School Feeding Reduces Anemia Prevalence in Adolescent Girls and Other Vulnerable Household Members in a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial in Uganda.

BACKGROUND: Food for education (FFE) programs that include school meals are widely used to improve school participation and performance, but evidence on nutritional benefits is limited. OBJECTIVE: This study tested whether food fortified with multiple micronutrients provided in FFE programs reduced anemia prevalence of primary-school-age adolescent girls, adult women, and preschool children. METHODS: Through the use of a cluster randomized controlled trial with individual-level repeated cross-sectional data, we measured impacts on anemia prevalence from 2 FFE programs, a school feeding program (SFP) providing multiple-micronutrient-fortified meals and a nutritionally equivalent take-home ration (THR). Camps for internally displaced people (IDP) (n = 31) in Northern Uganda were randomly assigned to SFP, THR, or a control group with no FFE. Rations were provided for 15 mo at SFP and THR schools. A survey of households (n = 627) with children aged 6-17 y was conducted (baseline and 18 mo later). Analyses used difference-in-differences by intent to treat. RESULTS: Adolescent girls aged 10-13 y in FFE schools experienced a significant (P < 0.05) 25.7 percentage point reduction (95% CI: -0.43, -0.08) in prevalence of any anemia [hemoglobin (Hb) <11.5 g/dL, age 10-11 y; Hb <12 g/dL, age 12-13 y] and a significant 19.5 percentage point reduction (95% CI: -0.35, -0.04) in moderate-to-severe anemia (Hb <11 g/dL) relative to the control group, with no difference in impact between SFP and THR. The THR reduced moderate-to-severe anemia prevalence (Hb <11g/dL) of adult women aged ≥18 y (12.8 percentage points, 95% CI: -0.24, -0.02). All IDP camps initially received micronutrient-fortified rations through a separate humanitarian program; in one district where most households stopped receiving these rations, SFP reduced moderate-to-severe anemia of children aged 6-59 mo by 22.1 percentage points (95% CI: -0.42, -0.02). CONCLUSIONS: FFE programs reduced any anemia and moderate-to-severe anemia in primary-school-age adolescent girls and reduced moderate-to-severe anemia for adult women and preschool children. This study was registered with clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01261182.

Forecast analysis of any opportunistic infection among HIV positive individuals on antiretroviral therapy in Uganda.

BACKGROUND: Predicting future prevalence of any opportunistic infection (OI) among persons infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in resource poor settings is important for proper planning, advocacy and resource allocation. We conducted a study to forecast 5-years prevalence of any OI among HIV-infected individuals on HAART in Uganda. METHODS: Monthly observational data collected over a 10-years period (2004-2013) by the AIDS support organization (TASO) in Uganda were used to forecast 5-years annual prevalence of any OI covering the period 2014-2018. The OIs considered include 14 AIDS-defining OIs, two non-AIDS defining OIs (malaria & geohelminths) and HIV-associated Kaposi's sarcoma. Box-Jenkins autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) forecasting methodology was used. RESULTS: Between 2004 and 2013, a total of 36,133 HIV patients were enrolled on HAART of which two thirds (66 %) were female. Mean annual prevalence for any OI in 2004 was 57.6 % and in 2013 was 27.5 % (X(2) trend = 122, b = -0.0283, p <0.0001). ARIMA (1, 1, 1) model was the most parsimonious and best fit for the data. The forecasted mean annual prevalence of any OI was 26.1 % (95 % CI 21.1-31.0 %) in 2014 and 15.3 % (95 % CI 10.4-20.3 %) in 2018. CONCLUSIONS: While the prevalence of any OI among HIV positive individuals on HAART in Uganda is expected to decrease overall, it's unlikely that OIs will be completely eliminated in the foreseeable future. There is therefore need for continued efforts in prevention and control of opportunistic infections in all HIV/AIDS care programmes in these settings.

Trends in prevalence of selected opportunistic infections associated with HIV/AIDS in Uganda.

BACKGROUND: After more than a decade of establishing and expanding access to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), empirical evidence on its impact on trends of opportunistic infections (OIs) associated with the deadly human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in resource poor settings is scarce. The primary objective of this study was to assess the effect of HAART coverage on trends of five most common OIs in Uganda. METHODS: Observational data from January 2002 to December 2013 for 5972 HIV positive individuals attending the AIDS Support Organisation (TASO) HIV/AIDS care programme in Uganda were extracted and analysed. Trends were analysed using autoregressive moving average time series and mixed effects linear regression models adjusting for all available potential confounders. RESULTS: A total of 204,871 monthly medical reports were retrieved and analysed. Majority of the participants were female (73%) with a median age of 32 years (inter-quartile range 26-39). Overall, significant decreasing mean annual prevalence trends were observed for Mycobacterium tuberculosis, herpes zoster, genital ulcer and oral candidiasis (p < 0.05, X(2)trend). Non-significant declining mean annual prevalence trend was observed for cryptococcal meningitis (p = 0.181, X(2)trend). The largest impact of HAART was observed in Oral candidiasis and TB whose average annual prevalence reduced by 61% and 43% respectively following the introduction of HAART. Monthly series for TB, Herpes zoster and genital ulcers differed significantly by age and clinic but only genital ulcer series differed significantly by sex (p < 0.05, kruskal wallis). After controlling for the effects of age, sex and clinic (fixed) and monthly clustering (random effect) in a mixed effects linear regression model, all the five OIs showed a significant monthly change in prevalence (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Overall, prevalence of most OIs declined especially after the introduction of HAART. However significant variations exist in the trends of different OIs in different geographical areas in Uganda. It is therefore important that site specific factors are properly identified to enable the development of targeted interventions.

Trends in prevalence of diarrhoea, Kaposi's sarcoma, bacterial pneumonia, malaria and geohelminths among HIV positive individuals in Uganda.

BACKGROUND: Trends in prevalence of opportunistic infections (OIs) associated with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in resource poor settings have previously not been well documented. The objective of this study was to describe the trends in prevalence of Diarrhoea, Bacterial pneumonia, Kaposi's sarcoma, Malaria and Geohelminths among HIV positive individuals over a 12 year period in Uganda. METHODS: Observation data for 5972 HIV positive individuals enrolled with the AIDS support organisation (TASO) in Uganda were analysed. Study participants were drawn from three HIV clinics located in different geographical areas of Uganda and followed from January 2002 to December 2013. The prevalence trends for the above OIs were plotted using the Box Jenkins moving average technique. X (2)-test for trend was used to test for the significance of the trends and Pearson's correlation coefficient used to test for the strength of linear relationship between OI prevalence and calendar time. Mixed effect linear regression was used to estimate average monthly change in prevalence with monthly variation modelled as a random effect. RESULTS: A total of 204,871 monthly medical reports were retrieved and analysed. 73 % (4301/5972) were female with a median age of 32 years (inter-quartile range 26-39). Overall, significant decreasing mean annual prevalence trends (p < 0.05, X(2) trend) were observed for Diarrhoea (<1 month) with Pearson's correlation coefficient (r = -0.89), Malaria (r = -0.75), Bacterial Pneumonia (r = -0.52), and Geohelminth (r = -0.32). Non-significant increasing mean annual prevalence trend was observed for Kaposis sarcoma (p = 0.20, X(2) trend; r = +0.26). After adjusting for age, sex and clinic in a mixed effects linear regression model, average monthly prevalence declined significantly at a rate of 0.4 % for Kaposis sarcoma, 0.3 % for Geohelminths, 2 % for Malaria, 1 % for Bacterial Pneumonia and 3 % for Diarrhoea(<1 month). However, the rate of decline per month differed significantly (p < 0.05) by HIV clinic for Diarrhoea (<1 month), and age, sex and clinic for malaria. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Overall, decreasing trends were observed in the above OIs. However the trends differed significantly by OI, geographical location and demographic characteristics. There is urgent need to integrate interventions targeting malaria and geohelminths in HIV programmes.

Enough children: reproduction, risk and "unmet need" among people receiving antiretroviral treatment in western Uganda.

In this paper, we use survey (n = 87) and interview (n = 30) data to investigate orientations towards future childbearing among people receiving antiretroviral treatment and their family members in western Uganda. We investigate how reproductive options are perceived, by those receiving treatment and those closest to them, and consider what these perceptions suggest about the existence of an "unmet need" for birth control for women with HIV. While most people say they do not wish to have more children while on treatment, this intention coexists with contradictory desires for the benefits and happiness that more children might bring. We argue that the factors influencing birth desires and outcomes are so complex and contradictory that it is virtually impossible to predict demand or uptake of birth control as more and more people with AIDS in Africa gain the ability to access antiretroviral treatment.

Effect of changing antiretroviral treatment eligibility criteria on patient load in Kampala, Uganda.

In many resource-poor countries, CD4 count thresholds of eligibility for antiretroviral treatment (ART) were initially low (<200 cells/mm(3)) but are now being increased to improve patient survival and to reduce HIV transmission. There are few quantitative data on the effect of such increases on the demand for ART. The objective of this study was to measure HIV prevalence and the proportion of HIV-positives eligible for antiretroviral therapy at different CD4 cut-off levels among users of public health care services in Kampala, Uganda. We recruited 1200 adults from three primary care clinics in Kampala, including equal numbers of family planning (FP) clients, pregnant women, adult patients with any complaint, and persons seeking HIV counseling and testing. All participants were screened for HIV and those positive had a CD4 count done. HIV prevalence in all patients was 16.9% (203/1200). ART eligibility based on CD4 counts significantly increased from 36% at a 200 cells/mm(3) cut-off to 44% at 250 cells and to 57% at 350 cells cut-off (p for χ(2) trend<0.001). We concluded that changing cut-off levels to higher CD4 counts will significantly increase patient load in Kampala's primary care clinics, but a phased implementation should minimize negative effects on quality of care.

Comparing antiretroviral treatment outcomes between a prospective community-based and hospital-based cohort of HIV patients in rural Uganda.

BACKGROUND: Improved availability of antiretroviral therapy in sub-Saharan Africa is intended to benefit all eligible HIV-infected patients; however in reality antiretroviral services are mainly offered in urban hospitals. Poor rural patients have difficulty accessing the drugs, making the provision of antiretroviral therapy inequitable. Initial tests of community-based treatment programs in Uganda suggest that home-based treatment of HIV/AIDS may equal hospital-based treatment; however the literature reveals limited experiences with such programs. THE RESEARCH: This intervention study aimed to; 1) assess the effectiveness of a rural community-based ART program in a subcounty (Rwimi) of Uganda; and 2) compare treatment outcomes and mortality in a rural community-based antiretroviral therapy program with a well-established hospital-based program. Ethics approvals were obtained in Canada and Uganda. RESULTS AND OUTCOMES: Successful treatment outcomes after two years in both the community and hospital cohorts were high. All-cause mortality was similar in both cohorts. However, community-based patients were more likely to achieve viral suppression and had good adherence to treatment. The community-based program was slightly more cost-effective. Per capita costs in both settings were unsustainable, representing more than Uganda's Primary Health Care Services current expenditures per person per year for all health services. The unpaid community volunteers showed high participation and low attrition rates for the two years that this program was evaluated. CHALLENGES AND SUCCESSES: Key successes of this study include the demonstration that antiretroviral therapy can be provided in a rural setting, the creation of a research infrastructure and culture within Kabarole's health system, and the establishment of a research collaboration capable of enriching the global health graduate program at the University of Alberta. Challenging questions about the long-term feasibility and sustainability of a community-based ARV program in Uganda still remain. THE PARTNERSHIP: This project is a continuation of previous successful collaborations between the School of Public Health of Makerere University, the School of Public Health of University of Alberta, the Kabarole District Administration and the Kabarole Research and Resource Center.

Stigma among tuberculosis patients and associated factors in urban slum populations in Uganda.

Background: Stigma continues to be a major barrier to tuberculosis (TB) control particularly in urban populations. Stigma can influence health seeking behaviour and affect adherence to TB treatment, yet few studies have examined TB related stigma and associated factors in Uganda. This study was therefore conducted to determine the level of stigma and associated factors among TB patients in an urban setting in Kampala, Uganda. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Makindye division, Kampala among 204 patients with TB aged 18 years and above. Data were collected on socio-demographic, individual patient and HIV/AIDS related factors using an interviewer administered questionnaire. The outcome variable (stigma) was assessed on a four-point Likert scale from the participants' perspective. Stigma scores ranged from 0 to 36 which were summed up and a median stigma score calculated. Individuals with a stigma score equal or greater than the median were categorized as having high stigma. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine factors associated with TB stigma. Results: Over half (52%) of the participants were found to have high TB stigma. Knowing someone who had died of TBAOR = 4.42, 95% CI (1.69 - 11.50) and believing that TB and HIV symptoms were similarAOR = 3.05, 95% CI (1.29 - 7.22) were positively associated with high TB stigma. The odds of having high stigma were 79% lower among individuals who had been previously treated for TBAOR = 0.21, 95% CI (0.09 - 0.52). Conclusions: Stigma towards TB was high in this urban population and mainly associated with knowing a person who had died of TB, perception that symptoms of TB are similar to those of HIV/AIDS, and previous TB treatment. Interventions to mitigate TB stigma are needed in urban populations and should also address HIV/AIDS related stigma.

"Living by the hoe" in the age of treatment: perceptions of household well-being after antiretroviral treatment among family members of persons with AIDS.

This paper considers the effects of antiretroviral treatment on the households of person with AIDS in western Uganda. Interviews were carried out with 110 co-resident "treatment partners" of people receiving treatment. We discuss these family members' accounts of the impact of sickness, followed by treatment, on their household's livelihood, defined as the activities needed to obtain and process the resources required to sustain the households. The household's ability to muster labour for subsistence agriculture was of paramount concern when family members considered what treatment meant for the households. While they were very happy with the treatment, they said that households have not yet recovered from the shock of AIDS sicknesses.

Gender differences in antiretroviral treatment outcomes of HIV patients in rural Uganda.

Gender differences in treatment outcomes of 305 persons living with HIV receiving antiretroviral treatment (ART) in Kabarole district, western Uganda, were evaluated. The primary treatment outcome was virological suppression defined as HIV-1 RNA viral load (VL) <400 copies/ml and the secondary outcome measure was the increase in the CD4 cell count after six months on ART. Statistical analysis included descriptive, univariate, and multivariate methods. Proportionally, more females chose to seek treatment compared to males. After six months of treatment, females were more likely to have viral suppression (VL > 400 copies/ml) as compared to males (odds ratio 2.14, 95% confidence interval 0.99-4.63, p=0.05). While females had a significantly higher baseline CD4 cell count at initiation of treatment compared to males, the increase in CD4 cell count after six months on ART was similar in males and females. The reasons for better ART outcomes for females should be further investigated. Ideally, ART programs should work toward equitable treatment outcomes for men and women, if the cause of the gender differential lies in patient behavior and the way ART services are delivered.

Male partner attendance of skilled antenatal care in peri-urban Gulu district, Northern Uganda.

BACKGROUND: Male partner attendance of skilled Antenatal Care (ANC) is beneficial to improving maternal outcomes. This study investigated the level, perceived benefits and factors associated with male partner attendance of skilled ANC in a peri-urban community recovering from two decades of civil conflict. METHODS: This cross-sectional survey used multi-stage sampling in 12 villages of Omoro county to select 331 married male respondents aged 18 years or more, whose female spouses had childbirth within 24 months prior to the survey. A structured questionnaire elicited responses about male partner attendance of ANC during pregnancy at a public health facility as the main outcome variable. Analysis used Generalized Linear Model (GLM) in Stata version 10.0 to obtain Prevalence Risk Ratios (PRR) for association between the binary outcome and independent factors. All factors significant at p < 0.15 and potential confounders were included in the multivariable model. RESULTS: Overall, 65.4% (95%CI; 60.3, 70.5) male partners attended at least one skilled ANC visit. Mean age was 31.9 years [SD 8.2]. Perceived benefits of attending ANC were: HIV screening (74.5%), monitoring foetal growth (34%) and identifying complications during pregnancy (18.9%). Factors independently associated with higher ANC attendance were: knowledge of 3 or more ANC services (adj.PRR 2.77; 95%CI 2.24, 3.42), obtaining health information from facility health workers (adj.PRR 1.14; 95%CI 1.01, 1.29) and if spouse had skilled attendance at last childbirth (adj.PRR 1.31; 95%CI 1.04-1.64). However, factors for low attendance were: male partners intending their spouse to carry another pregnancy (adj.PRR 0.83; 95%CI 0.71, 0.97) and living more than 5 Km from a health facility (adj.PRR 0.83, 95%CI 0.70, 0.98). CONCLUSIONS: Men who were knowledgeable of ANC services, obtained health information from a health worker and whose spouses utilised skilled delivery at last pregnancy were more likely to accompany their spouses at ANC, unlike those who wanted to have more children and lived more than 5 km from the health facility. These findings suggest that empowering male partners with knowledge about ANC services may increase their ANC participation and in turn increase skilled delivery. This strategy may improve maternal health care in post conflict and resource-limited settings.

Low HIV testing rates among tuberculosis patients in Kampala, Uganda.

BACKGROUND: HIV testing among tuberculosis patients is critical in improving morbidity and mortality as those found to be HIV positive will be offered a continuum of care including ART if indicated. We conducted a cross-sectional study in three Kampala City primary care clinics: to assess the level of HIV test uptake among newly diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients; to assess patient and health worker factors associated with HIV test uptake; and to determine factors associated with HIV test uptake at the primary care clinics METHODS: Adult patients who had been diagnosed with smear-positive PTB at a primary care clinic or at the referral hospital and who were being treated at any of the three clinics were interviewed. Associations between having taken the test as the main outcome and explanatory variables were assessed by multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Between April and October 2007, 112 adults were included in the study. An HIV test had been offered to 74 (66%). Of the 112 patients, 61 (82%) had accepted the test; 45 (74%) had eventually been tested; and 32 (29%) had received their test results.Patients who were <25 yeas old, female or unemployed, or had reported no previous HIV testing, were more likely to have been tested. The strongest predictor of having been tested was if patients had been diagnosed at the referral hospital compared to the city clinic (adjusted OR 24.2; 95% CI 6.7-87.7; p < 0.001). This primarily reflected an "opt-out" (uptake 94%) versus an "opt-in" (uptake 53%) testing policy. CONCLUSIONS: The overall HIV test uptake was surprisingly low at 40%. The HIV test uptake was significantly higher among TB patients who were identified at hospital, among females and in the unemployed.

Private and public health care in rural areas of Uganda.

BACKGROUND: In many low and middle income countries, the private sector is increasingly becoming an important source of health care, filling gaps where no or little public health care is available. However, knowledge on the private sector providers is limited The objective of this study was to determine the type and number of different types of health care providers, and the quality, cost and utilization of care delivered by those providers in rural Uganda. METHODS: The study was carried out in three rural districts. Methods included (1) mapping of health care providers; (2) a household survey to determine morbidity and health care utilization; (3) a health facility survey to assess quality of care; (4) focus group discussions to get qualitative information on providers and provider choice; and (5) key informant interviews to further explore service characteristics. RESULTS: 95.7% of all 445 facilities surveyed were private while 4.3% were public. Traditional practitioners and general merchandise shops that sold medicines comprised 77.1% of all providers. They had limited infrastructure and skills but were often located in the villages and therefore easily accessible. Among the formal providers there were 4 times as many private for profit providers than public, 76 versus 18. However, most of the private units were one-person drug shops.In the household survey, 2580 persons were interviewed. 1097 (42%) had experienced illness during the preceding month. Care was sought in 54.1% of the cases. 35.6% were given self-treatment and in 10.3% no action was taken. Of the episodes for which people sought care at a health care facility, 37.0% visited a public health care provider, 39.7% a for profit provider, 11.8% a private not for profit provider, and 10.6% a traditional practitioner. Private for profit facilities were the most popular for ambulatory health care, while public facilities were preferred for more serious conditions and for hospitalization. Traditional practitioners were many but saw relatively few patients. They were mostly used for social problems and limited medical specific conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Private providers play a major role in health care delivery in rural Uganda; reaching a wide client base. Traditional practitioners are many but have as much a social as a medical function in the community. The significance of the private health care sector points to the need to establish a policy that addresses quality and affordability issues and creates a strong regulatory environment for private practice in sub-Saharan Africa.

Public knowledge and attitudes toward HIV/AIDS and antiretroviral therapy in Kabarole district, western Uganda.

A study on knowledge about HIV/AIDS and antiretroviral therapy (ART) was conducted in the general population of a rural district in western Uganda. Three hundred seventy-two participants were selected by random cluster sampling and interviewed with an interview-administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed quantitatively with descriptive, univariate and linear multivariate statistical analysis with the knowledge score about ART as the dependent variable. The results indicate that the mean knowledge was 7.7 in a scale from 0 to 13. Predictor for better ART knowledge was a higher educational status of the participants. Older participants over 50 years were less ART knowledgeable. Only 19% of the participants have been tested for HIV. The conclusions are that the ART knowledge in this population is remarkably high which is reaffirming and important for achieving a high adherence to ART. Of concern is the low proportion of persons tested for HIV in this general population. Kabarole district seems to be receptive and capable for intensifying HIV testing which is a precondition for the ART roll-out.

Towards effective Ponseti clubfoot care: the Uganda Sustainable Clubfoot Care Project.

UNLABELLED: Neglected clubfoot is common, disabling, and contributes to poverty in developing nations. The Ponseti clubfoot treatment has high efficacy in correcting the clubfoot deformity in ideal conditions but is demanding on parents and on developing nations' healthcare systems. Its effectiveness and the best method of care delivery remain unknown in this context. The 6-year Uganda Sustainable Clubfoot Care Project (USCCP) aims to build the Ugandan healthcare system's capacity to treat children with the Ponseti method and assess its effectiveness. We describe the Project and its achievements to date (March 2008). The Ugandan Ministry of Health has approved the Ponseti method as the preferred treatment for congenital clubfoot in all its hospitals. USCCP has trained 798 healthcare professionals to identify and treat foot deformities at birth. Ponseti clubfoot care is now available in 21 hospitals; in 2006-2007, 872 children with clubfeet were seen. USCCP-designed teaching modules on clubfoot and the Ponseti method are in use at two medical and three paramedical schools. 1152 students in various health disciplines have benefited. USCCP surveys have (1) determined the incidence of clubfoot in Uganda as 1.2 per 1000 live births, (2) gained knowledge surrounding attitudes, beliefs, and practices about clubfoot across different regions, and (3) identified barriers to adherence to Ponseti treatment protocols. USCCP is now following a cohort of treated children to evaluate its effectiveness in the Ugandan context. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Relationship between characteristics of volunteer community health workers and antiretroviral treatment outcomes in a community-based treatment programme in Uganda.

Community health workers (CHWs) can help to redress the shortages of health human resources needed to scale up antiretroviral treatment (ART). However, the selection of CHWs could influence the effectiveness of a CHW programme. The purpose of this observational study was to assess whether sociodemographic characteristics and geographic proximity to patients of volunteer CHWs were predictors of clinical outcomes in a community-based ART (CBART) programme in Kabarole, Uganda. Data from CHW surveys for 41 CHWs and clinic charts for 185 patients in the CBART programme were analysed using multivariable logistic and Cox regression models. Time to travel to patients was the only statistically significant characteristic of CHWs associated with ART outcomes. Patients whose CHWs had to travel one or more hours had a 71% lower odds of virologic suppression (adjusted OR = 0.29, 95% CI = 0.13-0.65, p = .002) and a 4.52 times higher mortality hazard rate (adjusted HR = 4.52, 95% CI = 1.20-17.09, p = .026) compared to patients whose CHWs had to travel less than one hour. The findings show that the sociodemographic characteristics of CHWs were not as important as the geographic distance they had to travel to patients.

Nutritional status of young children in AIDS-affected households and controls in Uganda.

This study conducted in Uganda assessed the nutritional status of young children and their disease history in the 3-month period before the study. Two groups of children were randomly selected: the first group consisted of 105 children living in homes where a family member fell sick of AIDS, whereas the second group consisted of 100 children who were living in homes where nobody was affected by AIDS. Acute malnutrition (wasting) was rare. There was no difference in the severity of stunting in the two groups (Z scores, -2.1 versus -2.2, P = 0.70). In those children living in AIDS-affected homes, disease episodes were longer (15.7 versus 11.3 days, P = 0.014), but the frequency of disease occurrence was similar in both groups. Fifty-five percent of all children suffered from moderate to severe malnutrition (stunting). The high stunting rate in early childhood suggests a public nutritional intervention program is recommended.

Frequency and distribution patterns of opportunistic infections associated with HIV/AIDS in Uganda.

BACKGROUND: We conducted a study to assess the frequency and distribution patterns of selected opportunistic infections (OIs) and opportunistic cancers (OCs) in different geographical areas before and after HAART in Uganda. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional serial review of observation data for adult HIV positive patients (≥15 years) enrolled with the AIDS support organization (TASO) in Uganda covering the period from January 2001 to December 2013. Both AIDS defining OIs/OCs and non-AIDS defining OIs were analyzed. The study period was structured into three time periods: "pre- HAART" (2001-2003), "early-HAART" (2004-2008) and "late-HAART" (2009-2013). Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data by time period, age, gender and geographical location. Chi squared test used to test the significance of the differences in proportions. RESULTS: A total of 108,619 HIV positive patients were included in the analysis. 64% (64,240) were female with median age of 33 years (IQR 27-40). The most frequent OIs before HAART were oral candida (34.6%) diarrhoeal infection (<1 month) (30.6%), geohelminths (26.5%), Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) (17.7%), malaria (15.1%) and bacterial pneumonia (11.2%). In early HAART (2004-2008), the most frequent OIs were geohelminths (32.4%), diarrhoeal infection (25.6%), TB (18.2%) and oral candida (18.1%). In late HAART (2009-2013), the most frequent OIs were geohelminths (23.5%) and diarrhoeal infection (14.3%). By gender, prevalence was consistently higher in women (p < 0.05) before and after HAART for geohelminths, candidiasis, diarrhoeal infection, bacterial pneumonia and genital ulcer disease but consistently higher in men for TB and Kaposi's sarcoma (p < 0.05). By age, prevalence was consistently higher in older age groups (>30 years) before and after HAART for oral candida and TB (p < 0.05) and higher in young age groups (<30 years) for malaria and genital ulcers (p < 0.05). By geographical location, prevalence was consistently higher in Eastern and Northern Uganda before and after HAART for diarrheal infection and geohelminths (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The frequency and pattern of OIs before and after HAART differs by gender, age and geographical location. Prevalence of geohelminths and diarrhea infection(<1 month) remains high especially in Northern and Eastern Uganda even after HAART and should therefore be given special attention in HIV/AIDS care programmes in these settings.

Trends and Predictors of Mortality Among HIV Positive Patients in the Era of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy in Uganda.

Knowledge of mortality trends and predictors among HIV-positive patients in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in resource poor settings is still limited. The aim of this study was to describe trends and predictors of mortality among HIV-positive patients in the era of HAART in Uganda. Data from 2004 to 2013 for adult HIV-positive patients (≥15 years) obtaining care and treatment from the AIDS Support Organization in Uganda were reviewed for mortality. Descriptive statistics were analyzed by frequencies and cross tabulations. Calendar period was used as a proxy measure for HAART exposure and a time plot of the proportion of HIV-positive patients reporting dead per year was used to describe the trends. Logistic regression was used to determine the predictors of mortality at bivariate and multivariate levels, respectively. We included in the analysis 95,857 HIV positive patients; 64% were female with median age of 33 years (interquartile range 27-40). Of these 36,133 (38%) were initiated on ART and a total of 4279 (4.5%) died; 19.5% (835/4279) of those who died had an opportunistic infection. Overall, mortality first increased between 2004 and 2006 and thereafter substantially declined (X(2) trend=211.9, P<0.001). Mortality was relatively higher in Eastern Uganda compared to other geographical areas. Male gender, older age (>45 years), being from Eastern or Northern Uganda, having none or primary education, being unemployed, advanced immunodeficiency (CD4 count <100 cell/µL or WHO stage III or IV) and underweight (<45 kg weight) at HAART initiation and calendar period 2004-2008 were significant predictors of mortality (P<0.001). Overall, the expanding coverage of HAART is associated with a declining trend in mortality among HIV positive patients in Uganda. However, mortality trends differed significantly by geographical area and men remain potentially at higher risk of death probably because of delayed initiation on ART. There is urgent need for men targeted interventions for improved ART performance.

Frequency and predictors for late start of antiretroviral therapy in primary care clinics, Kampala, Uganda.

BACKGROUND: Access to antiretroviral treatment (ART) has improved greatly in many parts of the world, including Uganda, yet, many patients delay to start ART even when registered within the HIV services. We assessed, in a routine ambulatory care setting, what proportion of patients start ART late and the associated factors. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study from a cohort of adult, HIV-infected, ART-naive patients seeking care at 3 primary care centers in Kampala, Uganda. ART eligibility at the time was World Health Organization clinical stage 4 or CD4 <200 cells/µL. We defined late start of ART as starting ART at CD4 count <100 cells/µL and analyzed associated factors using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Between May 2008 and August 2009, 326 adults were studied. Two hundred eighteen (67%) were women; the median age was 34 years (range, 18-71). The median CD4 count was 132 cells/µL (range, 1-505). Thirty-one patients (10%) were in World Health Organization stage 4. One hundred twenty-three patients (37.7%) were initiated on ART with CD4 cells <100 cells/µL. Being male [adjusted OR (aOR): 2.4; 95% confidence interval: 1.3 to 4.2, P = 0.002] and having no employment (aOR: 1.9; 95% confidence interval: 1.2 to 3.3, P = 0.012) were associated with late start of ART. Being older, being married, and showing signs of alcohol dependence were associated with an earlier start of ART. CONCLUSIONS: A considerable proportion of patients started ART at very low CD4 counts. Male and unemployed patients were more likely and married people and those aged 40 years or older were less likely to start ART late.