Molecular identification and anti-malarial drug resistance profile of Plasmodium falciparum from patients attending Kisoro Hospital, southwestern Uganda

Background The evolution of malaria infection has necessitated the development of highly sensitive diagnostic assays, as well as the use of dried blood spots (DBS) as a potential source of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) yield for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. This study identified the different Plasmodium species in malaria-positive patients, and the anti-malarial drug resistance profile for Plasmodium falciparum using DBS samples collected from patients attending Kisoro Hospital in Kisoro district, Southwestern Uganda. Methods The blood samples were prospectively collected from patients diagnosed with malaria to make DBS, which were then used to extract DNA for real-time PCR and high-resolution melting (HRM) analysis. Plasmodium species were identified by comparing the control and test samples using HRM-PCR derivative curves. Plasmodium falciparum chloroquine (CQ) resistance transporter (pfcrt) and kelch13 to screen the samples for anti-malarial resistance markers. The HRM-PCR derivative curve was used to present a summary distribution of the different Plasmodium species as well as the anti-malarial drug profile. Results Of the 152 participants sampled, 98 (64.5%) were females. The average age of the participants was 34.9 years (range: 2 months–81 years). There were 134 samples that showed PCR amplification, confirming the species as Plasmodium. Plasmodium falciparum (N = 122), Plasmodium malariae (N = 6), Plasmodium ovale (N = 4), and Plasmodium vivax (N = 2) were the various Plasmodium species and their proportions. The results showed that 87 (71.3%) of the samples were sensitive strains/wild type (CVMNK), 4 (3.3%) were resistant haplotypes (SVMNT), and 31 (25.4%) were resistant haplotypes (CVIET). Kelch13 C580Y mutation was not detected. Conclusion The community served by Kisoro hospital has a high Plasmodium species burden, according to this study. Plasmodium falciparum was the dominant species, and it has shown that resistance to chloroquine is decreasing in the region. Based on this, molecular identification of Plasmodium species is critical for better clinical management. Besides, DBS is an appropriate medium for DNA preservation and storage for future epidemiological studies.

Electroencephalogram utilization and psychiatric comorbidities among children and adolescents with epilepsy in rural Southwestern Uganda

Objective This study aimed at describing routine electroencephalogram (EEG) findings among children and adolescents with a clinical diagnosis of epilepsy and determines how interictal EEG abnormalities vary with the psychiatric comorbidities. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study among children and adolescents with epilepsy aged 5–18 years receiving care from a regional referral hospital in Southwestern Uganda. Psychiatric comorbidities were assessed using an adapted parent version of Child and Adolescent Symptom Inventory-5. Thirty-minute EEG samples were taken from routine EEG recordings that were locally performed and remotely interpreted for all participants. Results Of the 140 participants, 71 (50.7%) had normal EEG findings and 51 (36.4%) had epileptiform abnormalities while 18 (12.9%) had non-epileptiform. Of those who had epileptiform abnormalities on EEG, 23 (45.1%) were focal, 26 (51.0%) were generalized, and 2 (3.9%) were focal with bilateral spread. There was no significant association between the different psychiatric comorbidities and the interictal EEG abnormalities. Conclusions Among children and adolescents with a clinical diagnosis of epilepsy in Southwestern Uganda, only 36% showed epileptiform abnormalities on their EEG recordings. There was no association between the interictal EEG abnormalities and psychiatric comorbidities.

Anxiety, Anger and Depression Amongst Low-Income Earners in Southwestern Uganda During the COVID-19 Total Lockdown

Background: Low-income earners are particularly vulnerable to mental health, consequence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown restrictions, due to a temporary or permanent loss of income and livelihood, coupled with government-enforced measures of social distancing. This study evaluates the mental health status among low-income earners in southwestern Uganda during the first total COVID-19 lockdown in Uganda.Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was undertaken amongst earners whose income falls below the poverty threshold. Two hundred and fifty-three (n = 253) male and female low-income earners between the ages of 18 and 60 years of age were recruited to the study. Modified generalized anxiety disorder (GAD-7), Spielberger's State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2 (STAXI-2), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) tools as appropriate were used to assess anxiety, anger, and depression respectively among our respondents.Results: Severe anxiety (68.8%) followed by moderate depression (60.5%) and moderate anger (56.9%) were the most common mental health challenges experienced by low-income earners in Bushenyi district. Awareness of mental healthcare increased with the age of respondents in both males and females. A linear relationship was observed with age and depression (r = 0.154, P = 0.014) while positive correlations were observed between anxiety and anger (r = 0.254, P < 0.001); anxiety and depression (r = 0.153, P = 0.015) and anger and depression (r = 0.153, P = 0.015).Conclusion: The study shows the importance of mental health awareness in low resource settings during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Females were identified as persons at risk to mental depression, while anger was highest amongst young males.

Lived experiences of Ugandan women who had recovered from a clinical diagnosis of postpartum depression: a phenomenological study

Background Postpartum depression affects a significant proportion of women of childbearing age. The birth of a newborn baby is normally considered a joyful event, inhibiting mothers from expressing their depressive feelings. If the condition is not well understood and managed, mothers with postpartum depression are likely to experience suicidal ideation or even commit suicide. This study explored lived experiences of women who had recovered from a clinical diagnosis of postpartum depression in southwestern Uganda. Methods This phenomenological study adopted the explorative approach through in-depth interviews as guided by the biopsychosocial model of depression. It was conducted in Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, Bwizibwera Health Centre IV and Kinoni Health Centre IV located in Mbarara and Rwampara districts, southwestern Uganda. Data were collected from 30 postpartum mothers who were purposively selected, between 9th December 2019 and 25th September 2020. We analyzed this work using thematic data analysis and this was steered by the Colaizzi’s six-step phenomenological approach of inquiry. Results The findings were summarized into five major themes: 1) somatic experiences including insomnia and headache, breast pain, poor breast milk production, weight loss and lack of energy; 2) difficulties in home and family life including overwhelming domestic chores, lack of social support from other family members, fighting at home and financial constraints due to COVID-19 pandemic; 3) negative emotions including anger, self-blame, despondency and feelings of loneliness and regrets of conceiving or marriage; 4) feelings of suicide, homicide and self-harm including suicidal ideation and attempt, homicidal ideations and attempt and feelings of self-harm and 5) coping with postpartum depression including spirituality, termination of or attempt to leave their marital relationships, acceptance, counselling and seeking medical treatment, perseverance. Conclusion and recommendations Suicidal and homicidal thoughts are important parts of the postpartum depression experience, and these may put the lives of the mothers, their spouses and their babies at a great risk. Poor relationship quality, intimate partner violence and lack of financial resources contribute significantly to the negative emotional experiences of mothers with PPD.

The Batwa Trail: developing agency and cultural self-determination in Uganda through Indigenous tourism and cultural performance

This article examines how Batwa—the Indigenous peoples of Southwestern Uganda—negotiate agency and cultural self-determination through touristic cultural performances held during the Batwa Trail, an Indigenous tourist attraction in Mgahinga Forest, Southwestern Uganda. I take a theoretical model that approaches Indigenous tourism and touristic cultural performances as a site of social interaction where identity and representation are negotiated. The touristic performances are crucial in articulating Batwa performance culture and as a forum where counter-narratives against the stereotypes and marginalities associated with Batwa culture are constructed. I argue that touristic performances are a strategic form of experiential and embodied practice through which Batwa identity is negotiated and expressed.

Rapid Diagnostic Tests to Guide Case Management of and Improve Antibiotic Stewardship for Pediatric Acute Respiratory Illnesses in Resource-Constrained Settings: a Prospective Cohort Study in Southwestern Uganda

Globally, respiratory illness is one of the most common reasons that children seek care. It is often treated inappropriately with antibiotics, which can drive the development of antibiotic resistance.

Rifampicin and isoniazid drug resistance among patients diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis in southwestern Uganda

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) has become a major threat to the control of tuberculosis globally. Uganda is among the countries with a relatively high prevalence of tuberculosis despite significant control efforts. In this study, the drug resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to rifampicin (RIF) and isoniazid (INH) was investigated among patients diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis in Southwestern Uganda. A total of 283 sputum samples (266 from newly diagnosed and 17 from previously treated patients), collected between May 2018 and April 2019 at four different TB diagnostic centres, were assessed for RIF and INH resistance using high-resolution melt curve analysis. The overall prevalence of monoresistance to INH and RIF was 8.5% and 11% respectively, while the prevalence of MDR-TB was 6.7%. Bivariate analysis showed that patients aged 25 to 44 years were at a higher risk of developing MDR-TB (cOR 0.253). Furthermore, among the newly diagnosed patients, the prevalence of monoresistance to INH, RIF and MDR-TB was 8.6%, 10.2% and 6.4% respectively; while among the previously treated cases, these prevalence rates were 5.9%, 23.5% and 11.8%. These rates are higher than those reported previously indicating a rise in MTB drug resistance and may call for measures used to prevent a further rise in drug resistance. There is also a need to conduct frequent drug resistance surveys, to monitor and curtail the development and spread of drug-resistant TB.