African health sciences
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African health sciences · Aug 2022
Longitudinal patients' cohorts for impactful research and HIV care at the Infectious Diseases Institute.
Observational studies provide important evidence supporting the feasibility and effectiveness of health interventions. The 20-year-old Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) established to respond to infectious diseases, specifically HIV/AIDS, invested in the set-up of longitudinal cohorts. In this paper we discuss the results of these cohorts and their impact on the response to the HIV pandemic in Uganda. ⋯ Cohorts provide a platform for clinical care, training, and research to inform strategic responses and put Makerere University at the center of the response to the HIV pandemic in the region.
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African health sciences · Aug 2022
ReviewSupport for the response to COVID-19 in Uganda: contribution of the global health security program at Makerere University's Infectious Diseases Institute.
Outbreaks are occurring at increasing frequency and they require multisectoral and multi-stakeholder involvement for optimal response. The Global Health Security Agenda is a framework that governments and other stakeholders can use to strengthen countries' capacities to prevent, detect and respond to outbreaks but there are few examples of academic programs using this approach. ⋯ The IDI Global Health Security program provides a model that can be used by institutions to deliberately develop capacities relevant to outbreak preparedness and response.
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African health sciences · Aug 2022
Developing capacity for implementation and evaluation of vaccine trials in Uganda: Perspective of the Makerere University Walter Reed Project.
Infectious diseases and neglected tropical diseases continue to be a major challenge in resource limited settings, causing significant morbidity and mortality. Although vaccines are a key biomedical prevention tool, resource limited settings often lack the infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, and skilled human resource to conduct vaccine clinical trials. To address this gap, the Makerere University Walter Reed Project (MUWRP) was established and has contributed to vaccine research in Uganda and globally. ⋯ Academia, through establishment of appropriate partnerships can contribute to the identification of solutions to complex public health challenges.
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Trauma is a major contributor to pediatric morbidity and mortality. Injury and violence are a major killer of children throughout the world. Unintentional injuries account for almost 90% of these cases. They are the leading cause of death for children aged 10-19 years. More than 95% of all injury deaths in children occur in low income and middle-income countries. Abdominal trauma is present in approximately 25% of pediatric patients with major trauma and is the most common cause of unrecognized fatal injury in children. ⋯ Blunt abdominal trauma is the most common pattern of pediatric abdominal trauma, with majority of these patients being managed non-operatively with good outcomes. Selective non-operative management for penetrating pediatric abdominal trauma has good patient outcomes as well.
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African health sciences · Aug 2022
Drugs and alcohol Use patterns among those seeking care in urban rehabilitation centres before and during early months of COVID-19 in Uganda.
There is a rise in alcohol and other drug (AOD) abuse in the country but details of the practice are scanty. This paper provides characteristics of clients in the rehabilitation centres, their AOD related practices before and early months of COVID-19, and correlates of repeat treatment. ⋯ Intervention programs should target the educated, the unemployed, young men, their friends, street drug dealers and AOD hotspots.