Potentially harmful medication use and the associated factors among pregnant women visiting antenatal care clinics in Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, Southwestern Uganda.

Background: Pregnancy management using medications has been challenging for both healthcare providers and pregnant women, given the fear of teratogenicity effects and the potential for fetal harm. In the developing world, poor health-seeking behavior of patients, delayed initiation of antenatal care (ANC), and low level of educational status of mothers could contribute to the issue of drug safety in pregnancy. Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with potentially harmful medication use in pregnancy. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from April 1 to June 6, 2021, including 209 pregnant women on ANC follow-up at a referral hospital in Southwestern Uganda. The simple random sampling technique was employed to select study participants. Interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to collect the history of medication use since conception and then the participant's ANC card was reviewed to determine prescribed drug regimens and their indications. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 23.0 was used for analysis. Results: Out of the 1,422 medications used by 209 women, 665 (42.2%) were category C, and 182 (11.5%) were category A. A total of 92 (44.0%) pregnant women used at least one potentially harmful medication during the current pregnancy. Having more than average monthly income (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.32 [1.04, 5.14 at 95% confidence interval (CI)]), having a chronic disease (aOR = 3.24 [1.17, 8.97 at 95% C.I]), using 7 and more medications (aOR = 9.12 [4.11, 20.24 at 95% CI]), and use of herbal medicines (aOR = 4.50 [2.10, 9.87 at 95% CI]) were shown to be risk factors. Conclusion: The proportion of pregnant women that used at least one potentially harmful medication is higher than in previous studies. Having comorbidities and taking more medications increase the risk of receiving a potentially harmful medication during pregnancy. Relevance to Patients: This study identified the gaps in the use of medicines during pregnancy which will enable the development and implementation of protocols for optimizing prescribing practices in pregnant women by focusing on the safety of the fetus.

Assessing the protective effect of Crassocephalum vitellinum against Rifampicin-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats.

Background: Crassocephalum vitellinum is widely used by traditional medical practitioners and local people in East Africa to manage a large number of ailments including hepatitis 1. However, its hepatoprotective effects had not been evaluated prior to this study. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of an ethanolic leaf extract of Crassocephalum vitellinum against rifampicin-induced liver toxicity in Wistar rats. Methods: Increasing doses of an ethanolic leaf extract of C. vitellinum were administered to Wistar rats daily for 35 days, together with rifampicin given orally as suspension. After the treatment period, Assessment of hepatoprotective activity was done by analysis of serum levels of biochemical and histopathological effects on the liver. Results: The results showed that administration of C. vitellinum extract significantly prevented drug- induced increase in serum levels of liver biomarker enzymes and also decreased the hepatocellular necrosis and inflammatory cells infiltration. Conclusion: The plant extract loweres the liver biomarker enzymes (ALT, ALP, AST) and preserves the histomorphology of the hepatocytes which is suggestive that the plant possess hepatoprotective properties.

A Descriptive-Multivariate Analysis of Community Knowledge, Confidence, and Trust in COVID-19 Clinical Trials among Healthcare Workers in Uganda.

Background-misinformation and mistrust often undermines community vaccine uptake, yet information in rural communities, especially of developing countries, is scarce. This study aimed to identify major challenges associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine clinical trials among healthcare workers and staff in Uganda. Methods-a rapid exploratory survey was conducted over 5 weeks among 260 respondents (66% male) from healthcare centers across the country using an online questionnaire. Twenty-seven questions assessed knowledge, confidence, and trust scores on COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials from participants in 46 districts in Uganda. Results-we found low levels of knowledge (i.e., confusing COVID-19 with Ebola) with males being more informed than females (OR = 1.5, 95% CI: 0.7-3.0), and mistrust associated with policy decisions to promote herbal treatments in Uganda and the rushed international clinical trials, highlighting challenges for the upcoming Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccinations. Knowledge, confidence and trust scores were higher among the least educated (certificate vs. bachelor degree holders). We also found a high level of skepticism and possible community resistance to DNA recombinant vaccines, such as the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. Preference for herbal treatments (38/260; 14.6%, 95% CI: 10.7-19.3) currently being promoted by the Ugandan government raises major policy concerns. High fear and mistrust for COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials was more common among wealthier participants and more affluent regions of the country. Conclusion-our study found that knowledge, confidence, and trust in COVID-19 vaccines was low among healthcare workers in Uganda, especially those with higher wealth and educational status. There is a need to increase transparency and inclusive participation to address these issues before new trials of COVID-19 vaccines are initiated.

Synergistic action of propolis with levodopa in the management of Parkinsonism in Drosophila melanogaster.

Background The Phosphatase and tensin-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1B9) mutant for Drosophila melanogaster is a key tool that has been used in assessing the pathology of Parkinsonism and its possible remedy. This research was targeted toward determining the effects of ethanolic extract of propolis, with levodopa therapy in the management of Parkinsonism. Method The PINK1B9 flies were divided into groups and fed with the different treatment doses of ethanoic extract of propolis. The treatment groups were subjected to 21 days of administration of propolis and the levodopa at different doses after which percentage climbing index, antioxidant activity and lifespan studies were done. Results Propolis alone improved motor activity, antioxidant and lifespan in Drosophila melanogaster than in PINK1 flies. Propolis in combination with levodopa significantly (P<0.05) improved physiological parameters at higher than lower concentrations in Parkinsonism Drosophila melanogaster demonstrating its importance in managing side effects associated with levodopa. Conclusion Propolis is a novel candidate as an alternative and integrative medicinal option to use in the management of Parkinsonism in both animals and humans at higher concentrations.