Background Snakebites cause significant morbidity and mortality in Uganda. Effective management of snakebites requires knowledge of the appropriate first aid measures, as well as knowledge of the appropriate antivenom to use, but little is known about familiarity with effective snakebite management techniques and associated factors among healthcare practitioners (HCPs) in Uganda. Methods In May 2022, we collected data on sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge of snakebite first aid, envenomation signs, diagnosis and antivenom administration among 311 HCPs from two snakebite high-incidence districts in Uganda using a semi-structured questionnaire. Results Of the 311 HCPs, 64.3% had ever treated snakebite cases, 87.1% were confident to provide supportive treatment, but only 9.6% had ever been trained on snakebite management. Overall, 22.8% of HCPs had high knowledge of snakebite management. Higher education (at least degree vs certificate; PR=2.21 95% CI 1.508 to 4.56), older age (30–45 vs <30 y; PR=1.97, 95% CI 1.22 to 3.21) and previous training (PR=1.82, 95% CI 1.08 to 3.05) were associated with high knowledge of snakebite diagnosis and management. Conclusions Overall, knowledge of snakebite management was limited. Training, level of education and age of the HCP all had an impact on knowledge. Deliberate efforts are required to increase HCPs' knowledge of snakebite case care in high-burden regions to manage incident cases.

Background Adult substance use may be a significant predictor of sleeping problems, according to extant research. Children exposed to secondhand (SHS) also have a high likelihood of sleep problems. There is limited information on the relationships between exposure to psychoactive substances and subsequent sleep issues in adults and children, particularly in Uganda. We set out to assess the links between exposure to psychoactive substances and sleep problems in adults and children. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study among 284 adults in a slum setting in Kampala, Uganda. We assessed self-reported sleeping problems among adults (sleep duration, insomnia, sleep dissatisfaction) and sleep-disordered breathing disorder (SBD) among children. We also assessed children's early-life SHS exposure (during pregnancy and the first six months of life) using questionnaires. Using a generalized linear model of the Poisson family, we estimated the association between sleeping problems and psychoactive substance use (adults) and SHS exposure (children). Results On working days, 59.2% of adults reported sleeping less than 7 hours, and 28.3% expressed dissatisfaction with their sleep patterns and durations. Approximately 39.6% of the children were reported to have sleep-disordered breathing problems. Among adults, sleep dissatisfaction was associated with alcohol use (PR = 1.78(1.20 - 2.64)). Compared to unexposed counterparts, children, exposed to both prenatal SHS and within the first six months of life had a higher risk of SBD (PR= 1.81, 95%CI 1.23 – 2.67). Conclusions Alcohol was linked to sleep dissatisfaction among adults while earlier life exposure to SHS was associated with an increased risk of SBD problems in children. This emphasizes the need to support ongoing public health initiatives and maintain a smoke-free environment, particularly for children in their early life.

Background Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors are increasing in many sub-Saharan African countries and disproportionately affecting communities in urban slums. Despite this, the contextual factors that influence CVD risk among slum communities have not been fully documented to guide interventions to prevent and control the disease. Objective This study explored the drivers of CVD risk factors in slums in Kampala, Uganda. Methods This qualitative study employed focus group discussions (FGDs) to collect data among slum residents. A total of 10 FGDs separate for gender and age group were held in community public places. Discussions were audio-recorded, transcribed, and transcripts analysed thematically with the aid of Atlas ti 7.0. Study themes and sub-themes are presented supported by participant quotations. Results Five themes highlighted the drivers of CVD risk factors in slum communities. (1) Poverty: a critical underlying factor which impacted access and choice of food, work, and housing. (2) Poverty-induced stress: a key intermediate factor that led to precarious living with smoking and alcohol use as coping measures. (3) The social environment which included socialisation through drinking and smoking, and family and peers modelling behaviours. (4) The physical environment such as the high availability of affordable alcohol and access to amenities for physical activity and healthy foods. (5) Knowledge and information about CVD risk factors which included understanding of a healthy diet and the dangers of smoking and alcohol consumption. Conclusion To address CVD risk in slums, broad-ranging multisectoral interventions are required, including economic empowerment of the slum population, stress reduction and coping interventions, and alcohol legislation. Also, there is a need for community CVD sensitisation and screening as well as increasing access to physical activity amenities and healthy foods within slums.