Prolonged elevation of viral loads in HIV-1-infected children in a region of intense malaria transmission in Northern Uganda: A prospective cohort study

Introduction: Malaria and HIV-1 infection cause significant morbidity and mortality in children in sub-Saharan Africa. Recurrent malaria infection increases HIV-1 viral load in adults and increases the rate of progression of HIV-1 infection to AIDS. The effect of malaria on viral loads in children living with AIDS (CLWA) is not clearly known. Methods: One hundred thirty five afebrile HIV-1 positive children having negative blood slides for malaria were recruited at Apac Hospital and followed up for one year. They were monitored for development of Plasmodium falciparum malaria, which was treated with chloroquine (CQ) + sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) and the children followed up for 28 days. HIV-1 viral loads were measured over three time-points: at enrolment (no malaria), during an episode of malaria, and at a visit about 8 weeks (range 6-19 weeks) after the malaria visit when the child had neither parasites nor any intervening malaria episodes (post-malaria). Primary analyses were restricted to children who on follow up had HIV-1 viral loads measured at the three relevant time-points. Results: Malaria increased HIV-1 viral load significantly in CLWA. Low parasitemia (200-4000/Cl) transiently increased viral load by 0.42 log (95% CI 0.29-0.78, p = 0.0002), higher than that reported in adults. These patients’ viral loads returned to levels similar to those at baseline after treatment. In 13 patients with high parasitemia (>4000/Cl), the mean increase in viral load was 0.53 log (95% CI 0.14 to 0.51),

Effect of Qualification in ICT, Age and Income on Use of Computers among Postgraduate Students in Makerere University School of Education

The purpose of this study was to establish the relationship between: qualification in using ICT, age and level of income; and use of computers among postgraduate students in Makerere University School of Education. The study was carried out following a cross-sectional survey design and involved 69 students. Primary data, which were collected using a self-administered questionnaire, were analysed using summary statistics, t-test, analysis of variance, correlation and multiple regression analyses. The study found an insignificant relationship between possession of qualificati ons in using ICT and the use of computers; a significantly negative relationship between age and the use of computers; and a significantly positive relationship between level of income and the use of computers. It was, therefore, concluded that possession of qualifications in using ICT is not sufficient to enhance the use of computers; age can negatively affect the utilisation of computers; and income enhances the utilisati on of computers. Thus, it is recommended that, to enhance the use of computers among the said students, relevant managers should give special ICT training to the older students; and provide access to computers, to ensure that students whose incomes do not enable them to acquire personal computers have access. Key words: ICT; Personal characteristics; Innovation adoption; Makerere Universit

A STUDY ON PREVALENCE OF DIABETES MELLITUS TYPE 2 AMONG PATIENTS AGED 30-60 YEARS ATTENDING HEALTH SERVICE AT BUKEDEA HEALTH CENTER IV IN BUKEDEA DISTRICT. A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

Background: Type2 diabetes mellitus is a type of diabetes mellitus that is very prevalent in Uganda and affects a wide percentage of the adult population. Much as there have been successive Interventions in the prevention and control of this non-communicable disease, it’s still increasing annually. The purpose of the study: The study was conducted to find out the prevalence of diabetes mellitus type 2 among clients 30-60 years at Bukedea Health center IV. Study objectives: The study objectives were; Prevalence, individual factors and knowledge of patients on diabetes mellitus type 2 among adult clients between age30-60 years.  Methodology: A cross sectional study of 80 respondents was used for the study. A simple random sampling technique was used and data collected using survey and interviewing method was presented and analyzed using descriptive frequencies and percentages using Microsoft Excel and Microsoft word. Results: There is slightly high prevalence of diabetes mellitus type 2 with 38 (47%) having been diagnosed with the condition, 28 (38%) having a family member diagnosed with the condition and 9 (11%) having their sugar levels above 10mm/l, the majority of respondents 68 (85%) were ignorant about the condition, 12 (15%) were weighing above 60kgs ,majority 50 (62%) had gained weight and of which the majority 57 (71%) do not do body exercise, The conclusions: Of the 80 respondents, few had their sugar levels above 10 mm/l, still many had ever been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. and had a family member diagnosed with diabetes mellitus 2,slightly a moderate number of patients had no knowledge about diabetes mellitus, while still a slight majority were weighing above 60 kgs, However a majority of the respondents had gained weight, majority of respondents still don’t do body exercise.

I expected little, although I learned a lot : Perceived benefits of participating in HIV risk reduction sessions among women engaged in sex work in Uganda

BACKGROUND: The global HIV burden remains a public health concern. Women engaged in sex work (WESW) are at higher risk of acquiring HIV compared to the general adult population. Uganda reports high rates of HIV prevalence among WESW. While WESW in Uganda have long been the subject of surveillance studies, they have not been targeted by theory-informed HIV prevention intervention approaches. In this study, we explored the perceived benefits of an evidence-based HIV risk reduction intervention that was implemented as part of a combination intervention tested in a clinical trial in Uganda. METHODS: As part of a larger randomized clinical trial, we conducted semi-structured in-depth interviews with 20 WESW selected using a stratified purposive sampling. All interviews were conducted in Luganda, language spoken in the study area, and audio-recorded. They were transcribed verbatim and translated to English. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: WESW\u27s narratives focused on: (1) condom use; (2) alcohol/drug consumption; (3) PrEP use; (4) handling customers; and (5) massaging customers. WESW agreed that male condom was one of the important learning points for them and planned to continue using them while female condoms were received with mixed reactions. Many women appreciated receiving information about the risks of consuming alcohol and drugs, and discussed how they reduced/ eliminated their consumption. PrEP information was appreciated though identified by fewer WESW. Handling a client was discussed as a helpful strategy for safer sex through improved ability to convince customers to use condoms or avoiding sex. Massaging was also beneficial to avoid penetrative sex, but similar to female condom, massaging also yielded mixed perceptions. CONCLUSION: WESW found the intervention beneficial and described ways in which it improved their ability to engage in safer sex and stay healthy. The fact that WESW identified other strategies beyond condom use as helpful underlines the importance of adopting a comprehensive approach to behavioral interventions targeting HIV prevention even when combined with other interventions. Additionally, WESW\u27s narratives suggest that incorporating the tenets of social cognitive theory and harm reduction approaches in HIV prevention among this population can result in risk behavior change