Intensive adherence counseling (IAC) was introduced as a strategy to enhance adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) among HIV clients with non-suppressed viral loads. There has been sub-optimal viral load suppression among HIV clients in Uganda enrolled in IAC. However, there is a scarcity of literature on the barriers and facilitators of successful IAC. We aim to explore the barriers and facilitators to successful IAC among HIV-positive clients seeking care in public health facilities in rural northern Uganda. Patients and Methods:This was an exploratory qualitative study conducted among 15 purposively sampled HIV-positive clients enrolled in IAC in public health facilities offering ART services in northern Uganda. We conducted in-depth interviews using semistructured interview guides based on the capability, opportunity, motivation, and behavior (COM-B) framework for behaviour change. Data were analyzed using the deductive thematic approach of Braun and Clarke following the COM-B framework. Results: The majority of the participants were females (60%), married (53%), and attained primary education (47%). Barriers to successful IAC were Capability -alcoholism and promiscuity, Opportunity -stigma and discrimination, delayed viral load result, shortage of food, and heavy workload; and Motivation -deteriorating health and lack of incentives. Facilitators to successful IAC were Capability -good knowledge of ART, good memory, and reminder alerts; Opportunity -availability of ART, social support, availability of ART, prolonged ART refill, and good counseling; and Motivation -desire to live longer and healthy and the desire to fulfill dreams and goals. Conclusion: Successful implementation of IAC needs to consider the context of the person in care thus the need to strengthen individualized IAC sessions. HIV care providers can adopt the COM-B framework to perform individualized IACs and use the information to strengthen the counseling sessions.

Background: Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is menstrual pain not associated with any pelvic pathology. It is one of the most common gynecologic complaints in young women. In Uganda, there is scarcity of literature on the PD-associated symptoms and management strategies used by women of reproductive age. This study aimed to describe primary dysmenorrhea-associated symptoms and management strategies used by undergraduate students in northern Uganda. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among female undergraduate students of Lira University in northern Uganda. Systematic sampling was used to select study participants who met the inclusion criteria until the total of 232 study participants were recruited. The data was collected using a self‑administered questionnaire. Data analysis was aided by Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) (version 23) and descriptive statistics were used. Results: The prevalence of PD was 211/232(90.9%). The most commonly experienced dysmenorrhea-associated symptoms were change in appetite 79/211(36.0%), breast engorgement 84/211(39.8%), and depressed mood 107/211(51.4%). Pain relievers were the most commonly used management strategy 160/211(77%) with Paracetamol being the most commonly used pain reliever 62/211 (29.8%). The most commonly used non-pharmacological management strategies were; exercise 100/211(47.6%), resting 94/211(44.5 %) and relaxation 93/211(44.1%). Conclusion: A broad range of primary dysmenorrhea-associated symptoms are experienced by undergraduate university females but they do not use the appropriate management strategies. All University authorities should prioritize menstrual health and design programs to educate the female students on the management of dysmenorrhea associated symptoms using both pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies and make the drugs available and accessible.