Background: Malnutrition is an important clinical outcome amongst HIV patients in developing countries and in Uganda, there is scarcity of information on its prevalence and risk factors amongst HIV adult patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study amongst 253 HIV patients in Bushenyi district assessed their nutritional status using the body mass index (BMI) and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), and a questionnaire was used to identify major risk factors. Results: The mean age of the study participants was 38.74 ± 0.80 yrs, while females and males were 52.2% and 47.8% respectively. Prevalence of malnutrition was 10.28% (95% CI: 6.82 – 14.69) in the study. Major socio-economic factors associated with malnutrition were being female, unemployed, dependent and with many family members. Patients with op- portunistic infections, low adherence to HAART, and stage of HIV/AIDS had a higher risk of malnutrition. Discussion: In rural communities, a majority of malnourished patients are elderly and these were identified as priority groups for HIV outreach campaigns. The current policy of prioritizing children and women is outdated due to changing disease dynamics, thus showing a need to revise extension service provision in rural communities. Conclusion: Malnutrition is a threat in HIV adult patients in rural communities of Uganda. Keywords: Malnutrition; HIV adult patients; Bushenyi district; Uganda.

Background Male engagement in HIV programs is a persistent challenge that results in poor utilization of HIV care services. Differentiated service delivery models, such as Community Client-Led Antiretroviral Delivery Groups (CCLADs), provide an opportunity for male engagement in HIV care. In southwestern Uganda. In southwestern Uganda few men living with HIV (MLWHIV) are involved in CCLADS. We aimed to identify facilitators, barriers and perceptions to CCLADs enrollment by MLWHIV at ART Clinics in southwestern Uganda. Methods A qualitative study was conducted among MLWHIV who were registered and receiving ART at two ART Clinics/health facilities in southwestern Uganda, irrespective of their enrollment status into CCLADs. In-depth interviews (IDI) were conducted among recruited HIV positive men, and Key informant interviews (KIIs) among clinic in-charges and counselors, women enrolled in CCLADS using a semi-structured interview guide. We used thematic analysis to analyze the data from the interviews. Results We conducted 16 interviews, 7 KII and 8 IDI were conducted. MLWHIV and key informants shared the facilitators and barriers. Men who were not involved in CCLADs shared the barriers to joining the CCLADs. The themes identified included 1. Motivations to join CCLADS 2. Challenges related to CCLADS initiation 3. Perceived facilitators for male participation in CCLADS, 4. Perceived barriers for male participation in CCLADS and 5. Proposed strategies for best implementation of CCLADs for better male engagement. Overall men liked the idea of CCLADs but they had preferences on how they should be implemented. Conclusion Men’s enrollment into CCLADs is still low despite the benefits. Addressing the barriers to men’s engagement and adopting proposed strategies may improve men’s enrollment in CCLADS and thus improve their access to ART, Adherence and quality of life.

Background: Inorganic contamination of food products is associated with adverse health effects, however, information on grasshoppers in Africa is sparse. The objective of the study was to determine antioxidant, heavy metal and food safety status of edible grasshoppers of Uganda.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in central and southwestern Uganda, in which a questionnaire was administered to grasshopper harvesters. Grasshopper samples were collected from each harvesting point and analyzed in the laboratory for antioxidant and heavy metal content i.e. Lead (Pb), Chromium (Cr), Zinc (Zn) and Cadmium (Cd) using atomic absorbance spectrometric (AAS) method on the heads and abdomen of the insects.Results: Major antioxidants were Catalase > Glutathione > Glutathione peroxidase. In addition concentrations of heavy metals were in the order of Pb > Cr > Zn > Cd in the heads and abdomens of the grasshoppers. Pb concentrations were found to be higher in the heads than the abdomens and the carcinogenic potential of the grasshoppers was over 10 times over the recommended levels. Grasshoppers were found not to be safe especially in children due to their small body weight in comparison to adults.Conclusion: Pb poisoning in the Ugandan children would be propagated through contaminated grasshoppers.Keywords: Ecotoxicology, Food Safety, Metals in Insects, Nutritional Toxicology, Pb poisoning, Uganda.