Solubility tests and the peripheral blood film method for screening for sickle-cell disease: A cost benefit analysis

Objective. To determine the cost benefit of screening for sicklecelldisease among infants at district health centres in Uganda using sickling, solubility tests and the peripheral blood film method.Methods. Pilot screening services were established at districthealth centres. Cost benefit analysis (CBA) was performed in four scenarios: A1 – where there are no sickle-cell screening services at district health centres and all children are referred either to Mulago national referral hospital or A2 – a regional hospital for haemoglobin (Hb) electrophoresis; B1 – when there are screening services at district health centres, only positive samples are taken either to Mulago Hospital or B2 – the regional hospital for confirmation using haemoglobin electrophoresis. Calculations were done in Uganda shillings (USh).Results. Initial operational costs were high for all scenarios but variably reduced in the subsequent years. Scenarios A1 and A2 were very sensitive compared with B1 and B2. Scenario A1 had the highest screening costs in the subsequent years, costing over 62 000 USh per test in both eastern and western Uganda. Scenario B2 was sensitive and cheaper when using the sickling test, but was expensive and insensitive when using the solubility test and more insensitive though cheaper when using the peripheral blood film method.Conclusions and recommendation. Screening children in Mulago hospital using haemoglobin electrophoresis (A1) was very expensive although it was sensitive. Screening the children at four health centres using the sickling method and confirming positive samples at a regional hospital (B2) was both cheap and sensitive and is therefore recommende

Plasma levels of DDE/DDT and liver function in malaria control personnel 6 months after indoor residual spraying with DDT in northern Uganda, 2008

Objective. We investigated the relationship between plasma levels of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and liver function in malaria control personnel 6 months after one round of DDT indoor residual spraying (IRS).Method. This was a cross-sectional study in the districts of Apac and Oyam of Lango, northern Uganda. Volunteers were clinically examined, and 5 ml samples of venous blood were taken in heparinised tubes for a 6-month post-spray screening for DDT and plasma markers of liver function and internal organ disease. DDE/DDT was assayed using ELISA kits (Abraxis, USA); plasma enzyme activity concentrationsof amylase, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase(GGT) were analysed using routine clinical chemistryautomatedmethods (Konelab, Vantaa, Finland).Results. All 96 plasma samples analysed for xenobiotics contained DDE/DDT in the empirical range of 24.00 - 128.00 parts per billion (ppb) with a mean (SD) of 77.00 (±26.00) ppb. All 119 plasma samples studied for the markers exhibited enzyme activity concentration values within the population reference ranges, with empirical means (SD) of amylase 71.86 (34.07), AST 23.83 (12.71), ALT 7.84 (10.01) and GGT 58.37 (62.68) ìg/l.Conclusion. Six months after IRS with DDT, the spray team had an average concentration of plasma DDE/DDT of 77 ppb. This had no deleterious effect on liver function. We recommend continued use of DDT for IRS disease control in Uganda until better practical alternatives are available

Regularity of laboratory supplies and delivery of histopathology services in the department of Pathology, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Uganda, between January 2002 and April 2003

A retrospective study was undertaken in the department of Pathology, Makerere University College of Health Sciences and Mulago Hospital, Uganda, between January 2002 and April 2003 to determine the regularity of laboratory supplies and delivery of histopathology services. The requisition forms and dates of final reporting were obtained from department of Pathology records. The information on delivery of supplies was retrieved from Mulago hospital stores. Formalin (450 L) and isopropyl (2,505 L) were requisitioned, but only 145 L (32.2%) and 70 L (2.8%) respectively were received. Xylene 5L (11.1%) were issued out of 45 L requisitioned. Paraffin wax (900 Kg) was ordered and 200 Kg (22.2%) were supplied. Hematoxylin (850 gms) and silver nitrate (3,700 g) were ordered and none of each was issued. Eosin (100 gms) was supplied out of 200 g requisitioned. Microscope slides (721 packets) and cover slips (520 packets) were requisitioned, only 127 packets (17.6 %) and 90 packets (17.3 %) respectively were supplied. Surgical blades (2,836) were requisitioned and 760 (26.8 %) were given. No detergents and disinfectants were supplied. On average, it took 5 days to get supplies. Turnaround time of making diagnosis was 9 days. Approximately 52 specimens were either lost or misplaced out of 6,700 samples processed during this period. The amount of supplies received was far much lower than the amount requested. Give the high turnaround time in the histopathology service, a computerized laboratory logistics and inventory management systems (LMIS) should be established at the health settings in the country in order to ensure continuous availability of laboratory supplies and improve the turnaround time in laboratory services.KEY WORDS: Laboratory; Supplies; Histopathology; Service

An up-date on the prevalence of sickle cell trait in Eastern and Western Uganda

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The first survey on sickle cell disease (SCD) done in Uganda in 1949, reported the district of Bundibugyo in Western Uganda to have the highest sickle cell trait (SCT) prevalence (45%). This is believed to be the highest in the whole world. According to the same survey, the prevalence of SCT in the districts of Mbale and Sironko in the East was 20-28%, whilst the districts of Mbarara and Ntungamo in the West had 1-5%. No follow-up surveys have been conducted over the past 60 years. SCA accounts for approximately 16.2% of all pediatric deaths in Uganda. The pattern of SCT inheritance, however, predicts likely changes in the prevalence and distribution of the SCT. The objective of the study therefore was to establish the current prevalence of the SCT in Uganda.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This study was a cross sectional survey which was carried out in the districts of Mbale and Sironko in the Eastern, Mbarara/Ntungamo and Bundibugyo in Western Uganda. The participants were children (6 months-5 yrs). Blood was collected from each subject and analyzed for hemoglobin S using cellulose acetate Hb electrophoresis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The established prevalence of the SCT (As) in Eastern Uganda was 17.5% compared to 13.4% and 3% in Bundibugyo and Mbarara/Ntungamo respectively. 1.7% of the children in Eastern Uganda tested positive for haemoglobin ss relative to 3% in Bundibugyo, giving gene frequencies of 0.105 and 0.097 for the recessive gene respectively. No ss was detected in Mbarara/Ntungamo.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>A shift in the prevalence of the SCT and ss in Uganda is notable and may be explained by several biological and social factors. This study offers some evidence for the possible outcome of intermarriages in reducing the incidence of the SCT.</p

Knowledge gaps, attitude and beliefs of the communities about sickle cell disease in eastern and western Uganda

Background: The management of sickle cell disease (SCD) has remained insurmountable in developing countries such as Uganda, because most communities are not aware of it.Objective: To determine knowledge gaps, attitudes and beliefs of the communities about sickle cell disease in Eastern and Western Uganda.Design: Cross sectional descriptive study.Setting: The districts of Sironko and Mbale in Eastern Uganda and Mbarara and Ntungamo in Western Uganda.Subjects: Households, students and health workers.Results: Household respondents from Eastern Uganda were more aware of SCD than those from Western (

Influence of gender norms in relation to child’s quality of care: follow-up of families of children with SCD identified through NBS in Tanzania

Introducing newborn screening (NBS) services for sickle cell disease (SCD) in Africa has been proven to be one of the most cost-effective approach to reducing morbidity and mortality associated with this condition. In view of this evidence, efforts have been made by countries in Africa where SCD prevalence is high to pilot NBS programmes and to strengthen comprehensive care services for SCD. While it is important to reap the benefits of NBS for SCD in Africa in terms of overall quantitative measures, it is also important to understand how certain social and cultural conditions may disproportionately influence the outcomes of screening for some groups. The aim of this study was to analyse the role of gender norms before and after NBS for SCD in Tanzania, and to assess how they influence the quality of care of diagnosed children. Using qualitative methods, we did in-depth interviews with families of children with SCD identified through the NBS services and focus group sessions with nurses working in neonatal and postnatal sections of regional referral hospitals in Dar es Salaam. By analysing the experiences of both the families and nurses, we were able to provide evidence on, firstly, the gendered relations that undergird childcare and, secondly, how those relations influence the quality of care the child may potentially receive. The results emphasize the importance of studying the social implications of SCD in Africa, especially with regard to improving the quality of care for patients with SCD in the region. We propose simple interventions, including gender-conscious health education and genetic counselling, which can help to improve the community understanding of genetic diseases while also reducing gender-related inequalities related to SCD care in Africa