Combining Ability Analysis of Dry Matter Content, Reducing Sugars and Yield of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Genotypes in Uganda

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) in Uganda is a major food and cash crop mainly grown in the highland regions by small-scale farmers. The increasing importance of potato as a processed product requires new varieties possessing quality processing attributes with acceptable yield. The objectives of this study were to estimate the combining ability effects for dry matter content, reducing sugars, and yield related traits in potato. Nineteen F1 families generated from eight parents using a half diallel mating design were evaluated for dry matter content, reducing sugars, average weight per tuber and total tuber yield at Kachwekano research station. Additive genetic effects were predominant for dry matter content while non-additive effects for the other traits. The GCA/SCA ratios were 0.58, 0.28, 0.17 and 0.44 for dry matter content, reducing sugars, average weight per tuber and total tuber yield respectively. Broad sense heritability estimates were 50.6% for dry matter content, 77.8% for reducing sugars, 90.3% for average weight per tuber and 29.5% for total tuber yield. Parents NAROPOT 3 and 395096.2 had desirable GCA effects for both dry matter content and reducing sugars. Families of nkrk19.17 x Rutuku had desirable SCA effects for dry matter content while Rutuku x 393077.54 and nkrk19.17 x 392657.8 had desirable SCA effects for reducing sugars. Additive genetic effects for dry matter content imply that, genetic gains can be achieved through different selection methods and trait transferred to the respective progenies. The selected parents and families will be subjected to further clonal evaluation and selection

FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH UNDERNUTRITION AMONG CHILDREN WITH SICKLE CELL DISEASE ATTENDING THE SICKLE CELL CLINIC IN MULAGO NATIONAL REFERRAL HOSPITAL, UGANDA. A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY.

Background:  Sickle cell disease (SCD) is among the neglected non-communicable diseases, which significantly contributes to early childhood mortality. In Uganda, over 20,000 children are estimated to be sicklers. Undernutrition is common among children with SCD and contributes to increased morbidity and mortality. There is a paucity of data on the prevalence of undernutrition and associated factors in Uganda. Objective:  To assess the extent of undernutrition and related factors among children aged 5-12 years with SCD attending the sickle cell clinic at Mulago National Referral Hospital (MNRH), Uganda.   Methods:  A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 270 children with SCD attending the sickle cell clinic at MNRH were recruited consecutively between May and June 2017. The nutritional status of the children was assessed by BMI-for-age (wasting) and height-for-age (stunting) z-scores calculated using STATA in accordance with WHO reference. Binary logistic regression was conducted using odds ratios with 95% CI to measure the strength of association among the predictors. Results:  About 11.4% were wasted and 13.7% were stunted. Wasting was significantly associated with older age (10-12 years) (AOR=4.27, CI=2.20-8.29) and living in a female-headed household (AOR=0.39, CI=0.16-0.92). Stunting was significantly associated with older age (10-12 years) (AOR=2.90, CI=1.39-6.06).  Conclusion:  Wasting and stunting were prevalent among children with SCD attending MNRH. The factors associated with undernutrition were older age and living in a female-headed household.  Recommendations:  Interventions like skills-based nutrition education integrating older children and enhancement of women’s control of household resources by improving the social economic status of caretakers through business training and providing vocational skills can improve undernutrition in children with SCD

Are treatment supporters relevant in long-term Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) adherence? Experiences from a long-term ART cohort in Uganda.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to understand the relevance of treatment supporters in adherence among people living with HIV taking Anti-retroviral therapy (ART) for more than five years in Uganda. METHODS: In-depth interviews were conducted with 50 participants (28 women and 22 men) of the Complications of Long-Term ART (CoLTART) cohort with experience of at least five years on ART in Uganda. Participants were stratified by line of ART regimen and viral loads of less or above 1000 copies/ml. Data were analyzed thematically. RESULTS: Many participants felt that a treatment supporter was most useful at the beginning of therapy before individuals get used to the drugs or when they are still weak. However, this did not reflect treatment outcomes, as many individuals without treatment supporters had failed on first line ART regimens and were switched to second line ART. Those who were still on first line had viral loads of ≥1000 copies/ml. There was a preference for female treatment supporters, many of who were persistent in their supportive role. CONCLUSION: Treatment supporters remain important in adherence to long-term ART. HIV-care providers need to encourage the involvement of a treatment supporter for individuals taking ART long-term

Response of cowpea germplasm to bacterial blight in Uganda

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) walp) is a legume crop mainly grown on small scale in low–input farming systems in Uganda. Cowpea bacterial blight (CoBB) disease caused by Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. vignicola (Burkh.) Dye is increasingly becoming a major hindrance to cowpea productivity. Sixty-four cowpea genotypes were evaluated for their response to bacterial blight disease (CoBB). Field experiments were carried out during the first and second rainy seasons using alpha lattice design with three replications. Data on disease incidence and severity, grain yield, days to 50% flowering, number of seeds per pod, pod length, number of peduncles per plant, and number of branches per plant were collected. Disease severity and incidence data was used to determine relative Area Under Disease Progress Curve (rAUDPC). Results showed significant differences (P ≤ 0.001) among the genotypes for rAUDPC in each season. The rAUDPC across the seasons indicated that genotypes NE 32, WC 32A, WC 26 and NE 44 with rAUDPC values ranging from 0.22 to 0.26 were resistant to CoBB whereas genotypes NE 31 and NE 40 with rAUDPC values 0.44 and 0.46 respectively were susceptible. The rAUDPC did not show any significant correlation with days to 50% flowering, yield and its components. This study suggested that the genotypes NE 32, WC 32A, NE 44, and WC 26 be used as prospective parents in breeding initiatives to develop bacterial blight-resistant varieties due to their high yields and resistance to CoBB

Adolescent girls' perceived readiness for sex in Central Uganda - liminal transitions and implications for sexual and reproductive health interventions.

Young women in Uganda are at risk of negative sexual and reproductive health outcomes, in part because of sex with older men. Theoretically grounded in the concept of liminality, this paper examines perceived markers of adolescent girls' suitability for sexual activity. In 2014, we conducted 19 focus group discussions and 44 in-depth interviews in two communities in Uganda. Interviews were conducted using a semi-structured tool, audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Interviews examined markers of transition between childhood, adolescence and adulthood and how these were seen as relating to girls' perceived readiness for sex. Analysis was thematic. Pre-liminal status was most often accorded to childhood. Sex with a child was strongly condemned. Physical changes during puberty and children's increasing responsibility, autonomy and awakening sexuality reflected a liminal stage during which girls and young women were not necessarily seen as children and were increasingly described as suitable for sex. Being over 18, leaving home, and occupying 'adult' spaces reflected post-liminal status and perceived appropriateness for sexual activity including for girls under the age of 18. Interventions that seek to prevent early sexual debut and sexual activity with older men have the potential to reduce sexual and reproductive health risks

Assessing knowledge, acceptability and social implications of a peer-to-peer HIV self-testing kit distribution model among adolescents aged 15-24 in Zambia and Uganda-HISTAZU: a mixed-method study protocol.

INTRODUCTION: HIV self-testing (HIVST) across sub-Saharan African countries may be acceptable as it overcomes significant barriers to clinic-based HIV testing services such as privacy and confidentiality. There are a number of suggested HIVST distribution models. However, they may not be responsive to the testing service needs of adolescents and young people (AYP). We will investigate the knowledge, acceptability and social implications of a peer-to-peer distribution model of HIVST kits on uptake of HIV prevention including pre-exposure prophylaxis, condoms, and voluntary medical male circumcision and testing services and linkage to anti-retroviral therapy among AYP aged 15-24 in Zambia and Uganda. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will conduct an exploratory mixed methods study among AYP aged 15-24 in Uganda and Zambia. Qualitative data will be collected using audio-recorded in-depth interviews (IDIs), focus group discussions (FGDs), and participant observations. All IDIs and FGDs will be transcribed verbatim, coded and analysed through a thematic-content analysis. The quantitative data will be collected through a structured survey questionnaire derived from the preliminary findings of the qualitative work and programme evaluation quantitative data collected on uptake of services from a Zambian trial. The quantitative phase will evaluate the number of AYP reached and interested in HIVST and the implication of this on household social relations and social harms. The quantitative data will be analysed through bivariate analyses. The study will explore any social-cultural and study design barriers or facilitators to uptake of HIVST. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study is approved by the Uganda Virus Research Institute Research and Ethics committee, Uganda National Council for Science and Technology, University of Zambia Biomedical Ethics Committee, Zambia National Health Research Authority and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Dissemination activities will involve publications in peer-reviewed journals, presentations at conferences and stakeholder meetings in the communities

Moving forward through consensus: a national Delphi approach to determine the top research priorities in prostate cancer in Uganda

OBJECTIVE: To identify key areas for research in prostate cancer (PC) in the Ugandan context by establishing the major health system, socioeconomic and clinical barriers to seeking, reaching and receiving high-quality cancer care. DESIGN: Modified Delphi Technique. SETTING: Government and private-not-for-profit hospitals. METHODS: We applied a two-stage modified Delphi technique to identify the consensus view across cancer experts. In round 1, experts received a questionnaire containing 21 statements drawn from a systematic review identifying the reason for the delay in accessing cancer care. Each statement was scored out of 20. Statements scoring ≥15 from over 70% of participants were prioritised for inclusion while statements for which <30% of participants gave a score of ≥15 were excluded. Sixteen statements were included in round 2 as they did not receive consensus for inclusion or exclusion. RESULTS: We found that the top six research priority areas arise from challenges including: (1) lack of diagnostic services-ultrasound, laboratory tests and biopsy facilities; (2) high costs of services, for example, surgery, radiotherapy, hormone therapy are unaffordable to most patients, (3) lack of essential medicines, (4) limited radiotherapy capacity, (5) lack of awareness of cancer as a disease and low recognition of symptoms, (6) low healthcare literacy. The lack of critical surgical supplies, high diagnostic and treatment costs were ranked highest in order of importance in round 1. Round 2 also revealed lack of diagnostic services, unavailability of critical medicines, lack of radiotherapy options, high costs of treatments and lack of critical surgical supplies as the top priorities. CONCLUSION: These research priority areas ought to be addressed in future research to improve prompt PC diagnosis and care in Uganda. There is need to improve the supply of high-quality affordable anticancer medicines for PC patients so as to improve the survivorship from the cancer

High-resolution bathymetries and shorelines for the Great Lakes of the White Nile basin

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.HRBS-GLWNB 2020 presents the first open-source and high-resolution bathymetry, shoreline, and water level data for Lakes Victoria, Albert, Edward, and George in East Africa. For each Lake, these data have three primary products collected for this project. The bathymetric datasets were created from approximately 18 million acoustic soundings. Over 8,200 km of shorelines are delineated across the three lakes from high-resolution satellite systems and uncrewed aerial vehicles. Finally, these data are tied together by creating lake surface elevation models collected from GPS and altimeter measures. The data repository includes additional derived products, including surface areas, water volumes, shoreline lengths, lake elevation levels, and geodetic information. These data can be used to make allocation decisions regarding the freshwater resources within Africa, manage food resources on which many tens of millions of people rely, and help preserve the region’s endemic biodiversity. Finally, as these data are tied to globally consistent geodetic models, they can be used in future global and regional climate change models.ECU Open Access Publishing Support Fun

Defining national research priorities for prostate cancer in Zambia: using the Delphi process for comprehensive cancer policy setting in sub-Saharan Africa

Objectives Locally led research on cancer is needed in sub-Saharan Africa to set feasible research priorities that inform national policy. The aim of this project was to develop a research agenda for national cancer control planning, using a nationally driven approach, focused on barriers to diagnosis and high-quality treatment for prostate cancer in Zambia. Methods and analysis This was a Delphi process. 29 stakeholders were scored barriers on feasibility, the proportion of patients affected, the impact on patient outcomes and if there was a potential to address health systems barriers meaningfully. There were three rounds (R) to the process: (R1 and R2) by electronic survey and (R3) in-person meeting. In R1 statements scoring above 15 from over 70% of participants were prioritised immediately for R3 discussion. Those scoring below 30% were dropped and those in between were re-surveyed in R2. Results 22 and 17 of the 29 stakeholders responded to R1 and R2. 14 stakeholders attended R3. National priority research areas for prostate cancer in Zambia were identified as prostate cancer awareness; building affordable high-quality diagnostic capacity; affordability of specialist cancer treatments; supporting better access to medicines; delivery and coordination of services across the pathway and staff training. Conclusion The suggested seven priority areas allow for the development of the prostate cancer control programme to be conducted in a holistic manner. The expectation is with this guidance international partners can contribute within the frameworks of the local agenda for sustainable development to be realised

A Cascade Model of Mentorship for Frontline Health Workers in Rural Health Facilities in Eastern Uganda: Processes, Achievements and Lessons

Background: There is increasing demand for trainers to shift from traditional didactic training to innovative approaches that are more results-oriented. Mentorship is one such approach that could bridge the clinical knowledge gap among health workers. Objectives: This paper describes the experiences of an attempt to improve health-worker performance in maternal and newborn health in three rural districts through a mentoring process using the cascade model. The paper further highlights achievements and lessons learnt during implementation of the cascade model. Methods: The cascade model started with initial training of health workers from three districts of Pallisa, Kibuku and Kamuli from where potential local mentors were selected for further training and mentorship by central mentors. These local mentors then went on to conduct mentorship visits supported by the external mentors. The mentorship process concentrated on partograph use, newborn resuscitation, prevention and management of Post-Partum Haemorrhage (PPH), including active management of third stage of labour, preeclampsia management and management of the sick newborn. Data for this paper was obtained from key informant interviews with district-level managers and local mentors. Results: Mentorship improved several aspects of health-care delivery, ranging from improved competencies and responsiveness to emergencies and health-worker professionalism. In addition, due to better district leadership for Maternal and Newborn Health (MNH), there were improved supplies/medicine availability, team work and innovative local problem-solving approaches. Health workers were ultimately empowered to perform better. Conclusions: The study demonstrated that it is possible to improve the competencies of frontline health workers through performance enhancement for MNH services using locally built capacity in clinical mentorship for Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (EmONC). The cascade mentoring process needed strong external mentorship support at the start to ensure improved capacity among local mentors to provide mentorship among local district staff