Browsing by Author "Waako, Paul J."

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    Existing capacity to manage pharmaceuticals and related commodities in East Africa: an assessment with specific reference to antiretroviral therapy
    (Human resources for health, 2009) Waako, Paul J.; Odoi-adome, Richard; Obua, Celestino; Owino, Erisa; Tumwikirize, Winnie; Ogwal-okeng, Jasper; Anokbonggo, Willy W.; Matowe, Lloyd; Aupont, Onesky
    East African countries have in the recent past experienced a tremendous increase in the volume of antiretroviral drugs. Capacity to manage these medicines in the region remains limited. Makerere University, with technical assistance from the USAID supported Rational Pharmaceutical Management Plus (RPM Plus) Program of Management Sciences for Health (MSH) established a network of academic institutions to build capacity for pharmaceutical management in the East African region. The initiative includes institutions from Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya and Rwanda and aims to improve access to safe, effective and quality-assured medicines for the treatment of HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria through spearheading in-country capacity. The initiative conducted a regional assessment to determine the existing capacity for the management of antiretroviral drugs and related commodities.
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    Medicinal plants used by traditional medicine practitioners for the treatment of HIV/AIDS and related conditions in Uganda
    (Journal of ethnopharmacology, 2010) Lamorde, Mohammed; Tabuti, John R.S.; Obua, Celestino; Kukunda-Byobona, Collins; Lanyero, Hindam; Byakika-Kibwika, Pauline; Bbosa, Godfrey S.; Lubega, Aloysius; Ogwal-Okeng, Jasper; Ryan, Mairin; Waako, Paul J.; Merry, Concepta
    In Uganda, there are over one million people with HIV/AIDS. When advanced, this disease is characterized by life-threatening opportunistic infections. As the formal health sector struggles to confront this epidemic, new medicines from traditional sources are needed to complement control efforts. This study was conducted to document herbal medicines used in the treatment of HIV/AIDS and related opportunistic infections, and to document the existing knowledge, attitudes and practices related to HIV/AIDS recognition, control and treatment in Sembabule, Kamuli, Kabale and Gulu districts in Uganda.
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    Medicinal plants used by traditional medicine practitioners in the treatment of tuberculosis and related ailments in Uganda
    (Journal of ethnopharmacology, 2010) Tabutia, John R.S.; Kukunda, Collins B.; Waako, Paul J.
    Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the most difficult ailments to control in the world today. The emergence of drug resistant strains has made previously effective and affordable remedies less effective. This has made the search for new medicines from local traditional medicines urgent. The specific objectives of this study were to (1) identify plant species used in the treatment of TB, their methods of preparation and administration, (2) document TB recognition, and (3) document medicine processing and packaging practices by traditional medicine practitioners (TMPs). Methods: We interviewed 32 TMPs from the districts of Kamuli, Kisoro and Nakapiripirit using a guided questionnaire. Results: We documented 88 plant species used to treat TB. Seven of these, Eucalyptus spp., Warburgia salutaris (G. Bertol.) Chiov., Ocimum suave Willd., Zanthoxylum chalybeum Engl., Momordica foetida Schum., Persea americana Mill. and Acacia hockii De Wild. were mentioned by three or more TMPs. Medicines were prepared mostly as mixtures or infrequently as mono-preparations in dosage forms of decoctions and infusions. They were administered orally in variable doses over varying periods of time. The TMPs did not know how to preserve the medicines and packaged them in used water bottles. Almost all TMPs mentioned the most important signs by which TB is recognised. They also knew that TB was a contagious disease spread through poor hygiene and crowding. Conclusions: Local knowledge and practices of treating TB exist in the districts surveyed. This knowledge may be imperfect and TMPs appear to be still experimenting with which species to use to treat TB. There is need to screen among the species mentioned to determine those which are efficacious and safe. The technology of processing, packaging and preserving traditional medicines for the treatment of TB is very basic and needs improving. The TMPs appear to be playing a significant role in primary health care delivery and this lends further justification for the ongoing Uganda government efforts to integrate the allopathic and traditional medicine systems.
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    Practice and prospects of indigenous homestead based approaches to prevention of malaria; a case study of a high malaria transmission area in Uganda
    (Scientific Research and Essays, 2010) Waako, Paul J.; Nsubuga, Rebecca N.; Sebulime, Peregrine; Tabuti, John R.S.
    Environmental sanitation and indigenous practices based on homestead characteristics have not been emphasized in national malaria control strategies. This study explored homestead characteristics, housing attributes, indigenous practices and knowledge of malaria in a rural high malaria transmission community in Uganda. Structured interviews and direct observations of housing attribute and homestead characteristics were carried out in 100 randomly selected homesteads in Kaliro District, Uganda. Plants believed to be mosquito repellants were observed in a number of homesteads and most respondents correctly described malaria symptoms. Almost all homesteads (99%) had large crops grown around them and were close to kraals (within 50 m, 88%). A number of homesteads were in easy reach of un-protected water springs (49%), 32% had material that could harbour mosquitoes (e.g. tins or ditches). The community had good knowledge of malaria and its prevention. Homesteads had modifications aimed at reducing malaria transmission. Despite this knowledge, the environment of most homesteads was conducive for the survival and faster multiplication of malaria vectors and this collaborates with the high prevalence of malaria found in the study area. There is need to develop and pilot interventions focusing on modifications of homestead characteristics and housing attributes for sustainable control of malaria.
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    Randomized Phase IIA Trial of Gemcitabine Compared With Bleomycin Plus Vincristine for Treatment of Kaposi’s Sarcoma in Patients on Combination Antiretroviral Therapy in Western Kenya
    (Journal of global oncology, 2018) Busakhala, Naftali W.; Waako, Paul J.; Strother, Matthew R.; Kipyegon Keter, Alfred; Kimutai Kigen, Gabriel; Chite Asirwa, Fredrick; Loehrer, Patrick J.
    Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) is a spindle cell tumor resulting from growth dysregulation in the setting of infection with human herpes virus-8 (also called KS herpes virus). Advanced KS is characterized by poor responses to antiretroviral therapy and some of the chemotherapy readily accessible to patients in low-resource areas. Gemcitabine induced partial and complete regression of AIDS-associated KS (AIDS-KS) in 11 of 24 patients in a pilot study. The current study compares the antimetabolite gemcitabine with the standard care bleomycin and vincristine (BV) in the treatment of chemotherapy-naïve patients with AIDS-KS in a resource-limited setting.