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Item Comparative analysis of pregnancy outcomes between teenage and adult women at Anaka General Hospital, Northern Uganda.(BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 2026-05-04) Lapat J.JAbstract Background Teenage pregnancy is a global health concern associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. In Uganda, while teenage pregnancy rates are high, knowledge about their specific risks compared to those of adult pregnancy remains limited. Objective We determined the proportion of pregnant teenagers and compared the maternal and neonatal outcomes between pregnant teenagers and pregnant adults at a general hospital in northern Uganda. Methods We conducted a comparative, retrospective cohort study involving chart reviews of deliveries at the maternity ward of Anaka General Hospital, Nwoya, Uganda between July 2020 and June 2023. We performed systematic random sampling to include patient charts. All the data were analyzed using STATA software 17 SE. Binary logistic regression was performed to compare adverse pregnancy outcomes between teenage mothers and adult mothers. Results Over the 3-year period, 27.6% (n = 1,842) of the 6,662 deliveries were by teenage mothers. The outcomes of 457 teenage and 457 adult mothers were compared. Compared to adult mothers, teenage mothers had a significantly lower prevalence of HIV (2.2% versus 6.1%, p = 0.003). Teenage mothers had higher odds of having an episiotomy performed (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 5.66, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.48–12.90, p < 0.001), low birth weight (aOR = 4.66, 95% CI: 2.66–6.37, p < 0.001) or perineal tear (aOR = 2.61, 95% CI: 1.69–4.02, p < 0.001). However, adult mothers had greater odds of developing pre-eclampsia (aOR = 4.0, 95% CI: 1.59–11.1, p = 0.004). Conclusions In this study, approximately 1 in every 4 deliveries were by teenage mothers, with increased risks of maternal and neonatal complications, except for pre-eclampsia which was more common among adult mothers. Therefore, it is crucial to implement targeted interventions and comprehensive education programs aimed at reducing teenage pregnancies and providing adequate antenatal care and support for teenage mothers. Keywords Teenage pregnancy, Maternal outcome, Neonatal outcomesItem Prevalence and factors associated with neonatal mortality at the neonatal intensive care unit at St. Mary’s Hospital Lacor, Northern Uganda.(2025-05-19) Aguma NicholasBackground Worldwide, neonatal mortality is a major public health burden especially in the developing countries. Several factors are associated with neonatal mortality at the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with neonatal mortality among neonates admitted to the NICU at St. Mary’s Hospital Lacor in Northern Uganda. Method The study collected quantitative data through retrospective descriptive review of records of 423 systematically sampled neonates admitted to the NICU between January 1st 2023 and December 31st 2023. Socio demographics, pregnancy related and neonatal variables of mothers and the neonates admitted to the NICU were entered in a pre-tested data abstraction tool adapted and modified from a similar study. Neonatal mortality was described as a proportion of the total number of neonates who were admitted. Logistic regression analyses using odds ratios with 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to assess the association between possible factors associated with neonatal mortality. An adjusted odds ratio (aOR), namely an odds ratio (OR) that has been adjusted to account for other predictor variables, is provided. Data was analysed using SPSS 27.0 statistical software (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Results There were 74 (17.49%) neonatal deaths. 70.27% of the neonatal deaths were early neonatal deaths. Preterm deaths contributed over 81.10% to the overall mortality. Preterm birth (aOR = 3.81, 95% CI 1.14 − 12.78), low APGAR at 5 min (aOR = 4.52, 95% CI 2.04 − 10.01), and late initiation of breastfeeding (OR = 2.79, 95% CI 1.50 − 5.18) were significant factors associated with neonatal death. Conclusion The neonatal mortality rate in NICU observed in this study was high. The majority of the deaths occurred in the early neonatal period. More than 80% of deaths recorded were due to prematurity. Preterm birth, low birth weight, low 5th minute APGAR score and late initiation of breastfeeding were significant risk factors for neonatal death. Efforts to address preterm birth, quality neonatal resuscitation and early initiation of breastfeeding are critical to achieving survival goals in newborns. Keywords Associated factors, Mortality, Neonate, Neonatal intensive careItem Oral health status and factors associated with oral health of primary school children in Gulu district, northern Uganda.(BMC Oral health, 2024-10-04) Akera PeterBackground Globally, oral diseases remain a major public health problem. However, there is limited information about the oral health status and factors associated with oral disease among children in Uganda. The aim of this study was to examine the oral health status and factors associated with oral health of primary school children in urban and rural areas of the Gulu district of northern Uganda. Methods A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among 356 school children aged 11–13 years attending six schools located in urban and rural areas. The children received a clinical oral examination and participated in a questionnaire survey that collected information on sociodemographic and oral health knowledge, attitude, and practices. All data were entered and analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 26.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp statistical software. Logistic regression analyses examined factors associated with dental caries and gingival bleeding. Results Of the 356 children (11–13 years) included, the mean age was 12.2 years, 140 (39.3%) were male and 176 (49.4%) were from urban areas. The proportion of school children with dental caries was 33.6% (n = 119), with the mean decayed, missing due to caries, and filled teeth (DMFT) index of 0.81 (25th percentile = 0; 75th percentile = 1.00). There was no significant difference in caries prevalence between rural and urban children (31.6% versus 35.6%, p = 0.33). Of the children involved in the study, 141(39.8%) had gum bleeding. The mean oral knowledge score was 2.85 ± 1.53 (range, 0–7), while the mean attitude, hygiene practice, frequency of sweets consumption, and oral health related impact scores were 4.25 ± 1.23 (range, 1–6), 5.40 ± 1.81 (range, 0–9), 25.66 ± 4.29 (range 9–54) and 2.1 ± 1.65 (range, 0–6), respectively. Using logistic regression analyses, as oral health knowledge score increased the odds of not having dental caries increased (aOR = 1.19, 95% CI 1.02–1.39). Conclusion The prevalence of dental caries and gum bleeding of primary school children in Gulu district is high. Children lacked knowledge on causes of oral disease, and behaviour towards oral disease prevention. In addition, oral health knowledge scores were significantly associated with dental caries. Oral health education programs in schools should emphasise providing skills-based education. Keywords Associated factors, Child, Dental caries, Gingivitis, Oral health, Primary schoolItem A One Health approach toward the control and elimination of soil-transmitted helminthic infections in endemic areas(IJID One Health, 2024-04-25) Lapata, Jolly Joe; Opee, Jimmyy; Apio, Monica Clara; Akello, Susan; Lakop Ojula , Christine; Onekalit, Robert; Oumo, Joseph Francisa ,; Lalweny , Dorah; Latigo , Katerega J.P; Lebuc , Sarah; Ochola, Emmanuel; Bongomin, FelixSoil-transmitted helminths (STHs) pose significant health challenges, particularly in developing countries. Over 2 billion people are estimated to have been infected with at least one STH species. These parasites rely on the soil for part of their life cycle and are transmitted to humans through ova ingestion or skin penetration. Key risk factors include poor water, sanitation, hygiene practices, limited healthcare access, and poverty. Globally, STHs are primarily controlled through chemo-preventive deworming of high-risk groups in moderate (where prevalence of STHs is between 20 % and 50 %) to highly endemic areas (prevalence > 50 %). Despite the use of deworming to control the STHs in endemic areas, infections still occur. The aim of this article is to explore the potential for enhancing STH control and elimination as Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in endemic areas through an integrated approach—the One Health approach. The current control program has a single strategy of chemoprophylaxis; in the integrated approach to control of STHs, the parasite control strategies besides being based on the epidemiology of the parasite (endemicity), also include strategies based on the biology (transmission cycle) of the parasites and human behavior patterns in endemic areas. Through the involvement of local communities, healthcare authorities, and stakeholders, participatory approaches foster collaborative efforts to devise and implement control measures. By integrating this integrated approach into existing healthcare and educational initiatives, more effective results can be achieved. The promotion of health education, clean water access, improved sanitation, and hygiene awareness can further enhance control strategies and reduce STH prevalence sustainably. Here, we highlight the benefits of adopting an integrated (One Health) approach to tackle STHs in endemic areas. Through community empowerment and multi-sectorial collaboration, we can strengthen our collective efforts to combat STHs and alleviate the burden of these NTDs.