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Biomedical subjects

E T Katabira

Publications and source records attributed to E T Katabira.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Early undergraduate research experience at Makerere University Faculty of Medicine: a tool for promoting medical research.

BACKGROUND: Research is one of the key distinguishing features of an academic institution. The way an institution grooms its future researchers determines its long term survival. The ability to do and communicate ones research findings is so important that it is now an internationally recognized minimum competency for graduate of any medical school. To remain relevant the Faculty of Medicine Makerere University needs to identify research enhancing opportunities like undergraduate research experiences. METHODS: This was a cross sectional study involving 424 graduate and undergraduate students of Makerere University Medical School on the traditional curriculum. A self administered questionnaire was used to capture reported details of individual research experiences. RESULTS: There were 424 student respondents, 88% of whom were undergraduates (372/424). About 41% (176/424) of these respondents reported having had a previous research experience. Among the postgraduates 74% (37/50) reported having had a previous research experience compared with 68% (139/342) of the undergraduates [OR=4.16, 2.07-8.57]. The sum of individual undergraduate experiences had the strongest positive correlation with the total number of studies done by an individual [R=0.801]. CONCLUSION: Early, guided undergraduate research experience can be used to promote research within the Faculty of Medicine Makerere University. Running Head: Research Undergraduates Makerere.

Biomedical Research↗
PubMed2005

Adherence to HIV antiretroviral therapy in HIV+ Ugandan patients purchasing therapy.

Our objective was to determine the level of adherence and reasons for non-adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) among HIV-positive (HIV+) people on ART in a resource-limited setting. Patients receiving ART were recruited into the cross-sectional study from three treatment centres in Kampala, Uganda. The number of missed doses over the last three days was assessed by structured patient interviews and dichotomized at +/-95% adherence. Reasons for non-adherence were assessed with both structured patient interviews and unstructured qualitative interviews. Independent predictors of non-adherence were assessed with multivariate logistic regression. In all, 304 HIV-infected persons on ART were enrolled into the study. Factors associated with non-adherence were marital status (odds ratio (OR) = 2.93, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.32-6.50) and low monthly income <50 US$ [OR = 2.77, 95% CI 1.64-4.67]. We concluded that levels of self-reported adherence in patients receiving ART in Kampala are comparable to levels in resource-rich settings with inability to purchase and secure a stable supply as a major barrier to adherence.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Hydroquinone neuropathy following use of skin bleaching creams: case report.

A 30-year old black woman presented with gradual onset of weakness of the legs associated with burning sensation in the feet for two months. She had been using two hydroquinone based skin bleaching creams (MGC by M. G. C. International, MEKAKO by Anglo Fabrics BOLTON Ltd) for about four years. Her BP was 80/40 mm Hg supine with un-recordable diastolic pressure on standing. She had decreased power (Grade 3/5), loss of deep tendon reflexes and impairment of deep sensation in the lower limbs. A complete blood count, urinalysis, serum electrolytes, serum creatinine and uric acid were all normal. Oral GTT, VDRL and brucella tests were negative. Chest and abdominal radiographs did not show any abnormalities. A diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy with autonomic neuropathy possibly due to hydroquinone toxicity was made and she was advised to stop using hydroquinone based skin bleaching creams. Four months later she was asymptomatic, her BP was 120/80 mmHg supine and standing, and neurological examination was normal. The case raises the question of whether hydroquinone based skin bleaching creams could be a cause of peripheral neuropathy and underscores the need for research on hydroquinone based skin bleaching creams and neuropathy particularly in black women involved in the sale and/or use of skin bleaching creams.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Predictors of chloroquine treatment failure in children and adults with falciparum malaria in Kampala, Uganda.

Chloroquine-resistant falciparum malaria is a serious problem in much of sub-Saharan Africa. However, it is desirable to continue to use chloroquine as first-line therapy for uncomplicated malaria where it remains clinically effective. To identify predictors of chloroquine treatment failure, a 14-day clinical study of chloroquine resistance in patients with uncomplicated falciparum malaria was performed in Kampala, Uganda. Among the 258 patients (88% follow-up), 47% were clinical failures (early or late treatment failure) and 70% had parasitological resistance (RI-RIII). Using multivariate analysis, an age less than five (odds ratio [OR] = 3.4, 95% CI = 1.8-6.3) and a presenting temperature over 38.0 degreesC (OR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.1-3.7) were independent predictors of treatment failure. In addition, patients who last took chloroquine 3 to 14 days prior to study entry were significantly more likely to be treatment failures compared to patients with very recent (less than 3 days) or no recent chloroquine use. In areas with significant chloroquine resistance, easily identifiable predictors of chloroquine treatment failure might be used to stratify patients into those for whom chloroquine use is acceptable and those for whom alternative treatment should be used.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Epidemiology and management of diarrheal disease in HIV-infected patients.

Diarrhea is the most common gastrointestinal symptom in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. It affects up to 90% of patients, becoming more frequent and severe as the immune system deteriorates. It often is associated with significant morbidity and mortality particularly in the developing countries. Gastrointestinal infections, some of which are attributable to inadequate sanitation and poor hygiene are the predominant cause of diarrhea, although multiple medications, including traditional herbs, also may be causes. The basic principles of management include detection of treatable causes, relief of symptoms, prevention of malnutrition, and psychosocial support. In up to 60% of cases, no cause can be identified, partly because of inadequate investigative facilities. Symptomatic treatment is the mainstay of management particularly when no cause can be identified. Unfortunately this can be extremely difficult when the patient is severely immune-suppressed. There is poor response to motility control drugs, such as loperamide, and others, such as octreotide, are too expensive. Fluid replacement should be started early to prevent excessive dehydration. This should be combined with nutritional support to prevent malnutrition. Psychosocial support, including counselling, for both the patient and the caring relatives, is required to alleviate anxiety, particularly when the diarrhea becomes intractable.

Counseling↗
PubMed1998

Lack of efficacy of low dose oral interferon alfa in symptomatic HIV-1 infection: a randomised, double blind, placebo controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Interferon alfa (IFN-alpha) exhibits dose related in vitro activity against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), with complete inhibition of HIV replication at IFN-alpha concentrations > or = 256 IU/ml. In mid-1990, Kenyan investigators reported that oral administration of an extremely low dose (150 IU/day) of natural human (nHu) IFN-alpha resulted in complete alleviation of AIDS related complex and AIDS symptoms and resolution of opportunistic infections without additional treatment. Moreover, loss of HIV antibody seropositivity was reported in approximately 10% of treated patients. Subsequent small studies failed to substantiate these spectacular claims, but controversy on the efficacy of this treatment persisted. METHODS: We studied 559 adult Ugandan patients with WHO stage 2-4 HIV infection and a Karnofsky performance score of more than 50, who had not received any drugs with antiretroviral activity in the previous 3 months. The patients were randomly assigned in a double blind fashion either to 150 IU oral nHuIFN-alpha/day or placebo. The duration of treatment was extended from 28 weeks to 60 weeks 9 months after enrollment had started. At that time 112 subjects had already received 28 weeks of treatment and been discontinued from the study. RESULTS: Both study groups were comparable with respect to all baseline characteristics studied, except that the nHuIFN-alpha group had slightly lower absolute CD4+ lymphocyte counts (median 60.7 x 10(6)/l) than the placebo group (median 85.3 x 10(6)/l) (p = 0.033). Therefore, all analyses were adjusted for CD4+ lymphocyte counts at entry. In both treatment groups there was relentless progression of HIV disease. Subjects treated with nHuIFN-alpha and placebo had similar mortality, disease progression rates, decline of CD4+ lymphocyte counts and Karnofsky performance scores, and prevalence of symptoms. No patient reverted to HIV-1 seronegative antibody status. Serious adverse events were not seen. Quality control of the study medication documented that the active drug indeed contained IFN-alpha activity. CONCLUSIONS: The current large, randomised, double blind, placebo controlled study did not show any benefit from oral treatment with 150 IU nHuIFN-alpha/day in a population of African patients with symptomatic HIV infection.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Improving access to care.

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Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗