about practice models in Africa remains limited. This study aimed to develop a substantive theory to clarify the care provided by TMPs to patients with cancer in Uganda. This study adhered to the principal features of the modified Straussian grounded theory design. Participants were 18 TMPs caring for patients with cancer from 10 districts in Uganda, selected by purposive and theoretical sampling methods. Researcher-administered in-depth interviews were conducted, along with three focus group discussions. Data were analyzed using constant comparative analysis. The core category that represented TMPs' meaning of caring for patients with cancer was "Restoring patients' hope in life through individualizing care." TMPs restored patients' hope through five main processes: 1) ensuring continuity in the predecessors' role; 2) having full knowledge of a patient's cancer disease; 3) restoring hope in life; 4) customizing or individualizing care, and 5) improving the patient's condition/health. Despite practice challenges, the substantive theory suggests that TMPs restore hope for patients with cancer in a culturally sensitive manner, which may partly explain why patients with cancer continue to seek their services. The findings of this study may guide research, education, and public health policy to advance traditional medicine in sub-Saharan Africa.

Screening HIV associated neurocognitive disorders using international HIV dementia scale: closing the gap through an educational intervention for healthcare workers.

Introduction: the study assessed the effect of an educational intervention on healthcare workers´ knowledge regarding the use of the International HIV Dementia Scale (IHDS) in screening HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) at The AIDS Support Organization (TASO) centres in Uganda. Methods: we recruited healthcare workers in southwestern and central Uganda. Data were collected by a questionnaire, cleaned, and analyzed using means and standard deviations. A paired t-test assessed mean knowledge score differences pre-and post-intervention. We used One-Way ANOVA for mean score differences between sites and cadres. Statistical significance was taken at p ≤ 0.05 and 95% confidence interval. Prevalence of HAND for clients screened during educational intervention was computed. Results: mean age was 36.38 years (SD = 7.80) and mean years of experience 8.92 (SD = 6.52). A paired t-test showed that pre-intervention mean score (Mean= 20.38, SD 2.94) was statistically different from post-intervention mean score (Mean=22.24, SD 2.15) at t (36) = - 4.933, p > 0.001). One-way ANOVA showed counselors were statistically different from clinical officers´ pre-intervention (Mean difference 4.432 (95% CI: 0.1- 8.85, p= 0.049) and post-intervention (Mean difference 3.364 (95% CI: 0.07 - 6.65, p= 0.042) respectively. There was no difference in mean knowledge scores between sites pre-intervention (F (4, 32) = 0.827, p = 0.518) and post-intervention (F (4, 32) = 1.299, p = 0.291). Of the 500 clients screened, 72.2% were positive for HAND. Conclusion: the educational intervention improved healthcare workers´ knowledge regarding screening HAND using IHDS at TASO centres in Southwestern and Central Uganda.

Hidden Tales of Ebola: Airing the Forgotten Voices of Ugandan "Ebola Nurses".

INTRODUCTION: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Ebola has affected the lives of thousands, including health care workers. With few studies describing the experience of nurses who survived Ebola, the study aimed to describe Ugandan nurses' experiences. METHOD: Using a phenomenological design, in-depth interviews were conducted among five Ugandan nurses who contracted Ebola and survived. RESULT: Thematic analysis revealed themes of expectations of dying, hopelessness, loneliness, and betrayal by family, community, and the health system. DISCUSSION: Results support the need for policies targeting holistic practice protocols to protect all health care professionals during future outbreaks. Last, nursing survivors should have access to government-guaranteed support programs, including free health care and financial stipends. These results and recommendations transcend to the current reality of living with COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019). Efficient practice protocols could protect all rights and privileges and contribute to access to treatment and stigma removal.

Lived experiences of Ugandan women who had recovered from a clinical diagnosis of postpartum depression: a phenomenological study.

BACKGROUND: Postpartum depression affects a significant proportion of women of childbearing age. The birth of a newborn baby is normally considered a joyful event, inhibiting mothers from expressing their depressive feelings. If the condition is not well understood and managed, mothers with postpartum depression are likely to experience suicidal ideation or even commit suicide. This study explored lived experiences of women who had recovered from a clinical diagnosis of postpartum depression in southwestern Uganda. METHODS: This phenomenological study adopted the explorative approach through in-depth interviews as guided by the biopsychosocial model of depression. It was conducted in Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, Bwizibwera Health Centre IV and Kinoni Health Centre IV located in Mbarara and Rwampara districts, southwestern Uganda. Data were collected from 30 postpartum mothers who were purposively selected, between 9th December 2019 and 25th September 2020. We analyzed this work using thematic data analysis and this was steered by the Colaizzi's six-step phenomenological approach of inquiry. RESULTS: The findings were summarized into five major themes: 1) somatic experiences including insomnia and headache, breast pain, poor breast milk production, weight loss and lack of energy; 2) difficulties in home and family life including overwhelming domestic chores, lack of social support from other family members, fighting at home and financial constraints due to COVID-19 pandemic; 3) negative emotions including anger, self-blame, despondency and feelings of loneliness and regrets of conceiving or marriage; 4) feelings of suicide, homicide and self-harm including suicidal ideation and attempt, homicidal ideations and attempt and feelings of self-harm and 5) coping with postpartum depression including spirituality, termination of or attempt to leave their marital relationships, acceptance, counselling and seeking medical treatment, perseverance. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Suicidal and homicidal thoughts are important parts of the postpartum depression experience, and these may put the lives of the mothers, their spouses and their babies at a great risk. Poor relationship quality, intimate partner violence and lack of financial resources contribute significantly to the negative emotional experiences of mothers with PPD.

Prevalence of postpartum depression and associated factors among women in Mbarara and Rwampara districts of south-western Uganda.

BACKGROUND: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a significant cause of maternal morbidity and has severe consequences on the well-being of mothers, new-borns, families, and communities. PPD reduces the mother's response to the child's needs. In severe cases, mothers suffering from PPD are prone to postpartum psychosis, commit suicide and, in rare cases, infanticide. We aimed to determine the prevalence and understand the factors associated with PPD among mothers in southwestern Uganda. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study between November 2019 and June 2020 among 292 mothers, 6 to 8 weeks' postpartum. Mothers were selected from three health facilities in southwestern Uganda and enrolled using stratified consecutive sampling. Postpartum depression was clinically diagnosed using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders V. The factors associated with PPD were assessed by using a structured interviewer administered questionnaire. The factors were analyzed using bivariate chi square analyses and multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Overall prevalence of PPD was 27.1% (95% CI: 22.2-32.5). This did not vary by the number of previous births or mode of birth. Five factors associated with PPD were low perceived social support, HIV positive status, rural residence, obstetrical complications and the baby crying excessively. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Prevalence of PPD in Mbarara and Rwampara districts is higher than what has previously been reported in Uganda indicating an urgent need to identify pregnant women who are at increased risk of PPD to mitigate their risk or implement therapies to manage the condition. Midwives who attend to these mothers need to be empowered with available methods of mitigating prevalence and consequences of PPD. Women who are HIV positive, residing in rural settings, whose babies cry excessively, having low social support systems and who have birth complications may be a particularly important focus for Ugandan intervention strategies to prevent and reduce the prevalence of PPD.

Prevalence of the Use of Herbal Medicines among Patients with Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Although herbal medicines are used by patients with cancer in multiple oncology care settings, the magnitude of herbal medicine use in this context remains unclear. The purpose of this review was to establish the prevalence of herbal medicine use among patients with cancer, across various geographical settings and patient characteristics (age and gender categories). METHODS: Electronic databases that were searched for data published, from January 2000 to January 2020, were Medline (PubMed), Google Scholar, Embase, and African Index Medicus. Eligible studies reporting prevalence estimates of herbal medicine use amongst cancer patients were pooled using random-effects meta-analyses. Studies were grouped by World Bank region and income groups. Subgroup and meta-regression analyses were performed to explore source of heterogeneity. RESULTS: In total, 155 studies with data for 809,065 participants (53.95% female) met the inclusion criteria. Overall, the pooled prevalence of the use of herbal medicine among patients with cancer was 22% (95% confidence interval (CI): 18%-25%), with the highest prevalence estimates for Africa (40%, 95% CI: 23%-58%) and Asia (28%, 95% CI: 21%-35%). The pooled prevalence estimate was higher across low- and middle-income countries (32%, 95% CI: 23%-42%) and lower across high-income countries (17%, 95% CI: 14%-21%). Higher pooled prevalence estimates were found for adult patients with cancer (22%, 95% CI: 19%-26%) compared with children with cancer (18%, 95% CI: 11%-27%) and for female patients (27%, 95% CI: 19%-35%) compared with males (17%, 95% CI: 1%-47%). CONCLUSION: Herbal medicine is used by a large percentage of patients with cancer use. The findings of this review highlight the need for herbal medicine to be integrated in cancer care.

The magnitude of postpartum depression among mothers in Africa: a literature review.

INTRODUCTION: postpartum depression (PPD) continues to become one of the major maternal health challenges across the globe but there is a paucity of recent data on its magnitude in Africa. This study was motivated by the need to update the current magnitude of PPD in Africa based on various assessment tools. METHODS: a total of 21 articles met the study criteria. Fifteen articles used the EPDS and six used other assessment tools. Postpartum depression among studies that used EPDS tool ranged from 6.9% in Morocco to 43% in Uganda and 6.1% in Uganda to 44% in Burkina Faso among studies that used other depression assessment tools. Sensitivity and specificity results of the EPDS ranged from 75%-100% and 87%-98% respectively. RESULTS: a total of 21 articles met the study criteria. Fifteen articles used the EPDS and six used other assessment tools. Postpartum depression among studies that used EPDS tool ranged from 6.9% in Morocco to 43% in Uganda and 6.1% in Uganda to 44% in Burkina Faso among studies that used other depression assessment tools. Sensitivity and specificity results of the EPDS ranged from 75%-100% and 87%-98% respectively. CONCLUSION: despite the limited dearth of literature, the magnitude of PPD in Africa remains high which suggests that PPD is still a neglected illness and calls for immediate interventions. EPDS is an effective tool with high sensitivity and specify in varying study contexts.

Preparing nurses to face the pandemic of diabetes mellitus: a literature review.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes constitutes a global public health problem. Today about 135 million people are affected and it is estimated that the number in 2025 will be 300 million. AIMS: By reviewing existing literature the aim is to raise awareness among nurses, nurse educators and nursing students of the global epidemic of diabetes mellitus, its multiple underlying causes, especially social ones, and how to fight it. A further aim is to discuss the implications for future curriculum content in nurse education programmes. FINDINGS: The main underlying causes of the disease are genetic and environmental factors, such as urbanization and industrialization, as well as increased longevity and changes in lifestyle from a traditional healthy and active life to a modern, sedentary, stressful life and over-consumption of energy-dense foods. This process, labelled 'coca-colonization', is evident all over the world, although more so in developing countries. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus varies among populations due to differences in genetic susceptibility and social risk factors such as change in diet, obesity, physical inactivity and, possibly, factors relating to intrauterine development. Migrants are especially affected. Diabetes mellitus needs to be treated by a holistic approach through dietary adjustment, exercise, medication (if needed), education and self-care measures. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a preventable disease. The main implication for nurses and nursing curricula is to change the focus from the individual with diabetes mellitus and management to prevent deterioration of health (secondary prevention), to population-based community-intervention programmes. These need to focus on health promoting activities to raise awareness among healthy people of the risk factors for diabetes mellitus. CONCLUSION: Nurses all over the world have an important role in fighting the diabetic pandemic by health promotion aimed to keep people healthy as long as possible.