Barriers and Facilitators to Screening for Kidney Disease Among Older Adults with Hypertension and Diabetes in Mbarara Southwestern Uganda: Healthcare Providers' Perspective.

Background: Screening for kidney disease (KD) among high-risk patients (patients with hypertension or diabetes) allows early diagnosis, intervention and delayed progression of the disease. In low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), KD screening is still sub-optimal. This study explored the healthcare providers' perceived barriers and facilitators to KD screening among older adults with hypertension and diabetes in Mbarara southwestern Uganda. Methods: This was a descriptive qualitative study among healthcare providers caring for older adults with diabetes mellitus and hypertension at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH) in southwestern Uganda. In-depth interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and thematically analyzed to develop themes of barriers and facilitators. Results: We conducted 30 in-depth interviews among healthcare providers. Barriers to screening for kidney disease included patient related factors according to healthcare providers (financial hardships, poor health seeking behavior, limited knowledge and awareness), healthcare factors (work overload, ineffective patient healthcare provider communication) and system/policy related factors (lack of laboratory supplies, lack of guidelines and poor medical record keeping and documentation). With respect to facilitators, we found formation of peer support groups, effective team, and continuous medical education (CME). Conclusion: Healthcare providers encounter substantial but modifiable barriers in screening older adults for KD. The identification of barriers and facilitators in timely KD detection gives us an outlook of the problem in Uganda and leads for proposals of action. Interventions that address these barriers and promote facilitators may improve the healthcare provider's effectiveness and capacity to care including screening for patients at risk of KD.

Drug-related problems and associated factors among patients with kidney dysfunction at a tertiary hospital in southwestern Uganda: a prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Kidney dysfunction is a common, progressive condition that is increasingly becoming a global public health issue. Because the kidneys are the major route for drug excretion, impaired renal function can change the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs that are renally excreted. Additionally, patients with kidney dysfunction often have co-morbidities and the associated use of multiple medications which increases the risk of drug-related problem (DRP) occurrence. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, types, and factors associated with DRPs in patients with kidney dysfunction. METHOD: We conducted a prospective observational study over 3 months among hospitalized patients diagnosed with acute kidney injury or chronic kidney disease who were hospitalized in the medical ward, and patients attending the renal outpatient clinic at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital. A total of 183 participants were enrolled through the use of a consecutive sampling technique. DRPs were classified according to the PCNE classification version 9.1. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS version 25. RESULTS: A total of 174 patients with kidney dysfunction were included in the study with a mean ± SD age of 50.34 ± 18.13 years. A total of 219 DRPs were incurred by 138 (79.3%) study participants. The most common DRPs were 'Untreated symptoms or indication' (35.6%) followed by 'adverse event (possibly) occurring' (28.3%), and 'effect of drug treatment not optimal' (23.3%). Antimicrobials were the most involved drugs in suboptimal drug treatment (31.3%) and unnecessary drug treatment (32.1%). The study showed that length of hospital stay ≥ 5 days (AOR = 6.39, 95% CI: 1.75-23.27; p-value = 0.005) significantly increased the risk of DRP occurrence. CONCLUSION: The current results, in agreement with previous literature, showed a high burden of DRPs among patients with kidney dysfunction. Antimicrobials were the most involved drugs in suboptimal as well as in unnecessary drug treatment. Longer hospital stay significantly increased the risk of DRPs. The high prevalence of DRPs in patients with kidney dysfunction and the potential impact on antimicrobial resistance underscores the importance of regular medication reviews and close monitoring of patients with renal dysfunction.

Thirty-Day Outcomes of Young and Middle-Aged Adults Admitted with Severe COVID-19 in Uganda: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: There is scarcity of data regarding young and middle-aged adults hospitalized with severe Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Africa. In this study, we describe the clinical characteristics and 30-day survival among adults aged 18 to 49 years admitted with severe COVID-19 in Uganda. Methods: We reviewed treatment records of patients admitted with severe COVID-19 across five COVID-19 treatment units (CTU) in Uganda. We included individuals aged 18 to 49 years, who had a positive test or met the clinical criteria for COVID-19. We defined severe COVID-19 as having an oxygen saturation <94%, lung infiltrates >50% on imaging and presence of a co-morbidity that required admission in the CTU. Our main outcome was the 30-day survival from the time of admission. We used a Cox proportional hazards model to determine the factors associated with 30-day survival at a 5% level of significance. Results: Of the 246 patient files reviewed, 50.8% (n = 125) were male, the mean ± (standard deviation) age was 39 ± 8 years, majority presented with cough, 85.8% (n = 211) and median C-reactive protein (interquartile range) was 48 (47.5, 178.8) mg/L. The 30-day mortality was 23.9% (59/246). At admission, anemia (hazard ratio (HR): 3.00, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.32-6.82; p = 0.009) and altered mental state (GCS <15) (HR: 6.89, 95% CI: 1.48-32.08, p = 0.014) were significant predictors of 30-day mortality. Conclusion: There was a high 30-day mortality among young and middle-aged adults with severe COVID-19 in Uganda. Early recognition and targeted management of anemia and altered consciousness are needed to improve clinical outcomes.

Persistent hypertension at 3 months postpartum among women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy at a tertiary hospital in Southwestern Uganda.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is a key contributor to the global epidemic of cardiovascular disease and is responsible for more deaths worldwide than any other cardiovascular risk factor. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, of which preeclampsia and eclampsia are the most common forms, have been shown to be a female-specific risk factor for chronic hypertension. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the proportion and risk factors for persistent hypertension at 3 months after delivery among women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in Southwestern Uganda. STUDY DESIGN: This was a prospective cohort study of pregnant women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy admitted for delivery at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital in Southwestern Uganda from January 2019 to December 2019; however, women with chronic hypertension were excluded from the study. The participants were followed up for 3 months after delivery. Participants with a systolic blood pressure of ≥140 mm Hg or a diastolic blood pressure of ≥90 mm Hg or receiving antihypertension therapy at 3 months after delivery were considered to have persistent hypertension. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine independent risk factors associated with persistent hypertension. RESULTS: A total of 111 participants with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy diagnosed at hospital admission were enrolled with a follow-up rate of 49% (54/111) at 3 months after delivery. Of these women, 21 of 54 (39%) had persistent hypertension 3 months after delivery. In the adjusted analyses, an elevated serum creatinine level (>106.08 µmol/L [≤1.2 mg/dL]) at admission for delivery was the only independent risk factor for persistent hypertension at 3 months after delivery (adjusted relative risk, 1.93; 95% confidence interval, 1.08-3.46; P=.03), controlling for age, gravidity, and eclampsia. CONCLUSION: Approximately 4 of 10 women presenting with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy at our institution remained hypertensive 3 months after delivery. Innovative strategies are needed to identify these women and provide long-term care to optimize blood pressure control and reduce future cardiovascular disease after hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.

Prevalence and predictors of hypertension among adults in Mbarara City, Western Uganda.

OBJECTIVE: The study aim was to evaluate the prevalence and predictors of hypertension among an urban adult population in Mbarara city, Western Uganda. METHODS: We evaluated blood pressure measurements, social demographic and clinical parameters of adults living in Mbarara city, Uganda. These parameters were extracted from medical records of adults who participated in the Uganda World Kidney Day 2020 health screening activities. A total of 302 adults were evaluated for hypertension using the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association 2017 (blood pressure threshold 130/80 mmHg) and International Society of Hypertension 2020 guidelines (threshold 140/90 mmHg). RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 42.5 years (standard deviation: 15.1) and majority were male 195/302 (64.6%). Using American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association 2017 guidelines, 156/302 (51.7%) adults were newly diagnosed with hypertension compared to 68/302 (22.5%) newly diagnosed with hypertension using International Society of Hypertension 2020 guidelines. Only 23/302 (7.6%) were on treatment. Based on American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association 2017 guidelines, age ≥40 years and overweight/obesity were statistically significant predictors of hypertension (p < 0.05 for all) at multivariate analysis. Using the International Society of Hypertension 2020 guidelines, age ≥40 years predicted hypertension. DISCUSSION: The prevalence of hypertension is high among this urban adult population irrespective of the guidelines used, highlighting the need for hypertension prevention interventions.

Factors Associated with 30-Day in-Hospital Mortality Among Patients Admitted with Severe Covid-19 in Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital.

Background: COVID-19 has created a burden on the healthcare system globally. Severe COVID-19 is linked with high hospital mortality. Data regarding 30-day in-hospital mortality and its factors has not been explored in southwestern Uganda. Methods: We carried out a retrospective, single-center cohort study, and included all in-patients with laboratory-confirmed, radiological, or clinical severe COVID-19 admitted between April 2020 and September 2021 at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH). Demographic, laboratory, treatment, and clinical outcome data were extracted from patients' files. These data were described comparing survivors and non-survivors. We used logistic regression to explore the factors associated with 30-day in-hospital mortality. Results: Of the 283 patients with severe COVID-19 admitted at MRRH COVID-19 unit, 58.1% were male. The mean age ± standard deviation (SD) was 61±17.4 years; there were no differences in mean age between survivors and non-survivors (59 ± 17.2 versus 64.4 ±17.3, respectively, p=0.24) The median length of hospital stay was 7 (IQR 3-10) days (non-survivors had a shorter median length of stay 5 (IQR 2-9) days compared to the survivors; 8 (IQR 5-11) days, p<0.001. The most frequent comorbidities were hypertension (30.5%) and diabetes mellitus (30%). The overall 30-day in-hospital mortality was 134 of 279 (48%) mortality rate of 47,350×105 with a standard error of 2.99%. The factors associated with 30-day in-hospital mortality were age: 65 years and above (aOR, 3.88; 95% CI, 1.24-11.70; P =0.020) a neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio above 5 (aOR, 4.83; 95% CI, 1.53-15.28; P =0.007) and oxygen requirement ≥15L/min (aOR, 15.80; 95% CI, 5.17-48.25; P <0.001). Conclusion: We found a high 30-day in-hospital mortality among patients with severe forms of COVID-19. The identified factors could help clinicians to identify patients with poor prognosis at an early stage of admission.

Incidence and predictors of acute kidney injury among women with severe pre-eclampsia at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital.

BACKGROUND: The presence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in pre-eclampsia complicates treatment including; increasing length of hospital stay and a need to access services like dialysis which are largely expensive in resource-limited settings. We aimed to determine incidence and predictors of acute kidney injury among women with severe pre-eclampsia at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital in southwestern Uganda. METHODS: We carried out a hospital-based prospective cohort study from 16 November  2018 to 18 April 2019, among pregnant women with severe pre-eclampsia followed up in the hospital. We enrolled 70 mothers with severe pre-eclampsia and eclampsia; we excluded patients with a history of chronic kidney disease, chronic hypertension, and gestational hypertension. Data on socio-demographics, laboratory parameters, health system, obstetric and medical factors were collected. Baseline serum creatinine, complete blood count, and CD4 T-cell count were all done at admission (0-hour). A second serum creatinine was done at 48-hours to determine the presence of AKI and AKI was defined as a relative change of serum creatinine value at least 1.5 times the baseline (i.e., at admission) within 48 h. The proportion of women diagnosed with acute kidney injury among the total number of women with severe pre-eclampsia was reported as incidence proportion. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to establish the association between acute kidney injury and severe pre-eclampsia. RESULTS: Incidence of acute kidney injury was high (42.86%) among women with severe pre-eclampsia. Antenatal care attendance was protective with an odds ratio of 0.14 (0.03, 0.73), p-value 0.020 at bivariate analysis but had no statistical significance at multivariate analysis. Eclampsia was an independent risk factor for acute kidney injury. (aOR 5.89 (1.51, 38.88), p-value 0.014. CONCLUSION: The incidence of acute kidney injury in patients with severe pre-eclampsia is high. Eclampsia is an independent risk factor of acute kidney injury. The findings of this study highlight the urgent need for more research and better perinatal care for these women.

HIV Infection Is an Independent Predictor of Mortality Among Adults with Reduced Level of Consciousness in Uganda.

The clinical epidemiology of adults admitted with reduced level of consciousness (LOC) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and the impact of HIV infection on the risk of mortality in this population is unknown. We secondarily analyzed data from a cohort study that enrolled 359 consecutive adults with reduced LOC presenting to Mbarara Regional Hospital in Uganda with the aim of comparing the prognostic utility of the Full Outline of Unresponsiveness (FOUR) score to the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) Score. For this analysis, we included 336 individuals with known HIV serostatus, obtaining clinical, laboratory, and follow-up data. We recorded investigations and treatments deemed critical by clinicians for patient care but were unavailable. We computed mortality rates and used logistic regression to determine predictors of 30-day mortality. The median GCS was 10. Persons living with HIV infection (PLWH) accounted for 97 of 336 (29%) of the cohort. The 30-day mortality rate in the total cohort was 148 of 329 (45%), and this was significantly higher in PLWH (57% versus 40%, adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.39: 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.31-4.35, P = 0.0046). Other predictors of mortality were presence of any unmet clinical need (aOR 1.72; 95% CIL 1.04-2.84, P = 0.0346), anemia (aOR 1.68; 95% CI: 1.01-2.81, P = 0.047), and admission FOUR score < 12 [aOR 4.26; 95% CI: 2.36-7.7, P < 0.0001). Presentation with reduced LOC in Uganda is associated with high mortality rates, with worse outcomes in PLWH. Improvement of existing acute care services is likely to improve outcomes.

Poor Glycemic Control and the Contributing Factors Among Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients Attending Outpatient Diabetes Clinic at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, Uganda.

BACKGROUND: Glycemic control is associated with long-term complications in type 2 diabetes management. However, updated reports on glycemic control that are crucial to reducing diabetes mellitus complications remain scarce. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to evaluate glycemic control and contributing factors among type 2 diabetes mellhitus patients attending the outpatient diabetic clinic at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital outpatient diabetes clinic between July and October 2020. Participants were subjected to a questionnaire-based interview and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C) was determined as a marker of glycemic control among participants. The collected data was entered into and analyzed by Stata version 13. The odds ratio was used to determine the strength of association between variables. The cut-off value for all statistical significance tests was set at p<0.05 with CI of 95%. RESULTS: A total of 223 participants were interviewed, and the majority (188, 84.3%) had poor glycemic control (HbA1C ≥7%). Importantly, 81.7% (49/60) and 90.0% (99/110) of those who did not adhere to diet and physical exercise recommendations respectively, had poor glycemic control. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that poor glycemic control was more prevalent among participants aged 25-60 years (AOR=4.48, 95%CI: 1.56-14.50, p-value=0.009) and those aged above 60 years (AOR=4.28, 95%CI: 1.18-15.58, p-value= 0.03) compared to the youth, 18-24 years of age. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of poor glycemic control among type 2 diabetes patients in this study is high and patient's age was identified to be an independent risk factor. We recommend any intervention by the hospital that promotes diabetes education and optimizes lifestyle and medication adherence; ultimately to achieve good glycemic control especially for adult patients.

Incidence and risk predictors of acute kidney injury among HIV-positive patients presenting with sepsis in a low resource setting.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequently encountered clinical condition in critically ill patients and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. In our resource-limited setting (RLS), the most common cause of AKI is sepsis and volume depletion. Sepsis alone, accounts for up to 62 % of the AKI cases in HIV-positive patients. OBJECTIVE: The major goal of this study was to determine the incidence and risk predictors of AKI among HIV-infected patients admitted with sepsis at a tertiary hospital in Uganda. METHODS: In a prospective cohort study, we enrolled adult patients presenting with sepsis at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH) in southwestern Uganda between March and July 2020. Sepsis was determined using the qSOFA criteria. Patients presenting with CKD or AKI were excluded. Sociodemographic characteristics, physical examination findings, and baseline laboratory values were recorded in a data collection tool. The serum creatinine and urea were done at admission (0-hour) and at the 48-hour mark to determine the presence of AKI. We performed crude and multivariable binomial regression to establish the factors that predicted developing AKI in the first 48 h of admission. Variables with a p < 0.01 in the adjusted analysis were considered as significant predictors of AKI. RESULTS: Out of 384 patients screened, 73 (19 %) met our inclusion criteria. Their median age was 38 (IQR 29-46) years and 44 (60.3 %) were male. The median CD4 T-cell count was 67 (IQR 35-200) cells, median MUAC was 23 (IQR 21-27) cm and 54 (74.0 %) participants were on a regimen containing Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate (TDF). The incidence of AKI in 48 h was 19.2 % and in the adjusted analysis, thrombocytopenia (Platelet count < 150) (adjusted risk ratio 8.21: 95 % CI: 2.0-33.8, p = 0.004) was an independent predictor of AKI. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high incidence of AKI among HIV-positive patients admitted with sepsis in Uganda. Thrombocytopenia at admission may be a significant risk factor for developing AKI. The association of thrombocytopenia in sepsis and AKI needs to be investigated.

Incidence and predictors of early loss to follow up among patients initiated on protease inhibitor-based second-line antiretroviral therapy in southwestern Uganda.

BACKGROUND: Good adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and retention in care are essential for the effectiveness of an HIV care program. With the current increase in numbers of people living with HIV taking second-line ART in sub-Saharan Africa, there is a need to establish their treatment outcomes and the rate of loss to follow up. In this study, we determined the incidence and predictors of loss to follow up among patients taking second-line ART at an experienced HIV treatment center in southwestern Uganda. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of an electronic database at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital HIV clinic in southwestern Uganda. Second-line ART included at least two of the nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and a boosted protease inhibitor. Loss to follow-up was defined as failure to return to the health facility for care or treatment refill for 180 days or more from the previous visit. After excluding children less than 15 years, we pooled data that included socio-demographic, clinical, and laboratory data for patients who started second-line ART between 2002 and 2017. Multiple imputation was done for variables with missing data. Variables that had a p < 0.05 in unadjusted bivariate analyses were included in a multivariate binomial regression model using a stepwise backward selection procedure to describe the factors that independently predicted loss to follow-up. RESULTS: Between 2002 and 2017, 1121 patients had been initiated on second-line ART. We included data from 924 participants and of these, 518 (56.1%) were female, the mean age (SD) was 38.4 (± 10.5) years, and 433 (52.4%) had a CD4 count less than 100 cells/µl at the start of second-line ART. The incidence of loss to follow-up was 26.7 per 100 person-years. Male gender (Adjusted risk ratio (ARR) = 1.8, 95% CI 1.5-2.0) p < 0.001 and anemia ARR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1-1.6) p < 0.001 were strongly associated with loss to follow up. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high incidence of loss to follow up among patients taking protease-inhibitor based second-line ART at a tertiary HIV center in southwestern Uganda. There is a need to routinely measure hemoglobin during clinic reviews, and establish mechanisms to retain males initiated on second-line ART in care. The association of anemia and loss to follow up needs to be investigated.

Healthcare provider perspectives regarding epilepsy care in Uganda.

OBJECTIVE: Epilepsy is the most common chronic neurological disorder in the world and imposes a large economic burden on global healthcare systems, especially in low-income settings and rural areas as is found in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Despite the high epilepsy prevalence, there are no systematic descriptions of healthcare provider (HCP) perceptions and needs in managing people with epilepsy (PWE) in Uganda. Identifying these perceptions and needs is crucial for understanding community priorities, thereby enhancing the development of culturally sensitive communications, interventions, and research approaches. METHODS: In this qualitative study, we used semistructured interview guides to conduct focus group discussions that explored the perspectives of 32 providers of epilepsy care from health facilities around Mbarara, Uganda. Our sample included nonspecialized general physicians (n = 3), medical residents (n = 8), medical clinical officers (n = 3), psychiatric clinical nurses (n = 6), medical nurses and nursing assistants (n = 9), and other providers (n = 3), who were loosely grouped into discussion groups based on level or type of training. Self-assessed proficiency ratings were also administered to gain a better understanding of participants' confidence in their training, preparedness, and capabilities regarding epilepsy care. Thematic analysis of the focus group transcripts was conducted to ascertain commonly occurring themes about perceptions and challenges in epilepsy care. RESULTS: Our analyses identified nine major themes that dominated the perspectives of the study participants: care management, medications, diagnostics, HCP training, human resources, location, patient education, social support, and community knowledge and beliefs. Proficiency ratings prioritized areas of confidence as knowledge related to referrals, psychosocial impacts, and seizure neurophysiology. Areas of need were revealed as knowledge of diagnostic tools and antiepileptic drug (AED) regimens. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings delineate the perspectives of providers caring for PWE, with consistent recognition of challenges centering around resource augmentation, infrastructure strengthening, and education. Participants emphasized the urgent need to augment these resources to address limitations in medication types and access, trained human resources, and diagnostic tools. They overwhelmingly recognized the need for infrastructure strengthening to address human, diagnostic, medicinal, and capital resource limitations that place undue burden on patients with epilepsy and physicians. Providers indicated a clear desire to learn more about different diagnostic tools and medical management practices, potentially through continuing education, specialized training, or more intentional in-school diagnostic preparation. They also advocated for the powerful influence of patient and family education and clearly articulated the need for community sensitization and support. This article is part of the Special Issue "The Intersection of Culture, Resources, and Disease: Epilepsy Care in Uganda".

Risks of adverse perinatal and maternal outcomes among women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in southwestern Uganda.

INTRODUCTION: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are a leading cause of global perinatal (fetal and neonatal) and maternal morbidity and mortality. We sought to describe HDP and determine the magnitude and risk factors for adverse perinatal and maternal outcomes among women with HDP in southwestern Uganda. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled pregnant women admitted for delivery and diagnosed with HDP at a tertiary referral hospital in southwestern Uganda from January 2019 to November 2019, excluding women with pre-existing hypertension. The participants were observed and adverse perinatal and maternal outcomes were documented. We used multivariable logistic regression models to determine independent risk factors associated with adverse perinatal and maternal outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 103 pregnant women with a new-onset HDP were enrolled. Almost all women, 93.2% (n = 96) had either pre-eclampsia with severe features or eclampsia. The majority, 58% (n = 60) of the participants had an adverse perinatal outcome (36.9% admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (ICU), 20.3% stillbirths, and 1.1% neonatal deaths). Fewer participants, 19.4% (n = 20) had an adverse maternal outcome HELLP syndrome (7.8%), ICU admission (3%), and postpartum hemorrhage (3%). In adjusted analyses, gestational age of < 34 weeks at delivery and birth weight <2.5kg were independent risk factors for adverse perinatal outcomes while referral from another health facility and eclampsia were independent risk factors for adverse maternal outcomes. CONCLUSION: Among women with HDP at our institution, majority had preeclampsia with severe symptoms or eclampsia and an unacceptably high rate of adverse perinatal and maternal outcomes; over a fifth of the mothers experiencing stillbirth. This calls for improved antenatal surveillance of women with HDP and in particular improved neonatal and maternal critical care expertise at delivering facilities. Earlier detection and referral, as well as improvement in initial management at lower level health units and on arrival at the referral site is imperative.

Adherence to Antihypertensive Medication: An Interview Analysis of Southwest Ugandan Patients' Perspectives.

Background: Hypertension is a significant cardiovascular disease (CVD) and driver to CVD disorders in sub-Saharan Africa. It is a major independent risk factor for heart failure, stroke, and kidney failure. Persons living with hypertension attend to many aspects of self-care to manage their condition, including high blood pressure medication adherence to control of blood pressure. Rates of medication non-adherence, and thus uncontrolled hypertension, remain high and contribute to poor health outcomes. Understanding barriers and facilitators to adherence to hypertension therapies can help improve health outcomes. Objective: The aim of the study was to describe the common reasons for adherence and non-adherence to antihypertensive medication from patients' perspectives. Methods: A qualitative study engaged clients of an out-patient clinic of a regional referral hospital in southwestern Uganda who were living with hypertension as participants. One-on-one in-depth interviews provided the narrative data. The interview transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings: Sixteen participants provided the data for the findings. The themes identified as facilitators for adherence to antihypertensive medication were patients' understanding of prescribed medication, availability of medication for hypertension, family support for patients living with hypertension, and regular review appointments at the hypertensive clinics. Conversely, lack of supply in government dispensaries, use of self-prescribed analgesic medication, and stigma were identified as barriers and challenges of adherence to antihypertensive medication. Conclusions: There is an urgent need for the health ministry to improve availability of high blood pressure medication and for health care providers to deliver individualized patient centered care, and sensitization on danger of self-prescription and measures that reduce stigma. These strategies may improve adherence to high blood pressure medication.

Outcomes of patients with severe infection in Uganda according to adherence to the World Health Organization's Integrated Management of Adolescent and Adult Illness fluid resuscitation guidelines.

PURPOSE: We determined outcomes in hospitalized patients in Uganda with World Health Organization's Integrated Management of Adolescent and Adult Illness (IMAI) defined septic shock (IMAI-shock) or severe respiratory distress without shock (IMAI-SRD) based on whether they received recommended fluid resuscitation according to IMAI guidelines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a secondary analysis of a prospective cohort of adult septic patients in Uganda that included the volume of fluids patients received during the first 6h of resuscitation. We used logistic regression to determine predictors of outcomes. RESULTS: We evaluated 122 patients with IMAI-shock and 32 patients with IMAI-SRD. For patients with IMAI-shock or IMAI-SRD, there was no difference in mortality between those that received IMAI recommended fluid volume and those that did not (30% vs 36%, p=0.788; 22% vs 57%, p=0.08). For patients with IMAI-shock, in-hospital mortality was associated with mid-upper arm circumference (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.841, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.722-0.979, p=0.026) and ambulation (aOR 0.247, 95%CI 0.084-0.727, p=0.011). We found no associations with in-hospital mortality for patients with IMAI-SRD. CONCLUSION: IMAI recommended fluid resuscitation was not associated with better outcomes for patients with IMAI-shock or IMAI-SRD. Further studies are needed to optimize resuscitation for patients with severe infection in resource-limited settings such as Uganda.

Outcomes of patients with severe sepsis after the first 6 hours of resuscitation at a regional referral hospital in Uganda.

INTRODUCTION: The optimal resuscitation strategy for patients with severe sepsis in resource-limited settings is unknown. Therefore, we determined the association between intravenous fluids, changes in vital signs and lactate after the first 6 hours of resuscitation from severe sepsis, and in-hospital mortality at a hospital in Uganda. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled patients admitted with severe sepsis to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital and obtained vital signs and point-of-care blood lactate concentration at admission and after 6 hours of resuscitation. We used logistic regression to determine predictors of in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: We enrolled 218 patients and had 6 hour postresuscitation data for 202 patients. The median (interquartile range) age was 35 (26-50) years, 49% of patients were female, and 57% were HIV infected. The in-hospital mortality was 32% and was associated with admission Glasgow Coma Score (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.749; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.642-0.875; P < .001), mid-upper arm circumference (aOR, 0.876; 95% CI, 0.797-0.964; P = .007), and 6-hour systolic blood pressure (aOR, 0.979; 95% CI, 0.963-0.995; P = .009) but not lactate clearance of 10% or greater (aOR, 1.2; 95% CI, 0.46-3.10; P = .73). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with severe sepsis in Uganda, obtundation and wasting were more closely associated with in-hospital mortality than lactate clearance of 10% or greater.

Epidemiology of HBV infection in a cohort of Ugandan HIV-infected patients and rate and pattern of lamivudine-resistant HBV infection in patients receiving antiretroviral therapy.

BACKGROUND: Many HIV-infected patients in sub-Saharan Africa are not routinely screened for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and are on antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens containing only lamivudine as anti-HBV active drug. METHODS: In 2009-2011, we screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in 2820 HIV-infected adults patients at the Mbarara Hospital Uganda and investigated risk factors for HBV infection. Using samples of dried plasma or blood spots, we tested for HBV viral load and HBV drug resistance mutations in all HBsAg-positive patients on ART for ≥ 12 months. RESULTS: In this study, 109 patients tested HBsAg positive (3.9%; 109/2820). HBsAg-positive patients were more likely to have had >4 lifetime sexual partners (p<0.01). Of the 55 HBsAg-positive patients on ART for ≥ 12 months, 53 were only on lamivudine as anti-HBV active drug and two were on tenofovir and lamivudine. HBV-DNA was detected in 30 patients (54.5%; 30/55), all on lamivudine-monotherapy. Of the 23 patients in whom HBV-DNA sequencing was successful, 17 had lamivudine-resistant HBV strains harbouring rtM204V/I mutations accompanied by secondary/compensatory mutations. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that sexual transmission may represent a major mode of spread of HBV in southwest Uganda and confirms the importance of screening for HBV and of using ART regimens containing tenofovir in HIV/HBV co-infected patients.

Malaria is an uncommon cause of adult sepsis in south-western Uganda.

BACKGROUND: Malaria is often considered a cause of adult sepsis in malaria endemic areas. However, diagnostic limitations can make distinction between malaria and other infections challenging. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the relative contribution of malaria to adult sepsis in south-western Uganda. METHODS: Adult patients with sepsis were enrolled at the Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital between February and May 2012. Sepsis was defined as infection plus ≥2 of the following: axillary temperature >37.5°C or <35.5°C, heart rate >90 or respiratory rate >20. Severe sepsis was defined as sepsis plus organ dysfunction (blood lactate >4 mmol/L, confusion, or a systolic blood pressure <90 mmHg). Sociodemographic, clinical and laboratory data, including malaria PCR and rapid diagnostic tests, as well as acid fast bacteria sputum smears and blood cultures were collected. Patients were followed until in-patient death or discharge. The primary outcome of interest was the cause of sepsis. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to assess predictors of mortality. RESULTS: Enrollment included 216 participants who were 51% female with a median age of 32 years (IQR 27-43 years). Of these, 122 (56%) subjects were HIV-seropositive of whom 75 (66%) had a CD4+ T cell count <100 cells/µL. The prevalence of malaria was 4% (six with Plasmodium falciparum, two with Plasmodium vivax). Bacteraemia was identified in 41 (19%) patients. In-hospital mortality was 19% (n = 42). In multivariable regression analysis, Glasgow Coma Score <9 (IRR 4.81, 95% CI 1.80-12.8) and severe sepsis (IRR, 2.07, 95% CI 1.03-4.14), but no specific diagnoses were statistically associated with in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSION: Malaria was an uncommon cause of adult sepsis in a regional referral hospital in south-western Uganda. In this setting, a thorough evaluation for alternate causes of disease in patients presenting with sepsis is recommended.