Makerere University

About: Makerere University is a education organization based out in Kampala, Uganda. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The organization has 7220 authors who have published 12405 publications receiving 366520 citations. The organization is also known as: Makerere University Kampala & MUK.

Asymptomatic parasitaemia as a risk factor for symptomatic malaria in a cohort of Ugandan children.

Abstract: The objectives were to assess the prevalence of asymptomatic parasitaemia determine its association with symptomatic malaria and identify independent predictors of asymptomatic parasitaemia in a cohort of children from Kampala Uganda A total of 316 children aged 6 months to 5 years were recruited from the community The prevalence of asymptomatic parasitaemia was assessed at enrolment and approximately every 30 days during follow-up Participants received all of their health care in our clinic including a standardized approach to the diagnosis and treatment of symptomatic malaria A total of 283 (90%) subjects completed the full 1-year follow-up and were included in this study yielding 2557 routine smears The prevalence of asymptomatic parasitaemia was 17% at enrolment but 5–8% for the remainder of the study The risk of developing symptomatic malaria within 30 days was significantly higher in those with a positive routine than in those with a negative one (50% vs 9% P < 0001) Higher parasite densities were associated with increased odds of developing symptomatic malaria within 30 days (P = 0003) Only 11% of episodes of asymptomatic parasitaemia involving 6% of subjects arose and cleared without therapy In multivariate analysis the only significant risk factor for asymptomatic parasitaemia was whether a child had any episode of symptomatic malaria during the course of the study (OR = 30 P = 002) In our cohort of children from an urban meso-endemic environment asymptomatic parasitaemia was uncommon and frequently followed by symptomatic malaria This suggests that presumptive treatment of asymptomatic parasitaemia in such settings would be an efficient means of preventing symptomatic malaria (authors)

Future hydrology and climate in the River Nile basin: a review

Abstract: A critical discussion of recent studies that analysed the effects of climate change on the water resources of the River Nile Basin (RNB) is presented. First, current water-related issues on the RNB showing the particular vulnerability to environmental changes of this large territory are described. Second, observed trends in hydrological data (such as temperature, precipitation, river discharge) as described in the recent literature are presented. Third, recent modelling exercises to quantify the effects of climate changes on the RNB are critically analysed. The many sources of uncertainty affecting the entire modelling chain, including climate modelling, spatial and temporal downscaling, hydrological modelling and impact assessment are also discussed. In particular, two contrasting issues are discussed: the need to better recognize and characterize the uncertainty of climate change impacts on the hydrology of the RNB, and the necessity to effectively support decision-makers and propose suitable a...

How revolutionary is the “nerica revolution”? evidence from uganda

Abstract: A new high-yielding upland rice variety known as New Rice for Africa (NERICA) has been widely recognized as a promising technology for addressing the food shortage in sub-Saharan Africa However, there has been no on-farm yield data to support this optimism The present study attempts to assess the actual and potential yield of NERICA in Uganda where it has been introduced recently We found that NERICA's yield is higher (25 tons) for farmers who had rice-growing experience than those who had no previous experience (17 tons) These findings strongly indicate that strengthening training, extension, and other supporting systems is the key to the success of the “NERICA revolution” in this country

Stepped wedge randomised controlled trials: systematic review of studies published between 2010 and 2014

Abstract: In a stepped wedge, cluster randomised trial, clusters receive the intervention at different time points, and the order in which they received it is randomised. Previous systematic reviews of stepped wedge trials have documented a steady rise in their use between 1987 and 2010, which was attributed to the design’s perceived logistical and analytical advantages. However, the interventions included in these systematic reviews were often poorly reported and did not adequately describe the analysis and/or methodology used. Since 2010, a number of additional stepped wedge trials have been published. This article aims to update previous systematic reviews, and consider what interventions were tested and the rationale given for using a stepped wedge design. We searched PubMed, PsychINFO, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), the Web of Science, the Cochrane Library and the Current Controlled Trials Register for articles published between January 2010 and May 2014. We considered stepped wedge randomised controlled trials in all fields of research. We independently extracted data from retrieved articles and reviewed them. Interventions were then coded using the functions specified by the Behaviour Change Wheel, and for behaviour change techniques using a validated taxonomy. Our review identified 37 stepped wedge trials, reported in 10 articles presenting trial results, one conference abstract, 21 protocol or study design articles and five trial registrations. These were mostly conducted in developed countries (n = 30), and within healthcare organisations (n = 28). A total of 33 of the interventions were educationally based, with the most commonly used behaviour change techniques being ‘instruction on how to perform a behaviour’ (n = 32) and ‘persuasive source’ (n = 25). Authors gave a wide range of reasons for the use of the stepped wedge trial design, including ethical considerations, logistical, financial and methodological. The adequacy of reporting varied across studies: many did not provide sufficient detail regarding the methodology or calculation of the required sample size. The popularity of stepped wedge trials has increased since 2010, predominantly in high-income countries. However, there is a need for further guidance on their reporting and analysis.