Makerere University

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

Exploring the e-Learning State of Art

Abstract: e‑Learning implementation is an area in progress that continues to evolve with time and further research. Researchers in the field argue that e‑Learning is still in its infancy, resulting into nume ...

Duration of efficacy of treatment of latent tuberculosis infection in HIV-infected adults.

Abstract: Background: Treatment of latent infection is needed to protect HIV-infected individuals against tuberculosis. A previous report addressed short-term efficacy of three regimens in HIV-infected adults. We now report on long-term efficacy of the study regimens. Methods: Three daily self-administered regimens were compared in a randomized placebo-controlled trial in 2736 purified protein derivative (PPD)-positive and anergic HIV-infected adults. PPD-positive subjects were treated with isoniazid (INH) for 6 months (6H), INH plus rifampicin for 3 months (3HR), INH plus rifampicin and pyrazinamide for 3 months (3HRZ), or placebo for 6 months. Anergic subjects were randomized to 6H or placebo. Results: 6H initially protected against tuberculosis in PPD-positive individuals; however, benefit was lost within the first year of treatment. Sustained benefit was observed in persons receiving 3HR and 3HRZ. In a Cox regression analysis, the adjusted relative risk for tuberculosis compared with placebo was 0.67 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.42‐1.07] for 6H, 0.49 (95% CI, 0.29‐0.82) for 3HR, and 0.41 (95% CI, 0.22-0.76) for 3HRZ. When the rifampicin-containing regimens were combined, the adjusted relative risk for tuberculosis compared with placebo was 0.46 (95% CI, 0.29‐0.71). Among anergic subjects, a modest degree of protection with 6H was present (adjusted relative risk, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.32‐1.16). Treatment of latent tuberculosis infection had no effect on mortality. Conclusion: Six months of INH provided short-term protection against tuberculosis in PPD-positive HIV-infected adults. Three month regimens including INH plus rifampicin or INH, rifampicin and pyrazinamide provided sustained protection for up to 3 years.

Effect of HIV-1 Infection on Antimalarial Treatment Outcomes in Uganda: A Population-Based Study

Abstract: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection may increase the burden of malaria by increasing susceptibility to infection or by decreasing the response to antimalarial treatment. We investigated the seroprevalence rate of HIV-1 infection and its effect on antimalarial treatment outcomes in adults and children with uncomplicated falciparum malaria in Uganda. This retrospective study included 1965 patients = 18 months old who were randomized to receive 1 of 3 antimalarial regimens at 7 sites in Uganda. HIV-1 testing was performed using 2 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and Western blot analysis of stored blood spots. The primary study outcome was clinical treatment failure at 28 days after antimalarial treatment. Molecular genotyping was used to distinguish clinical treatment failures due to new infections from those due to recrudescences. The HIV-1 seroprevalence rate was 2.5% in 1802 patients 3-fold (hazard ratio [HR] 3.28 [95% confidence interval {CI} 1.25-8.59]) increased risk of clinical treatment failure for adults but there was no increased risk for HIV-1-infected children. Molecular genotyping revealed that clinical treatment failures were due to new infections (HR 6.35 [95% CI 1.64-24.5]) rather than to recrudescences (HR 1.51 [95% CI 0.27-8.58]). The HIV-1 seroprevalence rate was surprisingly high in adults presenting with malaria. This finding supports the implementation of routine HIV counseling and testing for adults with uncomplicated falciparum malaria. HIV-1 infection increased the susceptibility to new malarial infections but did not increase the risk of recrudescences in adults. (authors)

Validation of a core outcome measure for palliative care in Africa: the APCA African Palliative Outcome Scale

Abstract: Despite the burden of progressive incurable disease in Africa, there is almost no evidence on patient care or outcomes. A primary reason has been the lack of appropriate locally-validated outcome tools. This study aimed to validate a multidimensional scale (the APCA African Palliative Outcome Scale) in a multi-centred international study. Validation was conducted across 5 African services and in 3 phases: Phase 1. Face validity: content analysis of qualitative interviews and cognitive interviewing of POS; Phase 2. Construct validity: correlation of POS with Missoula-Vitas Quality of Life Index (Spearman's rank tests); Phase 3. Internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha calculated twice using 2 datasets), test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficients calculated for 2 time points) and time to complete (calculated twice using 2 datasets). The validation involved 682 patients and 437 family carers, interviewed in 8 different languages. Phase 1. Qualitative interviews (N = 90 patients; N = 38 carers) showed POS items mapped well onto identified needs; cognitive interviews (N = 73 patients; N = 29 carers) demonstrated good interpretation; Phase 2. POS-MVQoLI Spearman's rank correlations were low-moderate as expected (N = 285); Phase 3. (N = 307, 2nd assessment mean 21.2 hours after first, SD 7.2) Cronbach's Alpha was 0.6 on both datasets, indicating expected moderate internal consistency; test-retest found high intra-class correlation coefficients for all items (0.78-0.89); median time to complete 7 mins, reducing to 5 mins at second visit. The APCA African POS has sound psychometric properties, is well comprehended and brief to use. Application of this tool offers the opportunity to at last address the omissions of palliative care research in Africa.

Postpartum major depression at six weeks in primary health care: prevalence and associated factors

Abstract: Background: Major depression is a common and disabling complication of the postpartum period in women. It is thought to occur three times more commonly in the developing than in developed countries. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of and factors associated with major depression among women attending a peri-urban primary health care unit in Kampala, Uganda, at six weeks postpartum. Method: Five hundred and fourty four women attending a peri-urban health centre were investigated in a cross-sectional study. These women were screened using the twenty five-item Self Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-25), while major depression was confirmed using the Mini International Neuro-psychiatric Interview (MINI). Associations were sought between major depression and the respondents’ demographics and various psychological, social and obstetric factors. Results: The point prevalence of major depression at six weeks postpartum was 6.1%. Psychiatric disorder was significantly associated with young age, being single, negative life events, unplanned pregnancy, unwanted sex of baby and current physical illness in both mother and newborn. Conclusion: There is indication for routine screening of at risk women in the peri-natal period to avoid, recognize and manage postpartum psychiatric morbidity and its consequence on mothers and their developing children. African Health Sciences 2006; 6(4):207-214