Browsing by Author "Semulimi, Andrew Weil"

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    Improving mycetoma case detection through the training of community health workers in Northern Uganda: protocol for a steppedwedge cluster-randomized trial
    (Therapeutic Advances in Infectious Disease, 2023-08-14) Kibone, Winnie; Semulimi, Andrew Weil; Kwizera, Richard; Bongomin, Felix
    Introduction: The World Health Organization acknowledges the need for countries to incorporate neglected tropical disease care into their routine health care system. However, low detection rates and late presentation of mycetoma to health facilities have been observed in endemic countries, including Uganda. Objective: To empower community health workers (CHWs) in Northern Uganda to recognize and refer suspects of mycetoma to health facilities. Design: This will be a stepped-wedge cluster-randomized trial based in Gulu and Pader districts over a period of 9months with sequential crossover from intervention phase to the control phase at different time points until both districts are exposed to the intervention. Methods and Analysis: The study will leverage on the ongoing partnership between Northern Uganda Medical Mission and the Uganda Ministry of Health that has trained over 300 CHWs in Gulu and Pader. The study evaluation will be done using the RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness,Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance) framework. The expected outcome of the study is increased detection and referral of suspects of mycetoma. Data will be analyzed using STATA 17.0 and Friedman statistics or Analysis of Variance to determine increase in case identifications and referrals.
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    Long COVID in Uganda: Electrographic findings among patients at risk
    (Wiley, 2023-03-13) Semulimi, Andrew Weil; Batte, Charles; Iraguha, Daniel; Okwir, Pamela Apio; Atuhaire, Hope; Lipoto, Chelsea; Muwonge, Tonny; Namirembe, Norah; Lubega, Grace Biyinzika; Ainembabazi, Provia; Mukisa, John; Bongomin, Felix; Ssinabulya, Isaac; Okello, Emmy
    Background: COVID-19 has a significant cardiovascular involvement. An electrocardiographic (ECG) abnormalities among people at a risk of Long COVID in Uganda was investigated. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from February to June 2022 at the post COVID-19 clinic in Mulago National Specialized Hospital, Kampala. A standard resting ECG was performed on individuals at least 2 months following acute COVID-19, with a negative SARS-CoV-2 reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics as well as vital signs were recorded for all study participants. Results: Of the 244 study participants, 117 (47.9%) were female. The median age of all the participants was 33.0 (interquartile range: 26.0–43.5) years. Twenty-five (10.2%) participants had a history of smoking, whereas 117 (48%) had a history of alcohol intake. In total, 46 (18.9%) had abnormal ECG findings (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 14.39–24.29), and nonspecific T-wave inversion (n = 16, 34%) was the most frequent ECG abnormality. The proportion of participants with ECG abnormalities was 48% lower among females (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR]: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.28–0.96, p value <0.05) and twofold greater for those with a history of smoking (aPR: 2.03, 95% CI: 1.096–3.776, p value <0.05). Conclusion: One in five Ugandans who were checked at the clinic at a risk of Long COVID showed ECG abnormalities. ECG screening is suggested to be integrated into the follow-up care of those at a risk of Long COVID