Browsing by Author "Tamwesigire, Imelda K."
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Item Association between GeneXpert Diagnosis and Same-Day Initiation of Tuberculosis Treatment in Rural Eastern Uganda.(The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 2020) Izudi, Jonathan; Tamwesigire, Imelda K.; Bajunirwe, FrancisDiagnosis of tuberculosis with GeneXpert and same-day initiation of tuberculosis treatment (SITT) has important public health and clinical benefits. GeneXpert allows for rapid diagnosis, hence presenting an opportunity for SITT. We determined the association between GeneXpert diagnosis and SITT, and the effect of SITT on treatment success rate among adult persons with bacteriologically confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis (BC-PTB) in rural eastern Uganda. We conducted a retrospective cohort study using routinely collected data at 10 health facilities, used modified Poisson regression analysis to determine the association between GeneXpert and SITT, and expressed the results as risk ratio (RR). We used propensity score-matched analysis to match SITT participants to delayed initiation of treatment (DIT) participants and then performed logistic regression analysis to determine the independent effect of SITT on treatment success rate, expressed as odds ratio (OR). Of 1,045 participants, 764 (73.1%) had SITT. The use of GeneXpert for diagnosis of tuberculosis was associated with higher likelihood of SITT (adjusted RR [aRR], 1.28; 95% CI: 1.19–1.37) and for persons with new BC-PTB diagnosis (aRR, 1.16; 95% CI: 1.02–1.32). We successfully matched 530 participants (265 in SITT and 265 in DIT) through 1:1 nearest neighbor caliper matching. Before propensity score-matched analysis, SITT was not significantly associated with treatment success rate (adjusted OR, 0.97; 95% CI: 0.70–1.33). After propensity scorematched analysis, SITT remained nonsignificantly associated with treatment success rate (OR, 0.96; 95% CI: 0.67–1.40). GeneXpert thus increases the likelihood of SITT, but SITT has no significant effect on treatment success rate.Item Does completion of sputum smear monitoring have an effect on treatment success and cure rate among adult tuberculosis patients in rural Eastern Uganda? A propensity score-matched analysis(PloS one, 2019) Izudi, Jonathan; Tamwesigire, Imelda K.; Bajunirwe, FrancisTuberculosis is a global public health problem. Bacteriologically confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis (BC-PTB) patients require three sputum smear monitoring (SSM) tests to establish cure or treatment success, but few studies have assessed the relationship. We evaluated the effect of completing SSM on treatment success rate (TSR) among adult BC-PTB patients in rural eastern Uganda.We conducted a propensity score-matched (PSM) analysis of a retrospective observational cohort data. Participants who completed SSM were matched to those who had not, through nearest neighbor 1:1 caliper matching. Balance of baseline characteristics between the groups was compared before and after PSM using standardized mean differences. Logistic regression analysis was performed in matched and unmatched samples, reported as odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Robustness of the results to hidden bias was checked through sensitivity analysis. The primary outcome was TSR (treatment completion or cure), while the secondary was cure rate, measured as an individual outcome.Before PSM, 591 (72.3%) of the 817 participants had incomplete SSM, with statistically significant differences in baseline covariates between completers and non-completers. After PSM, there were 185 participants in either group, balanced on baseline covariates. Before PSM, SSM completion was not associated with TSR, with unadjusted (OR, 0.92; 95%CI, 0.32–2.63) and adjusted analysis (Adjusted OR, 1.32; 95%CI, 0.41–4.22). For cure rate, there was a statistically significant effect before (OR, 93.34; 95%CI, 29.53–295.99) and after adjusted analysis (Adjusted OR, 86.24; 95%CI, 27.05–274.94), although imprecise. In PSM analysis, SSM completion was associated with increased odds of cure (OR, 87.00; 95%CI, 12.12–624.59) but not TSR (OR, 1.67; 95%CI, 0.40–6.97).Completing SSM increases cure but has no effect on TSR among adult BC-PTB patients in eastern Uganda. Implementation of SSM should be encouraged to ensure improvement in cure rates among tuberculosis patients in rural areas.Item Integration of HIV-Sexual Reproductive Health Services for Young People and the Barriers at Public Health Facilities in Mbarara Municipality, Southwestern Uganda: A Qualitative Assessment(International journal of reproductive medicine, 2019) Akatukwasa, Cecilia; Bajunirwe, Francis; Nuwamanya, Simpson; Kansime, Noel; Aheebwe, Emmanuel; Tamwesigire, Imelda K.Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) and HIV risk behaviors for young people are intertwined. This rationalizes the need for integration of HIV and SRH services within the health care system, especially in countries with high HIV burden. In this study, we explored the current status of HIV-SRH integration for young people and barriers of integration from different stakeholders at public health facilities in Mbarara Municipality, southwestern Uganda. We conducted an exploratory qualitative study at public health facilities in Mbarara district of southwestern Uganda. Data were collected among young people (n=48), health care providers (n=63), and key informants (n=11). We used in-depth interviews and focus group discussions to collect the data. Coding and analysis of qualitative data were done using Atlas.Overall there was no differentiation of HIV-SRH services between adults and young people. Integration of HIV-SRH services was reported at all facility levels; however, there was poor differentiation of services for the young persons and adults. Integrated HIV and SRH services for young people were acknowledged to improve access to information and risk perception, improve continuity of care, and reduce cost of services and would also lead to improved client-health worker relationships. The potential barriers to achieving HIV-SRH integration included individual provider characteristics like lack of training and attitudes, generic health system challenges like low staffing levels, poor infrastructure with lack of space and privacy to deliver these services. At the policy level vertical programing and unclear policies and guidelines were identified as challenges. Our study shows integration of HIV and SRH services exists in general but services for adults and young people are blended or poorly differentiated. Significant health system barriers need to be overcome to achieve differentiation of the services for young people and adults.Item Protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis of treatment success rate among adult patients with tuberculosis in sub-Saharan Africa(BMJ open, 2018) Izudi, Jonathan; Semakula, Daniel; Sennono, Richard; Tamwesigire, Imelda K.; Bajunirwe, FrancisTuberculosis (TB) is a leading cause of mortality globally. Despite being curable, treatment success rates (TSRs) among adult patients with bacteriologically confirmed pulmonary TB (BC-PTB) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) differ considerably. This protocol documents and presents an explicit plan of a systematic review and meta-analysis to summarise TSR among adult patients with BC-PTB in SSA.Two reviewers will search and extract data from MEDLINE, EMBASE, Ovid, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature and Web of Science electronic databases. Observational and interventional studies published between 1 July 2008 and 30 June 2018, involving adult patients with BC-PTB will be eligible. Data abstraction disagreements will be resolved by consensus with a third reviewer, while percentage agreement computed with kappa statistics. TSR will be computed with Metaprop, a Stata command for pooling proportions using DerSimonian and Laird random effects model and presented in a forest plot with corresponding 95% CIs. Heterogeneity between included studies will be assessed with Cochran’s Q test and quantified with I-squared values. Publication bias will be evaluated with funnel plots and tested with Egger’s weighted regression. Time trends in TSR will be calculated with cumulative meta-analysis.Item Sputum Smear Non-Conversion Among Adult Persons With Bacteriologically Confirmed Pulmonary Tuberculosis In Rural Eastern Uganda(Journal of Clinical Tuberculosis and Other Mycobacterial Diseases, 2020) Izudi, Jonathan; Tamwesigire, Imelda K.; Bajunirwe, FrancisFailure to convert sputum at two months of treatment among persons with bacteriologically confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis (BC-PTB) indicates poor response to treatment but data are limited on its assessment.We determined the frequency and factors associated with sputum smear non-conversion at two months among persons with BC-PTB in eastern Uganda.We abstracted data of adult persons with BC-PTB, from routinely available records from TB registers at 10 clinics in eastern Uganda. We determined factors that are independently associated with sputum smear non-conversion using logistic regression analysis. We expressed the results as odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI).Of 516 persons with BC-PTB, 81 (15.7%) did not achieve sputum smear conversion at two months of TB treatment. Higher Mycobacteria tuberculosis (MTB) load and treatment at a private-not-for-profit (PNFP) facility compared to government health facility were significantly associated with sputum smear non-conversion. A one unit (+1) increase in MTB load based on ZN stain counts was associated with a 48% increase in the odds of sputum smear non-conversion with adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 1.48 (95% CI, 1.02–2.18). TB treatment at private-not-for-profit health facility was associated with a two-fold increase in the odds of sputum smear non-conversion (AOR, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.01–3.92).Our study shows that sputum smear non-conversion is common at two months of treatment in this population. It is more likely among patients with higher baseline MTB load and those treated at PNFP facilities. Strategies targeting patients with these risk factors are needed to enhance sputum smear conversion.Item Surveillance For Multi-Drug And Rifampicin Resistant Tuberculosis And Treatment Outcomes Among Previously Treated Persons With Tuberculosis In The Era Of Genexpert In Rural Eastern Uganda(Journal of clinical tuberculosis and other mycobacterial diseases, 2020) Izudi, Jonathan; Tamwesigire, Imelda K.; Bajunirwe, FrancisPreviously treated persons with bacteriologically confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis (BC-PTB) have increased risk of developing multi-drug resistant or rifampicin resistant tuberculosis (MDR/RR-TB). Surveillance for resistance is critical to identify and treat MDR/RR-TB to ensure cure and prevent transmission. There are limited studies conducted on this subject.We examined the frequency and factors associated with MDR/RR-TB surveillance among previously treated persons with BC-PTB, and described their treatment outcomes in rural eastern Uganda.We reviewed treatment records for BC-PTB between January 2015 and June 2018 at 10 clinics in eastern Uganda. We collected data on demographics, surveillance for MDR/RR, use of GeneXpert and treatment outcomes. We performed bivariate and multivariate analyses. For multivariate analysis, we used the modified Poisson regression analysis with robust standard errors and stated the results as adjusted risk ratio (aRR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). All analyses were conducted in R version 3.5.2.We obtained records for 135 previously treated persons with BC-PTB and of these, 41 (30.4%) had undergone surveillance for MDR/RR-TB. Treatment failures were less likely to have surveillance compared to relapses (aRR, 0.28; 95% CI, 0.08–0.95), and there was an increasing trend in the likelihood for surveillance between 2015 and 2018 (aRR, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.39–2.25). There was no difference in MDR/RR-TB surveillance rate between health facilities with and without GeneXpert on-site (aRR, 1.52; 95% CI, 0.81–2.86) and between male and female patients (aRR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.21–1.37). Overall, 92 (68.1%) previously treated persons with BC-PTB were successfully treated for tuberculosis.MDR/RR-TB surveillance and treatment success rates among previously treated persons with BC-PTB in rural eastern Uganda are low. Tuberculosis programs should strengthen MDR/RR-TB surveillance and especially target those with treatment failure.Item Treatment Success And Mortality Among Adults With Tuberculosis In Rural Eastern Uganda: A Retrospective Cohort Study(BMC public health, 2020) Izudi, Jonathan; Tamwesigire, Imelda K.; Bajunirwe, FrancisSuccessful treatment of tuberculosis leads to clinical and public health benefits such as reduction in transmission, complications, and mortality among patients. However, data are limited on treatment outcomes and the associated factors among persons with bacteriologically confirmed pulmonary (BC-PTB) in rural areas of high dual tuberculosis and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) burden countries such as Uganda. We investigated factors associated with successful treatment of tuberculosis and mortality among adult persons with BC-PTB in rural eastern Uganda.We constructed a retrospective cohort of persons with BC-PTB from a routine tuberculosis clinic database in eastern Uganda. We performed bivariate and multivariate analysis. Using a 5% level of significance, we ran a modified Poisson regression analysis to determine factors independently associated with treatment success and mortality rates.We retrieved 1123 records for persons with BC-PTB and the treatment outcomes were distributed as follows: 477(42.5%) cured, 323 (28.0%) treatment completed, 17(1.5%) treatment failed, 81(7.2%) died, 89(7.9%) lost to follow-up, and 136(12.1%) not evaluated. Overall, 800 (81.1%) of the 987 persons with BC-PTB that had treatment outcome, were successfully treated. Successful treatment of tuberculosis was less likely to occur among those with HIV infection (Adjusted risk ratio (aRR), 0.88; 95% Confidence Interval (CI), 0.82–0.95), older than 50 years (aRR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.81–0.97), or male sex (aRR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.87–0.98). Mortality was associated with HIV infection (aRR, 4.48; 95% CI, 2.95–6.79), older than 50 years (aRR, 2.93; 95% CI, 1.74–4.92), year of enrollment into treatment after 2015 (aRR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.66–0.97), and Community-Based Directly Observed Therapy Short Course (aRR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.13–0.50).Treatment success rate among adult persons with BC-PTB in rural eastern Uganda is suboptimal and mortality rate is high. HIV infection and older age reduce chances of treatment success, and increase mortality rate. Older and HIV infected persons with BC-PTB will require special consideration to optimize treatment success rate and reduce mortality rate.Item Treatment Supporters And Level Of Health Facility Influence Completion Of Sputum Smear Monitoring Among Tuberculosis Patients In Rural Uganda: A Mixed-Methods Study(International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2020) Izudi, Jonathan; Tamwesigire, Imelda K.; Bajunirwe, FrancisTo investigate whether treatment supporters influence the completion of sputum smear monitoring (SSM) among adult persons with bacteriologically confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis (BC-PTB), and to explore the reasons for incomplete SSM according to healthcare workers, persons with BC-PTB, and their treatment supporters in rural eastern Uganda.A mixed-methods design was used. Quantitative data were abstracted from tuberculosis unit registers, while qualitative data were obtained through key informant interviews with healthcare workers and in-depth interviews with persons with BC-PTB and their treatment supporters. Quantitative data were analyzed with Stata. Qualitative data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using a thematic content approach.Records were abstracted for 817 patients. Of these, 226 (27.7%) completed SSM. Factors independently associated with SSM completion included having a treatment supporter (adjusted risk ratio (ARR) 2.40, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.23–4.70), treatment at a district hospital (ARR 1.61, 95% CI 1.04–2.49), treatment at a regional referral hospital (ARR 2.00, 95% CI 1.46–2.73), and every additional year since 2015 (ARR 1.29, 95% CI 1.17–1.43). Reasons for incomplete SSM related to health system, patient, treatment supporter, and healthcare provider factors.Completion of SSM was low. Persons with BC-PTB who have a treatment supporter were more likely to complete SSM compared to those without, and those receiving treatment at higher level facilities were more likely to complete SSM compared to those at lower level ones.