Browsing by Author "Mwaka, Erisa"

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    The Africa Ethics Working Group (AEWG): a model of collaboration for psychiatric genomic research in Africa
    (Wellcome Open Research, 2021) Kamuya, Dorcas; Bitta, Mary A.; Addissie, Adamu; Naanyu, Violet; Palk, Andrea; Mwaka, Erisa; Kamaara, Eunice; Tadele, Getnet; Teka Wolde, Telahun; Nakigudde, Janet; Manku, Kiran; Musesengwa, Rosemary; Singh, Ilina
    The Africa Ethics Working Group (AEWG) is a South-South-North collaboration of bioethics and mental health researchers from sub- Saharan Africa, working to tackle emerging ethical challenges in global mental health research. Initially formed to provide ethical guidance for a neuro-psychiatric genomics research project, AEWG has evolved to address cross cutting ethical issues in mental health research aimed at addressing equity in North-South collaborations. Global South refers to economically developing countries (sub- Saharan Africa in this context) and Global North to economically developed countries (primarily Europe, UK and North America). In this letter we discuss lessons that as a group we have learnt over the last three years; lessons that similar collaborations could draw on. With increasing expertise from Global South as an outcome of several capacity strengthening initiatives, it is expected that the nature of scientific collaborations will shift to a truly equitable partnership. The AEWG provides a model to rethink contributions that each partner could make in these collaborations.
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    Consent for mobile phone surveys of non-communicable disease risk factors in low-resource settings: an exploratory qualitative study in Uganda
    (Mhealth, 2019) Mwaka, Erisa; Nakigudde, Janet; Ali, Joseph; Ochieng, Joseph; Hallez, Kristina; Tweheyo, Raymond; Labrique, Alain; Gibson, Dustin G.; Rutebemberwa, Elizeus; Pariyo, George
    Lack of data for timely decision-making around the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) presents special challenges for policy makers, especially in resource-limited settings. New data collection methods, including pre-recorded Interactive Voice Response (IVR) phone surveys, are being developed to support rapid compilation of population-level disease risk factor information in such settings. We aimed to identify information that could be used to optimize consent approaches for future mobile phone surveys (MPS) employed in Uganda and, possibly, similar contexts. Methods: We conducted an in-depth qualitative study with key stakeholders in Uganda about consent approaches, and potential challenges, for pre-recorded IVR NCD risk factor surveys. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 key informants. A contextualized thematic approach was used to interpret the results supported by representative quotes. Results: Several potential challenges in designing consent approaches for MPS were identified, including low literacy and the lack of appropriate ways of assessing comprehension and documenting consent. Communication with potential respondents prior to the MPS and providing options for callbacks were suggested as possible strategies for improving comprehension within the consent process. “Opt-in” forms of authorization were preferred over “opt-out”. There was particular concern about data security and confidentiality and how matters relating to this would be communicated to MPS respondents. Conclusions: These local insights provide important information to support optimization of consent for MPS, whose use is increasing globally to advance public health surveillance and research in constructive ways
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    Evolution of Research Ethics in a Low Resource Setting: a case of Uganda
    (Developing world bioethics, 2020) Ochieng, Joseph; Kwagala, Betty; Sewankambo, Nelson; Mwaka, Erisa
    The globalization of clinical research in the last two decades has led to a significant increase in the volume of clinical research in developing countries. As of 2016, Uganda was the third largest destination for clinical trials in Africa. This requires adequate capacity and systems to facilitate ethical practice. Methods: This was a retrospective study involving review of laws, guidelines, policies and records from 1896 to date. Results: Modern medicine evolved from 1896 and by the time of Uganda’s independence in 1962, a 1500 bed national referral hospital was in place and a fully-fledged medical school was established at the Makerere University. As the practice of medicine evolved in the country, so did medical research that addressed priority health issues. The growth in modern medicine was not matched with development of research infrastructure and regulatory systems. The first documented regulation of research activities was in 1970 while the first research ethics committee established in 1986 was to facilitate review of research related to the HIV/AIDs pandemic. In 1990 an Act of Parliament was passed to facilitate development and implementation of policies, hence the development of the national guidelines in 1997, training, establishment and accreditation of research ethics committees, conferences and research site monitoring.
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    Informed consent in clinical practice: patients’ experiences and perspectives following surgery
    (BMC research notes, 2015) Ochieng, Joseph; Buwembo, William; Munabi, Ian; Ibingira, Charles; Kiryowa, Haruna; Nzarubara, Gabriel; Mwaka, Erisa
    Informed consent during medical practice is an essential component of comprehensive medical care and is a requirement that should be sought all the time the doctor interacts with the patients, though very challenging when it comes to implementation. Since the magnitude and frequency of surgery related risk are higher in a resource limited setting, informed consent for surgery in such settings should be more comprehensive. This study set out to evaluate patients’ experiences and perspectives of informed consent for surgery. Methods: This was a survey of post-operative patients at three university teaching hospitals in Uganda. The participants were interviewed using guided, semi-structured questionnaires. Patients from different surgical disciplines participated in the study.
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    Informed consent practices for surgical care at university teaching hospitals: a case in a low resource setting
    (BMC research notes, 2015) Ochieng, Joseph; Ibingira, Charles; Buwembo, William; Munabi, Ian; Kiryowa, Haruna; Kitara, David; Bukuluki, Paul; Nzarubara, Gabriel; Mwaka, Erisa
    Informed consent in medical practice is essential and a global standard that should be sought at all the times doctors interact with patients. Its intensity would vary depending on the invasiveness and risks associated with the anticipated treatment. To our knowledge there has not been any systematic review of consent practices to document best practices and identify areas that need improvement in our setting. The objective of the study was to evaluate the informed consent practices of surgeons at University teaching Hospitals in a low resource setting.
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    Outcomes of Periodontal Treatment in Diabetes Mellitus Patients at Kiruddu Referral Hospital in Uganda. A Prospective Cohort Study
    (Research Square, 2021) Kiryowa, Haruna; Mwaka, Erisa; Buwembo, William; Munabi, Ian; Rwenyonyi, Charles; Kaddumukasa, Mark
    Periodontitis is a common complication of diabetes mellitus associated with poor glycemic control. The relationship between periodontal disease and glycemic control in patients with diabetes mellitus remains unclear. This study set out to determine the outcomes of periodontal treatment in diabetic patients in Uganda.Using a cohort study design, 41 adult diabetic patients with periodontal disease were enrolled and followed up for 3 months. Fasting blood sugar, glycated hemoglobin levels, pocketprobing depth, bleeding and clinical attachment loss at baseline and 3 months after periodontal treatment were determined. Gingival crevicular fluid was assessed to detect presence of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Bacteroides forsythus and Fusobacterium nucleatum. Data were analyzed using R version 4.10. Mean differences were calculated to determine effect of treatment and multiple logistic regressions was used to determine association between Hba1c and the different variables.Of the41 participants, 61% were females while 39% were males. The average age was 49.2 years (S.D = 11.2)while the mean BM1 was 27.8 (S.D = 4.8). Overall, there was a reduction in the average number of teeth with bleeding sites, those with pockets and the frequencies of selected bacteria except Fusobacterium nucleatum at 3 months after periodontal treatment. Following periodontal treatment, 39% of the participants had an improvement in their glycemic control (mean HbA1c reduction of 1.86) with age < 47.1 years, diabetic duration less than 1.6 years, BM1< 27.7 and HBA1c >8.9 at baseline being positively associated with this improvement. Treating periodontal disease in diabetic patients especially those with HBA1c <9.0 can improve glycemic control. However, larger studies need to be conducted to ascertain why some patients fail to attain an improved metabolic control following this intervention.