Dual contraceptive use and associated factors among female sex workers in Gulu City, Uganda in 2023

Abstract Background Dual contraception is an essential approach to mitigating the heightened risks of unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections faced by female sex workers (FSWs). We determined the prevalence and factors associated with dual contraceptive use among FSWs in Northern Uganda. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in Gulu city, Uganda between February, and March 2023. Purposively selected FSWs aged 18 years or older who provided verbal informed consent were enrolled in the study. A sample size of 374 was estimated. Data on sociodemographic and reproductive health characteristics were collected using an interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaire. Current dual contraception was defined the as concurrent use of a barrier and any other modern contraceptive methods within the last 3 months. Continuous variables were summarized using mean and standard deviation and categorical variables were summarized using frequencies and percentages. Modified Poisson regression analysis was used to determine factors associated with dual contraceptive use. Results We enrolled 314 FSWs, with a mean age of 28.8 ± 6.4 years. About 13.8% (n = 41) were living with HIV. In total, 66.2% (95%CI 60.8–71.3) of the participants (n = 208) reported current dual contraceptive use. The most common modern contraceptive method used was the implants (52.4%, n = 109), followed by injectable contraceptives (22.6.0%, n = 47), and bilateral tubal ligation (0.5%, n = 1) was the least utilized. Having had at least one previous pregnancy was positively associated with dual contraceptive use (adjusted PR: 1.87, 95%CI 1.40–2.51, p < 0.001). Conclusions A high proportion of FSWs in Gulu city were currently using dual contraceptives. Interventions are needed to facilitate the use of dual contraception, particularly among FSWs without a history of previous pregnancies

Long COVID in Uganda: Electrographic findings among patients at risk

Abstract Background COVID‐19 has a significant cardiovascular involvement. An electrocardiographic (ECG) abnormalities among people at a risk of Long COVID in Uganda was investigated. Methods A cross‐sectional study was conducted from February to June 2022 at the post COVID‐19 clinic in Mulago National Specialized Hospital, Kampala. A standard resting ECG was performed on individuals at least 2 months following acute COVID‐19, with a negative SARS‐CoV‐2 reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction. Socio‐demographic and clinical characteristics as well as vital signs were recorded for all study participants. Results Of the 244 study participants, 117 (47.9%) were female. The median age of all the participants was 33.0 (interquartile range: 26.0–43.5) years. Twenty‐five (10.2%) participants had a history of smoking, whereas 117 (48%) had a history of alcohol intake. In total, 46 (18.9%) had abnormal ECG findings (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 14.39–24.29), and nonspecific T‐wave inversion (n = 16, 34%) was the most frequent ECG abnormality. The proportion of participants with ECG abnormalities was 48% lower among females (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR]: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.28–0.96, p value <0.05) and twofold greater for those with a history of smoking (aPR: 2.03, 95% CI: 1.096–3.776, p value <0.05). Conclusion One in five Ugandans who were checked at the clinic at a risk of Long COVID showed ECG abnormalities. ECG screening is suggested to be integrated into the follow‐up care of those at a risk of Long COVID