Browsing by Author "Namale, Gertrude"

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    Sustained virological response and drug resistance among female sex workers living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy in Kampala, Uganda: a cross sectional study
    (Sexually transmitted infections, 2019) Namale, Gertrude; Kamacooko, Onesmus; Bagiire, Daniel; Mayanja, Yunia; Abaasa, Andrew; Kilembe, William; Price, Matt; Ssemwanga, Deogratius; Lunkuse, Sandra; Nanyonjo, Maria; Ssenyonga, William; Mayaud, Philippe; Newton, Rob; Kaleebu, Pontiano; Seeley, Janet
    We assessed the prevalence and risk factors associated with virological failure among female sex workers living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy (ART ) in Kampala, Uganda. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study between January 2015 and December 2016 using routinely collected data at a research clinic providing services to women at high risk of STIs including HIV. Plasma samples were tested for viral load from HIVseropositive women aged ≥18 years who had been on ART for at least 6 months and had received adherence counselling. Samples from women with virological failure (≥1000 copies/mL) were tested for HIV drug resistance by population-based sequencing. We used logistic regression to identify factors associated with virological failure. Results Of 584 women, 432 (74%) with a mean age of 32 (SD 6.5) were assessed, and 38 (9%) were found to have virological failure. HIV resistance testing was available for 78% (28/38), of whom 82.1% (23/28) had at least one major drug resistance mutation (DRM), most frequently M184V (70%, 16/23) and K103N (65%, 15/23). In multivariable analysis, virological failure was associated with participant age 18–24 (adjusted OR (aOR)=5.3, 95% CI 1.6 to 17.9), self-reported ART nonadherence (aOR=2.6, 95% CI 1.2 to 5.8) and baseline CD4+ T-cell count ≤350 cells/mm3 (aOR=3.1, 95% CI 1.4 to 7.0). Conclusions A relatively low prevalence of virological failure but high rate of DRM was found in this population at high risk of transmission. Younger age, self-reported ART non-adherence and low CD4+ T-cell count on ART initiation were associated with increased risk of virological failure.
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    Visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) positivity among female sex workers: a cross-sectional study highlighting one-year experiences in early detection of precancerous and cancerous cervical lesions in Kampala, Uganda
    (Infectious Agents and Cancer, 2021) Namale, Gertrude; Mayanja, Yunia; Kamacooko, Onesmus; Bagiire, Daniel; Ssali, Agnes; Seeley, Janet; Newton, Robert; Kamali, Anatoli
    Although cervical cancer is preventable, most women in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) do not receive routine screening and few treatment options exist. Female Sex Workers (FSWs) are among the Ugandan female population at highest risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV and human papilloma viruses (HPV), the cause of cervical cancer. We report one-year experiences of visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) positivity among FSWs in the early detection of pre-cancerous and cancerous cervical lesions in Kampala, Uganda. Methods: Between June 2014 and July 2015, we enrolled FSWs into a cross-sectional study at a research clinic. The women were screened using the VIA method (application of 3–5 % acetic acid to the cervix). All VIA positive women were referred to a tertiary hospital for colposcopy, biopsy, and immediate treatment (if indicated) at the same visit according to national guidelines. Data on socio-demographic, sexual behaviour, sexual reproductive health and clinical characteristics were collected. We used logistic regression to identify factors associated with VIA positivity. Results: Of 842 women assessed for eligibility, 719 (85 %) of median age 30 (IQR 26, 35) were screened, and 40 (6 %) women were VIA positive. Of the 24 histology specimens analysed, 6 showed inflammation, only 1 showed cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 1, 13 women showed CIN2/3, while 4 women already had invasive cervical cancer. The overall prevalence of HIV was 43 %, of whom only 35 % were receiving ART. In the age-adjusted analysis, VIA positivity was more likely among women who reported having > 100 life-time partners (aOR = 3.34, 95 %CI: 1.38–8.12), and HIV positive women (aOR = 4.55; 95 %CI: 2.12–9.84).