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Background and purpose: Rates of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) are estimated to be highest globally in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). However, outcomes of ICH are poorly described and standard prognostic markers for ICH have not been validated in the region. Methods: We enrolled consecutive patients with computed tomography (CT)-confirmed ICH at a referral hospital in southwestern Uganda. We recorded demographic, clinical and radiographic features of ICH, and calculated ICH scores. We fit Poisson regression models with robust variance estimation to determine predictors of case fatality at 30 days. Results: We enrolled 73 individuals presenting with CT confirmed ICH (mean age 60 years, 45% [33/73] female, and 14% [10/73] HIV-positive). The median ICH score was 2 (interquartile range (IQR), 1–3, range 0–5). Case fatality at 30 days was 44% (32/73, 95%CI 33–57%). The 30-day case fatality increased with increasing ICH score of 0, 1, and 5 from 17%, 23%, to 100% respectively. In multivariable-adjusted models, ICH score was associated with case fatality (adjusted relative risk [aRR], 1.48, 95%CI, 1.23–1.78), as were HIV-infection (aRR 1.92, 95%CI, 1.07–3.43) and female sex (aRR 2.17, 95%CI, 1.32–3.59). The ICH score moderately improved with the addition of a point each for female sex and HIV serostatus (0.81 versus 0.73). Conclusion: ICH score at admission is a strong prognostic indicator of 30-day case fatality in Uganda. Our results support its role in guiding the care of patients presenting with ICH in the region.

Introduction Chest trauma is one of the most important and commonest injuries that require timely diagnosis, accounting for 25–50% of trauma related deaths globally. Although CT scan is the gold standard for detection of haemothorax, it is only useful in stable patients, and remains unavailable in most hospitals in low income countries. Where available, it is very expensive. Sonography has been reported to have high accuracy and sensitivity in trauma diagnosis but is rarely used in trauma patients in low income settings in part due to lack of the sonography machines and lack of expertise among trauma care providers. Chest X-ray is the most available investigation for chest injuries in low income countries. However it is not often safe to wheel seriously injured, unstable trauma patients to X-ray rooms. This study aimed at determining the efficacy of extended focused assessment with sonography for trauma (eFAST) in detection of haemothorax using thoracostomy findings as surrogate gold standard in a low resource setting. Methods This was an observational longitudinal study that enrolled 104 study participants with chest trauma. Informed consent was obtained from all participants. A questionnaire was administered and eFAST, chest X-ray and tube thoracotomy were done as indicated. Data were analysed using SPSS version 22. The sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, accuracy and area under the curve were determined using thoracostomy findings as the gold standard. Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the Research and Ethics Committee of Kampala International University Western Campus REC number KIU-2021-53. Results eFAST was found to be superior to chest X-ray with sensitivity of 96.1% versus 45.1% respectively. The accuracy was also higher for eFAST (96.4% versus 49.1%) but the specificity was the same at 100.0%. The area under the curve was higher for eFAST (0.980, P = 0.001 versus 0.725, P = 0.136). Combining eFAST and X-ray increased both sensitivity and accuracy. Conclusion This study revealed that eFAST was more sensitive at detecting haemothorax among chest trauma patients compared to chest X-ray. All patients presenting with chest trauma should have bedside eFAST for diagnosis of haemothorax.

Background Wilms tumor (WT) is the second most common solid tumor in Africa with both low overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) rates. However, no known factors are predicting this poor overall survival. Objective The study was to determine the one-year overall survival of WT cases and its predictors among children diagnosed in the pediatric oncology and surgical units of Mbarara regional referral hospital (MRRH), western Uganda. Methodology Children’s treatment charts and files diagnosed and managed for WT were retrospectively followed up for the period between January 2017 to January 2021. Charts of children with histologically confirmed diagnoses were reviewed for demographics, clinical and histological characteristics, as well as treatment modalities. Results One-year overall survival was found to be 59.3% (95% CI: 40.7–73.3), with tumor size greater than 15 cm (p 0.021) and unfavorable WT type (p 0.012) being the predominant predictors. Conclusion Overall survival (OS) of WT at MRRH was found to be 59.3%, and predictive factors noted were unfavorable histology and tumor size greater than 115 cm.

Background The extent to which the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACVD) is increased among people living with HIV (PLWH) in sub-Saharan Africa remains unknown. Setting Cross-sectional analysis nested within the Ugandan Noncommunicable Diseases and Aging Cohort, including PLWH in rural Uganda > 40 years taking antiretroviral therapy (ART) for at least 3 years, and a population-based control group of HIV-uninfected age- and sex-matched persons. Methods We conducted carotid ultrasonography and collected ACVD risk factor data. Our outcome of interest was carotid plaque, defined as > 1.5 mm thickness from the intima-lumen interface to the media-adventitia interface. We fit multivariable logistic regression models to estimate correlates of carotid plaque including HIV-specific and traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Results We enrolled 155 (50.2%) PLWH and 154 (49.8%) HIV-uninfected comparators, with a mean age of  51.4 years. Among PLWH, the median CD4 count was 433 cells/mm3 and 97.4% were virologically suppressed. Carotid plaque prevalence was higher among PLWH (8.4% vs 3.3%). HIV infection (aOR 3.90; 95% CI 1.12–13.60) and current smokers (aOR 6.60; 95% CI 1.22–35.80) had higher odds of carotid plaque, whereas moderate (aOR 0.13, 95% CI 0.01–1.55) and vigorous intensity of physical activity (aOR 0.34, 95% CI 0.07–1.52) were associated with decreased odds of carotid plaque. Conclusion In rural Uganda, PLWH have higher prevalence of carotid plaque compared to age- and sex-matched HIV-uninfected comparators. Future work should explore how biomedical and lifestyle modifications might reduce atherosclerotic burden among PLWH in the region.