As a part of a larger, mixed-methods research study, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 21 adults with depressive symptoms to understand the role that past health care discrimination plays in shaping help-seeking for depression treatment and receiving preferred treatment modalities. We recruited to achieve heterogeneity of racial/ethnic backgrounds and history of health care discrimination in our participant sample. Participants were Hispanic/Latino ( n = 4), non-Hispanic/Latino Black ( n = 8), or non-Hispanic/Latino White ( n = 9). Twelve reported health care discrimination due to race/ethnicity, language, perceived social class, and/or mental health diagnosis. Health care discrimination exacerbated barriers to initiating and continuing depression treatment among patients from diverse backgrounds or with stigmatized mental health conditions. Treatment preferences emerged as fluid and shaped by shared decisions made within a trustworthy patient–provider relationship. However, patients who had experienced health care discrimination faced greater challenges to forming trusting relationships with providers and thus engaging in shared decision-making processes.

Background: Diabetes mellitus is on the rise in low-income countries, including Uganda, owing to the 'westernization' of individual lifestyles. It remains unanswered whether the majority of university students who are rapidly embracing 'western' lifestyles have any knowledge of diabetes or perceive themselves to be at risk of acquiring the disease. The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and perceived risks related to diabetes mellitus among university students in Uganda.Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 4 universities in Uganda from August to November 2013. The data collection tool included questions on risk factors, symptoms, personal risks, and practices to prevent diabetes mellitus. We interviewed 378 university students using pretested self-administered semi-structured questionnaires. Only students who consented to participate in the study were included. Data were entered into EpiData version 3.1 and analysed using SPSS version 18.Results: Almost all (99%) of the students had knowledge about diabetes mellitus. The majority (83.1%) reported that diabetes mellitus is not completely a genetic/hereditary disease. Only a minority of respondents reported that they should worry about diabetes before 45 years of age. Common symptoms of diabetes reported by the respondents included constant hunger, blurred vision, fatigue, and frequent urination. Conclusions:Our study revealed that the majority of university students in Uganda had good knowledge about the risk factors and symptoms of diabetes mellitus. The majority also perceived themselves to be at risk of diabetes.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a significant public health problem that causes substantial morbidity and mortality. Current first-line anti-TB chemotherapy, although very effective, has limitations including longtreatment duration with a possibility of non-adherence, drug interactions, and toxicities. Dose escalation of rifampicin, an important drug within the regimen, has been proposed as a potential route to higher treatment efficacy with shorter duration and some studies have suggested that dose escalation is safe; however, these have almost entirely been conducted among human immunodeficiency (HIV)-negative TB patients. TB-HIV co-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART) are at increased risk of drug-drug interactions and drug-related toxicities. This study aims to determine the safety of higher doses of rifampicin and its effect on the pharmacokinetics of efavirenz (EFV) and dolutegravir (DTG) in TB-HIV coinfected patients. Methods: This study is a randomized, open-label, phase IIb clinical trial among TB-HIV infected adult outpatients attending an HIV clinic in Kampala, Uganda. Patients newly diagnosed with TB will be randomized to either standard-dose or high-dose rifampicin (35 mg/kg) alongside standard TB treatment. ART-naïve patients will be randomly assigned to first-line ART regimens (DTG or EFV). Those who are already on ART (DTG or EFV) at enrollment will be continued on the same ART regimen but with dose adjustment of DTG to twice daily dosing. Participants will be followed every 2 weeks with assessment for toxicities at each visit and measurement of drug concentrations at week 6. At the end of intensive-phase therapy (8 weeks), all participants will be initiated on continuation-phase treatment using standard-dose rifampicin and isoniazid.

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