Has continued exposure to banana Xanthomonas Wilt worsened farmers’ welfare over time? Evidence from banana-producing households in Uganda

The livelihoods of millions of banana-farming households have been affected by Banana Xanthomonas Wilt (BXW) in Uganda for nearly two decades. The disease has no known cure, all banana cultivars grown are susceptible to it and it is endemic in all banana-producing regions in the country. This study analysed the long-term impact of the disease on the livelihoods of banana-producing households. Using a balanced panel dataset of 1,056 households, which were visited in 2015 and revisited in 2018, provides the opportunity to empirically measure the long-term consequences of the disease on farmers’ economic wellbeing in the four major banana growing regions in Uganda. We find striking results pertinent to disease incidence, success in disease management, household income and poverty when deploying BXW control practices. Although the disease has remained present in farmers’ fields, there is a significant reduction in household poverty levels. Results show that some farmers expanded the production of beans and coffee without encroaching on their banana plantations. Increase in bean production was largely through intercropping. Investment in coffee was constrained by land ownership, hence only a viable venture for the wealthy farmers who own bigger pieces of land. Land-poor farmers continued to rely on bananas for their livelihoods. Consistent participation in disease management training significantly influenced adoption of the cultural control practices. Consequently, farming households that systematically adopted these practices were able to maintain low levels of disease incidence, improve productivity by 438 kg/ha/year and increased their daily and annual household income by US$1.75 and UGX 2.383 million (US$648), respectively. The findings suggest that banana is an important crop to smallholder farmers and expansion into other cash crops requires bigger resource outlays, and that despite continued exposure to BXW, farmers’ income increased over time. Farmers should continuously and systematically use the recommended control practices to avoid BXW resurgence and, consequently, a reduction in their income

Effect of milk protein and whey permeate in large quantity lipid-based nutrient supplement on linear growth and body composition among stunted children: A randomized 2 × 2 factorial trial in Uganda

Background: Despite possible benefits for growth, milk is costly to include in foods for undernourished children. Furthermore, the relative effects of different milk components, milk protein (MP), and whey permeate (WP) are unclear. We aimed to assess the effects of MP and WP in lipid-based nutrient supplement (LNS), and of LNS itself, on linear growth and body composition among stunted children. Methods and findings: We performed a randomized, double-blind, 2 × 2 factorial trial among 12 to 59 months old stunted children in Uganda. Children were randomized to 4 formulations of LNS with MP or soy protein isolate and WP or maltodextrin (100 g/day for 12 weeks) or no supplementation. Investigators and outcome assessors were blinded; however, participants were only blinded to the ingredients in LNS. Data were analyzed based on intention-to-treat (ITT) using linear mixed-effects models adjusted for age, sex, season, and site. Primary outcomes were change in height and knee-heel length, and secondary outcomes included body composition by bioimpedance analysis (ISRCTN13093195). Between February and September 2020, we enrolled 750 children with a median age of 30 (interquartile range 23 to 41) months, with mean (± standard deviation) height-for-age z-score (HAZ) −3.02 ± 0.74 and 12.7% (95) were breastfed. The 750 children were randomized to LNS (n = 600) with or without MP (n = 299 versus n = 301) and WP (n = 301 versus n = 299), or no supplementation (n = 150); 736 (98.1%), evenly distributed between groups, completed 12-week follow-up. Eleven serious adverse events occurred in 10 (1.3%) children, mainly hospitalization with malaria and anemia, all deemed unrelated to the intervention. Unsupplemented children had 0.06 (95% confidence interval, CI [0.02, 0.10]; p = 0.015) decline in HAZ, accompanied by 0.29 (95% CI [0.20, 0.39]; p < 0.001) kg/m2 increase in fat mass index (FMI), but 0.06 (95% CI [−0.002; 0.12]; p = 0.057) kg/m2 decline in fat-free mass index (FFMI). There were no interactions between MP and WP. The main effects of MP were 0.03 (95% CI [−0.10, 0.16]; p = 0.662) cm in height and 0.2 (95% CI [−0.3, 0.7]; p = 0.389) mm in knee-heel length. The main effects of WP were −0.08 (95% CI [−0.21, 0.05]; p = 220) cm and −0.2 (95% CI [−0.7; 0.3]; p = 403) mm, respectively. Interactions were found between WP and breastfeeding with respect to linear growth (p < 0.02), due to positive effects among breastfed and negative effects among non-breastfed children. Overall, LNS resulted in 0.56 (95% CI [0.42, 0.70]; p < 0.001) cm height increase, corresponding to 0.17 (95% CI [0.13, 0.21]; p < 0.001) HAZ increase, and 0.21 (95% CI [0.14, 0.28]; p < 0.001) kg weight increase, of which 76.5% (95% CI [61.9; 91.1]) was fat-free mass. Using height-adjusted indicators, LNS increased FFMI (0.07 kg/m2, 95% CI [0.0001; 0.13]; p = 0.049), but not FMI (0.01 kg/m2, 95% CI [−0.10, 0.12]; p = 0.800). Main limitations were lack of blinding of caregivers and short study duration. Conclusions: Adding dairy to LNS has no additional effects on linear growth or body composition in stunted children aged 12 to 59 months. However, supplementation with LNS, irrespective of milk, supports linear catch-up growth and accretion of fat-free mass, but not fat mass. If left untreated, children already on a stunting trajectory gain fat at the expense of fat-free mass, thus nutrition programs to treat such children should be considered

The impact of an intervention to introduce malaria rapid diagnostic tests on fever case management in a high transmission setting in Uganda: A mixed-methods cluster-randomized trial (PRIME).

Rapid diagnostic tests for malaria (mRDTs) have been scaled-up widely across Africa. The PRIME study evaluated an intervention aiming to improve fever case management using mRDTs at public health centers in Uganda. A cluster-randomized trial was conducted from 2010-13 in Tororo, a high malaria transmission setting. Twenty public health centers were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to intervention or control. The intervention included training in health center management, fever case management with mRDTs, and patient-centered services; plus provision of mRDTs and artemether-lumefantrine (AL) when stocks ran low. Three rounds of Interviews were conducted with caregivers of children under five years of age as they exited health centers (N = 1400); reference mRDTs were done in children with fever (N = 1336). Health worker perspectives on mRDTs were elicited through semi-structured questionnaires (N = 49) and in-depth interviews (N = 10). The primary outcome was inappropriate treatment of malaria, defined as the proportion of febrile children who were not treated according to guidelines based on the reference mRDT. There was no difference in inappropriate treatment of malaria between the intervention and control arms (24.0% versus 29.7%, adjusted risk ratio 0.81 95\% CI: 0.56, 1.17 p = 0.24). Most children (76.0\%) tested positive by reference mRDT, but many were not prescribed AL (22.5\% intervention versus 25.9\% control, p = 0.53). Inappropriate treatment of children testing negative by reference mRDT with AL was also common (31.3\% invention vs 42.4\% control, p = 0.29). Health workers appreciated mRDTs but felt that integrating testing into practice was challenging given constraints on time and infrastructure. The PRIME intervention did not have the desired impact on inappropriate treatment of malaria for children under five. In this high transmission setting, use of mRDTs did not lead to the reductions in antimalarial prescribing seen elsewhere. Broader investment in health systems, including infrastructure and staffing, will be required to improve fever case management

Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever Associated with Novel Virus Strain, Uganda, 2007–2008

Case-fatality rate is lower for this strain than for the other 3 Ebola species known to be pathogenic to humans

Correlates of early child development among children with stunting: A cross‐sectional study in Uganda

Abstract Many children in low‐ and middle‐income countries are not attaining their developmental potential. Stunting is associated with poor child development, but it is not known which correlates of stunting are impairing child development. We explored potential socioeconomic, nutritional, clinical, and household correlates of early child development among 12–59‐month‐old children with stunting in a cross‐sectional study in Uganda. Development was assessed using the Malawi Development Assessment Tool (MDAT) across four domains of gross and fine motor, language, and social skills. Linear regression analysis was used to assess correlates of development in the four domains and total MDAT score. Of 750 children included, the median [interquartile range] age was 30 [23−41] months, 55% of the children resided in rural settings with 21% from female‐headed households and 47% of mothers had no schooling. The mean ± standard deviation height‐for‐age z‐score (HAZ) was −3.02 ± 0.74, 40% of the children had a positive malaria test and 65% were anaemic (haemoglobin &lt; 110 g/L). One‐third had children's books at home, majority (96%) used household objects to play with and most of them (70%) used toys as pretence items like those to mimic cooking. After age, sex, and site adjustments, HAZ (0.24, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.14−0.33) and head circumference (0.07, 95% CI: 0.02−0.12) were positive correlates of total MDAT score, whereas weight‐for‐height z‐score (WHZ) was not. Current breastfeeding was associated with 0.41 (95% CI: 0.17−0.65) lower total MDAT score. Children from households with a single income earner had 0.22 (95% CI: 0.06−0.37) lower total MDAT score. Furthermore, severe food insecurity, inflammation and positive malaria test were associated with lower scores for motor development. All family care indicator subscales (FCIs) positively correlated with the total MDAT score and this association was independent of household's socioeconomic status. In conclusion, stunting degree, head circumference, number of household income earners and stimulation by improved FCIs correlate with early child development among stunted children. The negative association with prolonged breastfeeding is likely due to reverse causality. Identified correlates may inform initiatives to support children with stunting attain their development potential

Micronutrient Status and Other Correlates of Hemoglobin among Children with Stunting : A Cross-Sectional Study in Uganda

In low-income countries, undernutrition and infections play a major role in childhood anemia. Stunted children may be at particular risk of anemia. In a cross-sectional study nested in a nutrition trial among 12–59-month-old stunted children in eastern Uganda, we measured hemoglobin (Hb) and markers of iron, cobalamin, folate and vitamin A status. We assessed low micronutrient status, socio-demography, stunting severity, inflammation and malaria as correlates of Hb and anemia using linear and logistic regression analyses, respectively. Of 750 stunted children, the mean ± SD age was 32.0 ± 11.7 months and 55% (n = 412) were male. The mean Hb was 104 ± 15 g/L and 65% had anemia, Hb 8.3 mg/L (−6.2 g/L, 95% CI: −8.4; −4.0), plasma folate <20 nmol/L (−4.6 g/L, 95% CI: −8.1;−1.1), cobalamin < 222 pmol/L (−3.0 g/L, 95% CI: −5.4; −0.7) and serum retinol-binding protein < 0.7 µmol/L (−2.0 g/L, 95% CI: −4.1; 0.2). In addition, severe stunting, inflammation and malaria were negative correlates. Anemia is common among stunted children in eastern Uganda; micronutrient deficiencies, inflammation and malaria are associated with low Hb.Peer reviewe

Correlates of Iron, Cobalamin, Folate, and Vitamin A Status among Stunted Children : A Cross-Sectional Study in Uganda

Micronutrient deficiencies and stunting are prevalent. We assessed correlates of iron, cobalamin, folate, and vitamin A biomarkers in a cross-sectional study of stunted children aged 12–59 months in eastern Uganda. The biomarkers measured were serum ferritin (S-FE), soluble transferrin receptor (S-TfR), retinol binding protein (S-RBP), plasma cobalamin (P-Cob), methylmalonic acid (P-MMA), and folate (P-Fol). Using linear regression, we assessed socio-demography, stunting severity, malaria rapid test, and inflammation as correlates of micronutrient biomarkers. Of the 750 children, the mean (SD) age was 32.0 (11.7) months, and 45% were girls. Iron stores were depleted (inflammation-corrected S-FE 8.3 mg/L). P-Cob was low (0.75 µmol/L). Inflammation-corrected S-RBP was low (<0.7 µmol/L) in 21% and P-Fol (<14 nmol/L) in 1%. Age 24–59 months was associated with higher S-FE and P-Fol and lower S-TfR. Breastfeeding beyond infancy was associated with lower iron status and cobalamin status, and malaria was associated with lower cobalamin status and tissue iron deficiency (higher S-TfR) despite iron sequestration in stores (higher S-FE). In conclusion, stunted children have iron, cobalamin, and vitamin A deficiencies. Interventions addressing stunting should target co-existing micronutrient deficiencies.Peer reviewe

Effect of lipid-based nutrient supplements on micronutrient status and hemoglobin among children with stunting: secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial in Uganda.

BACKGROUND: Micronutrient deficiencies and anemia are widespread among children with stunting. OBJECTIVES: We assessed the effects of lipid-based nutrient supplements (LNS) containing milk protein (MP) and/or whey permeate (WP) on micronutrient status and hemoglobin (Hb) among children with stunting. METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial. Children aged 12-59 mo with stunting were randomly assigned to LNS (100 g/d) with milk or soy protein and WP or maltodextrin for 12 wk, or no supplement. Hb, serum ferritin (S-FE), serum soluble transferrin receptor (S-TfR), plasma cobalamin (P-Cob), plasma methylmalonic acid (P-MMA), plasma folate (P-Fol), and serum retinol-binding protein (S-RBP) were measured at inclusion and at 12 wk. Data were analyzed using linear and logistic mixed-effects models. RESULTS: Among 750 children, with mean age ± SD of 32 ± 11.7 mo, 45% (n = 338) were female and 98% (n = 736) completed follow-up. LNS, compared with no supplementation, resulted in 43% [95% confidence interval (CI): 28, 60] greater increase in S-FE corrected for inflammation (S-FEci), 2.4 (95% CI: 1.2, 3.5) mg/L greater decline in S-TfR, 138 (95% CI: 111, 164) pmol/L greater increase in P-Cob, 33% (95% CI: 27, 39) reduction in P-MMA, and 8.5 (95% CI: 6.6, 10.3) nmol/L greater increase in P-Fol. There was no effect of LNS on S-RBP. Lactation modified the effect of LNS on markers of cobalamin status, reflecting improved status among nonbreastfed and no effects among breastfed children. LNS increased Hb by 3.8 (95% CI: 1.7, 6.0) g/L and reduced the odds of anemia by 55% (odds ratio: 0.45, 95% CI: 0.29, 0.70). MP compared with soy protein increased S-FEci by 14% (95% CI: 3, 26). CONCLUSIONS: LNS supplementation increases Hb and improves iron, cobalamin, and folate status, but not vitamin A status among children with stunting. LNS should be considered for children with stunting. This trial was registered at ISRCTN as 13093195