Occupational exposure to pesticides and neurobehavioral outcomes. Impact of different original and recalled exposure measures on the associations.

Background: Several measures of occupational exposure to pesticides have been used to study associations between exposure to pesticides and neurobehavioral outcomes. This study assessed the impact of different exposure measures for glyphosate and mancozeb on the association with neurobehavioral outcomes based on original and recalled self-reported data with 246 smallholder farmers in Uganda.

Methods: The association between the 6 exposure measures and 6 selected neurobehavioral test scores was investigated using linear multivariable regression models.

Self-reported and urinary biomarker-based measures of exposure to glyphosate and mancozeb and sleep problems among smallholder farmers in Uganda.

Objective: We aim to showcase the impact of applying eight different self-reported and urinary biomarker-based exposure measures for glyphosate and mancozeb on the association with sleep problems in a study among 253 smallholder farmers in Uganda.

Methods: The questionnaire-based exposure measures included: (1) the number of application days of any pesticide in the last 7 days (never, 1-2; >2 days) and six glyphosate and mancozeb-specific measures: (2) application status over the last 12 months (yes/no), (3) recent application status (never, last 7 days and last 12 months), (4) the number of application days last 12 months, (5) average exposure-intensity scores (EIS) and (6) EIS-weighted number of application days in last 12 months. Based on 384 repeated urinary biomarker concentrations of ethylene thiourea (ETU) and glyphosate from 84 farmers, we also estimated (7) average biomarker concentrations for all 253 farmers.

Evaluation of two-year recall of self-reported pesticide exposure among Ugandan smallholder farmers.

Objectives: To evaluate smallholder farmers' recall of pesticide use and exposure determinants over a two-year period in a low-income country context.

Methods: The Pesticide Use in Tropical Settings (PESTROP) study in Uganda consists of 302 smallholder farmers who were interviewed in 2017. In the same season in 2019, these farmers were re-questioned concerning pesticide use (e.

Recent pesticide exposure affects sleep: A cross-sectional study among smallholder farmers in Uganda.

Background: Poorly educated smallholder farmers in low-income countries are highly exposed to pesticides. This can result in adverse mental health issues, of which sleep problems might be an underlying indicator. We aim to examine the association between sleep problems and pesticide exposure among smallholder farmers in Uganda.

What agro-input dealers know, sell and say to smallholder farmers about pesticides: a mystery shopping and KAP analysis in Uganda.

Background: Pesticides can have negative effects on human and environmental health, especially when not handled as intended. In many countries, agro-input dealers sell pesticides to smallholder farmers and are supposed to provide recommendations on application and handling. This study investigates the role of agro-input dealers in transmitting safety information from chemical manufacturers to smallholder farmers, assesses the safety of their shops, what products they sell, and how agro-input dealers abide by laws and recommendations on best practices for preventing pesticide risk situations.

Precision and accuracy of FEV1 measurements from the Vitalograph copd-6 mini-spirometer in a healthy Ugandan population.

Objective: Evaluate the accuracy and precision of the copd-6 mini-spirometer for FEV1 in a rural Ugandan population.

Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 171 smallholder farmers performed spirometry with copd-6, and a diagnostic-quality spirometer.

Results And Discussion: The copd-6 underestimated FEV1 at low flows and overestimated FEV1 at high flows.

Organophosphate and carbamate insecticide exposure is related to lung function change among smallholder farmers: a prospective study.

Introduction And Aim: Exposure to some insecticides may cause airway obstruction, but existing evidence is limited by cross-sectional designs and inadequate confounder control. We investigated the relation between organophosphate and carbamate insecticides and pulmonary function in a prospective study accounting for important confounders.

Methods: In a cohort of 364 smallholder farmers in Uganda (69% women), participants underwent pre-bronchodilator spirometry at baseline (September/October 2018) and at two follow-up visits (November/December 2018 and January/February 2019).

Prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding among mothers in the informal sector, Kampala Uganda.

Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for the first six months of life is effective in preventing infant morbidity and mortality. However, 36% of Ugandan children below 6 months are not breastfed exclusively despite its active promotion. This study determined the prevalence and factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding among mothers working in the informal sector in Kampala district.

Exposure to cholinesterase inhibiting insecticides and blood glucose level in a population of Ugandan smallholder farmers.

Objectives: The risk of diabetes mellitus may be elevated among persons exposed to some pesticides, including cholinesterase-inhibiting insecticides (organophosphates and carbamates). The objective of this study was to investigate how acetylcholinesterase activity was associated with mean blood glucose levels among smallholder farmers in Uganda.

Methods: We conducted a short-term follow-up study among 364 smallholder farmers in Uganda.

History, evolution and future of environmental health in Uganda.

This article explores the history and evolution of Environmental Health in Uganda under four key themes: training and practice; research; governance, policy and regulatory framework; and challenges. The article also describes the future of the profession. Through a review of documents and key informant interviews, it is noted that Environmental Health in Uganda dates back to colonial times when the country was affected by diseases including plague, trypanosomiasis and small pox.

Occupational safety and health regulations and implementation challenges in Uganda.

The burden of occupational diseases and injuries is high in developing countries due to several challenges including poor regulatory frameworks. To explore the status of occupational safety and health (OSH) policies and related implementation challenges in Uganda, we reviewed OSH regulations and conducted key informant interviews with stakeholders. We found that the existing OSH laws were largely outdated compared to the current needs of workplaces.

Rate and associated factors of non-retention of mother-baby pairs in HIV care in the elimination of mother-to-child transmission programme, Gulu-Uganda: a cohort study.

Background: Poor retention in HIV care of mother-baby pairs remains a public health challenge in the elimination of mother-to-child transmission (eMTCT) of HIV. We determined the rate of non-retention and time to non-retention of mother-baby pairs and associated factors in Gulu district, Northern Uganda.

Methods: Mother-baby pairs enrolled into the eMTCT programme at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital (GRRH) and Lacor Hospital (LH) were retrospectively followed for 18 months.