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Background: Globally, overall prevalence of caesarean section (CS) is estimated at 18.6%, with 27% in high-income countries and 6% in low- and middle-income countries. There is an increase in trends of CS in Uganda from 8.5% in 2012 to 11% in 2016. There have been no studies done to account for the high rates of CS in a rural hospital in Uganda. This study determined the proportion and factors associated with CS delivery at a rural hospital in south western Uganda.Methods: This was a cross sectional study of 321 immediate postnatal women in a rural hospital in south western Uganda. A structured questionnaire and data abstract forms were used to collect information on proportion and factors associated with CS. Eligible participants were enrolled consecutively. Logistic regression analysis was done to identify the factors associated with CS taking into account potential confounders.Results: This study recruited 321 women with mean age of 25.8 ±6.086 years, mean parity 2.6 ±1.673 and mean antenatal care visits of 4.27 ±1.197. The proportion of CS in this study was 38.3% (123/321). Of these, 110 (89.4%) were emergencies and 27(10.6%) electives. Only 8.4% of the respondents were referrals. The commonest indications of CS were fetal distress (28.5%), history of previous CS (18.7%) and poor progress of labour (11.4%). No factors were significantly associated with CS in this study.Conclusion: There is a high proportion of CS in a rural hospital in Uganda and this is three times higher than the WHO recommended CS rates. Majority of CS are emergencies due to fetal distress and poor progress of labour. There is a need for additional studies exploring the reasons for the much higher than expected CS rates.

Background In May 2018, the World Health Organisation issued a teratogenicity alert for HIV positive women using dolutegravir (DTG) and emphasised increased integration of sexual and reproductive services into HIV care to meet contraceptive needs of HIV positive women. However, there are scarce data on the impact of this guidance on contraceptive uptake. Objective To investigate the uptake of contraceptives and the factors affecting the uptake of contraceptive services among the HIV positive women of reproductive age who use DTG.Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted from April 2019 to July 2019, in five government clinics in central Uganda where DTG was offered as the preferred first-line antiretroviral treatment (ART) regimen. We randomly selected 359 non-pregnant women aged 15-49 years using DTG-based regimens. We used interviewer administered questionnaires to collect data on demographics, contraceptive use, social and health system factors. We defined contraceptive uptake as the proportion of women using any method of contraception divided by the total number of women on DTG during the review period. We described patients’ characteristics using descriptive statistics. Factors associated with contraceptive uptake were investigated using Poisson regression at multivariable analysis (STATA 14).Results Of the 359 participants, the mean age was 37(SD=6.8), half 50.7% had attained primary level of education and average monthly income <100,000Ushs. The overall level of Contraceptive uptake was 38.4%, modern contraceptive uptake was 37.6% and 96.4% of the participants had knowledge of contraceptives. The most utilised method was the injectable at 58.4% followed by condoms 15%, IUD 10.7%, pills 6.4%, implants 5.4%, and least used was sterilization at 0.7%. Predictor factors that increased likelihood of contraceptive uptake were; religion of others category AIRR=1.53(95% CI: 1.01, 2.29) and parity 3-4 children AIRR=1.48(95% CI: 1.14, 1.92). Reduced rates were observed for age 40-49 years AIRR=0.45(95% CI: 0.21, 0.94), unemployment AIRR 0.63(95% CI: 0.42, 0.94), not discussing FP with partner AIRR=0.39(95% CI: 0.29, 0.52) and not receiving FP counselling AIRR=2.86 (95% CI: 0.12, 0.73). Non-significant variables were facility, education level, marital status, sexual activity, experienced side effects of FP and knowledge on both contraceptives and DTG.Conclusion This study shows a low-level uptake of contraceptives and injectable was the most used method. It also indicated that FP counselling and partner discussion on FP increased contraceptive uptake. Therefore, more strategies should be put in place to increase male involvement in family planning programs and scale up the integration of family planning services into HIV care and management programs.

Background Hypertension is an important worldwide public-health challenge because of its high prevalence and for being a risk factor for cerebrovascular, cardiovascular and chronic renal disease. Despite these risk factors, blood pressure control among hypertensive patients is still poor. Objectives To assess dietary and lifestyle factors associated with uncontrolled blood pressure control among a series of Ugandan hypertensive patients under care at a Kiruddu hospital.Methods A cross sectional study involving 271 adult hypertensive patients attending general outpatient hypertensive clinic were enrolled. We collected data on dietary and lifestyle factors, social demographics, BMI, comorbidities, and adherence to hypertensive medication. Dietary factors were based on recommended DASH diet including nine food items salt; grains; fruits; vegetables; nut/seeds, and legumes; dairy; meat; fat; and sweets. Questionnaires on alcohol intake, smoking status and level of physical activity were also administered. An average of the previous two Blood pressure readings were recorded while weight and height were measured for each subject at enrolment. Factors associated with uncontrolled blood pressure (>140/90mmHg) were assessed using a multivariate logistic regression model.Results The mean age of study participants was 57 years (SD ± 0.76 years), with female dominance (77.9%). Among the study participants, 121 (44.7%) had uncontrolled BP. Dietary factors that remained significantly associated with uncontrolled blood pressure with adjusted OR (95%CI) included consumption of raw salt: 4.18 (1.32-13.24) and inadequate fruit consumption (less than 7days/week): 2.18 (1.26-3.75) while clinical factors included being overweight: 2.51 (1.27-4.95) and poor adherence to antihypertensive medications prescribed: 1.82 (1.03-3.21).Conclusion The proportion of hypertensive patients with uncontrolled BP was high (44.7%). Consumption of raw salt, inadequate fruit consumption being overweight and poor adherence to antihypertensive medication were significantly associated with uncontrolled BP. From these findings, many of the factors that impact on the control of blood pressure are fortunately modifiable.