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Van Hout MC, Akugizibwe M, Shayo EH, Namulundu M, Kasujja FX, Namakoola I, Birungi J, Okebe J, Murdoch J, Mfinanga SG, Jaffar S. Decentralising chronic disease management in sub-Saharan Africa: a protocol for the qualitative process evaluation of community-based integrated management of HIV, diabetes and hypertension in Tanzania and Uganda. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e078044. [PMID: 38508649 PMCID: PMC10961519 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-078044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Sub-Saharan Africa continues to experience a syndemic of HIV and non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Vertical (stand-alone) HIV programming has provided high-quality care in the region, with almost 80% of people living with HIV in regular care and 90% virally suppressed. While integrated health education and concurrent management of HIV, hypertension and diabetes are being scaled up in clinics, innovative, more efficient and cost-effective interventions that include decentralisation into the community are required to respond to the increased burden of comorbid HIV/NCD disease. METHODS AND ANALYSIS This protocol describes procedures for a process evaluation running concurrently with a pragmatic cluster-randomised trial (INTE-COMM) in Tanzania and Uganda that will compare community-based integrated care (HIV, diabetes and hypertension) with standard facility-based integrated care. The INTE-COMM intervention will manage multiple conditions (HIV, hypertension and diabetes) in the community via health monitoring and adherence/lifestyle advice (medicine, diet and exercise) provided by community nurses and trained lay workers, as well as the devolvement of NCD drug dispensing to the community level. Based on Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory, the process evaluation will use qualitative methods to investigate sociostructural factors shaping care delivery and outcomes in up to 10 standard care facilities and/or intervention community sites with linked healthcare facilities. Multistakeholder interviews (patients, community health workers and volunteers, healthcare providers, policymakers, clinical researchers and international and non-governmental organisations), focus group discussions (community leaders and members) and non-participant observations (community meetings and drug dispensing) will explore implementation from diverse perspectives at three timepoints in the trial implementation. Iterative sampling and analysis, moving between data collection points and data analysis to test emerging theories, will continue until saturation is reached. This process of analytic reflexivity and triangulation across methods and sources will provide findings to explain the main trial findings and offer clear directions for future efforts to sustain and scale up community-integrated care for HIV, diabetes and hypertension. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The protocol has been approved by the University College of London (UK), the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Ethics Committee (UK), the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology and the Uganda Virus Research Institute Research and Ethics Committee (Uganda) and the Medical Research Coordinating Committee of the National Institute for Medical Research (Tanzania). The University College of London is the trial sponsor. Dissemination of findings will be done through journal publications and stakeholder meetings (with study participants, healthcare providers, policymakers and other stakeholders), local and international conferences, policy briefs, peer-reviewed journal articles and publications. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ISRCTN15319595.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Elizabeth Henry Shayo
- Health Systems, Policy and Translational Reseach Section, National Institute for Medical Research, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, United Republic
| | - Moreen Namulundu
- MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Wakiso, Uganda
| | | | - Ivan Namakoola
- MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Wakiso, Uganda
| | | | - Joseph Okebe
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Jamie Murdoch
- School of Life Course and Population Sciences, King's College London, London, London, UK
| | - Sayoki Godfrey Mfinanga
- Muhimbili Medical Research Centre, National Institute for Medical Research Tanzania, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, United Republic of
| | - Shabbar Jaffar
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
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Achan J, Kasujja FX, Opito R, Wabinga H, Orach CG, Mwaka AD. Factors associated with diagnostic and pre-treatment intervals among breast cancer patients attending care at the Uganda Cancer Institute: A cross-sectional study. Cancer Med 2023; 12:19701-19713. [PMID: 37787090 PMCID: PMC10587984 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.6618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Most breast cancer (BC) patients in Uganda are diagnosed with advanced-stage disease and experience poor outcomes. This study examined the diagnostic and pre-treatment intervals and factors associated with these intervals among BC patients attending care at the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI). METHODS This was a cross-sectional, facility-based study. Data were collected using structured questionnaire administered by trained research assistants and analyzed using STATA version 14.0. Modified Poisson regressions models were used to determine the strength of associations between independent variables and diagnostic and pre-treatment intervals. RESULTS The mean age (±SD) of the 401 participants was 47.1 ± 11.7 years. Four in 10 participants had stage III (41.9%; n = 168) and over a third (34.7%; n = 140) stage IV cancers. The median interval from first consultation to diagnosis, i.e. diagnostic interval (DI) was 5.6 months (IQR: 1.5-17.0), while the median interval from histological diagnosis to start of chemotherapy, i.e. pre-treatment interval (PTI) was 1.7 months (IQR: 0.7-4.5). Majority (85%, n = 341) of participants were diagnosed at ≥3 months from first consultation with clinicians. Participants with tertiary education and those who lived within 100-199 km from the UCI were about four times and twice more likely to be diagnosed early (DI <3 months from first consultation) ([aPR = 3.88; 95% CI: 1.15-13.0] and [aPR = 2.19; 95% CI: 1.06-4.55]), respectively. About half (48.3%; n = 176) of participants started chemotherapy within 1 month of cancer diagnosis. Patients who lived more than 300 km from the UCI were less likely to start chemotherapy within 1 month of histology diagnosis of cancer. [Correction added on October 17, 2023 after first online publication. The term ', i.e.' has been included in the results section in this version.] CONCLUSION: Majority of breast cancer patients are diagnosed late and in advanced stages. There is need to promote all efforts toward timely diagnosis when cancers are still in early stages by identifying factors responsible for prolonged diagnostic intervals among breast cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Achan
- Department of Community Health & Behavioral Sciences, School of Public HealthCollege of Health Sciences, Makerere UniversityKampalaUganda
| | - Francis Xavier Kasujja
- Department of Community Health & Behavioral Sciences, School of Public HealthCollege of Health Sciences, Makerere UniversityKampalaUganda
| | - Ronald Opito
- Department of Public Health, School of Health SciencesSoroti UniversitySorotiUganda
| | - Henry Wabinga
- Department of Pathology, School of Biomedical SciencesCollege of Health Sciences, Makerere UniversityKampalaUganda
| | - Christopher Garimoi Orach
- Department of Community Health & Behavioral Sciences, School of Public HealthCollege of Health Sciences, Makerere UniversityKampalaUganda
| | - Amos Deogratius Mwaka
- Department of Medicine, School of MedicineCollege of Health Sciences, Makerere UniversityKampalaUganda
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of MedicineGulu UniversityGuluUganda
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Joshi S, Namuddu C, Kasujja FX, Mirembe M, Homsy J, Seeley J, King R. PrEP uptake and persistence amongst HIV-negative women who exchange sex for money or commodities in Kampala, Uganda: A qualitative inquiry assessing the influence of pregnancy. PLOS Glob Public Health 2023; 3:e0000434. [PMID: 37368866 PMCID: PMC10298783 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0000434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Pregnant young women who exchange sex for money or commodities are at elevated biological and social risk for HIV acquisition. PrEP serves as an effective means of HIV prevention, including during pregnancy. This study aimed to explore attitudes, experiences and challenges with PrEP to understand what motivates or limits PrEP uptake and adherence specifically during pregnancy among this population of young women. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 23 participants, recruited from the Prevention on PrEP (POPPi) study in the Good Health for Women Project clinic in Kampala, Uganda. POPPi's inclusion criteria comprised of HIV-uninfected women, aged 15-24, who exchange sex for money or commodities. Interviews focused on experience with PrEP and pregnancy. Data were analyzed utilizing a framework analysis approach. Key themes were comprised of participant barriers to and facilitators of PrEP uptake and adherence. Reasons for PrEP initiation included desire for autonomy and agency, mistrust of partners, and social support. Participants expressed challenges with initiating or sustaining their use of PrEP, including pregnancy, PrEP access and perceived or felt stigma. During pregnancy, participants' primary motivators for altering PrEP use were either understanding of PrEP safety for their baby or changes in perceptions of their HIV risk. Many of these factors were similar across participants who had experience with pregnancy and those who did not. This study highlights the importance of addressing barriers to and facilitators of PrEP uptake and persistence, especially during pregnancy where risk is elevated, with a multi-level approach. Community-oriented education, stigma reduction activities alongside access to PrEP, can serve as means for adherence. The development of robust PrEP support services and guidelines regarding PrEP use during pregnancy among high-risk women, and strategies for their implementation, are of utmost importance for the control of HIV in key populations and the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivali Joshi
- Institute for Global Health Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, (UCSF), San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Catherine Namuddu
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (MRC/UVRI & LSHTM) Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Francis Xavier Kasujja
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (MRC/UVRI & LSHTM) Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Miriam Mirembe
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (MRC/UVRI & LSHTM) Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Jaco Homsy
- Institute for Global Health Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, (UCSF), San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Janet Seeley
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (MRC/UVRI & LSHTM) Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel King
- Institute for Global Health Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, (UCSF), San Francisco, California, United States of America
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Nanono J, Neupane D, Ssekamatte T, Ahumuza E, Kasujja FX, Rutebemberwa E. Service Availability and Readiness of Primary Care Health Facilities Offering Hypertension Diagnosis Services in Wakiso District, Uganda, 2019. Prev Chronic Dis 2023; 20:E18. [PMID: 36996407 PMCID: PMC10109518 DOI: 10.5888/pcd20.220236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/01/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Hypertension is a growing burden in Uganda and other low- and middle-income countries. Appropriate diagnosis services are needed at primary care health facilities to identify, initiate treatment for, and manage hypertension. This study assessed service availability and readiness as well as facilitators and barriers in primary health care facilities for hypertension diagnosis services in Wakiso District, Uganda. METHODS In July and August 2019, we conducted structured interviews at 77 randomly selected primary care health facilities in Wakiso District. We used an interviewer-administered health facility checklist modified from the World Health Organization's service availability and readiness assessment tool. We also conducted 13 key informant interviews with health workers and district-level managers. Readiness was measured by availability of functional diagnostic equipment, related supplies and tools, and health provider attributes. Service availability was measured by assessing hypertension diagnosis services. RESULTS Most (86%; 66 of 77) health facilities offered hypertension diagnosis services and 84% (65 of 77) had digital blood pressure measuring devices; only 69% (53 of 77) had functional blood pressure measuring devices. Lower-level facilities lacked appropriate blood pressure cuffs for use across age groups: 92% (71 of 77) lacked pediatric cuffs and 52% (40 of 77) lacked alternative adult cuffs. Facilitators for diagnosing hypertension included partners that built health facility staff capacity and funds for purchasing hypertension diagnostic supplies; common barriers were nonfunctional equipment, delays in receiving training, and inadequate staffing. CONCLUSION The results highlight the need for an adequate supply of devices, routine replacements or repairs, and frequent refresher training for health workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jackline Nanono
- Makerere University School of Public Health, New Mulago Hospital Complex, Mulago Hill Road, PO Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Dinesh Neupane
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | | | | | - Francis Xavier Kasujja
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
- The Chronic Diseases and Cancer Theme, Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
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King R, Namugumya R, Namuddu C, Mbazzi FB, Kasujja FX, Nankabirwa J, Seeley J. "Right now we are scared of each other, we fear everyone, the whole world has COVID": The impact of COVID-19 on young female sex workers in Kampala, Uganda, during national lockdowns in 2020-2021. PLOS Glob Public Health 2023; 3:e0001268. [PMID: 36962902 PMCID: PMC10021140 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
In 2020-2021 the COVID-19 pandemic led to multiple and diverse global public health response strategies globally and in Uganda to slow the spread of the virus by promoting wearing face coverings in public, frequent hand washing, physical distancing, restricting travel, and imposing home lockdowns. We conducted 146 interviews over four rounds of phone-follow up calls over 15 months with 125 young female sex workers coinciding in time with four different government-imposed lockdown periods in Kampala, Uganda, to assess the impact of these measures on young sex workers, their families and their communities as well as to gauge their resilience. Our findings revealed how COVID-19 fears and public health restrictions over time pushed an already marginalized population to the brink and how that pressure drove some participants into a new way of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel King
- Institute for Global Health Sciences, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, (UCSF), San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Ritah Namugumya
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (MRC/UVRI & LSHTM) Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Catherine Namuddu
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (MRC/UVRI & LSHTM) Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Femke Bannink Mbazzi
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (MRC/UVRI & LSHTM) Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Francis Xavier Kasujja
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (MRC/UVRI & LSHTM) Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Judith Nankabirwa
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (MRC/UVRI & LSHTM) Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Janet Seeley
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (MRC/UVRI & LSHTM) Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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Kasujja FX, Mayega RW, Daivadanam M, Kiracho EE, Kusolo R, Nuwaha F. Glycated haemoglobin and fasting plasma glucose tests in the screening of outpatients for diabetes and abnormal glucose regulation in Uganda: A diagnostic accuracy study. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0272515. [PMID: 35925994 PMCID: PMC9352087 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0272515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and objectives To understand the utility of glycated haemoglobin (HBA1C) in screening for diabetes and Abnormal Glucose Regulation (AGR) in primary care, we compared its performance to that of the fasting plasma glucose (FPG) test. Methods This was a prospective diagnostic accuracy study conducted in eastern Uganda. Patients eligible for inclusion were consecutive adults, 30–75 years, receiving care at the outpatient department of a general hospital in eastern Uganda. We determined the sensitivity, specificity and optimum cut-off points for HBA1C and FPG tests using the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) as a clinical reference standard. Results A total of 1659 participants underwent FPG testing of whom 310 were also HBA1C and OGTT tested. A total of 113 tested positive for diabetes and 168 for AGR on the OGTT. At recommended cut-off points for diabetes, the HBA1C and FPG tests had comparable sensitivity [69.8% (95% CI 46.3–86.1) versus 62.6% (95% CI 41.5–79.8), respectively] and specificity [98.6% (95% CI 95.4–99.6) versus 99.4% (95% CI 98.9–99.7), respectively]. Similarly, the sensitivity of HBA1C and the FPG tests for Abnormal Glucose Regulation (AGR) at ADA cut-offs were comparable [58.9% (95% CI 46.7–70.2) vs 47.7% (95% CI 37.3–58.4), respectively]; however, the HBA1C test had lower specificity [70.7% (95% CI 65.1–75.8)] than the FPG test [93.5% (95% CI 88.6–96.4)]. At the optimum cut-offs points for diabetes [45.0 mmol/mol (6.3%) for HBA1C and 6.4 mmol/L (115.2 mg/dl) for FPG], HBA1C and FPG sensitivity [71.2% (95% CI 46.9–87.8) versus 72.7% (95% CI 49.5–87.8), respectively] and specificity [95.1% (95% CI91.8 97.2) versus 98.7% (95% CI 98.0 99.2), respectively] were comparable. Similarly, at the optimum cut-off points for AGR [42.0 mmol/mol (6.0%) for the HBA1C and 5.5 mmol/l (99.0 mg/dl) for the FPG test], HBA1C and FPG sensitivity [42.3% (95% CI 31.8–53.6) and 53.2 (95% CI 43.1–63.1), respectively] and specificity [89.1% (95% CI 84.1 92.7) and 92.7% (95% CI 91.0 94.1), respectively] were comparable. Discussion HBA1C is a viable alternative diabetes screening and confirmatory test to the FPG test; however, the utility of both tests in screening for prediabetes in this outpatient population is limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francis Xavier Kasujja
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- Chronic Diseases and Cancer Theme, MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
- * E-mail:
| | - Roy William Mayega
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Meena Daivadanam
- Department of Food Studies, Nutrition and Dietetics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, International Maternal and Child Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Elizabeth Ekirapa Kiracho
- Department of Health Policy, Planning, and Management, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Ronald Kusolo
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Fred Nuwaha
- Department of Disease Control and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
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Guwatudde D, Delobelle P, Absetz P, Van JO, Mayega RW, Kasujja FX, De Man J, Hassen M, Kiracho EE, Kiguli J, Puoane T, Ostenson CG, Peterson S, Daivadanam M. Prevention and management of type 2 diabetes mellitus in Uganda and South Africa: Findings from the SMART2D pragmatic implementation trial. PLOS Glob Public Health 2022; 2:e0000425. [PMID: 36962331 PMCID: PMC10021626 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0000425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Health systems in many low- and middle-income countries are struggling to manage type 2 diabetes (T2D). Management of glycaemia via well-organized care can reduce T2D incidence, and associated morbidity and mortality. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of facility plus community care interventions (integrated care), compared to facility only care interventions (facility care) towards improvement of T2D outcomes in Uganda and South Africa. A pragmatic cluster randomized trial design was used to compare outcomes among participants with T2D and those at high risk. The trial had two study arms; the integrated care arm, and the facility care arm; and in Uganda only, an additional usual care arm. Participants were enrolled at nine primary health facilities in Uganda, and two in South Africa. Participants were adults aged 30 to 75 years, and followed for up to 12 months. Primary outcomes were glycaemic control among participants with T2D, and reduction in HbA1c > = 3 mmol/mol among participants at high risk. Secondary outcomes were retention into care and incident T2D. Adjusted analysis revealed significantly higher retention into care comparing integrated care and facility care versus usual care in Uganda and integrated care versus facility care in South Africa. The effect was particularly high among participants at high risk in Uganda with an incident rate ratio of 2.46 [1.33-4.53] for the facility care arm and 3.52 [2.13-5.80] for the integrated care arm. No improvement in glycaemic control or reduction in HbA1c was found in either country. However, considerable and unbalanced loss to follow-up compromised assessment of the intervention effect on HbA1c. Study interventions significantly improved retention into care, especially compared to usual care in Uganda. This highlights the need for adequate primary care for T2D and suggest a role for the community in T2D prevention. Trial registration number: ISRCTN11913581.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Guwatudde
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Peter Delobelle
- Chronic Disease Initiative for Africa, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Public Health, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Pilvikki Absetz
- Collaborative Care Systems Finland, Helsinki, Finland
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Josefien Olmen Van
- Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Roy William Mayega
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Francis Xavier Kasujja
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Jeroen De Man
- Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Mariam Hassen
- School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Elizabeth Ekirapa Kiracho
- Department of Health Policy, Planning and Management, School of Public Health, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Juliet Kiguli
- Department of Community Health and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Thandi Puoane
- School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Claes-Goran Ostenson
- Department of Molecular Medicine & Surgery, Diabetes & Endocrine Unit, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Stefan Peterson
- Department of Health Policy, Planning and Management, School of Public Health, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
- International Maternal and Child Health Unit, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Meena Daivadanam
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- International Child Health & Nutrition Research Group, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Kamacooko O, Bagiire D, Kasujja FX, Mirembe M, Seeley J, King R. Prevalence of probable depression and factors associated with mean Hopkins Symptom Checklist (HSCL) depression score among young women at high risk aged 15-24 years in Kampala, Uganda. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0270544. [PMID: 35771894 PMCID: PMC9246240 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0270544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In populations at high risk of HIV infection, rates of depression can be elevated with far-reaching effects on overall well-being. There is limited research on depression among young women engaged in high-risk sexual behaviour in low and middle-income settings. We investigated the prevalence, correlates and factors associated with mean HSCL depression score among young women at high risk (aged 15-24 years old) in Kampala, Uganda. METHODS We conducted a baseline analysis of a randomized controlled trial. Probable depression was measured using the 15-item Hopkins Symptoms Checklist for depression (HSCL). This checklist has been validated in Ugandan populations, and our reliability test gave a Cronbach alpha coefficient of 0.89. The test was administered to all the participants. Participants whose HSCL mean score was greater than 1.75 were categorized as having probable depression. Socio-demographics and behaviour data were collected and factors associated with mean HSCL depression score were analysed using multiple linear regression. RESULTS Data was available for 600 participants, mean age 20.4 (SD±2.44) years. The prevalence of probable depression was 56% (95% CI, 52%-60%). Probable depression symptoms were most prevalent among those who reported ever-experiencing violence from a sexual partner (64.7%), those aged between 20-24 years (58.2%) and those who reported more than 10 sexual exposures in the month prior to the interview (56.8%). At the adjusted analysis level, condom use during their last sexual intercourse prior to the survey decreased probable depression symptoms by 0.147 units compared to those who never used condoms (β = -0.147, 95% CI -0.266-0.027). Having experienced physical violence by a sexual partners increased mean HSCL depression score by 0.183 units compared to those who have never experienced violence (β = 0.183, 95% CI 0.068-0.300). Participants who reported ever using drugs of addiction had their mean HSCL depression scoreincrease by 0.20 units compared to those who have never used (β = 0.20,95% CI 0.083-0.317). CONCLUSIONS Probable depression is high in this population and increased mean HSCL depression score is related to violence. Periodic screening for depression and interventions targeting depression, partner violence and risky sexual behaviours are recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Janet Seeley
- MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel King
- MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
- Institute for Global Health Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
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Zuma T, King R, Ngwenya N, Kasujja FX, Chimbindi N, Kawuma R, Shahmanesh M, Bernays S, Seeley J. Lives Interrupted: Navigating Hardship During COVID-19 Provides Lessons in Solidarity and Visibility for Mobile Young People in South Africa and Uganda. Prog Dev Stud 2021; 21:419-434. [PMID: 34733113 PMCID: PMC8562687 DOI: 10.1177/1464993421998209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
We examine data from young women and men in South Africa and young female sex workers in Uganda to explore the inequalities and hardships experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic and investigate the opportunities and ability presented to navigate in a virtual world to build an inclusive supportive future for young people on the move. We argue that against the backdrop of a fragile past, young people who see their today disturbed, tomorrow reshaped and their futures interrupted, need support to interact with their social environment and adjust their lives and expectations amidst the changing influences of social forces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thembelihle Zuma
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa; Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK; University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Rachel King
- University of California, San-Francisco, California, USA; MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Nothando Ngwenya
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa; Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK; University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | | | - Natsayi Chimbindi
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa; Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK; University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban,KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Rachel Kawuma
- MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Maryam Shahmanesh
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa; Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK; University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Sarah Bernays
- Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Janet Seeley
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa; MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda; Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK; University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
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King R, Muhanguzi E, Nakitto M, Mirembe M, Kasujja FX, Bagiire D, Seeley J. Mobility study of young women who exchange sex for money or commodities using Google Maps and qualitative methods in Kampala, Uganda. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e043078. [PMID: 34011583 PMCID: PMC8137195 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-043078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We aimed to assess mobility patterns and reasons for high mobility among young women engaged in sex work within a randomised controlled trial to gauge how mobility may hinder access to health services and enhance HIV risk in a highly vulnerable population. SETTING Participants were recruited from a clinic in Kampala, Uganda set up for women at high risk of HIV infection. PARTICIPANTS Adolescent girls and young women engaged in sex for money and/or commodities are at particular risk in countries with high HIV prevalence and high fertility rates. High mobility increases exposure to HIV risk. Women participants were eligible for the parent study if aged 15-24 years, HIV negative and engaged in sex work. For this substudy, 34 qualitative interviews were held with 14 sex workers (6 HIV positive, 8 HIV negative), 6 health worker/policy makers, 3 peer educators, 5 'queen mothers' and 6 male partners MEASURES: Participants used Google Maps to identify work venues at 12-month and 18-month study visits. We also conducted 34 interviews on mobility with: high-risk women, male partners, health workers and sex-worker managers. Topics included: distance, frequency and reasons for mobility. We used Python software to analyse mapping data. RESULTS Interviews found in depth narratives describing lack of education and employment opportunities, violence, lack of agency, social, sexual and familial support networks and poverty as a complex web of reasons for high mobility among young sex workers. CONCLUSIONS Young women at high risk are highly mobile. Reasons for mobility impact access and retention to health services and research activities. Strategies to improve retention in care should be cognisant and tailored to suit mobility patterns. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT03203200.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel King
- Institute for Global Health Sciences, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Eva Muhanguzi
- Institute for Global Health Sciences, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Miriam Nakitto
- Social Aspects of Health Across the Lifecourse, MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Miriam Mirembe
- Social Aspects of Health Across the Lifecourse, MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Francis Xavier Kasujja
- Social Aspects of Health Across the Lifecourse, MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Daniel Bagiire
- Social Aspects of Health Across the Lifecourse, MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Janet Seeley
- Social Aspects of Health Across the Lifecourse, MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
- Department of Global Health & Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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De Man J, Wouters E, Absetz P, Daivadanam M, Naggayi G, Kasujja FX, Remmen R, Guwatudde D, Van Olmen J. What Motivates People With (Pre)Diabetes to Move? Testing Self-Determination Theory in Rural Uganda. Front Psychol 2020; 11:404. [PMID: 32265775 PMCID: PMC7105875 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Sub-Saharan Africa is experiencing a rapid growth of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and its related burden. Regular physical activity (PA) is a successful prevention strategy but is challenging to maintain. Self-determination theory (SDT) posits that more autonomous forms of motivation are associated with more sustainable behavior change. Evidence to support this claim is lacking in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aims to explore the relationships between latent constructs of autonomous and controlled motivation, perceived competence, perceived relatedness, PA behavior, and glycemic biomarkers. Methods Structural equation modeling was applied to cross-sectional data from a rural Ugandan population (N = 712, pre-diabetes = 329, diabetes = 383). Outcome measures included self-reported moderate and vigorous PA, pedometer counts, and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C). Results Our findings support SDT, but also suggest that different types of motivation regulate different domains and intensities of PA. Higher frequency of vigorous PA – which was linked to a lower HbA1C and FPG – was predicted by autonomous motivation (β = 0.24) but not by controlled motivation (β = −0.05). However, we found no association with moderate PA frequency nor with pedometer counts. Perceived competence and perceived relatedness predicted autonomous motivation. Autonomous motivation functioned as a mediator between those needs and PA behavior. Conclusion This is the first study providing evidence for a SDT model explaining PA among people at risk of, or living with, T2D in a rural sub-Saharan African setting. Our findings suggest that individuals who experience genuine support from friends or family and who feel competent in doing vigorous PA can become motivated through identification of health benefits of PA as their own goals. This type of motivation resulted in a higher frequency of vigorous PA and better glycemic biomarkers. On the other hand, people who felt more motivated through pressure from others or through feelings of guilt or shame were not more engaged in PA. Clinical Trial Registration ISRCTN 11913581. Registered January 10, 2017.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeroen De Man
- Centre for General Practice, Department of Primary and Interdisciplinary Care, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Edwin Wouters
- Centre for Population, Family and Health, Department of Sociology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Pilvikki Absetz
- Collaborative Care Systems Finland, Helsinki, Finland.,Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Meena Daivadanam
- Department of Food Studies, Nutrition and Dietetics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.,Health Systems and Policy Research Group, Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,International Maternal and Child Health Division, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Gloria Naggayi
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Francis Xavier Kasujja
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Roy Remmen
- Centre for General Practice, Department of Primary and Interdisciplinary Care, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - David Guwatudde
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Josefien Van Olmen
- Centre for General Practice, Department of Primary and Interdisciplinary Care, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
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Spires M, Berggreen-Clausen A, Kasujja FX, Delobelle P, Puoane T, Sanders D, Daivadanam M. Snapshots of Urban and Rural Food Environments: EPOCH-Based Mapping in a High-, Middle-, and Low-Income Country from a Non-Communicable Disease Perspective. Nutrients 2020; 12:E484. [PMID: 32075027 PMCID: PMC7071357 DOI: 10.3390/nu12020484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2019] [Revised: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
A changing food environment is implicated as a primary contributor to the increasing levels of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This study aimed to generate snapshots of selected external food environments to inform intervention strategies for NCD prevention in three countries: Uganda (low income), South Africa (middle income) and Sweden (high income), with one matched pair of urban-rural sites per country. Fifty formal and informal food retail outlets were assessed, and descriptive and comparative statistical analyses were performed. We found that formal food retail outlets in these countries had both positive and negative traits, as they were the main source of basic food items but also made unhealthy food items readily available. The Ugandan setting had predominantly informal outlets, while the Swedish setting had primarily formal outlets and South Africa had both, which fits broadly into the traditional (Uganda), mixed (South Africa) and modern (Sweden) conceptualized food systems. The promotion of unhealthy food products was high in all settings. Uganda had the highest in-community advertising, followed by South Africa and Sweden with the lowest, perhaps related to differences in regulation and implementation. The findings speak to the need to address contextual differences in NCD-related health interventions by incorporating strategies that address the food environment, and for a critical look at regulations that tackle key environment-related factors of food on a larger scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Spires
- School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Bellville 7535, South Africa; (M.S.); (P.D.); (T.P.)
- Centre for Food Policy, City, University of London, London EC1R 1UW, UK
| | | | - Francis Xavier Kasujja
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda;
| | - Peter Delobelle
- School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Bellville 7535, South Africa; (M.S.); (P.D.); (T.P.)
- Chronic Disease Initiative for Africa, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
- Department of Public Health, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Thandi Puoane
- School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Bellville 7535, South Africa; (M.S.); (P.D.); (T.P.)
| | - David Sanders
- School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Bellville 7535, South Africa; (M.S.); (P.D.); (T.P.)
| | - Meena Daivadanam
- Department of Food Studies, Nutrition and Dietetics, Uppsala University, 75122 Uppsala, Sweden;
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
- International Maternal and Child Health, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Uppsala University, 75237 Uppsala, Sweden
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De Man J, Aweko J, Daivadanam M, Alvesson HM, Delobelle P, Mayega RW, Östenson CG, Kirunda B, Kasujja FX, Guwattude D, Puoane T, Sanders D, Peterson S, Tomson G, Sundberg CJ, Absetz P, Van Olmen J. Diabetes self-management in three different income settings: Cross-learning of barriers and opportunities. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0213530. [PMID: 30889215 PMCID: PMC6424475 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0213530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2018] [Accepted: 02/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The burden of type 2 diabetes is increasing rapidly, not least in Sub-Saharan Africa, and disadvantaged populations are disproportionally affected. Self-management is a key strategy for people at risk of or with type 2 diabetes, but implementation is a challenge. The objective of this study is to assess the determinants of self-management from an implementation perspective in three settings: two rural districts in Uganda, an urban township in South Africa, and socio-economically disadvantaged suburbs in Sweden. Data collection followed an exploratory multiple-case study design, integrating data from interviews, focus group discussions, and observations. Data collection and analysis were guided by a contextualized version of a transdisciplinary framework for self-management. Findings indicate that people at risk of or with type 2 diabetes are aware of major self-management strategies, but fail to integrate these into their daily lives. Depending on the setting, opportunities to facilitate implementation of self-management include: improving patient-provider interaction, improving health service delivery, and encouraging community initiatives supporting self-management. Modification of the physical environment (e.g. accessibility to healthy food) and the socio-cultural environment (i.e. norms, values, attitudes, and social support) may have an important influence on people's lifestyle. Regarding the study methodology, we learned that this innovative approach can lead to a comprehensive analysis of self-management determinants across different settings. An important barrier was the difficult contextualization of concepts like perceived autonomy and self-efficacy. Intervention studies are needed to confirm whether the pathways suggested by this study are valid and to test the proposed opportunities for change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeroen De Man
- Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Primary and Interdisciplinary Care, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- * E-mail:
| | - Juliet Aweko
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Meena Daivadanam
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Food Studies, Nutrition and Dietetics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Peter Delobelle
- School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Belville, South Africa
- Chronic Disease Initiative for Africa, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Roy William Mayega
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Claes-Göran Östenson
- Department of Molecular Medicine & Surgery, Diabetes and Endocrine Unit, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Barbara Kirunda
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Francis Xavier Kasujja
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - David Guwattude
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Thandi Puoane
- School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Belville, South Africa
| | - David Sanders
- School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Belville, South Africa
| | - Stefan Peterson
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Göran Tomson
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Learning, Informatics, Management & Ethics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Carl Johan Sundberg
- Department of Learning, Informatics, Management & Ethics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Pilvikki Absetz
- Collaborative Care Systems Finland, Helsinki, Finland; Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Josefien Van Olmen
- Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Primary and Interdisciplinary Care, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
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van der Kam S, Roll S, Swarthout T, Edyegu-Otelu G, Matsumoto A, Kasujja FX, Casademont C, Shanks L, Salse-Ubach N. Effect of Short-Term Supplementation with Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food or Micronutrients for Children after Illness for Prevention of Malnutrition: A Randomised Controlled Trial in Uganda. PLoS Med 2016; 13:e1001951. [PMID: 26859481 PMCID: PMC4747529 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1001951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2015] [Accepted: 12/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Globally, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) treats more than 300,000 severely malnourished children annually. Malnutrition is not only caused by lack of food but also by illnesses and by poor infant and child feeding practices. Breaking the vicious cycle of illness and malnutrition by providing ill children with nutritional supplementation is a potentially powerful strategy for preventing malnutrition that has not been adequately investigated. Therefore, MSF investigated whether incidence of malnutrition among ill children <5 y old could be reduced by providing a fortified food product or micronutrients during their 2-wk convalescence period. Two trials, one in Nigeria and one in Uganda, were conducted; here, we report on the trial that took place in Kaabong, a poor agropastoral region of Karamoja, in east Uganda. While the region of Karamoja shows an acute malnutrition rate between 8.4% and 11.5% of which 2% to 3% severe malnutrition, more than half (58%) of the population in the district of Kaabong is considered food insecure. METHODS AND FINDINGS We investigated the effect of two types of nutritional supplementation on the incidence of malnutrition in ill children presenting at outpatient clinics during March 2011 to April 2012 in Kaabong, Karamoja region, Uganda, a resource-poor region where malnutrition is a chronic problem for its seminomadic population. A three-armed, partially-blinded, randomised controlled trial was conducted in children diagnosed with malaria, diarrhoea, or lower respiratory tract infection. Non-malnourished children aged 6 to 59 mo were randomised to one of three arms: one sachet/d of ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF), two sachets/d of micronutrient powder (MNP), or no supplement (control) for 14 d for each illness over 6 mo. The primary outcome was the incidence of first negative nutritional outcome (NNO) during the 6 mo follow-up. NNO was a study-specific measure used to indicate progression to moderate or severe acute malnutrition; it was defined as weight-for-height z-score <-2, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) <115 mm, or oedema, whichever came first. Of the 2,202 randomised participants, 51.2% were girls, and the mean age was 25.2 (±13.8) mo; 148 (6.7%) participants were lost to follow-up, 9 (0.4%) died, and 14 (0.6%) were admitted to hospital. The incidence rates of NNO (first event/year) for the RUTF, MNP, and control groups were 0.143 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.107-0.191), 0.185 (0.141-0.239), and 0.213 (0.167-0.272), respectively. The incidence rate ratio was 0.67 (95% CI, 0.46-0.98; p = 0.037) for RUTF versus control; a reduction of 33.3%. The incidence rate ratio was 0.86 (0.61-1.23; p = 0.413) for MNP versus control and 0.77 for RUTF versus MNP (95% CI 0.52-1.15; p = 0.200). The average numbers of study illnesses for the RUTF, MNP, and control groups were 2.3 (95% CI, 2.2-2.4), 2.1 (2.0-2.3), and 2.3 (2.2-2.5). The proportions of children who died in the RUTF, MNP, and control groups were 0%, 0.8%, and 0.4%. The findings apply to ill but not malnourished children and cannot be generalised to a general population including children who are not necessarily ill or who are already malnourished. CONCLUSIONS A 2-wk nutrition supplementation programme with RUTF as part of routine primary medical care to non-malnourished children with malaria, LRTI, or diarrhoea proved effective in preventing malnutrition in eastern Uganda. The low incidence of malnutrition in this population may warrant a more targeted intervention to improve cost effectiveness. TRIAL REGISTRATION clinicaltrials.gov NCT01497236.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saskia van der Kam
- Médecins Sans Frontières, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Ecole de Santé Publique, Centre de Recherche en Politiques et Systèmes de Santé-Santé Internationale, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
- * E-mail:
| | - Stephanie Roll
- Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Charité-Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
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