Browsing by Author "Mwesiga, Emmanuel Kiiza"

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    Evaluating Construct and Criterion validity of NeuroScreen in Assessing Neurocognition among Hospitalized Ugandan First-episode Psychosis Patients
    (Schizophrenia Research: Cognition, 2023) Asiedu, Nana; Mwesiga, Emmanuel Kiiza; Akena, Dickens; Gumikiriza-Onoria, Joy Louise; Nanteza, Angel; Nakku, Juliet; Nakasujja, Noeline; Ssembajjwe, Wilber; Ferraris, Christopher M.; Santoro, Anthony F.; Robbins, Reuben N.
    Neurocognitive impairment (NCI) is commonly exhibited among patients experiencing their first episode of psychosis. However, there are few resources in many low-income countries, such as Uganda, that allow for the administration of extensive neurocognitive test batteries for the detection of NCI. NeuroScreen is a brief tablet-based neurocognitive assessment battery that can be administered by all levels of healthcare staff. We examined the validity of NeuroScreen to assess neurocognition and detect NCI in first-episode psychosis (FEP) patients in Uganda. We enrolled 112 participants FEP patients and matched controls at Butabika Mental Referral Hospital. Each participant completed NeuroScreen and a traditionally administered neurocognitive battery: the MATRIC Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB). We examined correlations between participant performance on NeuroScreen and the MCCB. A ROC curve determined sensitivity and specificity of NeuroScreen to detect NCI as determined by MCCB criterion. There was a large, statistically significant correlation between overall performance on NeuroScreen and the MCCB [r(112) = 0.64, p < .001]. Small to large correlations were found between tests in the MCCB and NeuroScreen batteries. The ROC curve of NeuroScreen performance to detect MCCB-defined NCI had an area under curve of 0.80 and optimal sensitivity and specificity of 83 % and 60 %, respectively. There was a moderate positive correlation between overall performance on both batteries. NeuroScreen shows promise as a valid assessment battery to assess neurocognition and detect NCI in FEP patients in Uganda. Further studies of NeuroScreen in healthy individuals and in a range of mental disorders are recommended.
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    One Year Prevalence Of Psychotic Disorders Among First Treatment Contact Patients At The National Psychiatric Referral And Teaching Hospital In Uganda
    (PloS one, 2020) Mwesiga, Emmanuel Kiiza; Nakasujja, Noeline; Nakku, Juliet; Nanyonga, Annet; Gumikiriza, Joy Louise; Bangirana, Paul; Akena, Dickens; Musisi, Seggane
    Hospital based studies for psychotic disorders are scarce in low and middle income countries. This may impact on development of intervention programs.We aimed to determine the burden of psychotic disorders among first treatment contact patients at the national psychiatric referral hospital in Uganda.A retrospective patient chart-file review was carried out in March 2019 for all patients presenting to the hospital for the first time in the previous year. Patients were categorised into those with and without psychotic disorders. We collected sociodemographic data on age, gender, occupation, level of education, ethnicity, religion and home district. We determined the one year prevalence of psychotic disorders among first treatment contact patients. Using logistic regression models, we also determined the association between psychotic disorders and various exposure variables among first treatment contact patients.In 2018, 63% (95% CI: 60.2–65.1) of all first time contact patients had a psychosis related diagnosis. Among the patients with psychotic disorders, the median age was 29 years (IQR 24–36). Most of the patients were male (62.8%) and unemployed (63.1%). After adjusting for patients’ residence, psychotic disorders were found to be more prevalent among the female gender [OR 1.58 (CI1.46–1.72)] and those of Pentecostal faith [OR 1.25 (CI 1.10–1.42)].Among first treatment contact patients in Uganda, there is a large burden of psychotic disorders. The burden was more prevalent among females as well as people of Pentecostal faith who seemed to use their church for faith-based healing. Incidence studies are warranted to determine if this phenomenon is replicated at illness onset.