Browsing by Author "Kwiringira, Andrew"

Now showing 1 - 8 of 8
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    Effect of seasonal malaria chemoprevention on incidence of malaria among children under five years in Kotido and Moroto Districts, Uganda, 2021: time series analysis
    (Malaria Journal, 2024-12-18) Kwiringira, Andrew; Kwesiga, Benon; Kadobera, Daniel; Ario, Alex R.; Ssempiira, Julius
    Seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) refers to monthly administration of full treatment courses of anti-malarial medicine to children <5 years during high malaria transmission seasons. SMC has demonstrated effectiveness in Sahel and sub-Sahel countries in Africa. However, it was not implemented in Uganda until April 2021, when the country began SMC in the highly malaria-endemic Kotido and Moroto Districts. This study assessed the effect of SMC on malaria incidence among children <5 years of age in Kotido and Moroto Districts.
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    Factors associated with acute watery diarrhea among children aged 0–59 months in Obongi District, Uganda, April 2022: A case–control study
    (Elsevier Ltd, 2024-04) Juniour Nsubuga, Edirisa; Kirabo, Jireh; Kwiringira, Andrew; Andaku, Linus; Magona Nerima, Saharu; Nsubuga, Fred; Nakazzi, Rashida; Kwesiga, Benon; Bulage, Lilian; Kadobera, Daniel; Edward Okello, Paul; Riolexus Ario, Alex
    Abstract • Poor caregiver hand hygiene linked to acute watery diarrhea in children. • Source of water in a home was associated with acute watery diarrhea in children. • Rotavirus vaccination only, not enough to prevent acute watery diarrhea in children. • Educate communities on handwashing at critical times, using clean water & soap. • Stresses need for treated pipped/tap water in every household.
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    Group-based Education and monitoring program delivered by community health workers to improve control of high blood pressure in island districts of lake victoria, Uganda
    (BMC Primary Care, 2024-05-28) Kwiringira, Andrew; Migisha, Richard; Bulage, Lilian; Mbaka, Paul; Hayes, Donald; Ario, Alex R.
    Individuals living in communities with poor access to healthcare may be unaware of their high blood pressure (BP). While the use of community health workers (CHWs) can address gaps in human resources for health, CHWs in Uganda have not been used previously for BP screening and management. We report the results of an initiative to train CHWs to evaluate BP and to administer group-based education in Kalangala and Buvuma Island Districts of Lake Victoria, Uganda.
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    Implementation of an infection prevention and control response strategy to combat the Sudan Virus Disease outbreak in an urban setting, the Kampala Metropolitan area, Uganda, 2022
    (BMC Infectious Diseases, 2025-03-06) Nanyondo, S. Judith; Nakato, Shillah; Kwiringira, Andrew; Suubi, Rebecca; Lamorde, Mohammed
    In October 2022, the Uganda Ministry of Health (MoH) confirmed the first case of a Sudan Virus Disease (SVD) outbreak in the Kampala Metropolitan area (KMA). A multicomponent infection prevention and control (IPC) strategy was implemented to control the spread of Orthoebolavirus sudanense (SUDV) in KMA. We describe the deployment of this strategy, its effect on IPC capacities, and the successful control of the SVD outbreak in KMA during the 2022 outbreak. The multicomponent IPC strategy included (1) IPC pillar coordination: an IPC task force convened by government and health partner representatives and designated focal persons at the district level (2) Ring IPC: intense and targeted IPC support was developed to provide support to healthcare facilities (HCFs) and communities around each confirmed case, (3) IPC in HCFs: HCFs were assessed using a modified WHO SVD IPC scorecard rapid assessment tool that measured 15 IPC capacity domains, mentorship and IPC supplies were provided to HCFs with low scores on the rapid assessment. A KMA task force was established, and 13 IPC Rings were activated; 790 HCFs were assessed for IPC readiness, and 2,235 healthcare workers (HCWs) were trained. The mean (± standard-deviation) IPC score was 59.2% (± 18.6%) at baseline and increased to 65.5% (± 14.7%) at follow-up after 2 weeks (p < 0.001) of support. The mean IPC scores at baseline were lowest for primary HCFs (57%) and private-for-profit HCFs (47.1%). Similar gaps were revealed across all HCFs, with eight out of 15 (53.3%) IPC capacity areas assessed, resulting in scores < 50% at baseline. At follow-up, only four out of 15 (26.7%) capacity areas (26.7%) were below this threshold. The IPC strategy enhanced the IPC capacities at HCFs and could be adopted for future outbreaks. Leadership commitment and resource allocation to IPC during non-outbreak periods are critical for preparedness, rapid response, and access to safe care.
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    Increasing trend in all–cause mortality at Regional Referral Hospitals in Uganda during the COVID–19 pandemic (2020–2021)
    (Quarterly Epidemiological, 2022-11-18) Ahirirwe, Sherry Rita; Kwiringira, Andrew; Kwesiga, Benon; Bulage, Lilian; Kadobera, Daniel; Ario, Alex Riolexus
    Testing limitations and inadequate mortality surveillance systems complicate the analysis of data on the true burden of deaths associated with pandemics. One solution is to calculate excess mortality (EM). We described temporal trends in all–cause mortality at regional referral hospitals (RRHs) in Uganda and estimated EM during two years of the COVID19 pandemic compared with five years of historical data (2015–2019).
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    Ownership and Use of Long-lasting Insecticidal Nets and Factors Associated, Immediately after a Mass Distribution Campaign in Uganda: A Cross-sectional Survey of Fourteen districts
    (Quarterly Epidemiological, 2021-10-17) Kwiringira, Andrew; Nanziri , Carol; Migamba, Stella Martha; Ahirirwe, Sherry Rita; Kadobera, Daniel; Ario, Alex R.
    Uganda conducted its third mass Long-Lasting Insecticide-treated Nets (LLIN) distribution campaign in 2021. The target of the campaign was to ensure that 100% households own at least 1 LLIN per 2 persons, and to achieve 85% use of distributed LLINs. We assessed LLIN ownership, use, and associated factors 3 months after the campaign.
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    Rapid Antiretroviral Therapy Initiation following roll out of Point-of-Care Early Infant Diagnosis Testing, Uganda, 2018- 2021
    (AIDS Res Ther, 2024-05-15) Migamba, Stella M.; Nsubuga, Edirisa Juniour; Kwiringira, Andrew; Kabwama, Steven N.; Nakafeero, Mary; Bulage, Lilian; Ario, Alex R.
    Uganda Ministry of Health recommends a first HIV DNA-PCR test at 4-6 weeks for early infant diagnosis (EID) of HIV-exposed infants (HEIs), immediate results return and initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV-positive infants. In 2019, MOH introduced point-of-care (POC) whole-blood EID testing in 33 health facilities and scaled up to 133 in 2020. We assessed turnaround time for test results and ART linkage before and after implementation of POC testing.
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    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