Tackling sexually transmitted infection burden in Ugandan communities living in the United Kingdom: a qualitative analysis of the socio-cultural interpretation of disease and condom use

Background: Despite being in a different country and social environment, Ugandans living in the UK still reportedly have the lowest rates of condom usage and one of the highest incidences of STIs in UK. In Uganda, STIs and HIV prevalence has been reported to be on the increase. Understanding peoples\u2019 beliefs and the attitudes that influence their behavior is a key factor to effectively designing control programs. Methods: A qualitative study that interviewed 37 purposively selected Ugandans living in the UK was conducted. Lay theories and interpretations were derived using thematic analysis. Results: Condoms generally carried a lot of stigma and were perceived for use primarily in extramarital affairs and pregnancy control. HIV/AIDS was most feared due to its perceived socio-psychological or physical effects unlike other STIs described as \u201cnon-threatening\u201d due to wide availability of \u201cquality\u201d treatment in UK. Notions of trust, the purpose of relationships, symptom recognition and partner selection greatly influenced decisions to undertake consistent condom use. Conclusions: The socio-cultural understanding of STIs, sex, trust and relationships are symbolic in influencing consistent condom use among Ugandans. This indicates a need to acknowledge community beliefs and values about sexual health and design messages about STIs and condoms that would help eliminate these serious condom-related misconceptions

Antibiotic prescription practices among prescribers for children under five at public health centers III and IV in Mbarara district.

IntroductionRational use of medicines requires that patients receive medications appropriate to their clinical needs. Irrational prescription of antibiotics has been reported in many health systems across the world. In Uganda, mainly nurses and assistant medical officers (Clinical officers) prescribe for children at level III and IV primary care facilities (health center II and IV). Nurses are not primarily trained prescribers; their antibiotic prescription maybe associated with errors. There is a need to understand the practices of antibiotic prescription among prescribers in the public primary care facilities. We therefore determined antibiotic prescription practices of prescribers for children under five years at health center III and IV in Mbarara district, South Western Uganda.MethodsThis was a retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study. We reviewed outpatient records of children ResultsThere were 1218 outpatients records of children under five years reviewed and 35 health care providers interviewed. The most common childhood illness diagnosed was upper respiratory tract infection. It received the most antibiotic prescription (53%). The most commonly prescribed oral antibiotics were cotrimoxazole and amoxicillin, and ceftriaxone and benzyl penicillin were the commonest prescribed injectable antibiotics. Up to 68.4% of the antibiotic prescription was irrational. No prescriber or facility factors were associated with irrational antibiotic prescription practices.ConclusionUpper respiratory tract infection is the most diagnosed condition in children under five years with Cotrimoxazole and Amoxicillin being the most commonly prescribed antibiotics. Antibiotics are being prescribed irrationally at health centers III and IV in Mbarara District. Training and support supervision of prescribers at health centers III and IV in Mbarara district need to be prioritized by the district health team

Evaluation of the Acute and Subactue chronic Toxicities of the Methanolic Stem Bark Extract of Spathodea campanulata (P.Beauv.) Bignoniaceae

status: publishe

Phytochemical and Antidiabetic Evaluation of the Methanolic Stem Bark Extract of Spathodea campanulata (P. Beauv.) Bignoniaceae

ABSTRACT Background: Spathodea campanulata (P. Beauv.) Bignoniaceae extract (SCE) is one of many herbal medicines used widely in Ugandan traditional medicine for various ailments. Generally most of these herbal medicines are yet to be standardized or have their phytochemical content characterized. Method: This study identified the secondary metabolites in the stem bark methanolic extract and quantified them. The same extract was subjected to serial solvent fractionation, TLC characterization and antidiabetic testing