Browsing by Author "Ruzagira, Eugene"

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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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    Participation in Clinical Research Could Modify Background Risk for Trial Outcome Measures
    (AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses, 2014) Abaasa, Andrew M.; Asiki, Gershim; Levin, Jonathan; Bahemuka, Ubaldo; Ruzagira, Eugene; Kibengo, Freddie M.; Mulondo, Jerry; Ndibazza, Juliet; Price, Matthew A.; Fast, Pat; Kamali, Anatoli
    Data on HIV incidence and retention are needed to inform study design of efficacy trials. However, the selection criteria and interventions during an actual clinical trial could reduce HIV incidence and thus affect the statistical power. We investigated the effect of inclusion and participation in a simulated vaccine efficacy trial (SiVET) on HIV and pregnancy incidence in a fisherfolk cohort in SW Uganda.
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    Supervised Versus Unsupervised Intake Of Six-Dose Artemether-Lumefantrine For Treatment Of Acute, Uncomplicated Plasmodium Falciparum Malaria In Mbarara, Uganda: A Randomised Trial
    (The Lancet, 2005) Piola, Patrice; Fogg, Carole; Bajunirwe, Francis; Biraro, Samuel; Grandesso, Francesco; Ruzagira, Eugene; Babigumira, Joseph; Kigozi, Isaac; Kiguli, James; Kyomuhendo, Juliet; Ferradini, Laurent; Taylor, Walter; Checchi, Francesco; Guthmann, Jean-Paul
    The six-dose regimen of artemether-lumefantrine is effective and is among combination therapies prioritised to replace antimalarials that no longer work in Africa. However, its effectiveness has not been assessed in the field, and could be compromised by poor adherence, incorrect timing of doses, and insufficient intake of fatty foods with every dose. Our aim, therefore, was to assess the effectiveness of artemether-lumefantrine prescribed under routine outpatient conditions, compared with its efficacy when given under supervision to inpatients with acute uncomplicated falciparum malaria.We did a randomised trial to compare the efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of artemether-lumefantrine when given in a supervised (all doses observed with fatty-food intake; n=313) or unsupervised (first dose supervised followed by outpatient treatment with nutritional advice; n=644) setting to patients of all ages (weight >10 kg) with acute, uncomplicated falciparum malaria in Mbarara, Uganda. Our primary endpoint was 28 day, PCR-adjusted, parasitological cure rate. Analysis was by intention to treat and evaluability analysis.38 patients were lost to follow-up and one withdrew consent. Day-28 cure rates were 97·7% (296 of 303) and 98·0% (603 of 615) in the supervised and unsupervised groups, respectively. We recorded 15 non-severe, drug-related adverse events, all of which resolved.Artemether-lumefantrine has a high cure rate irrespective of whether given under supervision with food or under conditions of routine clinic practice. If used as first-line treatment, artemether-lumefantrine could make a substantial contribution to malaria control in Africa, though cost is an issue.
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    Trends of Reported HIV Sexual Risk Behaviour and HIV Incidence among Fisherfolk in Uganda Receiving Clinic-based Routine HIV Counseling and Testing
    (AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses, 2014) Mushabe Bahemuka, Ubaldo; Abaasa, Andrew; Ruzagira, Eugene; Mukasa Kibengo, Freddie; Ndibazza, Juliet; Asiki, Gershim; Mulondo, Jerry; Andrew Price, Matthew; Fast, Patricia; Kamali, Anatoli
    HIV counseling and testing (HCT) has been shown to reduce HIV risk behavior and is central to HIV prevention programs. We investigated risk behavior and HIV incidence trends in a fisherfolk cohort on Lake Victoria, Uganda. HIV negative volunteers aged 18–49 years, at high risk of HIV infection and willing to undergo HCT were enrolled. At every quarterly visit, they received HCT. Condoms and STI treatment were also provided. Risk behavior data on alcohol consumption before sex, multiple or new sex partners, condom use and exchange of gifts for sex in the past 3 months were collected at baseline and every 6 months for 2 years. We fitted multilevel logistic regression models to investigate the trends.
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    Willingness to participate in preventive HIV vaccine trials in a community-based cohort in South Western Uganda
    (Tropical medicine & international health, 2009) Ruzagira, Eugene; Wandiembe, Symon; Bufumbo, Leonard; Levin, Jonathan; Price, Matthew A.; Grosskurth, Heiner; Kamali, Anatoli
    To assess willingness to participate in HIV vaccine trials and possible barriers to participation. methods Questionnaire survey of participants completing a 2-year community-based HIV Vaccine Preparedness Study, followed by cross sectional analysis of data. results 95% of participants were willing to participate in a trial with similar attributes to the Vaccine Preparedness Study. Certain hypothetical trial attributes significantly reduced willingness to participate: The requirement to delay pregnancy (for females) had the largest effect, reducing willingness to participate from 97% to 23% (P < 0.0001). Larger blood draws had the second largest effect: 95–55% (P < 0.0001). The possibility of receiving either candidate vaccine or placebo had the third largest effect: 95–73% (P < 0.0001). Monthly study visits had the fourth largest effect: 95–92% (P < 0.0001). Trial duration longer than 2 years had the least effect: 95–93% (P = 0.0025). Combined attributes reduced willingness to participate from 95% to 43% (McNemar’s v2 = 521.00; P < 0.0001) overall and 97–11% (McNemar’s v2 = 531.00; P < 0.0001) for female participants. Physical harm concerns (adjusted OR = 34.9; 95% CI, 10.4–118) and a low risk behaviour index (adjusted OR = 0.09; 95% CI, 0.01–0.73) were associated with unwillingness to participate. conclusions We found a high level of willingness to participate in HIV vaccine trials in this population. However, certain HIV vaccine trial requirements were associated with reduced willingness to participate. Community as well as individual concerns will have to be carefully addressed in planned HIV vaccine trials.