Mulago Hospital

About: Mulago Hospital is a healthcare organization based out in Kampala, Uganda. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Health care. The organization has 542 authors who have published 545 publications receiving 34804 citations.

Inappropriate enrolment of children in schools for the visually impaired in east Africa

Abstract: Background: Many visually impaired children can learn to read print with appropriate training and simple visual aids. This may allow them to attend normal schools and to be integrated into society, which has lifelong benefits. Yet, in Africa, many visually impaired children are enrolled in special schools and taught only Braille. The purpose of this analysis was to document the extent of inappropriate enrolment of visually impaired children in special schools and annexes for the blind in four African countries. Methods: Schools were selected through a population-proportional-to-size method so that they would represent all children attending special schools in Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania and Uganda. Children were examined by ophthalmologists trained in standardised methods to determine visual acuity and the cause of decreased acuity. Results: Of 1062 children examined in special schools and annexes for the blind, 361 (34%, 95% CI 31.2, 36.8) had visual acuity ≥6/60; the most common cause of visual imp...

Low serum vitamin B12 levels among psychiatric patients admitted in Butabika mental hospital in Uganda

Abstract: Psychiatric manifestations have been noted in patients with low serum vitamin B12 levels even in the absence of other neurologic and/or haematologic abnormalities. There is no literature on low serum B12 prevalence among Ugandans with psychiatric illnesses. The aim of this study was to establish the prevalence, risk factors, and clinical manifestations of low serum vitamin B12 among psychiatric patients admitted in a Mental Health Hospital in Uganda. Using a cross sectional descriptive study design, 280 in-patients selected by systematic sampling were studied using a standardized protocol. Low serum vitamin B12 was defined as a level or = 3 years (AOR 2.27 (95% C.I. 1.29, 3.98); p-value = 0.004), and hospitalization < 3 weeks (AOR 4.01 (95% C.I. 1.02, 15.79); p-value = 0.047). Female participants were associated with protection from low serum levels (AOR 0.4 (95% C.I. 0.22, 0.73); p-value = 0.003). Low serum B12 is common among hospitalized psychiatric patients with the majority having no haematological findings. Associated risk factors included having a psychiatric diagnosis of schizophrenia, a shorter duration of hospitalization and longer duration of psychiatric illness. Female participants were less likely to have low serum vitamin B12 levels. Routine screening for serum vitamin B12 levels should be adopted by all hospitals for admitted psychiatric patients.

Ugandan medical and health sciences interns' infection control knowledge and practices.

Abstract: Background: We assessed the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices of recent graduates of clinical health sciences who started their one-year internship in Uganda. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional survey responded to by 209 (response rate of 70%) new interns who started their internships in August 2011 in different Ugandan hospitals. Validated self-administered questionnaires with knowledge, attitude, and practices questions were distributed to the participants during a two-day internship orientation organized by the national internship committee. Results: Out of 299 subjects approached, the survey was completed and returned by 209 (70%). More nurses (51.4%) failed the questions on odds of HIV transmission after a needle stick injury compared to 23.0% and 36.4% of medical and dental graduates, respectively(χ 2 = 24.06 p = 0.001). There was no difference in proportions of those who re-sheath needles. Respondents who had an encounter with positive tuberculosis history when taking clinical notes while unprotected were not more motivated to use masks (χ 2 = 7.06; p = 0.07). Nurses and dentists reported more regular hand washing before and after patient contact compared to medical doctors. Conclusion: Overall, the knowledge of infection control was not impressive and the attitudes and practices appeared to be heavily influenced by the lack of an enabling environment in training hospitals and internship hospitals. There is little likelihood of change due to internship experience except for those who go to missionary hospitals that have stricter infection control protocols. More effort must be made in teaching hospitals to encourage better infection control.