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Scovia Nalugo Mbalinda,1 Mark Kaddumukasa,2 Josephine Nambi Najjuma,3 Martin Kaddumukasa,1,4 Jane Nakibuuka,1,4 Christopher J Burant,5 Shirley Moore,6 Carol Blixen,7 Elly T Katabira,1 Martha Sajatovic7 1Department of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda; 2Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda; 3Department of Nursing, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda; 4Department of Medicine, Mulago Hospital, Kampala, Uganda; 5Louis Stokes VA Medical Center, Geriatric Research Education, and Clinical Center, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA; 6Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA; 7Neurological and Behavioral Outcomes Center, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center & Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USACorrespondence: Scovia Nalugo Mbalinda, Department of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda, Tel +256782212151, Email snmbalinda@gmail.comPurpose: Evidence supporting secondary stroke in sub-Saharan Africa is scarce. This study describes the incidence of stroke recurrence and associated risk factors in sub-Saharan Africa.Methods and Materials: Scientific databases were systematically searched from January 2000 to December 2022 for population-based observational studies, case-control or cohort studies of recurrent stroke involving adults aged 18 years and above in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We assessed the quality of the eligible studies using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP) checklist for observational studies.Results: Six studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in this study. Stroke recurrence rates in SSA ranged from 9.4% to 25%. Majority of the studies were conducted from Western Africa and showed that stroke recurrence rates are high within sub-Saharan Africa ranging from 2% to 25%. The known stroke risk factors such as hypertension, chronic alcohol consumption, etc., remained the leading causes of stroke recurrence. The studies reported a higher mortality rate ranging from 20.5 − 23% among those with recurrent strokes compared to primary strokes.Conclusion: This systematic review is an update and summary of the available literature on stroke recurrence within sub-Saharan Africa. Further studies are warranted to assess the outcomes and burden of stroke recurrence in SSA.Keywords: stroke recurrence, sub-Saharan Africa, risk factors, secondary prevention, cardiovascular disease

Frank Ssedyabane,1 Thomas C Randall,2 Deusdedit Tusubira,3 Cesar M Castro,4,5 Josephine Nambi Najjuma,6 Christopher Okeny,1 Doreen Nuwashaba,1 Hope Mudondo,1 Rogers Kajabwangu,7 Joy Muhumuza,7 Alexcer Namuli,7 Joseph Ngonzi7 1Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Mbarara University of Science of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda; 2Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; 3Department of Biochemistry, Mbarara University of Science of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda; 4Centre for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; 5Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; 6Department of Nursing, Mbarara University of Science of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda; 7Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mbarara University of Science of Science and Technology, Mbarara, UgandaCorrespondence: Frank Ssedyabane, Email fssedyabane@must.ac.ugPurpose: There is a documented association between cervical cancer and metabolic syndrome. In this study, we determined the association between lipids, insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) and treatment outcomes for cervical lesions at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH) in south western Uganda.Patients and Methods: In this prospective cohort study, we recruited 94 cases and 94 controls at the cervical cancer clinic of MRRH, and followed them for 12 months. Cases were confirmed with cytology and/or histology. With consent, we collected demographic data and measured lipids and IGFBP-3 both at baseline and after 12 months. The lipid profile was measured using a Cobas 6000 Chemistry Analyzer, whereas IGFBP-3 was measured using a MAGLUMI fully automated chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer. Abnormal values for lipids were defined using WHO recommended cut-offs. IGFBP-3 concentrations were divided into two categories of low concentration (< 3.29 μg/mL) and raised concentration (≥ 3.29 μg/mL). Statistical analyses were conducted in STATA version 17 using logistic regression analysis. A p-value of < 0.05 was taken to be statistically significant.Results: The average (mean ± SD) age of our participants was 38.7± 8.2 years for controls and 34.5± 7.8 years for cases. The average serum IGFBP-3 concentration was 3.769± 1.098 μg/mL among cases with cleared lesions and 3.505± 0.979 μg/mL among cases whose lesions persisted. A serum IGFBP-3 concentration of less than 3.291 μg/mL was likely to be associated with clearance of cervical lesions (AOR 1.65, p=0.67), although this was not statistically significant. A serum triglyceride concentration of 35– 135 mg/dL was also likely to be associated with clearance of cervical lesions (AOR 2.41, p=0.46), although this was also not statistically significant.Conclusion: Although not statistically significant, reduced serum concentrations of IGFBP-3 and triglyceride may be associated with clearance of cervical lesions. Lipid management may be of benefit in the treatment of cervical lesions.Keywords: cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, cervical lesions, clearance, persistence, IGFBP-3

Martin Kaddumukasa,1 Alyssa M Edwards,2 Josephine Nambi Najjuma,3 Scovia Nalugo Mbalinda,4 Jane Nakibuuka,1 Christopher J Burant,5 Shirley M Moore,6 Carol Blixen,2 Elly T Katabira,1 Martha Sajatovic,2 Mark Kaddumukasa1 1Department of Internal Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda; 2Neurological and Behavioral Outcomes Center, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA; 3Department of Nursing, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda; 4Department of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda; 5Louis Stokes VA Medical Center, Geriatric Research Education, and Clinical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA; 6Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USACorrespondence: Martin Kaddumukasa, Email kaddumart@gmail.comAbstract: The study set out to perform a systematic literature review of evidence-based interventions that target the reduction of secondary stroke risk in Africa. The review analyzed longitudinal intervention studies conducted in Sub-Saharan Africa, focusing on adult participants who had suffered a prior stroke. It encompassed publications and peer-reviewed papers sourced from reputable databases, including PubMed, Ovid, Cochrane, and Web of Science. Three randomized clinical trial (RCT) studies were included with sample sizes ranging from 16 to 400 participants, mean age ranged between 50 and 66 years, with 64.5% male participants. All studies applied multidisciplinary team interventions of enhanced patient follow-up involving care givers, nurse educators, physicians, and social workers. Interventions ranged from comprehensive patient education, tracking of medication adherence and enforcing healthy lifestyle behaviors (regular exercise, regular BP checks, and dietary changes). We found a decrease in Systolic Blood Pressure over time in 2 of 3 treatment groups, an improvement in medical adherence in all treatment groups, and a decrease in cholesterol levels in 1 treatment group. Evidence-based interventions involving multidisciplinary teams and comprehensive patient education were found to demonstrate promising results in reducing secondary stroke risk in Africa, leading to significant improvements in medical adherence and reductions in systolic blood pressure in the majority of treatment groups. However, more research is required to confirm the influence of these interventions on cholesterol levels and to establish their lasting advantages in preventing strokes among African communities.Keywords: secondary stroke risk, risk interventions, Sub-Saharan Africa

Jane Namusisi,1,2 Stella Kyoyagala,1 Josephine Nantongo,2 Mike Kyewalyanga,1,3 Stephen Sabiiti,1 Angelique Murorunkwere,1 Josephine Nambi Najjuma,1 Jane Nakibuuka,4 Mark Kaddumukasa,4 Martha Sajatovic,5 Peter Kalubi1 1Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), Mbarara, Uganda; 2Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH), Mbarara, Uganda; 3Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Holy Innocents Children’s Hospital, Mbarara, Uganda; 4Department of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda; 5Neurological and Behavioral Outcomes Center, University Hospital Case Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USACorrespondence: Jane Namusisi, Mbarara University of science and technology (MUST), P.O. Box 1410, Mbarara, Uganda, Tel +256784064925, Email janedaizzie@gmail.comBackground: Seizure control among children with epilepsy (CWE) receiving anti-seizure medications (ASMs) remains a challenge in low-resource settings. Uncontrolled seizures are significantly associated with increased morbidity and mortality among CWE. This negatively impacts their quality of life and increases stigma.Aim: This study determined seizure control status and described the factors associated among CWE receiving ASMs at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH).Methods: In a retrospective chart review study, socio-demographic and clinical data were obtained from 112 medical records. CWE receiving ASMs for at least six months and regularly attending the clinic were included in the study. Physical or telephone interviews were conducted with the immediate caregivers of the CWE to establish the current seizure control status of the participants.Results: A total of 112 participants were enrolled. Of these, three-quarters had generalized onset seizures, 23% had focal onset seizures, while 2% had unknown onset motor seizures. About 60.4% of the study participants had poor seizure control. Having a comorbidity (p-value 0.048, AOR 3.2 (95% CI 1.0– 9.9)), history suggestive of birth asphyxia (p-value 0.014, AOR 17.8 (95% CI 1.8– 176.8)), and being an adolescent (p-value 0.006, AOR 6.8 (95% CI 1.8– 26.6)) were significantly associated with poor seizure control.Conclusion: Seizure control among CWE receiving ASMs at MRRH remains poor. Efforts geared to addressing seizure control and optimizing drugs are needed, especially among children with comorbidities, those with history of birth asphyxia, and adolescents.Keywords: epilepsy, anti-seizure medications, children, seizure control, Uganda

Esther C Atukunda,1 Godfrey R Mugyenyi,1 Celestino Obua,1 Angella Musiimenta,2 Josephine N Najjuma,1 Edgar Agaba,1 Norma C Ware,3 Lynn T Matthews4,5 1Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda; 2Faculty of Computing and Informatics, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda; 3Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; 4Division of Infectious Diseases and Center for Global Health, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; 5Division of Infectious Disease, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USACorrespondence: Esther C Atukunda Email estheratukunda@gmail.comBackground: Uganda’s maternal mortality remains unacceptably high, with thousands of women and newborns still dying of preventable deaths from pregnancy and childbirth-related complications. Globally, Antenatal care (ANC) attendance has been associated with improved rates of skilled births. However, despite the fact that over 95% of women in Uganda attend at least one ANC, over 30% of women still deliver at home alone, or in the presence of an unskilled birth attendant, with many choosing to come to hospital after experiencing a complication. We explored barriers to women’s decisions to deliver in a health care facility among postpartum women in rural southwestern Uganda, to ultimately inform interventions aimed at improving skilled facility births.Methods: Between December 2018 and March 2019, we conducted in-depth qualitative face-to-face interviews with 30 post-partum women in rural southwestern Uganda. The purposeful sample was intended to represent women with differing experiences of pregnancy, delivery, and antenatal care. We included 15 adult women who had delivered from their homes and 15 who had delivered from a health facility in the previous 3 months. Women were recruited from 10 villages within 20 km of a regional referral hospital. Interviews were conducted and digitally recorded in a private setting by a trained native speaker to elicit experiences of pregnancy and birth. Translated transcripts were generated and coded. Coded data were iteratively reviewed and sorted to derive descriptive categories using an inductive content analytic approach.Results: Regardless of where they decided to give birth, women wished to deliver in a supportive, respectful, responsive and loving environment. The data revealed six key barriers to women’s decisions to deliver from a health care facility: 1) Fear of unresponsive care, fueling a fear of being neglected or abandoned while at the facility; 2) fear of embarrassment and mistreatment by health care providers; 3) low perception of risk associated with pregnancy and childbirth; 4) preferences for particular birthing positions and their outcome expectations; 5) perceived lack of privacy in public facilities; and 6) perceived poor clinical and interpersonal skills of health providers to adequately explain birthing procedures or support expectant or laboring women and their newborn.Conclusion: Anticipation of unsupportive, unresponsive, disrespectful treatment, and a perceived lack of tolerance for simple, non-harmful traditions prevent women from delivering at health facilities. Building better interpersonal relationships between patients and providers within health systems could reinforce trust, improve patient–provider interaction, and facilitate useful information transfer during ANC and delivery visits. These expectations are important considerations in developing supportive health care systems that provide acceptable patient-friendly care. These findings are indicative of the vital need for midwives and other health care providers to have additional training in the role of communication and dignity in delivery of quality health care.Keywords: childbirth, home delivery, facility delivery, health systems, barriers to care, Uganda