Browsing by Author "Kusemererwa, Sylvia"

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    Assessing acceptability of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among participants in an HIV vaccine preparedness study in southwestern Uganda
    (PLoS ONE, 2022) Nakamanya, Sarah; Kawuma, Rachel; Kibuuka, Denis; Kusemererwa, Sylvia; McCormack, Sheena; Ruzagira, Eugene; Seeley, Janet
    Daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use is highly effective against HIV infection. However, the uptake of PrEP among individuals at high-risk of HIV acquisition in sub-Saharan Africa varies because of availability and acceptability. We assessed the acceptability of PrEP among participants in a prospective HIV vaccine preparedness study in Masaka, southwestern Uganda. Methods From November 2018 to August 2019, 20 participants (10 female) were purposively selected for in-depth interviews (IDIs) at 3 and 9 months’ post-enrolment in the vaccine preparedness study. Four focus group discussions (FGD) (two among men) were conducted with 29 individuals categorized as: younger (18–24 years) men, younger (18–24 years) women, older (�30 years) men, and older (�30 years) women. Apart from IDI specific questions on recent life history including work experience, relationship history and places lived, topics for IDIs and FGDs included knowledge of HIV, perceptions of HIV risk (including own risk), knowledge of and use of PrEP. The Theoretical Framework of Acceptability was used to structure a thematic framework approach for data analysis. Results Participants understood that PrEP was an oral pill taken daily by HIV negative individuals to prevent acquisition of HIV. Overall, interest in and acceptability of PrEP was high, more than half expressed positivity towards PrEP but were not ready to initiate taking it citing the burden of daily oral pill taking, related side effects, stigma and distrust of PrEP. Fourteen participants (from IDI and FGD) initiated PrEP, although some (one FGD and two IDI participants) stopped taking it due to side effects or perceived reduced risk. Conclusion We observed a keen interest in PrEP initiation among our study participants. However, a limited understanding of PrEP and associated concerns impeded uptake and sustained use. Hence, interventions are needed to address end-user challenges to increase uptake and support adherence
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    Clinical And Immunological Outcomes Of A National Paediatric Cohort Receiving Combination Antiretroviral Therapy In Uganda
    (Aids, 2008) Kiboneka, Andrew; Wangisi, Jonathan; Nabiryo, Christine; Tembe, Juliet; Kusemererwa, Sylvia; Olupot, Peter Olupot; Joffres, Michel; Anema, Aranka; Cooper, Curtis L.; Montaner, Julio S.; Mills, Edward J.
    We aimed to evaluate clinical and immunological outcomes of paediatric patients receiving combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) enrolled in The AIDS Support Organization (TASO) Uganda national HIV/AIDS programme.Observational study of patients (age <14 years) enrolled in 10 clinics across Uganda for which TASO has data.We extracted patient demographic, immunological and clinical outcomes from the TASO databases regarding age, sex, cART regimen, CD4 cell count and WHO stage at initiation, tuberculosis, mortality and adherence. Outcomes were analysed using Pearson's rank–order correlations, Wilcoxon's rank sum tests, Cox proportional hazard model and survivor functions.Of the total 770 HIV children on cART, median age was 9 years (interquartile range, 5–13 years), and median follow-up time was 377 days (interquartile range, 173–624 days). Seven hundred and fifty-one children (97.5%) initiated nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-based regimens. Three hundred and sixty-five children (47.5%) initiated cART with severe immune suppression (CD4 cell percentage <15). Of the 18 (2.3%) children that died, mortality was associated with lower CD4 cell percentage at initiation (B coefficient −0.144, standard error 0.06, P = 0.02). Of the total, 229 (30%) were single or double orphans and more likely to initiate cART at an older age (mean age, 9.25 vs. 8.35 years, P = 0.02) and have a lower CD4 cell count (median, 268 vs. 422 cells/μl, P ≤ 0.0001) and CD4 cell percentage (median 12.8 vs. 15.5%, P = 0.02) at initiation. Pulmonary tuberculosis was present in 43 (5.6%) patients at initiation and 21 (2.3%) after cART. Almost all patients (94.9%) demonstrated more than 95% adherence.Children on cART in Uganda demonstrate positive clinical outcomes. However, additional support is required to ensure timely cART access among orphans and young children.