Pediatric Emergency Surgery Course in Uganda: Long-Term Follow-Up and Insights From Further Dissemination.

INTRODUCTION: Approximately 170 pediatric surgeons are needed for the 24 million children in Uganda. There are only seven. Consequently, general surgeons manage many pediatric surgical conditions. In response, stakeholders created the Pediatric Emergency Surgery Course (PESC) for rural providers, given three times in 2018-2019. We sought to understand the course's long-term impact, current pediatric surgery needs, and determine measures for improvement. METHODS: In October 2021, we distributed the same test given in 2018-2019. Student's t-test was used to compare former participants' scores to previous scores. The course was delivered again in May 2022 to new participants. We performed a quantitative needs assessment and also conducted a focus group with these participants. Finally, we interviewed Surgeon in Chiefs at previous sites. RESULTS: Twenty three of the prior 45 course participants re-took the PESC course assessment. Alumni scored on average 71.9% ± 18% correct. This was higher from prior precourse test scores of 55.4% ± 22.4%, and almost identical to the 2018-2019 postcourse scores 71.9% ± 14%. Fifteen course participants completed the needs assessment. Participants had low confidence managing pediatric surgical disease (median Likert scale ≤ 3.0), 12 of 15 participants endorsed lack of equipment, and eight of 15 desired more educational resources. Qualitative feedback was positive: participants valued the pragmatic lessons and networking with in-country specialists. Further training was suggested, and Chiefs noted the need for more trained staff like anesthesiologists. CONCLUSIONS: Participants favorably reviewed PESC and retained knowledge over three years later. Given participants' interest in more training, further investment in locally derived educational efforts must be prioritized.

Uptake of prostate cancer screening and associated factors among men aged 50 years and above in Lira city, Uganda: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men globally, with over 1.2 million cases reported in 2018. About 90% of men with prostate cancer are diagnosed when the disease is in an advanced stage. We assessed the factors associated with the uptake of prostate cancer screening among men aged ≥ 50 years in Lira city. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study involving 400 men aged ≥ 50 years in Lira city who were sampled using multistage cluster sampling method. Uptake of prostate cancer screening was defined as the proportion of men who received prostate cancer screening in the past one year prior to the interview. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the factors associated with the uptake of prostate cancer screening. Data were analyzed using Stata version 14.0 statistical software. RESULTS: Of the 400 participants, only 18.5% (74/400) had ever been screened for prostate cancer. However, 70.7% (283/400) were willing to screen/rescreen if provided with the opportunity. Majority of the study participants, 70.5% (282/400) had ever heard about prostate cancer, mostly from a health worker (40.8% (115/282)). Less than half of the participants had high knowledge of prostate cancer. The factors that were significantly associated with prostate cancer screening were age ≥ 70 years, Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) 3.29: 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.20-9.00) and having a family history of prostate cancer, AOR 2.48 (95%CI: 1.32-4.65). CONCLUSION: There was low uptake of prostate cancer screening among men in Lira City, but majority of men were willing to screen. We encourage policymakers in Uganda to ensure prostate cancer screening services are readily available and accessible by men so as to improve on early identification and treatment of the disease.

Academic global surgical competencies: A modified Delphi consensus study.

Academic global surgery is a rapidly growing field that aims to improve access to safe surgical care worldwide. However, no universally accepted competencies exist to inform this developing field. A consensus-based approach, with input from a diverse group of experts, is needed to identify essential competencies that will lead to standardization in this field. A task force was set up using snowball sampling to recruit a broad group of content and context experts in global surgical and perioperative care. A draft set of competencies was revised through the modified Delphi process with two rounds of anonymous input. A threshold of 80% consensus was used to determine whether a competency or sub-competency learning objective was relevant to the skillset needed within academic global surgery and perioperative care. A diverse task force recruited experts from 22 countries to participate in both rounds of the Delphi process. Of the n = 59 respondents completing both rounds of iterative polling, 63% were from low- or middle-income countries. After two rounds of anonymous feedback, participants reached consensus on nine core competencies and 31 sub-competency objectives. The greatest consensus pertained to competency in ethics and professionalism in global surgery (100%) with emphasis on justice, equity, and decolonization across multiple competencies. This Delphi process, with input from experts worldwide, identified nine competencies which can be used to develop standardized academic global surgery and perioperative care curricula worldwide. Further work needs to be done to validate these competencies and establish assessments to ensure that they are taught effectively.

Correction: Academic global surgical competencies: A modified Delphi consensus study.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002102.].

The diagnostic upper GI endoscopy camp: a pilot for enhancing service provision and training in eastern Uganda.

Background: Upper gastrointestinal (UGI) symptoms are common in East Africa but there is limited diagnostic endoscopy availability. Surgical camps are a recognised method of providing intensive service provision and training. We describe a novel application of the camp model for diagnostic UGI endoscopy in eastern Uganda. Methods: A 7-day camp took place in an existing endoscopy department of Mbale Regional Referral Hospital. Patients with symptoms warranting investigation were invited for free diagnostic UGI endoscopy, biopsy and H.pylori testing. Results: 148 patients underwent endoscopy. 47 were deemed to have significant pathology, 7 with malignancy. 61% had H.Pylori. A resident surgeon was trained and performed 55 supervised unassisted procedures. Conclusion: Our pilot has illustrated that camps are a safe and efficient way of providing intense endoscopy service and training in an established department. Camps can be utilised for scaling up much needed endoscopy services and training in low- and middle-income countries.

High incidence of acute kidney injury among patients with major trauma at Mulago National Referral Hospital, Uganda: risk factors and overall survival.

Introduction: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common and life-threatening complication of major trauma. Recognition is often delayed and management is frequently sub-optimal. We determined the incidence, risk factors and immediate outcomes of AKI in patients with major trauma at Mulago National Referral Hospital. Methods: This was a prospective study. We recruited adult patients with ISS of > 16. The KDIGO criteria was used to stage AKI. Serum creatinine was measured at baseline, 24, 48, 72 hours and on discharge from the study. Participants were followed up for seven days if not yet discharged. Bivariate and multivariate analysis was done using modified Poisson regression with robust standard errors. Results: 224 patients were recruited. The incidence was 67/1000 persons per day. The risk factors were male sex, delayed presentation, hypoglycemia at admission, RR=1.62 (95%CI 1.24-2.12) and non-operative management RR=1.39 (95%CI 1.02-1.89). Out of the 62 patients that died, 34 (54.8%) had AKI. The overall mortality rate was 39.5 patients per thousand per day. Conclusion: There was a high incidence of AKI among patients with major trauma. Efforts to reduce morbidity and mortality should be prioritized.

Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy findings in Mbale Regional Referral Hospital, Eastern Uganda: a 10-year retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopy is required for formal diagnosis of many upper gastrointestinal (UGI) conditions including oesophageal cancer (OC). There is a paucity of data on endoscopy findings in East Africa as access to testing is challenging for patients. We describe the findings of 10 years of UGI endoscopy in Mbale Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH). METHOD: Records of patients that underwent UGI endoscopy in MRRH, November 2009 - March 2019 were retrospectively analysed. Indication, macroscopic findings, histology and patient demographics were retrieved. Sub-group analyses were performed on those with a histological diagnosis of oesophageal cancer. RESULTS: 833 eligible patients received single UGI procedures during the study period. Mean age was 54.8 years, range 16-93 years and 56.9% of patients were male. The main indication was dysphagia (42%) and the most common findings OC (34%) and gastritis (28%). 151 patients had histologically proven OC with a median age of 60 years and a 2:1 male to female ratio. 145/151 (96%) of samples tested revealed squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). CONCLUSION: Those undergoing endoscopy in MRRH are most commonly male patients presenting in their 5th decade with dysphagia. There is a high proportion of significant findings including gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, and oesophageal cancer.

Quality of life of adult individuals with intestinal stomas in Uganda: a cross sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Intestinal stomas remain important life-saving surgical options in a wide range of gastrointestinal pathologies globally. Living with a stoma has potential to impair the patient's quality of life, often with associated negative psychological effects. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the quality of life among intestinal stoma patients under Mulago National Referral Hospital (MNRH), with emphasis on psychological effects and effects on family-social interactions. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study carried out at surgical outpatient clinics of MNRH between January and June 2018. Data was collected using Stoma-QOL questionnaire, PHQ-9 and GAD-7 from 51 participants who had lived with intestinal stomas for at least a month. RESULTS: Of the 51 participants, male: female ratio was 4:1 and aged 18-84 years (mean age 44.04+18.47 years). 76.5% had colostomy; 23.5% had ileostomy. Majority (88.2%) had temporary stomas. The overall mean Stoma-QOL score was 55.12+ 17.04. Only about a quarter (24%) of participants had Stoma-QOL scores >70 (best). Most patients exhibited negative psychological effects (anxiety-100%, concerns about changed body image - 96.1% and depression - 88.4%). CONCLUSION: Most participants had low levels of stoma-related quality of life, suffered negative psychological effects and exhibited limited social interactions. This calls for efforts to support Stoma patients adapt beter life.

Prevalence and risk factors of gallstone disease in patients undergoing ultrasonography at Mulago hospital, Uganda.

BACKGROUND: Gallstone disease (GSD) is the most prevalent medical condition in the pancreatobiliary system. The burden of GSD and its complications are major public health issues globally. It is a common cause of surgical intervention, contributing substantially to health care costs. Most patients are asymptomatic, however 20% become symptomatic after 10 years. Its prevalence differs among populations and remains unknown in Uganda. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and risk factors of GSD in patients undergoing abdominal ultrasonography at Mulago hospital, Uganda. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study at the Department of Radiology in Mulago hospital. Convenient sampling was used to recruit individuals having an abdominal ultrasound scan. Questionnaires were used to assess risk factors, and an abdominal exam was performed for individuals with gallstones to assess symptomatology. RESULTS: The prevalence of GSD was 22%. Statistically significant factors associated with GSD were a history of hormonal contraceptive use OR 3.2 (1.88-5.41) and a history of previous biliary symptoms OR 2.9 (1.68-4.91). Ninety-four percent of individuals with gallstones had epigastric/right upper quadrant pain. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of GSD is high in Mulago hospital; use of hormonal contraceptives and a previous history of biliary symptoms were significant risk factors for GSD in this study. Majority of patients with GSD were symptomatic with epigastric pain as the cardinal symptom. We recommend a countrywide screening program using abdominal ultrasonography to determine the prevalence of GSD in the general population. There is need to study further the risk of hormonal contraceptive use and GSD. Women on these contraceptives should be informed of the potential risk, and offered alternative options where feasible.