A Cross-Sectional Study to Determine Urinary Tract Infections and Antibiotic Susceptibility Patterns among Pregnant Women attending Antenatal Clinic at Kawempe National Referral Hospital, Uganda.

Background: Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is a disease of the urinary system. This type of infection involves urethritis, pyro nephritis, or cystitis. Symptoms can be pelvic pain, increased urge to urinate, pain on passing out urine, and blood in the urine (blander infections). A kidney UTI may cause back pain, nausea vomiting, and fever. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional-quantitative study carried out among 300 pregnant mothers attending ANC at Kawempe regional referral hospital in August 2021. Questionnaires were administered to get the biodata of Participants. Urine samples were collected using sterile containers. Urine culture was performed, urine chemistry using ten parameter strip then urine microscopy was done. Chemistry was done using ten parameter strips, urine microscopy and then later culture and sensitivity was done on urine samples with proteinuria. Results: Urine samples with proteinuria were 5.7 % (n=17), more than half of the Urine Samples 52%( n=156) had positive White blood cell cells and 48 %( n=144) had no abnormality detected. Culture on urine samples showed the following isolation, Escherichia.coli 24.3 %( n=9), Klebsiella pneumonia 21.6 %( n=8), Pseudomonas euroginosa 18.9 %( n=7) Staphylococcus aureus 16.22 %(n=6) Enterococcus spp 2.7%(n=1) and Candida albicans16.2 %( n=6). Conclusion: UTI is an infection of some part of your body’s urinary system which may include: kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Organisms causing UTIs in pregnancy are the same uropathogens that commonly cause UTI in non-pregnant patients with Escherichia coli being the most commonly isolated organism. Other bacteria include klebishella pneumoniae, staphulococuus, streptococcus,  enterococcus, and pseudomonas. Recommendations: Kawempe National Referral Hospital. Should improve the Laboratory to perform microbiology tests

Organic livestock production in Uganda: potentials, challenges and prospects

Development in organic farming has been stim- ulated by farmers and consumers becoming interested in healthy food products and sustainable environment. Organ- ic agriculture is a holistic production management system which is based on the principles of health, ecology, care, and fairness. Organic development in Uganda has focused more on the crop sector than livestock sector and has primarily involved the private sector, like organic products export companies and non-governmental organizations. Agriculture in Uganda and many African countries is predominantly traditional, less mechanized, and is usually associated with minimum use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and drugs. This low external input agriculture also referred to as “organic by default” can create basis for organic farming where agroecological methods are intro- duced and present an alternative in terms of intensification to the current low-input/low-output systems. Traditional farming should not be confused with organic farming because in some cases, the existing traditional practices have consequences like overstocking and less attention to soil improvement as well as to animal health and welfare, which is contrary to organic principles of ecology, fairness, health, and care. Challenges of implementing sustainable organic practices in the Ugandan livestock sector threaten its future development, such as vectors and vector-borne diseases, organic feed insufficiency, limited education, research, and support to organic livestock production. The prospects of organic livestock development in Uganda can be enhanced with more scientific research in organic livestock production under local conditions and strength- ening institutional support

Knowledge and perceptions of brucellosis in the pastoral communities adjacent to Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda

BACKGROUND: Brucellosis is one of the most common zoonotic infections globally. Lack of knowledge about brucellosis may affect the health-seeking behavior of patients, thus leading to sustained transmission in these communities. Our study assessed knowledge and perceptions of brucellosis among pastoral communities adjacent to Lake Mburo National Park (LMNP), Kiruhura District, Uganda. METHODS: A community cross-sectional questionnaire survey involving 371 randomly selected household heads from three sub-counties neighboring LMNP were interviewed between June and August 2012. Data collected included communities’ knowledge on causes, symptoms, transmission, treatment, prevention and risk factors of brucellosis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to explore strength of association between overall knowledge of brucellosis and various individual factors using odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Only 70 (19%) knew the symptoms of brucellosis in animals, and three quarters (279, 75.5%) mentioned joint and muscle pain as a common symptom in humans. Almost all participants (370, 99.3%) had ever heard about brucellosis, majority (311, 84.7%) believed it affects all sexes and two thirds (67.7%) of the respondents believed close proximity to wildlife contributes to the presence of the disease. Almost all (352, 95.4%) knew that brucellosis in humans could be treatable using modern drugs. The main routes of infection in humans such as consumption of unpasteurized dairy products were known by 97% (360/371); eating of half-cooked meat by 91.4% and eating contaminated pasture in animals by 97.4%. There was moderate overall knowledge of brucellosis 197 (53.1%). Factors associated with higher overall knowledge were being agro-pastoralists (aOR: 2.08, CI: 1.17-3.71) compared to pure pastoralists while those who reported that the disease was a health problem (aOR: 0.18, CI: 0.06-0.56) compared to those who said it was not were less likely to be knowledgeable. CONCLUSIONS: There was moderate overall knowledge of human and animal brucellosis among the participants. Majority of the participants believed that close proximity to wildlife contributes to the presence of the disease in the area. There is a need for collaboration between the public health, veterinary and wildlife sectors to provide health education on brucellosis for better management of the disease in the communities

Breeding Services and the Factors Influencing Their Use on Smallholder Dairy Farms in Central Uganda

Dairy cattle breeding is an important technology in the enhancement and promotion of dairy production in Uganda. The introduction of germplasm through AI is crucial to enhance the production potential of the local breeds. A study was conducted in six districts of Uganda in the central region using a questionnaire survey involving 450 randomly selected households to profile the dairy breeding services in use and investigate the factors that affect the success of dairy breeding focusing on AI. Adoption of the AI service was highly (P0.05). Use or nonuse of AI did not significantly (P>0.05) influence the sex of the calf born. While preference for AI was marked, very few farmers actually used it. This implies that focus should be put on improved AI service delivery alongside improved extension services

Determinants of patients' choice of provider in accessing brucellosis care among pastoral communities adjacent to Lake Mburo National Park in Kiruhura district, Uganda

Brucellosis is the commonest zoonotic infection worldwide causing human suffering and economic losses through affected livestock. Symptoms are similar to other febrile syndromes such as malaria and typhoid fever and it is often easily misdiagnosed, resulting in underreporting and misdirected treatments. The study was conducted in pastoralist rangelands. Females and households with six to ten members were more likely to seek health care at government facilities, while those with tertiary education were less likely, after the first provider. Improved geographical access needs to be matched with good quality basic services, adequate medicines, qualified health personnel and regular supportive supervision

Gender analysis report : case study of Rwempasha and Rwimiyaga sectors in Nyagatare district - Rwanda

This report focuses on the gender analysis in Rwempasha and Rwimiyaga sectors of Nyagatare district in Eastern Province of Rwanda. It generates information on gaps and opportunities that can be used to empower women smallholder farmers and entrepreneurs to contribute to and benefit from livestock vaccines thereby improving livestock production and their livelihoods. The information gathered can be scaled up and applied to other livestock vaccines and other regions in Rwanda and other countries

Women smallholder farmers' engagement in the vaccine chain in Sembabule District, Uganda : barriers and opportunities

This paper explores women smallholder livestock farmers’ barriers to effective participation in the livestock vaccine value chain (LVVC) and strategies for optimising the use of vaccines against poultry (Newcastle disease), and goat diseases (Peste des Petits Ruminants) in Sembabule District, Uganda. Using the three domains of empowerment theory: intrinsic, instrumental, and collective agency combined with USAID’s gender analysis framework, we found that limited control over resources, and inadequate gender responsive policies hinder women’s participation. Self-help groups increased opportunity for livestock ownership, autonomy, and decision-making. Engagement of women in the LVVC, is an entry point for improved vaccine accessibility, and agency.Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF)Global Affairs Canada (GAC

Vaccine value chain baseline assessment report for Uganda

The aim of this assessment is to carry out a vaccine value chain (VVC) analysis, to determine if the VVC supports women’s empowerment and gender equality. It is part of a larger research project entitled “Hearing their voices: Action research to support women’s agency and empowerment in livestock vaccine distribution, delivery and use in Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya.” In Uganda, women mainly operate small-scale household agriculture and rear small ruminants (goats, pigs and sheep) and poultry. Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) and Newcastle Disease (NCD) are major contaminant diseases reducing productivity and income. This report covers the structure of the research, the survey framework and results

Exploring healthcare providers' perspectives of the paediatric discharge process in Uganda: a qualitative exploratory study.

INTRODUCTION The burden of childhood mortality continues to be born largely by low-income and middle-income countries. The critical postdischarge period has been largely neglected despite evidence that mortality rates during this period can exceed inpatient mortality rates. However, there is a paucity of data on the paediatric discharge process from the perspective of the healthcare provider. Provider perspectives may be important in the development of an improved understanding of the barriers and facilitators to improving the transition from hospital to home. OBJECTIVES To explore healthcare providers' and facility administrators' perspectives of the paediatric discharge process with respect to: (1) current procedures, (2) barriers and challenges, (3) ideas for change, (4) facilitators for change and (5) the importance of discharge planning. DESIGN A qualitative exploratory approach using focus groups (14) and in-depth interviews (7). SETTING This study was conducted at seven hospitals providing paediatric care in Uganda. RESULTS Current discharge procedures are largely based on hospital-specific protocols or clinician opinion, as opposed to national guidelines. Some key barriers to an improved discharge process included caregiver resources and education, critical communication gaps, traditional practices, and a lack of human and physical resources. Teamwork and motivation to see improved paediatric transitions to home were identified as facilitators to implementing the ideas for change proposed by participants. The need for a standardised national policy guiding paediatric discharges, implemented through education at many levels and coupled with appropriate community referral and follow-up, was broadly perceived as essential to improving outcomes for children. CONCLUSIONS Although significant challenges and gaps were identified within the current health system, participants' ideas and the identified facilitators provide a significant basis from which change may occur. This work can facilitate the development of sustainable and effective interventions to improve postdischarge outcomes in Uganda and other similar settings