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.

Understanding experiences of neglected tropical diseases of the skin: a mixed-methods study to inform intervention development in Ethiopia.

Background: The WHO and Ethiopia's Ministry of Health have developed strategies to expand and integrate services for co-endemic neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) which manifest in the skin. To inform these strategies, we aimed to understand the social, economic and health system context of skin NTD care in Kalu woreda, Amhara region, Ethiopia, where cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) and leprosy are endemic.

Methods: Between October 2020 and May 2022, we surveyed and reviewed records of 41 primary healthcare facilities and explored common disease experiences in focus group discussions (n=40) and interviews with people affected by leprosy (n=37) and CL (n=33), health workers (n=23), kebele authorities and opinion leaders (n=33) and traditional healers (n=7).

Acceptability and feasibility of tests for infection, serological testing, and photography to define need for interventions against trachoma.

Background: Trachoma causes blindness due to repeated conjunctival infection by Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct). Transmission intensity is estimated, for programmatic decision-making, by prevalence of the clinical sign trachomatous inflammation-follicular (TF) in children aged 1-9 years. Research into complementary indicators to field-graded TF includes work on conjunctival photography, tests for ocular Ct infection, and serology.

Stigma experiences, effects and coping among individuals affected by Buruli ulcer and yaws in Ghana.

Background: Stigma related to skin neglected tropical diseases like Buruli ulcer (BU) and yaws has remained underexplored and existing studies are limited to individual diseases despite the WHO call for integration in disease management. Within two districts in central Ghana, we explored stigma associated with BU and yaws to understand overlaps and disease-specific nuances to help guide integrated interventions.

Methodology/principal Findings: In-depth interviews were conducted with 31 current or formerly affected individuals to assess the experiences, effects and coping strategies adopted to manage disease related stigma.

Development of an integrated and decentralised skin health strategy to improve experiences of skin neglected tropical diseases and other skin conditions in Atwima Mponua District, Ghana.

Integrated strategies are recommended to tackle neglected tropical diseases of the skin (skin NTDs), which pose a substantial health and economic burden in many countries, including Ghana. We describe the development of an integrated and decentralised skin health strategy designed to improve experiences of skin NTDs in Atwima Mponua district in Ashanti Region. A multidisciplinary research team led an iterative process to develop an overall strategy and specific interventions, based on a theory of change informed by formative research conducted in Atwima Mponua district.

The role of cultural safety and ethical space within postcolonial healthcare for Maasai in Tanzania.

The history of the Maasai tribe in northern Tanzania is characterised by marginalisation, discrimination and political subjugation. Inequities, enacted through power relations, influence healthcare access, practices and outcomes among the Maasai. Cultural safety and ethical space provide lenses into social, political and historical influences on access to care, helping to understand the realities of historically marginalised populations such as the Maasai, and responses to health services.

Divergent preferences for enhanced HIV testing options among high-risk populations in northern Tanzania: a short report.

To achieve the UNAIDS target of diagnosing 95% of all persons living with HIV, enhanced HIV testing services with greater attractional value need to be developed and implemented. We conducted a discrete choice experiment (DCE) to quantify preferences for enhanced HIV testing features across two high-risk populations in the Kilimanjaro Region in northern Tanzania. We designed and fielded a survey with 12 choice tasks to systematically recruited female barworkers and male mountain porters.

Adherence to Optimal Breastfeeding Practices Among HIV-Positive Mothers in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.

Purpose: We sought to assess how HIV-positive mothers enrolled in the PMTCT program adhere to breastfeeding recommendations concerning early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF), ie, within one hour of birth, pre-lacteal feeds, exclusive breastfeeding until six months (EBF), and continued breastfeeding to one year of age. This study was designed to assess the practices in response to changing recommendations for breastfeeding in HIV, which have differed drastically over the years.

Patients And Methods: We recruited 524 mother-child pairs from 37 PMTCT clinics across Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.

Implementing trachoma control programmes in marginalised populations in Tanzania: A qualitative study exploring the experiences and perspectives of key stakeholders.

Background: Despite aspects of the SAFE strategy for reducing trachoma in Tanzania have been somewhat successful, the disease still persists in marginalised communities even with repeated trachoma control interventions. This study aims to understand the facilitators and barriers associated with implementing trachoma control programmes in these communities, from the perspective of non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

Methods: Participants were the representatives of NGOs who had knowledge and experience in the implementation of trachoma control programmes.

Empowering Maasai women behind the camera: Photovoice as a tool for trachoma control.

Background: Photovoice is a method used to help engage community members to understand local realities and promote social change. Photovoice uses cameras in the hands of participants as a tool to visually document a specified topic. Photos taken by participants allow for reflection and stimulate dialog on an issue to ideally lead to social change.

Understanding hard-to-reach communities: local perspectives and experiences of trachoma control among the pastoralist Maasai in northern Tanzania.

As progress to eliminate trachoma is made, addressing hard-to-reach communities becomes of greater significance. Areas in Tanzania, inhabited by the Maasai, remain endemic for trachoma. This study assessed the effectiveness of Mass Drug Administration (MDA) through an ethnographic study of trachoma amongst a Maasai community.

Knowledge, perceptions and experiences of trachoma among Maasai in Tanzania: Implications for prevention and control.

Background: The Alliance for the Global Elimination of Trachoma has set the target for eliminating trachoma as a public health problem by 2020. However, challenges remain, including socio-cultural issues. Districts in Northern Tanzania, predominantly inhabited by the Maasai ethnic group, remain endemic for trachoma.

Enrollment in HIV Care and Treatment Clinic and Associated Factors Among HIV Diagnosed Patients in Magu District, Tanzania.

HIV care and treatment clinics (CTC) are important for management of HIV morbidity and mortality, and to reduce HIV transmission. Enrollment in HIV care and treatment clinics remains low in many developing countries. We followed up 632 newly diagnosed HIV patients aged 15 years and above from Magu District, Tanzania.

Risk factors for inappropriate blood requisition among hospitals in Tanzania.

Background: Blood is a critical aspect of treatment in life saving situations, increasing demand. Blood requisition practices greatly effect sufficient supply in blood banks. This study aimed to determine the risk factors for inappropriate blood requisition in Tanzania.

Sociodemographic and Other Characteristics Associated With Behavioural Risk Factors of HIV Infection Among Male Mountain-Climbing Porters in Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania.

Background: Alcohol consumption, marijuana use, unprotected sex, and multiple concurrent sexual partnerships are prevalent among youth globally. These factors are regarded as important behavioural risk factors for HIV infection. The aim of this study was to assess the sociodemographic and other characteristics associated with behavioural risk factors of HIV infection among male mountain-climbing porters working on Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

Effectiveness of prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission programmes in Kilimanjaro region, northern Tanzania.

Objective: To monitor the effectiveness of the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) components in reducing mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Kilimanjaro region, Tanzania.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective registry-based cohort study of HIV-exposed children aged 4 weeks to 18 months. Eligible children had a DNA polymerase chain reaction HIV antigen test between January 2009 and August 2012.