Management of microbial keratitis by private pharmacies in Uganda: a study of knowledge, attitude, and practice.

Purpose: To determine the knowledge, attitude, and practice of pharmacy attendants in the management of microbial keratitis.

Methods: This mixed-methods study was conducted in selected pharmacies and drug shops located in Mbarara City between March and May 2022. We administered questionnaires assessing the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to microbial keratitis (MK) to 140 pharmacy attendants (PAs) in the drug shops and pharmacies.

Facilitators and barriers of Community Case management of Malaria implementation in Homabay, Busia and Kakamega Counties, Kenya.

Background: Community Case management of malaria (CCMm) is a strategy used in malaria-endemic areas to reduce malaria morbidity and mortality. CCMm involves providing malaria diagnosis and treatment within the community by trained community health volunteers (CHVs). While evidence suggests CCMm is effective in combating the disease burden at the community level, it isn't without challenges.

Corneal endothelial cell density and associated factors among adults at a regional referral hospital in Uganda: a cross-sectional study.

Background: To assess the prevalence of low corneal endothelial cell density and correlates of corneal endothelial cell density among adults attending Mbarara University and Referral Hospital Eye Centre in Uganda.

Methods: In this hospital-based cross-sectional study, participants 18 years and older, were enrolled. We obtained informed consent, and basic demographic data.

Outcome of intravitreal Avastin® injections in patients with macular oedema in Uganda: a cohort study.

Background: To determine the outcome of Intravitreal Avastin (IVA) injections in patients with Macular Oedema (MO) in Uganda.

Methods: We prospectively recruited patients presenting with MO at the Department of Ophthalmology of Mbarara University of Science and Technology in Southern Uganda from November 2018 to April 2019. We treated them with intravitreal injection of Bevacizumab (Avastin®) and followed them up for three consecutive months after the initial injection.

Smartphone-based Ophthalmic Imaging Compared With Spectral-domain Optical Coherence Tomography Assessment of Vertical Cup-to-disc Ratio Among Adults in Southwestern Uganda.

Precis: Using optical coherence tomography (OCT) measurements as a reference standard for vertical cup-to-disc ratio (vCDR), a smartphone-based ophthalmic camera has a sensitivity of 67.7% and specificity of 96.7% to detect a vCDR>0.

Community interventions in Low-And Middle-Income Countries to inform COVID-19 control implementation decisions in Kenya: A rapid systematic review.

Globally, public health measures like face masks, hand hygiene and maintaining social distancing have been implemented to delay and reduce local transmission of COVID-19. To date there is emerging evidence to provide effectiveness and compliance to intervention measures on COVID-19 due to rapid spread of the disease. We synthesized evidence of community interventions and innovative practices to mitigate COVID-19 as well as previous respiratory outbreak infections which may share some aspects of transmission dynamics with COVID-19.

Seeking a "Sponyo": Insights Into Motivations and Risks Around Intergenerational Transactional Sex Among Adolescent Boys and Girls in Kenya.

Purpose: Intergenerational transactional sex (ITS) occurs in Sub-Saharan Africa within the context of widespread poverty and limited employment opportunities. We examined how adolescents describe these relationships, why their peers engage in ITS, and what repercussions adolescents shoulder as a result.

Methods: We conducted 14 focus group discussions with boys and girls (N = 120) aged 15-19 years in informal settlement communities in Kisumu, Kenya.

The management of microbial keratitis within Uganda's primary health system: a situational analysis.

: Microbial keratitis (MK) frequently leads to sight-loss, especially when the infection is severe and/or appropriate treatment is delayed. The primary health system as an entry point plays a central role in facilitating and directing patient access to appropriate care. The purpose of this study was to describe the capacity of primary health centres in Uganda in managing MK.

The impact of microbial keratitis on quality of life in Uganda.

Background: Microbial keratitis (MK) is a frequent cause of sight loss in sub-Saharan Africa. However, no studies have formally measured its impact on quality of life (QoL) in this context.

Methods: As part of a nested case-control design for risk factors of MK, we recruited patients presenting with MK at two eye units in Southern Uganda between December 2016 and March 2018 and unaffected individuals, individually matched for sex, age and location.

Risk Factors of Microbial Keratitis in Uganda: A Case Control Study.

: Microbial keratitis (MK), is a frequent cause of sight loss worldwide, particularly in low and middle-income countries. This study aimed to investigate the risk factors of MK in Uganda.: Using a nested case control, we recruited healthy community controls for patients presenting with MK at the two main eye units in Southern Uganda between December 2016 and March 2018.

Traditional eye medicine use in microbial keratitis in Uganda: a mixed methods study.

: Traditional eye medicine (TEM) is frequently used to treat microbial keratitis (MK) in many parts of Africa. Few reports have suggested that this is associated with a worse outcome. We undertook this large prospective study to determine how TEM use impacts presentation and outcome of MK and to explore reasons why people use TEM for treatment in Uganda.

Interactive influence of rainfall manipulation and livestock grazing on species diversity of the herbaceous layer community in a humid savannah in Kenya.

Changes in rainfall regime and grazing pressure affect vegetation composition and diversity with ecological implications for savannahs. The savannah in East Africa has experienced increased livestock grazing and rainfall variability but the impacts associated with those changes on the herbaceous layer have rarely been documented. We investigated the effect of livestock grazing, rainfall manipulation and their interaction on the composition and diversity of the herbaceous community in the savannah for two years in Lambwe, Kenya.

Delay Along the Care Seeking Journey of Patients with Microbial Keratitis in Uganda.

: To describe the care seeking journey and causes of delay among patients with Microbial Keratitis in Uganda. : A prospective cohort of patients presenting with microbial keratitis at the two main eye units in Southern Uganda (2016-2018). We collected information on demographics, home address, clinical history, and presentation pathway including, order of facilities where patients went to seek care, treatment advice, cost of care, and use of Traditional Eye Medicine.

Predictors of Ocular Surface Squamous Neoplasia and Conjunctival Squamous Cell Carcinoma among Ugandan Patients: A Hospital-based Study.

Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the predictors of ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) and conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) among Ugandan patients.

Materials And Methods: Patients presenting for removal of ocular surface lesions received human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing, completed questionnaires about demographic, behavioral, and historical potential risk factors for conjunctival neoplasia, and had lesions examined for interpalpebral versus other locations, rough versus smooth texture, and number of feeder vessels. Biopsies were classified pathologically using standard definitions classified OSSN and SCC.

Clinicopathologic features of ameloblastoma in Kenya: a 10-year audit.

This study describes the clinical and pathologic features of ameloblastomas seen in the 2 main craniofacial treatment centers in Kenya in the 10-year period between January 1995 and December 2005. A total of 184 patient records were analyzed for this study. Eighty-two (44.