Browsing by Author "Ampaire, Immaculate"

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Descriptive epidemiology of rubella disease and associated virus strains in Uganda
    (Journal of Medical Virology, 2020) Tushabe, Phionah; Bwogi, Josephine; Abernathy, Emily; Birungi, Molly; Eliku, James P.; Seguya, Ronald; Bukenya, Henry; Namuwulya, Prossy; Kakooza, Proscovia; Suppiah, Suganthi; Kabaliisa, Theopista; Tibanagwa, Mayi; Ampaire, Immaculate; Kisakye, Annet; Bakainaga, Andrew; Byabamazima, Charles R.; Icenogle, Joseph P.; Bakamutumaho, Barnabas
    Rubella virus causes a mild disease; however, infection during the first trimester of pregnancy may lead to congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) in over 80% of affected pregnancies. Vaccination is recommended and has been shown to effectively reduce CRS incidence. Uganda plans to introduce routine rubella vaccination in 2019. The World Health Organization recommends assessing the disease burden and obtaining the baseline molecular virological data before vaccine introduction. Sera collected during case‐based measles surveillance from January 2005 to July 2018 were tested for rubella immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies. Sera from confirmed rubella outbreaks from January 2012 to August 2017 were screened using real‐time reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR); for positive samples, a region within the E1 glycoprotein coding region was amplified and sequenced. Of the 23 196 suspected measles cases serologically tested in parallel for measles and rubella, 5334 (23%) were rubella IgM‐positive of which 2710 (50.8%) cases were females with 2609 (96.3%) below 15 years of age. Rubella IgM‐positive cases were distributed throughout the country and the highest number was detected in April, August, and November. Eighteen (18%) of the 100 sera screened were real‐time RTPCR‐ positive of which eight (44.4%) were successfully sequenced and genotypes 1G and 2B were identified. This study reports on the seroprevalence and molecular epidemiology of rubella. Increased knowledge of former and current rubella viruses circulating in Uganda will enhance efforts to monitor the impact of vaccination as Uganda moves toward control and elimination of rubella and CRS.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Positive predictive value and effectiveness of measles case-based surveillance in Uganda, 2012-2015
    (PLoS ONE, 2017) Nsubuga, Fred; Ampaire, Immaculate; Kasasa, Simon; Luzze, Henry; Kisakye, Annet
    Disease surveillance is a critical component in the control and elimination of vaccine preventable diseases. The Uganda National Expanded Program on Immunization strives to have a sensitive surveillance system within the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) framework. We analyzed measles surveillance data to determine the effectiveness of the measles case-based surveillance system and estimate its positive predictive value in order to inform policy and practice. Methods An IDSR alert was defined as ≥1 suspected measles case reported by a district in a week, through the electronic Health Management Information System. We defined an alert in the measles case-based surveillance system (CBS) as ≥1 suspected measles case with a blood sample collected for confirmation during the corresponding week in a particular district. Effectiveness of CBS was defined as having ≥80% of IDSR alerts with a blood sample collected for laboratory confirmation. Positive predictive value was defined as the proportion of measles case-patients who also had a positive measles serological result (IgM +). We reviewed case-based surveillance data with laboratory confirmation and measles surveillance data from the electronic Health Management Information System from 2012–2015. Results A total of 6,974 suspected measles case-persons were investigated by the measles case-based surveillance between 2012 and 2015. Of these, 943 (14%) were measles specific IgM positive. The median age of measles case-persons between 2013 and 2015 was 4.0 years. Between 2013 and 2015, 72% of the IDSR alerts reported in the electronic Health Management Information System, had blood samples collected for laboratory confirmation. This was however less than the WHO recommended standard of ≥80%. The PPV of CBS between 2013 and 2015 was 8.6%. Conclusion In conclusion, the effectiveness of measles case-based surveillance was sub-optimal, while the PPV showed that true measles cases have significantly reduced in Uganda. We recommended strengthening of case-based surveillance to ensure that all suspected measles cases have blood samples collected for laboratory confirmation to improve detection and ensure elimination by 2020.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Strategies to Enhance COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake among Prioritized Groups, Uganda—Lessons Learned and Recommendations for Future Pandemics
    (U.S. National Center for Infectious Diseases, 2024-07) Kiiza, Daniel; Semanda, Judith Nanyondo; Kawere, Boneventure Brian; Ajore, Claire; Wasswa, Christopher Kaliisa; Kwiringira, Andrew; Tumukugize, Emmanuel; Sserubidde, Joel; Namyalo, Nashiba; Wadria, Ronald Baker; Mukiibi, Peter; Kasule, Julie; Chemos, Ivan; Ruth, Acham Winfred; Atugonza, Ritah; Banage, Flora; Wibabara, Yvette; Ampaire, Immaculate; Driwale, Alfred; Vosburgh, Waverly; Nelson, Lisa; Lamorde, Mohammed; Boore, Amy
    COVID-19 vaccination was launched in March 2021 in Uganda and initially prioritized persons >50 years of age, persons with underlying conditions, healthcare workers, teachers, and security forces. However, uptake remained low 5 months after the program launch. Makerere University's Infectious Diseases Institute supported Uganda's Ministry of Health in optimizing COVID-19 vaccination uptake models by using point-of-care, place of worship, and place of work engagement and the Social Assistance Grant for Empowerment model in 47 of 135 districts in Uganda, where we trained influencers to support mobilization for vaccination outreach under each model. During July-December, vaccination rates increased significantly in targeted regions, from 92% to 130% for healthcare workers, 40% to 90% for teachers, 25% to 33% for security personnel, 6% to 15% for persons >50 years of age, and 6% to 11% for persons with underlying conditions. Our approach could be adopted in other targeted vaccination campaigns for future pandemics.COVID-19 vaccination was launched in March 2021 in Uganda and initially prioritized persons >50 years of age, persons with underlying conditions, healthcare workers, teachers, and security forces. However, uptake remained low 5 months after the program launch. Makerere University's Infectious Diseases Institute supported Uganda's Ministry of Health in optimizing COVID-19 vaccination uptake models by using point-of-care, place of worship, and place of work engagement and the Social Assistance Grant for Empowerment model in 47 of 135 districts in Uganda, where we trained influencers to support mobilization for vaccination outreach under each model. During July-December, vaccination rates increased significantly in targeted regions, from 92% to 130% for healthcare workers, 40% to 90% for teachers, 25% to 33% for security personnel, 6% to 15% for persons >50 years of age, and 6% to 11% for persons with underlying conditions. Our approach could be adopted in other targeted vaccination campaigns for future pandemics. MEDLINE - Academic