Aflatoxin exposure in pregnant women of mixed status of human immunodeficiency virus infection and rate of gestational weight gain: a Ugandan cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the association between aflatoxin (AF) exposure during pregnancy and rate of gestational weight gain (GWG) in a sample of pregnant women of mixed HIV status in Gulu, northern Uganda. METHODS: 403 pregnant women were included (133 HIV-infected on antiretroviral therapy (ART), 270 HIV-uninfected). Women's weight, height and socio-demographic characteristics were collected at baseline (~19 weeks' gestation); weight was assessed at each follow-up visit. Serum was collected at baseline and tested for aflatoxin B1 -lysine adduct (AFB-lys) levels using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Linear mixed-effects models were used to examine the association between AFB-lys levels and rate of GWG. RESULTS: AFB-lys levels (detected in 98.3% of samples) were higher among HIV-infected pregnant women than HIV-uninfected pregnant women [median (interquartile range): 4.8 (2.0, 15.0) vs. 3.5 (1.6, 6.1) pg/mg of albumin, P < 0.0001]. Adjusting for HIV status, a one-log increase in aflatoxin levels was associated with a 16.2 g per week lower rate of GWG (P = 0.028). The association between AFB-lys and the rate of GWG was stronger and significant only among HIV-infected women on ART [-25.7 g per week per log (AFB-lys), P = 0.009 for HIV-infected women vs. -7.5 g per week per log (AFB-lys), P = 0.422 for HIV-uninfected women]. CONCLUSIONS: Pregnant women with higher levels of AF exposure had lower rates of GWG. The association was stronger for HIV-infected women on ART, suggesting increased risk.

OBJECTIFS: Examiner l'association entre l'exposition à l'aflatoxine (AF) pendant la grossesse et le taux de gain de poids pendant la grossesse (GWG) dans un échantillon de femmes enceintes de statut mixte VIH à Gulu, dans le nord de l' Ouganda. MÉTHODES: 403 femmes enceintes ont été incluses (133 infectées par le VIH sous traitement antirétroviral (ART), 270 non infectées par le VIH). Le poids, la taille et les caractéristiques sociodémographiques des femmes ont été collectés au départ (~19 semaines de gestation); le poids a été évalué à chaque visite de suivi. Le sérum a été recueilli au départ et testé pour les niveaux d'adduit d'aflatoxine B1 -lysine (AFB-lys) en utilisant la chromatographie liquide à haute performance (HPLC). Des modèles linéaires d'effets mixtes ont été utilisés pour examiner l'association entre les niveaux de AFB-lys et le taux de GWG. RÉSULTATS: Les niveaux de AFB-lys (détectés dans 98,3% des échantillons) étaient plus élevés chez les femmes enceintes infectées par le VIH que chez celles enceintes non infectées par le VIH [médiane (intervalle interquartile): 4,8 (2,0, 15,0) vs 3,5 (1,6, 6,1) pg/mg d'albumine, P <0,0001]. En ajustant pour le statut VIH, une augmentation d'un log des niveaux d'aflatoxine était associée à un taux de GWG inférieur de 16,2 g par semaine (P = 0,028). L'association entre AFB-lys et le taux de GWG était plus forte et significative seulement chez les femmes infectées par le VIH sous ART [-25,7 g par semaine et par log (AFB-lys), P = 0,009 pour les femmes infectées par le VIH contre -7,5 g par semaine et par log (AFB-lys), P = 0,422 pour les femmes non infectées par le VIH]. CONCLUSIONS: Les femmes enceintes présentant des niveaux plus élevés d'exposition à l'AF avaient des taux de GWG plus faibles. L'association était plus forte pour les femmes infectées par le VIH sous ART, ce qui suggère un risque accru.

Sexual behaviours among adolescents in a rural setting in eastern Uganda: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: Globally as adolescents transition into adulthood, some engage in risky sexual behaviours. Such risky behaviours expose adolescents to unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV infection. Our objective was to examine sexual practices of adolescents (aged 10-19 years) in eastern Uganda and identify factors associated with having ever had sexual intercourse. METHODS: Face-to-face interviews were conducted using a standardised questionnaire among randomly selected adolescents residing within the Iganga-Mayuge Health and Demographic Surveillance Site in eastern Uganda. Crude and adjusted prevalence rate ratios (PRR) were estimated using the Modified Poisson regression model to identify factors associated with adolescents having ever had sex. RESULTS: Of the 598 adolescents studied, 108 (18.1%) reported ever having had sexual intercourse, of whom 20 (18.5%) had ever gotten pregnant. Adolescents who reported to be out of school, 76 (12.7%), were more likely to have ever had sexual intercourse (PRR = 1.82, CI = 1.09-3.01). Females were less likely to ever have had sexual intercourse (PRR 0.69 (0.51-0.93) than males. History of ever having had sexual intercourse was associated with adolescents sexting (PRR = 1.54, CI: 1.14-2.08), watching sexually explicit films (PRR = 2.29 Cl: 1.60 - 3.29) and experiencing verbal jokes about sexual intentions (PRR = 1.76, Cl: 1.27 - 2.44). CONCLUSIONS: A majority of participants reported not being sexually active; however, interventions should be required for both sexually active and not sexually active adolescents. Programmes targeted at adolescents in this and similar communities should include comprehensive sex education, and contraceptive distribution among adolescents. In particular, urgent interventions are needed to guide adolescents as they use social media.

OBJECTIF: Partout dans le monde, lorsque les adolescents passent à l'âge adulte, certains adoptent des comportements sexuels à risque. De tels comportements à risque exposent les adolescents à une grossesse non désirée et aux infections sexuellement transmissibles (IST), y compris l'infection à VIH. Notre objectif était d'examiner les pratiques sexuelles des adolescents (âgés de 10 à 19 ans) dans l'est de l'Ouganda et identifier les facteurs associés au fait d'avoir déjà eu un rapport sexuel. MÉTHODES: Des interviews de face à face ont été menées à l'aide d'un questionnaire standardisé parmi des adolescents sélectionnés au hasard, résidant sur le site de surveillance démographique et de santé d'Iganga-Mayuge, dans l'est de l'Ouganda. Les rapports de taux de prévalence (PRR) bruts et ajustés ont été estimés à l'aide du modèle de régression de Poisson modifié afin d'identifier les facteurs associés aux adolescents ayant déjà eu des rapports sexuels. RÉSULTATS: Sur les 598 adolescentes étudiées, 108 (18,1%) ont déclaré avoir déjà eu des rapports sexuels, dont 20 (18,5%) sont déjà tombées enceintes. Les adolescents qui ont déclarés être non scolarisés, 76 (12,7%) étaient plus susceptibles d'avoir déjà eu des rapports sexuels (PRR = 1,82 ; IC = 1,09-3,01). Les filles étaient moins susceptibles que les garçons d'avoir déjà eu des rapports sexuels (RPP de 0,69 (0,51-0,93)). Des antécédents d'avoir déjà eu des rapports sexuels étaient associés au sexting d'adolescents (PRR = 1,54 ; IC: 1,14-2,08), au visionnement de films sexuellement explicites (PRR = 2,29 Cl: 1,60 - 3,29) et avoir été confronté à des blagues sur les intentions sexuelles (PRR = 1,76 ; Cl: 1,27 - 2,44). CONCLUSIONS: Une majorité de participants ont déclaré ne pas être sexuellement actifs. Cependant, des interventions devraient être nécessaires pour les adolescents sexuellement actifs et non sexuellement actifs. Les programmes ciblés sur les adolescents de cette communauté et de communautés similaires devraient comprendre une éducation sexuelle complète et une distribution de contraceptifs à ces adolescents. Des interventions urgentes sont notamment nécessaires pour guider les adolescents dans leur utilisation des médias sociaux.

Impact of sickle cell disease on presentation and progression of paediatric HIV: a retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: HIV and sickle cell disease (SCD) are significant causes of morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. Given their separate roles in immune dysregulation, our objective was to characterise the impact that SCD has on the presentation and progression of paediatric HIV. METHODS: The study was a retrospective cohort study (study period 2004-2018). Cases of HIV + and SCD-afflicted patients (HIV+/SCD+) were obtained via electronic chart review from a paediatric HIV clinic in Kampala, Uganda and matched 1:3 with HIV + controls without SCD (HIV+/SCD-). RESULTS: Thirty-five HIV+/SCD + subjects and 95 HIV+/SCD- controls were analysed (39% female (51/130), age 3.6 years (SD3.9)). At baseline, WHO clinical stage (64% total cohort Stage III/IV) and nutritional status (9.4% severe acute malnutrition) were similar for both groups, whereas HIV+/SCD + had higher though non-significant baseline CD4 count (1036 (SD713) vs 849 (SD638) cells/microlitre, P = 0.20, two-tailed t-test). There were 19 deaths, 6 (17%) HIV+/SCD + and 13 (14%) HIV+/SCD-, with unadjusted/adjusted models showing no significant difference. Nutritional progression and clinical stage progression showed no significant differences between groups. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a slower rate of treatment failures in the HIV+/SCD + cohort (P = 0.11, log-rank survival test). Trajectory analysis showed that in the time period analysed, the HIV+/SCD + cohort showed a more rapid rise and higher total CD4 count (P = 0.012, regression analysis). CONCLUSION: The study suggests that SCD does not adversely affect the progression of HIV in patients on ART. Further, HIV+/SCD + achieved higher CD4 counts and fewer HIV treatment failures, suggesting physiological effects due to SCD might mitigate HIV progression.

OBJECTIFS: Le VIH et la drépanocytose (SCD) sont des causes importantes de morbidité et de mortalité en Afrique subsaharienne. Compte tenu de leurs rôles distincts dans la dérégulation immunitaire, notre objectif était de caractériser l'impact du SCD sur la présentation et la progression du VIH pédiatrique. MÉTHODES: Etude de cohorte rétrospective (période d'étude 2004-2018). Les cas de patients VIH+ atteints de SCD (VIH+/SCD+) ont été obtenus par analyse des dossiers électroniques dans une clinique pédiatrique du VIH à Kampala, en Ouganda et appariés dans une proportion 1:3 avec des témoins VIH+ sans SCD (VIH+/SCD-). RÉSULTATS: 35 sujets VIH+/SCD+ et 95 témoins VIH+/SCD- ont été analysés (39% de femmes (51/130), 3,6 ans d'âge (SD3,9)). Au départ, le stade clinique de l'OMS (64% de la cohorte totale au stade III/IV) et l'état nutritionnel (9,4% de malnutrition aiguë sévère) étaient similaires pour les deux groupes, tandis que les VIH+/SCD+ avaient un nombre de CD4 de base plus élevé mais non significatif (1036 (DS, 713) vs 849 (DS, 638) cellules/microlitre, p = 0,20, test t bilatéral). Il y a eu 19 décès, 6 (17%) VIH+/SCD+ et 13 (14%) VIH+/SCD-, avec des modèles non ajustés/ajustés ne montrant aucune différence significative. La progression nutritionnelle et la progression du stade clinique n'ont montré aucune différence significative entre les groupes. L'analyse de Kaplan-Meier a montré un taux d'échecs de traitement plus lent dans la cohorte VIH+/SCD+ (p = 0,11, test de survie log-rank). L'analyse de la trajectoire a montré que dans la période analysée, la cohorte VIH+/SCD+ a montré une augmentation plus rapide et un nombre total de CD4 plus élevé (p = 0,012, analyse de régression). CONCLUSION: L'étude suggère que SCD n'affecte pas négativement la progression du VIH chez les patients sous ART. De plus, les patients VIH+/SCD+ ont atteint un nombre plus élevé de CD4 et moins d'échecs de traitement du VIH, ce qui suggère que les effets physiologiques dus à la SCD pourraient atténuer la progression du VIH.

Absolute eosinophil count correlates with temperature and CD4 count independently of HIV infection among tuberculosis patients.

OBJECTIVE: To determine clinical correlates of the peripheral absolute eosinophil count (AEC) among bacteriologically confirmed TB patients in Uganda. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated data of bacteriologically confirmed adult TB patients who had a peripheral blood AEC measurement at the National TB Treatment Center in Uganda during a cross-sectional study. We performed linear regression analysis for correlates of log-transformed AEC. RESULTS: We included 235 patients in this analysis with a median (interquartile range, IQR) age of 31 (24-39) years. 60.4% were male, and 33.6% had TB/HIV co-infection. In a multivariable linear regression model that controlled for age, residence type, HIV status, weight loss, anorexia, body mass index, CD8+ T-cell count, haemoglobin level and TB bacillary load, males had a 47.0% higher AEC than females (adjusted coefficient (R2 ) = 0.385, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.012-0.759 P = 0.043). Also, a 1 °C raise in temperature resulted in an 11.5% decrease in the AEC (R2  = -0.122 95% CI (-0.233 to -0.011) P = 0.031) while a 1 cell/mm3 increase in the CD4+ T-cell count resulted in a 0.10% increase in the AEC (R2  = 0.001 95% CI (0.000-0.001) P = 0.032). CONCLUSION: The AEC was higher among males than females, consistent with the normal population distribution of AEC among Ugandans. The AEC was weakly but positively correlated with the CD4 count and negatively correlated with temperature.

OBJECTIF: Déterminer les corrélats cliniques du nombre absolu d'éosinophiles (AEC) périphériques chez les patients tuberculeux confirmés bactériologiquement en Ouganda. MATÉRIEL ET MÉTHODES: Nous avons évalué les données des patients adultes atteints de tuberculose (TB) confirmés bactériologiquement qui avaient une mesure de l'AEC du sang périphérique au Centre national de traitement de la TB en Ouganda au cours d'une étude transversale. Nous avons effectué une analyse de régression linéaire pour les corrélats de l'AEC convertis en log. RÉSULTATS: Nous avons inclus 235 patients dans cette analyse avec un âge médian (intervalle interquartile, IQR) de 31 (24-39) ans. 60,4% étaient des hommes et 33,6% avaient une coinfection TB/VIH. Dans un modèle de régression linéaire multivariée qui adustait pour l'âge, le type de résidence, le statut VIH, la perte de poids, l'anorexie, l'indice de masse corporelle, le nombre de lymphocytes T CD8+, le taux d'hémoglobine et la charge bacillaire de TB, les hommes avaient un AEC 47,0% plus élevé que les femmes (ajusté (R2 ) = 0,385, intervalle de confiance (IC) à 95%: 0,012 à 0,759 ; P = 0,043). Aussi, une augmentation de 1 °C de la température a entraîné une diminution de 11,5% de l'AEC (R2 = −0,122 ; IC95%: (−0,233 à −0,011) ; P = 0,031) tandis qu'une augmentation de 1 cellule/mm3 du nombre des cellules T CD4+ a entraîné une augmentation de 0,10% de l'AEC (R2 = 0,001 ; IC95% (0,000 à 0,001) ; P = 0,032). CONCLUSION: L'AEC était plus élevé chez les hommes que chez les femmes, ce qui correspond à la répartition normale de la population de l'AEC chez les Ougandais. L'AEC était faiblement mais positivement corrélée avec le nombre de CD4 et négativement corrélée avec la température.

[Developing a palliative culture in Uganda]. / Développer la culture palliative en Ouganda.

Financial difficulties, lack of social coverage and medical shortages contribute to the fact that many patients and their families in Uganda are left to fend for themselves. However, health care teams and associations are acting together to disseminate palliative culture while respecting cultural diversity. Nurses are very autonomous in their clinical expertise, providing care and visiting patients at home.

Effects of nutrition and hygiene education on oral health and growth among toddlers in rural Uganda: follow-up of a cluster-randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of a nutrition and hygiene education intervention on oral health behaviour and whether early onset of caries was related to child growth in rural Uganda. METHODS: Follow-up study of a cluster-randomised controlled trial conducted between October 2013 and January 2015. Data were available from 399 mother/child pairs (203 in the intervention and 198 in the control group) of the original trial (78%) when the children were 36 months old. Oral health behaviour was evaluated using questionnaires. Photographs of the maxillary anterior teeth were examined for unmistakably carious lesions, and 115 water samples from the study area were analysed for fluoride concentration. RESULTS: The frequency of cleaning of the child's teeth at 36 months was about twice as high in the intervention as in the control group (84.3% vs. 46.6%; P = 0.0001). Cavitated carious lesions occurred more frequently in the control than the intervention group (27.8% vs. 18.2%; P = 0.04). Extraction of 'false teeth' (ebiino), a painful and crude traditional operation, was profoundly reduced in the intervention group (8.9% vs. 24.7%; P = 0.001). There was no evidence of association between the occurrence of caries and child growth. CONCLUSIONS: The education intervention improved oral hygiene practices and reduced the development and progression of caries and extraction of ebiino. Early childhood caries was not clearly associated with child growth.

HIV-1 drug resistance testing at second-line regimen failure in Arua, Uganda: avoiding unnecessary switch to an empiric third-line.

OBJECTIVES: The number of patients on second-line antiretroviral therapy is growing, but data on HIV drug resistance patterns at failure in resource-constrained settings are scarce. We aimed to describe drug resistance and investigate the factors associated with extensive resistance to nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI), in patients failing second-line therapy in the HIV outpatient clinic at Arua Regional Referral Hospital, Uganda. METHODS: We included patients who failed on second-line therapy (two consecutive viral loads ≥1000 copies/mm3 by SAMBA-1 point-of-care test) and who had a drug resistance test performed between September 2014 and March 2017. Logistic regression was used to investigate factors associated with NRTI genotypic sensitivity score (GSS) ≤1. RESULTS: Seventy-eight patients were included: 42% female, median age 31 years and median time of 29 months on second-line therapy. Among 70 cases with drug resistance test results, predominant subtypes were A (47%) and D (40%); 18.5% had ≥1 major protease inhibitor mutation; 82.8% had ≥1 NRTI mutation and 38.5% had extensive NRTI resistance (NRTI GSS ≤1). A nadir CD4 count ≤100/ml was associated with NRTI GSS ≤1 (OR 4.2, 95% CI [1.3-15.1]). Thirty (42.8%) patients were switched to third-line therapy, composed of integrase inhibitor and protease inhibitor (60% darunavir/r) +/- NRTI. A follow-up viral load was available for 19 third-line patients at 12 months: 84.2% were undetectable. CONCLUSIONS: Our study highlights the need for access to drug resistance tests to avoid unnecessary switches to third-line therapy, but also for access to third-line drugs, in particular integrase inhibitors. Low nadir CD4 count might be an indicator of third-line drug requirement for patients failing second-line therapy.

Trends and risk factors of stillbirths and neonatal deaths in Eastern Uganda (1982-2011): a cross-sectional, population-based study.

OBJECTIVES: To identify mortality trends and risk factors associated with stillbirths and neonatal deaths 1982-2011. METHODS: Population-based cross-sectional study based on reported pregnancy history in Iganga-Mayuge Health and Demographic Surveillance Site (HDSS) in Uganda. A pregnancy history survey was conducted among women aged 15-49 years living in the HDSS during May-July 2011 (n = 10 540). Time trends were analysed with cubic splines and linear regression. Potential risk factors were examined with multilevel logistic regression with adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: 34 073 births from 1982 to 2011 were analysed. The annual rate of decrease was 0.9% for stillbirths and 1.8% for neonatal mortality. Stillbirths were associated with several risk factors: multiple births (AOR 2.57, CI 1.66-3.99), previous adverse outcome (AOR 6.16, CI 4.26-8.88) and grand multiparity among 35- to 49-year-olds (AOR 1.97, CI 1.32-2.89). Neonatal deaths were associated with multiple births (AOR 6.16, CI 4.80-7.92) and advanced maternal age linked with parity of 1-4 (AOR 2.34, CI 1.28-4.25) and grand multiparity (AOR 1.44, CI 1.09-1.90). Education, marital status and household wealth were not associated with the outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The slow decline in mortality rates and easily identifiable risk factors calls for improving quality of care at birth and a rethinking of how to address obstetric risks, potentially a revival of the risk approach in antenatal care.

Linkage to HIV care after home-based HIV counselling and testing in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Home-based HIV counselling and testing (HBHCT) has the potential to increase HIV testing uptake in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), but data on linkage to HIV care after HBHCT are scarce. We conducted a systematic review of linkage to care after HBHCT in SSA. METHODS: Five databases were searched for studies published between 1st January 2000 and 19th August 2016 that reported on linkage to care among adults newly identified with HIV infection through HBHCT. Eligible studies were reviewed, assessed for risk of bias and findings summarised using the PRISMA guidelines. RESULTS: A total of 14 studies from six countries met the eligibility criteria; nine used specific strategies (point-of-care CD4 count testing, follow-up counselling, provision of transport funds to clinic and counsellor facilitation of HIV clinic visit) in addition to routine referral to facilitate linkage to care. Time intervals for ascertaining linkage ranged from 1 week to 12 months post-HBHCT. Linkage ranged from 8.2% [95% confidence interval (CI), 6.8-9.8%] to 99.1% (95% CI, 96.9-99.9%). Linkage was generally lower (<33%) if HBHCT was followed by referral only, and higher (>80%) if additional strategies were used. Only one study assessed linkage by means of a randomised trial. Five studies had data on cotrimoxazole (CTX) prophylaxis and 12 on ART eligibility and initiation. CTX uptake among those eligible ranged from 0% to 100%. The proportion of persons eligible for ART ranged from 16.5% (95% CI, 12.1-21.8) to 77.8% (95% CI, 40.0-97.2). ART initiation among those eligible ranged from 14.3% (95% CI, 0.36-57.9%) to 94.9% (95% CI, 91.3-97.4%). Additional linkage strategies, whilst seeming to increase linkage, were not associated with higher uptake of CTX and/or ART. Most of the studies were susceptible to risk of outcome ascertainment bias. A pooled analysis was not performed because of heterogeneity across studies with regard to design, setting and the key variable definitions. CONCLUSION: Only few studies from SSA investigated linkage to care among adults newly diagnosed with HIV through HBHCT. Linkage was often low after routine referral but higher if additional interventions were used to facilitate it. The effectiveness of linkage strategies should be confirmed through randomised controlled trials.

Prevalence and correlates of diabetes mellitus in Uganda: a population-based national survey.

OBJECTIVE: We analysed fasting blood glucose (FBG) and other data collected as part of a population-based nationwide non-communicable disease risk factor survey, to estimate the prevalence of impaired fasting glycaemia (IFG) and diabetes mellitus and to identify associated factors in Uganda. METHODS: The nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted between April and July 2014. Participants were adults aged 18-69 years. A multistage stratified sample design was used to produce a national representative sample. Fasting capillary glucose was measured to estimate glycaemia. Data were managed with WHO e-STEPs software and Epi Info. Stata(®) survey procedures were used to account for the sampling design, and sampling weights were used to account for differential probability of selection between strata. RESULTS: Of the 3689 participants, 1467 (39.8%) were males, and 2713 (73.5%) resided in the rural areas. The mean age was 35.1 years (standard deviation = 12.6) for males and 35.8 years (13.2) for females. The overall prevalence of IFG was 2.0% (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.5-2.5%), whereas that of diabetes mellitus was 1.4% (95% CI 0.9-1.9%). The prevalence of IFG was 2.1% (95% CI 1.3-2.9%) among males and 1.9% (95% CI 1.3-2.6%) among females, whereas that of diabetes mellitus was 1.6% (95% CI 0.8-2.6%) and 1.1% (95% CI 0.6-1.7%), respectively. The prevalence of IFG was 2.6% (95% CI 1.4-3.8%) among urban and 1.9% (95% CI 1.3-2.4%) among rural residents, whereas that of diabetes mellitus was 2.7% (95% CI 1.4-4.1) and 1.0% (95% 0.5-1.6%), respectively. The majority of participants identified with hyperglycaemia (90.5% IFG and 48.9% diabetes) were not aware of their hyperglycaemic status. Factors associated with IFG were region of residence, body mass index and total cholesterol; factors associated with diabetes mellitus were age, sex, household floor finish and abdominal obesity. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of IFG and of diabetes mellitus is low in the Ugandan population, providing an opportunity for the prevention of diabetes. The majority of persons with hyperglycaemia were not aware of their hyperglycaemic status, which implies a likelihood of presenting late with complications.

Appropriate targeting of artemisinin-based combination therapy by community health workers using malaria rapid diagnostic tests: findings from randomized trials in two contrasting areas of high and low malaria transmission in south-western Uganda.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the impact of malaria rapid diagnostic tests (mRDTs), used by community health workers (CHWs), on the proportion of children <5 years of age receiving appropriately targeted treatment with artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT), vs. presumptive treatment. METHODS: Cluster-randomized trials were conducted in two contrasting areas of moderate-to-high and low malaria transmission in rural Uganda. Each trial examined the effectiveness of mRDTs in the management of malaria and targeting of ACTs by CHWs comparing two diagnostic approaches: (i) presumptive clinical diagnosis of malaria [control arm] and (ii) confirmatory diagnosis with mRDTs followed by ACT treatment for positive patients [intervention arm], with village as the unit of randomisation. Treatment decisions by CHWs were validated by microscopy on a reference blood slide collected at the time of consultation, to compare the proportion of children <5 years receiving appropriately targeted ACT treatment, defined as patients with microscopically-confirmed presence of parasites in a peripheral blood smear receiving artemether-lumefantrine or rectal artesunate, and patients with no malaria parasites not given ACT. RESULTS: In the moderate-to-high transmission area, ACT treatment was appropriately targeted in 79.3% (520/656) of children seen by CHWs using mRDTs to diagnose malaria, vs. 30.8% (215/699) of children seen by CHWs using presumptive diagnosis (P < 0.001). In the low transmission area, 90.1% (363/403) children seen by CHWs using mRDTs received appropriately targeted ACT treatment vs. 7.8% (64/817) seen by CHWs using presumptive diagnosis (P < 0.001). Low mRDT sensitivity in children with low-density parasitaemia (<200 parasites/µl) was identified as a potential concern. CONCLUSION: When equipped with mRDTs, ACT treatments delivered by CHWs are more accurately targeted to children with malaria parasites. mRDT use could play an important role in reducing overdiagnosis of malaria and improving fever case management within iCCM, in both moderate-to-high and low transmission areas. Nonetheless, missed treatments due to the low sensitivity of current mRDTs in patients with low parasite density are a concern. For community-based treatment in areas of low transmission and/or non-immune populations, presumptive treatment of all fevers as malaria may be advisable, until more sensitive diagnostic assays, suitable for routine use by CHWs in remote settings, become available.

Hypertension, cardiovascular risk factors and antihypertensive medication utilisation among HIV-infected individuals in Rakai, Uganda.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of hypertension, elevated blood pressure and cardiovascular risk factors among HIV-positive individuals in rural Rakai District, Uganda. METHODS: We assessed 426 HIV-positive individuals in Rakai, Uganda from 2007 to 2010. Prevalence of hypertension and elevated blood pressure assessed by clinical measurement was compared to clinician-recorded hypertension in case report forms. Multiple logistic regression and z-tests were used to examine the association of hypertension and elevated blood pressure with age, sex, body mass index (BMI), CD4 cell count and antiretroviral treatment (ART) use. For individuals on antihypertensives, medication utilisation was reviewed. RESULTS: The prevalence of hypertension (two elevated blood pressure readings at different time points) was 8.0% (95% CI: 5.4-10.6%), and that of elevated blood pressure (one elevated blood pressure reading) was 26.3% (95% CI: 22.1-30.5%). Age ≥50 years and higher BMI were positively associated with elevated blood pressure. ART use, time on ART and CD4 cell count were not associated with hypertension. Eighty-three percent of subjects diagnosed with hypertension were on antihypertensive medications, most commonly beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers. CONCLUSIONS: Hypertension is common among HIV-positive individuals in rural Uganda.

Association between recent internal travel and malaria in Ugandan highland and highland fringe areas.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between travel (recency of travel, transmission intensity at destination compared to origin and duration of travel) and confirmed malaria in Uganda. METHODS: Health facility-based case-control study in highland (~2200 m), and highland fringe (~1500 m) areas with adjustment for other covariates. RESULTS: In the highland site, patients who had travelled to areas of higher transmission intensity than their home (origin) areas recently were nearly seven times more likely to have confirmed malaria than those who had not (OR 6.9; P = 0.01, 95% CI: 1.4-33.1). In the highland fringe site, there was also a statistically significant association between travel and malaria (OR 2.1; P = 0.04, 95% CI: 1.1-3.9). CONCLUSIONS: For highland areas, or areas of low malaria transmission, health authorities need to consider internal migrants when designing malaria control programs. Control interventions should include information campaigns reminding residents in these areas of the risk of malaria infection through travel and to provide additional mosquito nets for migrants to use during travel. Health authorities may wish to improve diagnosis in health facilities in highland areas by adding travel history to malaria case definitions. Where routine monitoring data are used to evaluate the impact of interventions on the malaria burden in highland areas, health authorities and donors need ensure that only cases from the local area and not 'imported cases' are counted.

A prospective study of trends in consumption of cigarettes and alcohol among adults in a rural Ugandan population cohort, 1994-2011.

OBJECTIVES: To characterise trends over time in smoking and alcohol consumption in a rural Ugandan population between 1994 and 2011. METHODS: We used self-reported data from a long-standing population cohort - the General Population Cohort. From 1989 to 1999, the study population comprised about 10 000 residents of 15 adjacent villages. From 1999, 10 more villages were added, doubling the population. Among adults (≥13 years, who comprise about half of the total study population), data on smoking were collected in 1994/1995, 2008/2009 and in 2010/2011. Data on alcohol were collected in 1996/1997, 2000/2001, 2009/2010 and 2010/2011. RESULTS: The reported prevalence of smoking among men was 17% in 1994/1995, 14% in 2008/2009 and 16% in 2010/2011; equivalent figures for women were 1.5%, 1% and 2%. In the most recent time period, for both sexes combined, prevalence of smoking increased from 1.5% in those aged <29 years, to 18% in those 50+ years (P < 0.001); prevalence was 14.8% in the lowest tertile of socio-economic status, decreasing to 3.7% in the highest (P < 0.001). For alcohol consumption, current drinking was reported by 39% in 1996/1997, 35% in 2000/2001 and 28% in 2010/2011; men were more likely to drink than women (32.9% vs. 23.5% in 2010/2011) and consumption increased with age (P < 0.001); and was associated with low socio-economic status, riskier sexual behaviour and being HIV positive (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In this rural Ugandan population, consumption of cigarettes and alcohol is higher among men than women, increases with age and is more frequent among those with low socio-economic status. We find no evidence of increases in either exposure over time.

Association between malaria exposure and Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpes virus seropositivity in Uganda.

OBJECTIVE: Unlike other herpes viruses, Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpes virus (KSHV) is not ubiquitous worldwide and is most prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa. The reasons for this are unclear. As part of a wider investigation of factors that facilitate transmission in Uganda, a high prevalence country, we examined the association between antimalaria antibodies and seropositivity against KSHV. METHODS: Antibodies against P. falciparum merozoite surface protein (PfMSP)-1, P. falciparum apical membrane antigen (PfAMA)-1 and KSHV antigens (ORF73 and K8.1) were measured in samples from 1164 mothers and 1227 children. RESULTS: Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpes virus seroprevalence was 69% among mothers and 15% children. Among mothers, KSHV seroprevalence increased with malaria antibody titres: from 60% to 82% and from 54% to 77%, comparing those with the lowest and highest titres for PfMSP-1 and PfAMA-1, respectively (P < 0.0001). Among children, only antibodies to PfAMA-1 were significantly associated with KSHV seropositivity, (P < 0.0001). In both mothers and children, anti-ORF73 antibodies were more strongly associated with malaria antibodies than anti-K8.1 antibodies. CONCLUSION: The association between malaria exposure and KSHV seropositivity suggests that malaria is a cofactor for KSHV infection or reactivation.

Pilot study of antibodies against varicella zoster virus and human immunodeficiency virus in relation to the risk of developing stroke, nested within a rural cohort in Uganda.

OBJECTIVE: The risk of stroke rises after episodes of herpes zoster and chickenpox, which are caused by varicella zoster virus (VZV). We conducted a pilot case-control study of stroke, nested within a long-standing cohort in Uganda (the General Population Cohort), to examine antibodies against VZV prior to diagnosis. METHODS: We used stored sera to examine the evolution of IgG and IgM antibodies against VZV among 31 clinically confirmed cases of stroke and 132 matched controls. For each participant, three samples of sera were identified: one each, taken at or near the time of (pseudo)diagnosis, between 5 and 10 years prior to diagnosis and at 15 years prior to diagnosis. RESULTS: All participants had detectable antibodies against VZV, but there were no significant differences between cases and controls in the 15 years prior to diagnosis. As a secondary finding, 16% (5/31) of cases and 6% (8/132) of controls had HIV (OR 3.0; 95% CI 0.8-10.1; P = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first prospective study to examine a biological measure of exposure to VZV prior to diagnosis of stroke and although we identified no significant association, in this small pilot, with limited characterisation of cases, we cannot exclude the possibility that the virus is causal for a subset. The impact of HIV on risk of stroke has not been well characterised and warrants further study.

Readiness of Ugandan health services for the management of outpatients with chronic diseases.

OBJECTIVE: Traditionally, health systems in sub-Saharan Africa have focused on acute conditions. Few data exist on the readiness of African health facilities (HFs) to address the growing burden of chronic diseases (CDs), specifically chronic, non-communicable diseases (NCDs). METHODS: A stratified random sample of 28 urban and rural Ugandan HFs was surveyed to document the burden of selected CDs by analysing the service statistics, service availability and service readiness using a modified WHO Service Availability and Readiness Assessment questionnaire. Knowledge, skills and practice in the management of CDs of 222 health workers were assessed through a self-completed questionnaire. RESULTS: Among adult outpatient visits at hospitals, 33% were for CDs including HIV vs. 14% and 4% at medium-sized and small health centres, respectively. Many HFs lacked guidelines, diagnostic equipment and essential medicines for the primary management of CDs; training and reporting systems were weak. Lower-level facilities routinely referred patients with hypertension and diabetes. HIV services accounted for most CD visits and were stronger than NCD services. Systems were weaker in lower-level HFs. Non-doctor clinicians and nurses lacked knowledge and experience in NCD care. CONCLUSION: Compared with higher level HFs, lower-level ones are less prepared and little used for CD care. Health systems in Uganda, particularly lower-level HFs, urgently need improvement in managing common NCDs to cope with the growing burden. This should include the provision of standard guidelines, essential diagnostic equipment and drugs, training of health workers, supportive supervision and improved referral systems. Substantially better HIV basic service readiness demonstrates that improved NCD care is feasible.

Schistosoma mansoni and HIV acquisition in fishing communities of Lake Victoria, Uganda: a nested case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: It has been suggested that Schistosoma mansoni, which is endemic in African fishing communities, might increase susceptibility to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) acquisition. If confirmed, this would be of great public health importance in these high HIV-risk communities. This study was undertaken to determine whether S. mansoni infection is a risk factor for HIV infection among the fishing communities of Lake Victoria, Uganda. We conducted a matched case-control study, nested within a prospective HIV incidence cohort, including 50 HIV seroconverters (cases) and 150 controls during 2009-2011. METHODS: S. mansoni infection prior to HIV seroconversion was determined by measuring serum circulating anodic antigen (CAA) in stored serum. HIV testing was carried out using the Determine rapid test and infection confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. RESULTS: About 49% of cases and 52% of controls had S. mansoni infection prior to HIV seroconversion (or at the time of a similar study visit, for controls): odds ratio, adjusting for ethnicity, religion, marital status, education, occupation, frequency of alcohol consumption in previous 3 months, number of sexual partners while drunk, duration of stay in the community, and history of schistosomiasis treatment in the past 2 years was 1.23 (95% CI 0.3-5.7) P = 0.79. S. mansoni infections were chronic (with little change in status between enrolment and HIV seroconversion), and there was no difference in median CAA concentration between cases and controls. CONCLUSIONS: These results do not support the hypothesis that S. mansoni infection promotes HIV acquisition.

The health system burden of chronic disease care: an estimation of provider costs of selected chronic diseases in Uganda.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the chronic disease services in Uganda: their level of utilisation, the total service costs and unit costs per visit. METHODS: Full financial and economic cost data were collected from 12 facilities in two districts, from the provider's perspective. A combination of ingredients-based and step-down allocation costing approaches was used. The diseases under study were diabetes, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), epilepsy and HIV infection. Data were collected through a review of facility records, direct observation and structured interviews with health workers. RESULTS: Provision of chronic care services was concentrated at higher-level facilities. Excluding drugs, the total costs for NCD care fell below 2% of total facility costs. Unit costs per visit varied widely, both across different levels of the health system, and between facilities of the same level. This variability was driven by differences in clinical and drug prescribing practices. CONCLUSION: Most patients reported directly to higher-level facilities, bypassing nearby peripheral facilities. NCD services in Uganda are underfunded particularly at peripheral facilities. There is a need to estimate the budget impact of improving NCD care and to standardise treatment guidelines.

Maternal recall of birthweight and birth size in Entebbe, Uganda.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the reliability of maternally recalled birthweight and size in Entebbe, Uganda. METHODS: The study population comprised 404 mothers, who were participants in the Entebbe Mother and Baby Study (EMaBS). Mothers were recruited to EMaBS during antenatal care, maternal characteristics were recorded during pregnancy, and birthweight was recorded at delivery. Four to seven years after delivery, mothers were asked to recall the child's birthweight and size. Their responses were compared with the birthweight recorded in the EMaBS database. RESULTS: Of 404 interviewed mothers, 303 (75%) were able to give an estimate of birthweight and for 265 of these EMaBS data on recorded birthweights were available. Women who were educated and whose children had low birth order were more likely to be able to give an estimate: 37 (14%) recalled the exact recorded birthweight; a further 52 (20%) were accurate to within 0.1 kg of the recorded weight. On average, mothers overestimated birthweight by 0.06 kg (95% CI: 0.00-0.13 kg, P = 0.04). Recalled and recorded birthweights showed moderate agreement with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.64. Four hundered mothers gave an estimate of birth size: the sensitivity and specificity of recalled birth size for classifying low birthweight were 76% (95% CI: 50-93%) and 70% (95% CI: 65-75%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Mothers' recall of birthweight was not precise but in absence of other data, recall of birthweight and size may have some value in epidemiological studies in these settings.