IntroductionProviding optimal critical care in developing countries is limited by lack of recognition of critical illness and lack of essential resources. The Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS), based on physiological parameters, is validated in adult medical and surgical patients as a predictor of mortality. The objective of this study performed in Uganda was to determine the prevalence of critical illness on the wards as defined by the MEWS, to evaluate the MEWS as a predictor of death, and to describe additional risk factors for mortality.MethodsWe conducted a prospective observational study at Mulago National Referral Teaching Hospital in Uganda. We included medical and surgical ward patients over 18 years old, excluding patients discharged the day of enrolment, obstetrical patients, and patients who self-discharged prior to study completion. Over a 72-hour study period, we collected demographic and vital signs, and calculated MEWS; at 7-days we measured outcomes. Patients discharged prior to 7 days were assumed to be alive at study completion. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed.ResultsOf 452 patients, the median age was 40.5 (IQR 29–54) years, 53.3% were male, 24.3% were HIV positive, and 45.1% had medical diagnoses. MEWS ranged from 0 to 9, with higher scores representing hemodynamic instability. The median MEWS was 2 [IQR 1–3] and the median length of hospital stay was 9 days [IQR 4–24]. In-hospital mortality at 7-days was 5.5%; 41.4% of patients were discharged and 53.1% remained on the ward. Mortality was independently associated with medical admission (OR: 7.17; 95% CI: 2.064–24.930; p = 0.002) and the MEWS ≥ 5 (OR: 5.82; 95% CI: 2.420–13.987; p<0.0001) in the multivariable analysis.ConclusionThere is a significant burden of critical illness at Mulago Hospital, Uganda. Implementation of the MEWS could provide a useful triage tool to identify patients at greatest risk of death. Future research should include refinement of MEWS for low-resource settings, and development of appropriate interventions for patients identified to be at high risk of death based on early warning scores.

BackgroundThe increased immune activation and inflammation of chronic HIV-infection and the characteristic dyslipidemias associated with HIV infection and antiretroviral therapy (ART) contribute to an increased risk of atherosclerotic vascular disease among HIV-infected adults. There is an emerging need to understand determinants of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among individuals aging with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. We determined the prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis [carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) ≥0.78 mm] and its correlation with traditional CVD risk factors among HIV-infected adults.MethodsIn a cross-sectional study, HIV-infected adults (ART-naïve and ART-treated) were consecutively selected from patients' enrollment registers at two large HIV clinics at Mulago Hospital, Kampala, Uganda. We measured traditional CVD risk factors including age, biophysical profile, fasting blood sugar and serum lipid profile as well as biomarkers of inflammation. High resolution ultrasound was used to measure common carotid CIMT.ResultsOf 245 patients, Median age [Interquartile range (IQR)] 37 years (31–43), 168 (69%) were females; and 100 (41%) were ART-treated for at least 7 years. Overall, 34/186 (18%) had subclinical atherosclerosis; of whom 15/108 (14%) were ART-naïve whereas 19/78 (24%) were ART-treated. Independent predictors of subclinical atherosclerosis included age [odds ratio (OR) 1.83 per 5-year increase in age; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.24–2.69; p = 0.002], body mass index (BMI); OR 1.15; CI 1.01–1.31; p = 0.041 and high low density lipoprotein (LDL) [OR 2.99; CI 1.02–8.78, p = 0.046]. High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) was positively correlated with traditional cardio-metabolic risk factors including waist circumference (r = 0.127, p = 0.05), triglycerides (r = 0.19, p = 0.003) and Total Cholesterol: High Density Lipoprotein ratio (TC:LDL) (r = 0.225, p<0.001).ConclusionThe prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis was 18% among HIV-infected adults in Uganda. Traditional CVD risk factors were associated with subclinical atherosclerosis. We recommend routine assessment of traditional CVD risk factors within HIV care and treatment programs in sub-Saharan Africa.

BackgroundChronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The majority of studies on CKD in SSA have been conducted among HIV-infected populations and mainly from large health facilities. We determined the prevalence of CKD and its predictors among populations in communities in central Uganda.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in Wakiso district using multi-stage sampling. Data was collected on age, sex, socio-economic status, history of alcohol intake, diabetes mellitus, hypertension and smoking. Measurement of blood pressure, weight and height to determine body mass index (BMI) and investigations including HIV testing, fasting blood sugar, creatinine and urinalysis were conducted. Logistic regression was used to estimate the strength of the association between variables and the presence of CKD estimated using the Cockcroft Gault formula.ResultsA total of 955 participants aged 18–87 years were enrolled into the study. The median age was 31 years (Interquartile range 24–42) and majority (67%) were female. Up to 21.4% (204/955) had abnormal renal function with CKD stage 1 in 6.2% (59/955), stage 2 in 12.7% (121/955), stage 3 in 2.4% (23/955), CKD stage 4 in 0% and CKD stage 5 in 0.1% (1/995). Female gender OR 1.8 (95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.2–2.8), age >30 years OR 2.2(95% CI 1.2–3.8) and high social economic status OR 2.1 (95% CI 1.3–3.6) were associated with increased risk of CKD while BMI > 25Kg/m2 was protective against CKD OR 0.1 (95% CI 0.04–0.2). Traditional risk factors such as HIV-infection, diabetes mellitus, smoking and alcohol intake were not found to be significantly associated with CKD.ConclusionWe found a high prevalence of kidney disease in central Uganda. Interestingly the traditional risk factors associated with CKD previously documented, were not associated with CKD.

Background: Persons living with HIV (PLHIV) are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Integration of services for hypertension (HTN), the primary cardiovascular disease risk factor, into HIV care programs is recommended in Uganda, though, uptake has been limited. We sought to compare the care cascades for HTN and HIV within an HIV program in Eastern Uganda. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all PLHIV enrolled in 3 HIV clinics between 2014 and 2017. We determined the proportion of patients in the following cascade steps over 12 months: Screened, Diagnosed, Initiated on treatment, Retained, Monitored, and Controlled. Cascades were analyzed using descriptive statistics and compared using χ2 and t tests. Results: Of 1649 enrolled patients, 98.5% were initiated on HIV treatment, of whom 70.7% were retained in care, 100% had viral load monitoring, and 90.3% achieved control (viral suppression). Four hundred fifty-six (27.7%) participants were screened for HTN, of whom 46.9% were diagnosed, 88.1% were initiated on treatment, 57.3% were retained in care, 82.7% were monitored, and 24.3% achieved blood pressure control. There were no differences in any HIV cascade step between participants with HIV alone and those with both conditions. Conclusions: The HIV care cascade approached global targets, whereas the parallel HTN care cascade demonstrated notable quality gaps. Management of HTN within this cohort did not negatively impact HIV care. Our findings suggest that models of integration should focus on screening PLHIV for HTN and retention and control of those diagnosed to fully leverage the successes of HIV programs.

Background The prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is rising in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Self-management, which enables patients to better manage their health, presents a potentially-scalable means of mitigating the growing burden of NCDs in LMICs. Though the effectiveness of self-management interventions in high-income countries is well-documented, the use of these strategies in LMICs has yet to be thoroughly summarized. Objective The purpose of this scoping review is to summarize the nature and effectiveness of past interventions that have enabled the self-management of NCDs in LMICs. Methods Using the scoping review methodology proposed by Arksey and O’Malley, PubMed was searched for relevant articles published between January 2007 and December 2018. The implemented search strategy comprised three major themes: self-management, NCDs and LMICs. Results Thirty-six original research articles were selected for inclusion. The selected studies largely focused on the self-management of diabetes (N = 21), hypertension (N = 7) and heart failure (N = 5). Most interventions involved the use of short message service (SMS, N = 17) or phone calls (N = 12), while others incorporated educational sessions (N = 10) or the deployment of medical devices (N = 4). The interventions were generally effective and often led to improvements in physiologic indicators, patient self-care and/or patient quality of life. However, the studies emphasized results in small populations, with little indication of future scaling of the intervention. Furthermore, the results indicate a need for further research into the self-management of cardiovascular diseases, as well as for the co-management of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Conclusions Self-management appears to be an effective means of improving health outcomes in LMICs. Future strategies should include patients and clinicians in all stages of design and development, allowing for a focus on long-term sustainability, scalability and interoperability of the intervention in the target setting.

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Background Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a leading cause of premature death and disability in low-income countries; however, few receive optimal benzathine penicillin G (BPG) therapy to prevent disease progression. We aimed to comprehensively describe the treatment cascade for RHD in Uganda in order to identify appropriate targets for intervention. Methods and Results Using data from the Uganda RHD Registry (n=1,504), we identified the proportion of patients in the following care categories: (1) diagnosed and alive as of June 1, 2016, (2) retained in care, (3) appropriately prescribed BPG, and (4) optimally adherent to BPG (>80% of prescribed doses). We used logistic regression to investigate factors associated with retention and optimal adherence. Overall, median (IQR) age was 23 (15–38) years; 69% were female; and 82% had clinical RHD. Median follow-up time was 2.4 (0.9–4.0) years. Retention in care was the most significant barrier to achieving optimal BPG adherence with only 56.9% (95% CI 54.1–59.7%) of living subjects having attended clinic in the prior 56 weeks. Among those retained in care, however, we observed high rates of BPG prescription [91.6% (95% CI 89.1–93.5%)] and optimal adherence (91.4% [95% CI 88.7–93.5]). Younger age, latent disease status, and access to care at a regional center were the strongest independent predictors of retention and optimal adherence. Conclusions Our study suggests that improving retention in care—possibly by decentralizing RHD services—would have the greatest impact on uptake of antibiotic prophylaxis among patients with RHD in Uganda.

Background Uganda is experiencing a shift in major causes of death with cases of stroke, heart attack, and heart failure reportedly on the rise. In a study in Mukono and Buikwe in Uganda, more than one in four adults were reportedly hypertensive. Moreover, very few (36.5%) reported to have ever had a blood pressure measurement. The rising burden of CVD is compounded by a lack of integrated primary health care for early detection and treatment of people with increased risk. Many people have less access to effective and equitable health care services which respond to their needs. Capacity gaps in human resources, equipment, and drug supply, and laboratory capabilities are evident. Prevention of risk factors for CVD and provision of effective and affordable treatment to those who require it prevent disability and death and improve quality of life. The aim of this study is to improve health profiles for people with intermediate and high risk factors for CVD at the community and health facility levels. The implementation process and effectiveness of interventions will be evaluated. Methods The overall study is a type 2-hybrid stepped-wedge (SW) design. The design employs mixed methods evaluations with incremental execution and adaptation. Sequential crossover take place from control to intervention until all are exposed. The study will take place in Mukono and Buikwe districts in Uganda, home to more than 1,000,000 people at the community and primary healthcare facility levels. The study evaluation will be guided by; 1) RE-AIM an evaluation framework and 2) the CFIR a determinant framework. The primary outcomes are implementation – acceptability, adoption, appropriateness, feasibility, fidelity, implementation cost, coverage, and sustainability. Discussion The study is envisioned to provide important insight into barriers and facilitators of scaling up CVD prevention in a low income context. This project is registered at the ISRCTN Registry with number ISRCTN15848572. The trial was first registered on 03/01/2019.