Soroti University Institutional Repository
Not a member yet
68 research outputs found
Sort by
A retrospective study
No full textBackground Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of death among infectious agents globally. An estimated 10million people are newly diagnosed and 1.5 million die of the disease annually. Uganda is among the 30highTB-burdened countries, with Karamoja having a significant contribution of the disease incidence in the country. Control of the disease in Karamoja is complex because a majority of the at-risk population remains mobile; partly because of the nomadic lifestyle. This study, therefore, aimed at describing the factors associated with drug-susceptible TB treatment success rate (TSR) in the Karamoja region.
Methods
This was a retrospective study on case notes of all individuals diagnosed with and treated for drug-susceptible TB at St. Kizito Hospital Matany, Napak district, Karamoja from 1 2020 to 31 st st Jan December 2021. Data were abstracted using a customized data abstraction tool. Data analyses were done using Stata statistical software, version 15.0. A chi-square test was conducted to compare treatment success rates between the years 2020 and 2021, while Modified Poisson regression analysis was performed at a multivariable level to determine the factors associated with treatment success.
Results
We studied records of 1234 participants whose median age was 31(IQR: 13–49) years. Children below 15 years of age accounted for 26.2% (n = 323). The overall treatment success rate for the study period was 79.3%(95%CI; 77.0%-81.5%), with a statistically significant variation in 2020 and 2021, 75.4% (422/560) vs 82.4% (557/674) respectively, (P = 0.002). The commonest reported treatment outcome was treatment completion at 52 %(n = 647) and death at wasat10.4%(n=129). Older age, undernutrition (Red MUAC), and HIV-positive status were significantly associated with lower treatment success: aPR = 0.87(95% CI; 0.80–0.94), aPR = 0.91 (95%CI; 0.85–0.98) and aPR = 0.88 (95%CI; 0.78–0.98); respectively. Patients who were enrolled in 2021 had a high prevalence of treatment success compared to those enrolled in 2020, aPR = 1.09 (95%CI; 1.03–1.16).
Conclusion
TBTSR in Matany Hospital was suboptimal. Older age, poor nutrition, and being HIV-positive were negative predictors of treatment success. We propose integrating nutrition and HIV care into TB programming to improve treatment successFunding: This publication was partially (data
collection) supported through SUNRIF, Soroti
University research and innovation fund, Round1,
Award No SUNRIF2022/22 to Ronald Opito. The
views and opinions of the authors expressed herein
do not necessarily state or reflect those of the
funder. There was no additional external funding
received for this study
Immunohistochemical expression of Ki-67 and p53 and their prognostic role in ameloblastoma: A longitudinal study.
No full textObjectives: Ameloblastoma, comprising approximately 11% of all odontogenic tumors, is a locally aggressive tumor with a high recurrence rate. This study aimed to assess the immunohistochemical expression of Ki-67 and p53 and their association with clinical and pathological factors among patients with ameloblastoma.
Methods: Retrospective follow-up data of patients histologically confirmed with ameloblastoma at Makerere College of Health Sciences in Kampala, Uganda from January 2012 to December 2018 were retrieved. Factors associated with Ki-67 and p53 immunohistochemical expression were determined using one-way one-way analysis of variance. Chi-square and Fisher’s exact statistical tests were used to assess factors associated with recurrence. A two-tailed p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: A total of 40 patients confirmed histologically with ameloblastoma were included in the analysis. The majority (62.5%) of cases were of the conventional type of ameloblastoma. The expressions of Ki-67 and
p53 were 52.5% and 85.0%, respectively. Recurrence was found in 47.5% of patients and it was associated with conventional histological type (p = 0.042), segmental resection (p < 0.001), tumor size (p < 0.001), and high p53 expression (p = 0.041).
Conclusions: Almost half the cases in this study had recurrence. The immunohistochemical expression of p53 was significantly higher than that of Ki-67
Premature Infant Care and Feeding
No full textThe burden of premature birth is still high worldwide at 10.6% and ranges from
5 to 18% of all babies born. About 80% of these occur in Africa and South Asia. In
Sub-Saharan Africa, the burden ranges from 3.4 to 49.4%. In almost all countries,
premature birth rates are on increase, which poses a threat to newborn health.
Premature babies usually present with complications that hinder their ability to
feed. Due to this, premature babies are at risk of insufficient nutrient supply, leading
to undernutrition, failure to thrive and early newborn deaths. However, improved
newborn feeding can avert these deaths. In line with this noble cause, this chapter
focused on care and feeding of premature babies in hospital and home settings,
feeding development, feeding difficulties, and growth and development monitoring
for premature babies
Aneurysmal bone cyst of the mandible: a rare case report and literature review
No full textIntroduction and importance: Aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs) are benign, non-neoplastic cystic lesions composed of multiple
blood-filled cavities, which are separated by connective tissue septa and they constitute ~6 and 1.5% of all cases of the skull and
jaws lesions, respectively.
Case presentation: Herein, the case of an 80-year-old male with a histologically confirmed diagnosis of ABC involving the body of
the left mandible was presented. The patient underwent partial mandiblectomy after confirmation of the diagnosis using
orthopantomography, a computed tomography scan, and a tissue biopsy. The patient was free from pain after 1-year of follow-up,
and the control orthopantomography showed no evidence of recurrence. This was followed by reconstruction of the healed part of
the bone with titanium plates and a piece of bone from the lateral two-thirds of the left femur and thereafter he was cosmetically well.
Clinical discussion: Patients with ABCs present with expansile and radiolucent bone lesions, which may be associated with
displacement and loss of teeth due to alveolar bone erosion. Complete excision of the lesions is mandatory for the prevention of
recurrence and increased morbidity.
Conclusion: ABCs that involve the jaws are extremely rare and are more likely to pose a diagnostic challenge as they are more likely
to be confused clinically with other expansile radiolucent bone lesions such as ameloblastoma, osteoblastoma, and giant cell tumor
among many others. Also, those with extensive bone matrix formation may sometimes be confused histologically with other bone
forming tumors including osteosarcoma. Recurrence is common but it can be avoided or minimized by complete resection of the
lesion
a retrospective cohort study
No full textAbstract
Background Wilms tumor (WT) is the second most common solid tumor in Africa with both low overall survival (OS)
and event-free survival (EFS) rates. However, no known factors are predicting this poor overall survival.
Objective The study was to determine the one-year overall survival of WT cases and its predictors among children
diagnosed in the pediatric oncology and surgical units of Mbarara regional referral hospital (MRRH), western Uganda.
Methodology Children’s treatment charts and fles diagnosed and managed for WT were retrospectively followed
up for the period between January 2017 to January 2021. Charts of children with histologically confrmed diagnoses
were reviewed for demographics, clinical and histological characteristics, as well as treatment modalities.
Results One-year overall survival was found to be 59.3% (95% CI: 40.7–73.3), with tumor size greater than 15 cm (p
0.021) and unfavorable WT type (p 0.012) being the predominant predictors.
Conclusion Overall survival (OS) of WT at MRRH was found to be 59.3%, and predictive factors noted were unfavora ble histology and tumor size greater than 115 cm
Severe malaria burden, clinical spectrum and outcomes at Apac district hospital, Uganda: a retrospective study of routine health facility based data
No full textAcknowledgements
We would like to acknowledge the support of staff of the department of pub
lic health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Busitema University for their guidance
while we were conducting this studyBackground Most data describing severe malaria (SM) in sub‑Saharan Africa (SSA) are from research settings out
side disease endemic areas. Using routinely collected data from Apac District Hospital, this study aimed at determin
ing the burden and clinical spectrum of severe malaria.
Methods This was a retrospective study that reviewed all paediatric admission records for malaria in the 24 months
period from Jan 2019 to Dec 2020 at Apac District Hospital. Data on children aged 60 days to 12 years who at admis
sion tested positive for malaria and fulfilled the World Health Organization clinical criteria for surveillance of severe
malaria were abstracted using a customized proforma designed to capture variables on social demographic, clinical
presentation, treatment, and outcomes. In addition, the tool included laboratory variables for complete blood counts,
haemoglobin, and glucose levels. Data were analysed using STATA V15.0. The study had ethical approval from Mbale
Regional Referral Hospital REC, Approval No. MRRH‑REC 053/2019.
Results A total of 5631 admission records were retrieved for this study period. Of these, 3649 (64.8%) were malaria
admissions and 3422/3649 were children below 12years, with only 1864 (54.5%) of children having complete data.
Of the 1864 children, 745 (40.0%) fulfilled the severe malaria inclusion criteria. Of the 745 children, 51.4% (n = 381)
were males. The median age at admission was 31 months (IQR = 17–60). The most common clinical presentations
among children with severe malaria were fever 722 (97.3%), cough 478 (64.2%), and difficulty in breathing 122 (17.9%).
The median length of hospital stay was 2 (IQR; 2–4) days and 133 (17.9%) had prolonged hospital stay (> 4 days).
Factors independently associated with prolonged hospital stay were, presenting with difficulty in breathing, aOR 1.83
(95% CI 1.02–3.27, P = 0.042) and prostration aOR 8.47 (95% CI 1.94–36.99, P = 0.004). A majority of admitted children,
735 (98.7%) survived, while 10 (1.3%) died of SM.
Conclusion A high proportion (40.0%) of malaria admissions were due to SM. Prolonged Hospital stay was associ
ated with prostration and difficulty in breathing. Overall mortality was low, 1.3% compared to mortality in the previ
ously reported series. This study was able to use routinely collected data to describe the burden and clinical spectrum
of SM. Improvement in the quality of data from such settings would improve disease descriptions for policy, monitor
ing of epidemics, response to interventions and to inform research.This publication was supported through MEPIE Study, part of the EDCTP2
programme supported by the European Union (Grant Number: TMA2016SF
1514‑MEPIE Study). The views and opinions of the aut
Frequency and distribution of ABO and Rh blood group systems among blood donors at the Northern Zone Blood Transfusion Center in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania: a retrospective cross-sectional study
No full textObjectives: ABO and Rh blood group systems are the major factors affecting the blood transfusion safety. The frequency and distribution of these blood group systems vary worldwide. We aimed to determine the frequency and distribution of ABO and Rh blood group systems among first-time
blood donors at the Northern Zone Blood Transfusion Center in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.
Design: Cross-sectional descriptive population-based study.
Setting: Data on ABO and Rh blood group systems were obtained and analysed from the Northern Zone Blood Transfusion Center among first-time
blood donors.
Participants: There were 65 535 first-time blood donors aged 15–55 years who donated at the Northern Zone Blood Transfusion Center from January 2017 to December 2019.
Outcome measures: The percentage of ABO and Rh blood group systems among different categories of blood donors was calculated.
Results: Retrospective data from Blood Establishment Computer System of 65 535 first-time blood donors were analysed in the present study. The mean age of the blood donors was 30.6±11.2 years (range: 15–55 years). The vast majority of the blood donors 84.2% (n=55 210) were men. Also, the majority 69.6% (n=45 595) were aged ≥35 years. Blood group O was the most common blood group which was found in over half 52.4% (n=34 333) of the blood donors and majority 95.3% (n=62 461) of the donors were Rh positive. Moreover, the majority 78.3% (n=51 336) were voluntary donors and the remaining 21.7% (n=14 199) were replacement donors.
Conclusion: Majority of the donors had blood group O and also the vast majority of the donors were Rh positive. Considering the large size of our study population, this has provided a more comprehensive information regarding the frequency and patterns of ABO and Rh blood group systems in Tanzania. The observed association of blood group A with one of the regions from which donors were coming from, is intriguing and further studies may confirm possible related genetic evolution
a retrospective cross sectional study
No full textObjectives ABO and Rh blood group systems are the
major factors affecting the blood transfusion safety. The
frequency and distribution of these blood group systems
vary worldwide. We aimed to determine the frequency
and distribution of ABO and Rh blood group systems
among first-time blood donors at the Northern Zone Blood
Transfusion Center in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.
Design Cross-sectional descriptive population-based
study.
Setting Data on ABO and Rh blood group systems were
obtained and analysed from the Northern Zone Blood
Transfusion Center among first-time blood donors.
Participants There were 65 535 first-time blood donors
aged 15–55 years who donated at the Northern Zone
Blood Transfusion Center from January 2017 to December
2019.
Outcome measures The percentage of ABO and Rh blood
group systems among different categories of blood donors
was calculated.
Results Retrospective data from Blood Establishment
Computer System of 65 535 first-time blood donors were
analysed in the present study. The mean age of the blood
donors was 30.6±11.2 years (range: 15–55 years). The
vast majority of the blood donors 84.2% (n=55 210) were
men. Also, the majority 69.6% (n=45 595) were aged
≥35 years. Blood group O was the most common blood
group which was found in over half 52.4% (n=34 333) of
the blood donors and majority 95.3% (n=62 461) of the
donors were Rh positive. Moreover, the majority 78.3%
(n=51 336) were voluntary donors and the remaining
21.7% (n=14 199) were replacement donors.
Conclusion Majority of the donors had blood group O
and also the vast majority of the donors were Rh positive.
Considering the large size of our study population, this has
provided a more comprehensive information regarding
the frequency and patterns of ABO and Rh blood group
systems in Tanzania. The observed association of blood
group A with one of the regions from which donors were
coming from, is intriguing and further studies may confirm
possible related genetic evolution
Uptake of prostate cancer screening and associated factors among men aged 50 years and above in Lira city, Uganda: a crosssectional study
No full textAbstract
Background Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men globally, with over 1.2 million cases reported
in 2018. About 90% of men with prostate cancer are diagnosed when the disease is in an advanced stage. We
assessed the factors associated with the uptake of prostate cancer screening among men aged ≥ 50 years in Lira city.
Methods This was a cross-sectional study involving 400 men aged ≥ 50 years in Lira city who were sampled using
multistage cluster sampling method. Uptake of prostate cancer screening was defined as the proportion of men
who received prostate cancer screening in the past one year prior to the interview. Multivariable logistic regression
analyses were performed to assess the factors associated with the uptake of prostate cancer screening. Data were
analyzed using Stata version 14.0 statistical software.
Results Of the 400 participants, only 18.5% (74/400) had ever been screened for prostate cancer. However, 70.7%
(283/400) were willing to screen/rescreen if provided with the opportunity. Majority of the study participants, 70.5%
(282/400) had ever heard about prostate cancer, mostly from a health worker (40.8% (115/282)). Less than half of
the participants had high knowledge of prostate cancer. The factors that were significantly associated with prostate
cancer screening were age ≥ 70 years, Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) 3.29: 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.20-9.00) and
having a family history of prostate cancer, AOR 2.48 (95%CI: 1.32–4.65).
Conclusion There was low uptake of prostate cancer screening among men in Lira City, but majority of men were
willing to screen. We encourage policymakers in Uganda to ensure prostate cancer screening services are readily
available and accessible by men so as to improve on early identification and treatment of the disease.No fundin
Motion Prediction with Gaussian processes for Safe Human-Robot Interaction in Virtual Environments
No full textThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License. For more information, see https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4ABSTRACT
Humans use collaborative robots as tools for accomplishing various tasks. The interaction
between humans and robots happens in tight shared workspaces. However, these machines must be safe
to operate alongside humans to minimize the risk of accidental collisions. Ensuring safety imposes many
constraints, such as reduced torque and velocity limits during operation, increasing the time to accomplish
manytasks.However,forapplicationssuchasusingcollaborativerobotsashapticinterfaceswithintermittent
contacts, speed limitations result in poor user experiences. This research aims to improve the efficiency of
a collaborative robot while improving the safety of the human user. We used Gaussian process models to
predict human hand motion and developed strategies for human intention detection to improve the time for
the robot while improving human security in a virtual environment. We then studied the effect of prediction.
Results from comparisons show that the strategies with prediction model improved robot time by 3% and
safety by 17%. When used alongside gaze for prediction, the strategy based on the Gaussian process model
resulted into an improvement of the robot time by 2% and the safety by 13%.‘‘This work was supported in part by the University of Genova and CNRS under the lobbybot project