Epilepsy misconceptions and stigma reduction interventions in sub-Saharan Africa, a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review identified papers that described epilepsy misconceptions or stigma in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and research interventions focused on reducing these misconceptions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Publications in the English language from January 2000 to October 2017 that described original research conducted in SSA on misconceptions about epilepsy were utilized. RESULTS: Twenty-three publications were identified. Studies were from Nigeria (N = 4), Cameroon (N = 4), Uganda (N = 3), Zambia (N = 2), Ethiopia (N = 2), Tanzania (N = 2), Kenya (N = 2), Ghana, Zimbabwe, Benin, and Mali (N = 1 each). The studies included assessments of misconceptions among healthcare providers and medical students (N = 3), high school students (N = 2), teachers (N = 2), the general public (N = 10), people with epilepsy (N = 7), and traditional healers (N = 1). Only two studies had stigma-focused interventions. Majority of the studies reported limitations to socialization with people with epilepsy and various beliefs associated with epilepsy. CONCLUSIONS: Epilepsy misconceptions, stigmatizing cultural beliefs, and perceptions were widely prevalent in SSA, and there are a few studies targeting epilepsy stigma. Existing stigma-reduction educational approaches may be impractical for general population implementation. Scalable approaches to reduce stigma are urgently needed within SSA.

A qualitative analysis of health professionals' job descriptions for surgical service delivery in Uganda.

BACKGROUND: The ever increasing demand for surgical services in sub-Saharan Africa is creating a need to increase the number of health workers able to provide surgical care. This calls for the optimisation of all available human resources to provide universal access to essential and emergency surgical services. One way of optimising already scarce human resources for health is by clarifying job descriptions to guide the scope of practice, measuring rewards/benefits for the health workers providing surgical care, and informing education and training for health professionals. This study set out to determine the scope of the mandate to perform surgical procedures in current job descriptions of surgical care health professionals in Uganda. METHODS: A document review was conducted of job descriptions for the health professionals responsible for surgical service delivery in the Ugandan Health care system. The job descriptions were extracted and subjected to a qualitative content data analysis approach using a text based RQDA package of the open source R statistical computing software. RESULTS: It was observed that there was no explicit mention of assignment of delivery of surgical services to a particular cadre. Instead the bulk of direct patient related care, including surgical attention, was assigned to the lower cadres, in particular the medical officer. Senior cadres were assigned to perform predominantly advisory and managerial roles in the health care system. In addition, a no cost opportunity to task shift surgical service delivery to the senior clinical officers was identified. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need to specifically assign the mandate to provide surgical care tasks, according to degree of complexity, to adequately trained cadres of health workers. Health professionals' current job descriptions are not explicit, and therefore do not adequately support proper training, deployment, defined scope of practice, and remuneration for equitable surgical service delivery in Uganda. Such deliberate assignment of mandates will provide a means of increasing surgical service delivery through further optimisation of the available human resources for health.

Informed consent practices for surgical care at university teaching hospitals: a case in a low resource setting.

BACKGROUND: Informed consent in medical practice is essential and a global standard that should be sought at all the times doctors interact with patients. Its intensity would vary depending on the invasiveness and risks associated with the anticipated treatment. To our knowledge there has not been any systematic review of consent practices to document best practices and identify areas that need improvement in our setting. The objective of the study was to evaluate the informed consent practices of surgeons at University teaching Hospitals in a low resource setting. METHODS: A cross-sectional study conducted at three university teaching hospitals in Uganda. Self-guided questionnaires were left at a central location in each of the surgical departments after verbally communicating to the surgeons of the intention of the study. Filled questionnaires were returned at the same location by the respondents for collection by the research team. In addition, 20 in-depth interviews were held with surgeons and a review of 384 patients' record files for informed consent documentation was done. RESULTS: A total of 132 (62.1%) out of 214 questionnaires were completed and returned. Respondents were intern doctors, residents and specialists from General surgery, Orthopedic surgery, Ear, Nose and Throat, Ophthalmology, Dentistry, Obstetrics and Gynaecology departments. The average working experience of respondents was 4.8 years (SD 4.454, range 0-39 years). 48.8% of the respondents said they obtained consent all the time surgery is done while 51.2% did not obtain consent all the time. Many of the respondents indicated that informed consent was not obtained by the surgeon who operated the patient but was obtained either at admission or by nurses in the surgical units. The consent forms used in the hospitals were found to be inadequate and many times signed at admission before diagnosing the patient's disease. CONCLUSIONS: Informed consent administration and documentation for surgical health care is still inadequate at University teaching hospitals in Uganda.

Musculoskeletal disorder risk factors among nursing professionals in low resource settings: a cross-sectional study in Uganda.

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) constitute one of the main occupational hazards among health care workers. However, few epidemiological studies on work related MSD among nursing professionals have been carried out in Africa. The purpose of this study was to assess the work related musculoskeletal disorders and associated risk factors among nursing professionals in Uganda. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of MSD among 880 nursing professionals from five selected hospitals in Uganda. Data was collected using a questionnaire adapted from the Dutch Musculoskeletal and Nordic Musculoskeletal questionnaires. Descriptive (mean, standard deviation and percentages) and inferential (Chi square test and logistic regression analysis) statistics were used to analyse data. Alpha level was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 741 completed questionnaires were analysed (response rate 85.4%). The average age of the respondents was 35.4 (SD 10.7) years and a majority were female (85.7%). The average working hours per week was 43.7 (SD 18.9 hours). The 12-month period-prevalence of MSD at anybody site was 80.8%. The most common site of MSD was the lower back (61.9%). Significant risk factors for reported MSD included often working in a slightly bent posture (adjOR 2.25, 95% CI 1.20-4.26), often working in a slightly twisted posture for long (adjOR 1.97, 95% CI 1.03-3.77), mental exhaustion (adjOR 2.05, 95% CI 1.17-3.5), being absent from the work station for more than 6 months due to illness or an accident (adjO|R, 4.35, 95% CI 1.44-13.08) and feeling rested after a break (adjOR 2.09, 95% CI 1.16-3.76). CONCLUSIONS: Musculoskeletal disorders affect more than 80% of nursing professionals in Uganda with the most commonly, affected site being the lower back. Significant risk factors for MSD include; being absent from the work station for more than 6 months due to illness or an accident, working in awkward postures, pushing/pulling of heavy loads and mental exhaustion. There is a need for greater advocacy, better working conditions and adoption of strategies to reduce occupational injuries.

Stakeholder views on continuing professional development for doctors working in public primary care facilities in central Uganda: a qualitative study.

Introduction: the primary care workforce in the public sector of Uganda is under the district health system. The doctors in this workforce provide leadership and frontline promotive, preventive, curative, rehabilitative, and palliative care. Their numbers are still low and therefore need effective support through continuing professional development (CPD). Part of the support is influenced by stakeholders whose views on CPD in the district health system are important. This study therefore explored the stakeholders' views on the CPD of doctors working in the district health system in central Uganda. Methods: a qualitative exploratory study was done, and data was collected using an interview guide through in-depth interviews among ten purposively selected CPD stakeholders influencing different aspects of CPD activities of doctors working in public general hospitals and health center IVs. The interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim and manually analyzed using deductive thematic analysis. Results: five themes were categorized into; CPD practices, facilitators, benefits, challenges, and suggestions. Each of the themes had subthemes; CPD practices; training, mentorship and apprenticeship, support supervision, and quality improvement projects. Facilitators; internet services, grants, health facility managers, facility-based CPD providers, and regional CPD guidelines. Benefits; motivation, knowledge, teamwork, and renewal of practicing licenses. Challenges; workload, allowances, access, documentation, mindset, quality, structure of public health system, and sustainability. Suggestions; training needs analysis, collaboration, monitoring, e-CPD platforms, CPD resource centers, and individual CPD responsibility. Conclusion: the stakeholders' views are an indication that effective CPD is a collaborative effort from both the primary care doctors and those in the leadership of the health care system.

A comparison of oral bacteriome isolated from periodontal pockets of participants with or without diabetes mellitus in Uganda: a case control study.

OBJECTIVE: Diabetes mellitus predisposes patients to increased incidence and severe forms of periodontal disease. Currently, information on the bacterial diversity of patients with diabetes mellitus and periodontitis in Uganda is scanty. This study set out to describe the bacteria associated with periodontitis in patients with diabetes mellitus in Uganda, as part of a larger study describing the association between periodontal disease and diabetes mellitus. RESULTS: This was a case control involving 45 samples of gingival crevicular fluid collected from participants with periodontitis, the cases being 26 participants with diabetes mellitus and controls 19 participants without diabetes mellitus. Sequencing using the 16s Oxford nanopore long read protocol was followed by a bioinformatics analysis pipeline for alpha and beta diversity indices in the two groups. Multivariate tests were done to determine the differences in the bacterial composition in the two groups. Of the 739 Operational Taxonomic Units and 500 phyla identified, 37.9% (280/739) were from participants with diabetes mellitus. Analysis of beta diversity revealed a dissimilarity between the two study groups (CAP score = 0) with a significant association noted between periodontitis and the subgingival bacteria (P = 0.001). Diabetes mellitus reduced the quantity and altered the composition of the subgingival microbiome in the study participants.

Accreditation in a sub Saharan medical school: a case study at Makerere University.

INTRODUCTION: Of more than the 2,323 recognized and operating medical schools in 177 countries (world wide) not all are subjected to external evaluation and accreditation procedures. Quality Assurance in medical education is part of a medical school's ethical responsibility and social accountability. Pushing this agenda in the midst of resource limitation, numerous competing interests and an already overwhelmed workforce were some of the challenges faced but it is a critical element of our medical profession's social contract. This analysis paper highlights the process of standard defining for Medical Education in a typically low resourced sub Saharan medial school environment. METHODS: The World Federation for Medical Education template was used as an operating point to define standards. A wide range of stakeholders participated and meaningfully contributed in several consensus meetings. Effective participatory techniques were used for the information gathering process and analysis. RESULTS: Standards with a clear intent to enhance education were set through consensus. A cyclic process of continually measuring, judging and improving all standards was agreed and defined. Examples of the domains tackled are stated. CONCLUSION: Our efforts are good for our patients, our communities and for the future of health care in Uganda and the East African region.

Weight, height and eruption times of permanent teeth of children aged 4-15 years in Kampala, Uganda.

BACKGROUND: Tooth eruption is a continuous biological process by which developing teeth emerge through the jaws and the overlying mucosa to enter into the oral cavity. Tooth eruption time and sequence are important factors in dental treatment planning, particularly in orthodontics, but also in forensic dentistry to estimate age of a child. Tooth eruption time is influenced by many factors. In this study we set out to determine the timing of eruption of permanent teeth and assess its association with the height and weight of school children aged 4-15 years in Kampala, Uganda. METHODS: This was a cross sectional study comprising of 1041 healthy Ugandan children: boys/girls (520/521) who were consecutively selected from two primary schools in Kampala. The children were clinically assessed for tooth emergency through the oral mucosa as well as measuring their weight and height. The mean and standard deviation of tooth eruption time was estimated for boys and girls. Bivariate analysis was used to assess any significant association between tooth eruption time and demographic variables. Pearson and partial correlation analyses were used to assess any significant association between the tooth eruption time and anthropometric measurements of the children. RESULTS: Generally, the mean eruption times for girls were lower compared to boys except for three teeth (#25, #32 and #42) which erupted earlier in boys. The average difference in mean eruption times of all teeth between boys and girls was found to be 0.8 (range, 0-1.5) years. In partial correlation analysis, mean tooth eruption times were positively, but not significantly associated with height while controlling for weight except for the mandibular left central incisor (#31). On the other hand, in partial correlation analysis, mean tooth eruption times were positively associated with weight while controlling for height except for tooth #11, #16, #26 and #41. The weight of the child was significantly correlated with mean eruption times in 50% of the teeth. CONCLUSION: In the present study, the mean tooth eruption times for girls were lower compared to boys except for three teeth (#25, #32 and #42). The height of the child did not show any significant influence on the tooth eruption times while the influence of weight on tooth eruption times was non-conclusive.

Continuing professional development training needs for primary care doctors in central Uganda.

BACKGROUND: Continuing professional development (CPD) activities relevant to medical doctors and their patients should be informed by current assessed training needs. The CPD provision is expected to improve the quality of professional practice and ethics. However, the Uganda Medical and Dental Practitioners' Council still receives about 40 reports of malpractice every month. AIM: The study aimed to describe the CPD training needs of doctors working in public primary care facilities in central Uganda. SETTING: The district health system of central Uganda comprised 10 General Hospitals (GH) and 37 Health Center IVs (HC IVs) with a staffing norm of six and two doctors, respectively. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional survey of 100 doctors working in public primary care facilities using the World Health Organization (WHO) Hennessy-Hicks questionnaire. Descriptive statistics of the importance, current performance, and training need of each skilled activity were calculated. Content analysis was applied to data from the open-ended questions. RESULTS: The response rate was 91%, majority were males, 80 (87.9%) from 7 GHs and 24 HC IVs with an average age of 37.9 years. The domain with the highest CPD training need for the doctors was research and audit, with a mean score (standard deviation [s.d.]) of 1.94 (±1.69), followed by administration 1.58 (±1.61) and clinical tasks 1.28 (±1.29). The clinical tasks domain had the most suggested CPD topics. CONCLUSION: Research and audit and clinical tasks were identified as important domains for CPD training for doctors in this setting.Contribution: The results give insight into CPD training needs of primary care doctors and guide various CPD providers.

Periodontitis is associated with insulin resistance in adults living with diabetes mellitus in Uganda: a cross- sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Evidence suggests that majority of patients with diabetes mellitus in Uganda have poor glycaemic control as well as periodontal disease. This study set out to determine the association between periodontitis and insulin resistance in adult patients with diabetes mellitus in Uganda using the triglyceride glucose index. METHODS: Two hundred and twenty-three adult study participants with confirmed diabetes mellitus were enrolled in a cross-sectional study. Oral examination was carried with the aid of a periodontal probe to determine the periodontal status and findings recorded using the WHO Oral Health Assessment Tool for Adults, 2013. We recorded clinical details for body mass index (BMI in kg/m2) and laboratory parameters including fasting blood sugar (mmol/L), glycated hemoglobin levels (HbA1c, %) and serum triglycerides (mmol/L) using a study questionnaire. Data were analyzed using R version 4.10. The glucose triglyceride index was used as a measure of insulin resistance. Logistic regression analysis carried out to determine the factors associated insulin resistance. RESULTS: The majority of the study participants was female (70%) with an average age of 48.5 years (SD+/- 11.1). The mean body mass index was 29.6 kg/m2 (SD+/- 5.82). The mean serum triglyceride index was 9.48 (SD+/- 0.675). Eighty-six-point 1% of the participants had periodontal disease. Bivariate analysis revealed high odds for male sex (OR = 1.31, 95% C.I = 0.44-4.84, p = 0.65) and periodontitis (OR = 3.65, 95% C.I = 0.79-26.15, p = 0.13) but low odds for a high BMI (OR = 0.45. 95% C.I = 0.07-1.67, p = 0.30). Multivariate regression revealed a significant association between insulin resistance and periodontitis. (AOR = 3.52, 95% C.I = 1.19-1.83, p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Insulin resistance is highly prevalent in patients with diabetes mellitus in Uganda and is associated with periodontitis and low body weight.

Prediction of width of un-erupted incisors, canines and premolars in a Ugandan population: a cross sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Accurate prediction of the space forms an important part of an orthodontic assessment in the mixed dentition. However the most commonly used methods of space analysis are based on data developed on Caucasian populations. In order to provide more accurate local data we set out to develop a formula for predicting the widths of un-erupted canines and premolars for a Ugandan population and to compare the predicted widths of the teeth from this formula with those obtained from Moyers' tables, and Tanaka and Johnston's equations. METHODS: Dental casts were prepared using mandibular and maxillary arch impressions of 220 children (85 boys/135 girls) aged 12-17 years recruited from schools in Kampala, Uganda. The mesio-distal width of the mandibular incisors, mandibular and maxillary canines and premolars were measured with a pair of digital calipers. Based on regression analysis, predictive equations were derived and the findings were compared with those presented in Moyers' probability tables, and Tanaka and Johnston's equations. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between the tooth widths predicted by our equations and those from Moyers' probability tables at the 65th and 75th percentile probabilities for the girls and at 75th level in boys in the mandibular arch. While in the maxillary arch no statistically significant differences at the 75th and 95th levels were noted in girls. There were statistically significant differences between predicted tooth sizes using equations from the present study and those predicted from the Tanaka and Johnston regression equations. CONCLUSIONS: In this Ugandan population, Moyers' probability tables could be used to predict tooth widths at specific percentile probabilities, but generally, Tanaka and Johnston technique tends to overestimate the tooth widths.

The Clinical Presentation and Factors Associated with Disease Severity of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, debilitating disease that leads to joint destruction and disability if left untreated. Few studies on RA have been conducted in Uganda, and there is limited information on disease severity and associated factors. This study sought to characterize the clinical presentation and to determine disease severity and the factors associated with disease severity among participants with RA in Uganda. Methods: Between August 2018 and February 2019, patients presenting to the rheumatology outpatient clinic in Mulago National Referral Hospital were enrolled into the study using a cross-sectional design. Participants' demographics and clinical characteristics were collected using a study questionnaire, and laboratory results were extracted from their charts. The patients' functionality was assessed using the Modified Health Assessment Questionnaire and their disease severity was assessed using the RA Disease Activity Score based on 28-joint count (DAS28). Results: A total of 170 participants were enrolled, of whom 81.2% were female. Nearly two-thirds (111/170) were classified as having severe disease. Having a functional status score of >0.5 (adjusted odds ratio 1.7, 95% confidence interval 1.4-2.2, p<0.001) was significantly associated with severe disease. Conclusion: In this population, the majority of the patients seen at the rheumatology outpatient clinic had severe disease, suggesting that patients may be presenting late, with limited early detection of the disease. Impaired functional status was associated with increased disease severity and may be used by clinicians to highlight disease severity when it is not possible to assess the RA DAS28.

Prevalence and factors associated with periodontal disease in patients with diabetes mellitus attending Kiruddu National Referral Hospital, Uganda.

Introduction: patients with diabetes mellitus present with high rates of periodontal disease. Severity and extent of periodontal disease may be directly associated with poor glycemic control. The burden of periodontal disease in patients with diabetes mellitus in Uganda is not documented. This study set out to determine the prevalence and factors associated with periodontal disease in patients with diabetes mellitus attending a national referral hospital in Uganda. Methods: this was a cross-sectional study involving 264 patients with diabetes mellitus. Data were collected using a pretested questionnaire to assess factors associated with periodontal disease. This was followed by an oral examination to determine the community periodontal index (CPI) and clinical attachment loss (CAL). Laboratory tests included glycated hemoglobin and fasting blood sugar. Factors associated with periodontal diseases were evaluated using logistic regression analysis. Results: of the 264 participants, 68.9% were females. The average age was 48.9 (SD = 11.0) years. Majority of the participants (32.6%) had diabetes mellitus for 2 to 5 years with oral hypoglycemic drugs being the most commonly (55.7%) used medication. The overall prevalence of periodontal disease was 85%. Univariate analysis revealed that prevalence of periodontal disease was associated with male sex, lower level of education, smoking, oral hygiene practices, poor glycemic control and combined diabetic medication. However, based on multivariate model, this prevalence was only significantly associated with lower level of education: aOR: 10.77 95% CI 1.04-226.38, p=0.05. Conclusion: periodontal disease is highly prevalent in patients with diabetes mellitus in Uganda, especially those with a lower level of education. All diabetic patients should be screened and managed for periodontal disease. Oral health interventions should also be packaged and presented in a simple language to allow easy comprehension by even the less educated population.

Assessment of factors associated with dental caries in rural communities in Rakai District, Uganda.

To assess factors associated with dental caries in rural communities in Rakai District, Uganda. This was a cross-sectional survey in 18-62 year olds, randomly selected from three sub-counties: Kyalurangira (n = 121), Kabira (n = 133), and Kacheera (n = 67). The participants were clinically examined for caries using Decayed Missing Filled Teeth (DMFT) index and were administered to a structured questionnaire. In the whole material, caries prevalence (DMFT score > 0) was 57.3% and the mean DMFT score was 2.3. The M-component contributed 61% of the DMFT scores. Using bivariate analyses, age, consumption of sugared snacks and tobacco smoking were directly and significantly associated with development of dental caries. Tooth cleaning and previous dental visits were indirectly and significantly associated with dental caries. In binary logistic regression analyses, the participants who were older were four times and those who consumed sugared snacks were 11 times more likely to develop dental caries as compared to their counterparts. The participants who cleaned their teeth or who had visited the dentists were less likely to develop dental caries as compared to their counterparts. The odds ratios were 0.6 and 0.5, respectively. Based on stepwise multiple linear regression analyses, age, previous dental treatment, consumption of sugared snacks, tooth cleaning and tobacco smoking explained a total of 46% of the variations in DMFT scores. Caries prevalence and severity were relatively low in this population. Although a number of independent variables were significantly associated with caries they gave a modest overall multivariate model.

Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Path Modelling Determined Predictors of Students Reported Human Cadaver Dissection Activity.

Human cadaver dissection remains a core and preferred method of anatomical instruction at most low- and middle-income health professional training institutions. Dissection, which is both traumatic and stressful, sets the tone of the students' responses to later and or similar stressful learning opportunities like the post-mortems or care for terminally ill patients. Partial least squares structural equation modelling was used to determine the effect of the students': personality, perception of the learning environment, learning approach, and effect of the environment on the student, on undergraduate health professional student's activity in the human cadaver dissection room. This was a secondary analysis of previously collected data from a cross sectional survey of undergraduate health professional students. We found that personality type and perception of the environment had a positive effect on dissection room activity. Approach to learning and being affected by the dissection room experience (impact), had a negative effect on dissection room activity. All the above effects on dissection room activity were not significant. This study showed that personality, perception of the learning environment, learning approach and effect of the environment on the student, had effects on undergraduate health professional student's activity in the human cadaver dissection room. The modelled effects are opportunities for educational interventions aimed at increasing student activity in the dissection room.

Non-surgical oral hygiene interventions on disease activity of Rheumatoid arthritis patients with periodontitis: A randomized controlled trial.

Background. Periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis have similar epidemiology and pathophysiology. Understanding the interaction between these two diseases is vital in our settings. We set out to assess the effect of oral hygiene interventions on disease activity of rheumatoid arthritis patients with periodontitis in Kampala, Uganda. Methods. Fifty-eight patients attending an arthritis clinic with rheumatoid arthritis and periodontitis were randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. Patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at least two years before, who were on the same medication, dose, or formulation for RA treatment during the preceding three months, were included. The patients were >18 years of age, would be available for all the study visits in the next six months, had at least six natural teeth, had periodontal disease classified as Dutch Periodontal Index (DPSI) >3 and provided written informed consent. Those who had a chronic disorder requiring chronic or intermittent use of antibiotics, were pregnant, were lactating, or had intent to become pregnant were excluded. The primary outcome measure was a change in Disease Activity Score of 28 Joints (DAS28 score) in two 3-month follow-up periods after the intervention. The secondary outcome measure was a change in periodontal status. Results. There was a statistically significant improvement in the DAS-28 score in both the intervention and control arms during the follow-up period (P<0.01). The participants carrying more than one bacterial species had worse DAS-28 scores. Conclusion. Oral hygiene interventions given to RA patients could drastically improve their RA treatment outcomes, especially in resource-limited settings.

Effect of an eLearning Intervention on Undergraduate Health Professional Student's General Histology and Embryology Summative Examination Scores.

Sub-Saharan Africa has the worst global shortage of health professionals. The use of eLearning interventions, that lead to increased interactions according to the Interaction Equivalency theorem, is a potential means of addressing this shortage of health professionals. In this audit we set out to determine the effect of an eLearning general histology and general embryology intervention on student's summative examination scores. The audit compared the written and practical summative examination scores of three sets of student examinations one of which had a five-week eLearning intervention. Two of the examinations were for the same students in one year but different courses while the other two were for students doing the same subject but in different years. In each of the above pair of examinations there was one group from the course that had the eLearning intervention. A Bayesian multilevel regression modelling approach was used to analyse the student scores. The course with the online eLearning intervention had significantly better scores (p-value < 0.01), than the course on a different subject offered at the same time to the same students without the intervention and the same course with students from the previous academic year. On controlling for other factors, the eLearning intervention led to higher examination scores though this was not significant. Student's nationality, sponsorship and program significantly affected the examination scores, controlling for other factors. Overall the students in the course with the online eLearning intervention had significantly better examination scores. The student's nationality, sponsorship and program significantly affect their examination scores. Future, larger and or qualitative studies, are needed to further explore the effect of these factors on student's examination scores.

Accuracy of the lower third molar radiographic imaging to estimate age among Ugandan young people.

OBJECTIVE: Dental development is a useful method for age estimation. Although third molar eruption is commonly used to estimate age in Uganda, it is reported to be unreliable because of external influences. The more reliable radiographic techniques have inter-ethnic differences but data from sub-Saharan Africa are limited regarding estimating age in young adults. This study, therefore, aimed at determining the accuracy of Demirjian's classification of the lower third molar, a common dental age estimation method, in estimating key ages in a Ugandan population using Ugandan references. Dental records of 1021 Ugandans aged 10-22 years were assigned to two groups; reference and test. The reference data was retrieved from a database of a previous bigger research project. RESULTS: The overall sample population comprised of 514/1021 (50.3%) males. The mean age was 15.8 (3.6) years. No significant sex differences in dental age were established in the reference sample (520 records). Accuracy values (area under the curve) at the 12-, 14-, 16- and 18-year cut-offs were between 0.83 and 0.90 using the test sample (501 records). The results suggest that Demirjian's classification of the lower third molars is a useful method for age estimation in the young urban Ugandan population in the 10-22-year age-group.

Periodontitis and Rheumatoid Arthritis in sub-Saharan Africa, gaps and way forward: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: This review identified papers that described periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis in sub-Saharan Africa. Only English language publications from January 2010 to December 2017 describing original research in sub-Saharan Africa on the association between periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis were considered for this study. METHODS: Published databases: PubMed, Science direct and Google scholar, were searched using terms "periodontitis", "rheumatoid arthritis" and "Sub-Saharan Africa" to generate a set of putative studies. Articles with data on both rheumatoid arthritis and periodontitis compared to controls were selected. Studies on the association of periodontitis with cardiovascular disease, arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis alone were excluded. Data were extracted, critically appraised, and analyzed using a random-effect Mantel-Haenszel meta-analysis on plaque index, gingival index, pocket depth and clinical attachment loss. RESULTS: Three publications were selected for the systematic review and 2 for the meta-analysis. Two studies were from Sudan, and one was from Burina Faso. There was a significant increase in pocket depth (mean difference: 0.31; 95% CI: 0.21, 0.41; N= 274; (p ≤ 0.001) and clinical attachment loss (mean difference: 0.47; 95% CI: 0.22, 0.75; N= 274; (p ≤ 0.001) in participants with rheumatoid arthritis compared to normal controls. CONCLUSION: Findings from these combined studies show a significant relationship between periodontal disease and rheumatoid arthritis with increased periodontal pocket depth and clinical attachment loss. They also highlight the need for additional work especially in the area of associating rheumatoid arthritis with P. gingivalis, the oral microbiome and treating periodontal diseases to help in the management of rheumatoid arthritis.

Jejunal transection following trivial trauma: Case report and review of literature.

INTRODUCTION: Severe hollow organ injury following trivial blunt abdominal trauma is uncommon. If it occurs it can easily be missed during routine clinical evaluation. Though less than ten cases of jejunal transection following trivial trauma have been reported in literature, this is the first case of jejunal transection occurring in a patient who fell while walking. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a 32year old female Ugandan, who walked into the emergency room due to abdominal pain following a fall while walking. She was found to be hemodynamically stable and was initially hesitant to do further investigations but finally accepted to go for abdominal ultrasound scan and a chest x-ray. Abdominal ultrasound scan noted free peritoneal fluid and erect chest radiograph revealed a pneumoperitoneum. She was admitted for an exploratory laparotomy. At laparotomy we found a complete jejunal transection with mesenteric laceration. Primary anastomosis was done; the patient had an uneventful recovery and was discharged on the tenth postoperative day. DISCUSSION: Any trauma to the abdomen can potentially cause devastating injury to hollow viscera and should therefore be evaluated thoroughly. CONCLUSION: This case demonstrates that even in a resource limited setting, basic investigations like an abdominal ultrasound scan and erect chest radiographs are important when managing a patient with blunt abdominal trauma even though the injury seems trivial.