Background Although modern contraceptives are the most effective way for averting unintended pregnancies and related adverse reproductive events for the mother and baby, their use in Uganda remains low compared to the national target for the year 2020. Adolescents and young people start using modern contraceptives at 23.8 years, yet most of them have had sexual intercourse by age 16. The objective of the study was to determine the knowledge of, and factors associated with the current use of modern contraceptives among young people 10–24 years in central and western Uganda. Methods This was a cross cross-sectional study. Data was collected from 289 in- and out-of-school young people aged 10–24 years in five districts of western and central Uganda between July and August 2020. Digital questionnaires designed in Census and Survey Processing System (CSPro) version 7.5.1 were used. Data was transferred to Stata 15.1 for analysis. Modified Poisson regression at bivariable and multivariable analysis was used to determine the factors associated with modern contraceptive use. Results About 62.6% of the respondents had high knowledge of modern contraceptives. Most respondents were highly knowledgeable on injectable contraceptives 278 (96.2%) and male condoms (96.5%). Emergency contraceptives were known by only 138 (47.8%) of the respondents. In addition, the current use of modern contraceptives was 58.5% (169). Modern contraceptive use was significantly associated with being aged 20–24 years (Adj. PRR = 0.69, 95%CI; 0.52–0.90), p = 0.007; not residing with someone as a sexual partner (Adj. PRR = 0.71, 95%CI; 0.57–0.88), p = 0.002; and being a student (Adj. PRR = 1.37, 95% CI; 1.04–1.79), p = 0.023. Conclusion Young people 10–24 years in central and western Uganda were highly knowledgeable about modern contraceptives, particularly injectables, and condoms, but least knowledgeable about emergency contraceptives. Respondents who were students compared to non-students were more likely to be using modern contraceptives, while those aged 20–24 years and those not staying with their sexual partners were less likely to use modern contraceptives. Awareness campaigns among young people aged 20–24 years and those co-residing with a sexual partner will be necessary to improve modern contraceptive use among young people aged 10–24 years.

Background Late diagnosis of prostate cancer is common in Uganda and elsewhere. Diagnosis in advanced stages is associated with high mortality, morbidity and low quality of life. We estimated time taken from perception of symptoms attributable to prostate cancer to biopsy among patients with prostate cancer at the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) and the associated factors. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of records of 280 patients with histologically confirmed diagnosis of prostate cancer at UCI from January 2016 to December 2017. Time to diagnosis was obtained from the difference between the approximate date of onset of initial symptoms and date when a biopsy was taken. Late diagnosis was that when an individual was diagnosed with prostate cancer stage III or IV whereas stages I and II were classified as early. We used modified poisson regression to assess factors associated with timing of diagnosis among patients. Results The median time from first perceived symptoms to biopsy for prostate cancer patients was 12 (IQR5-24) months and 76% were diagnosed after 4 months of symptoms. Median age at time of diagnosis of patients was 70 (IQR66-74.5) years and at least 50% were aged between 65-74 years. About 81.8% of the patients were diagnosed late; of which 35.7% were in stage III and 46.1% were in stage IV. Nearly all patients presented with raised prostate specific antigen with median prostate specific antigen of 100.2 (IQR36.02-350) ng/ml of blood at the time of admission. In adjusted analysis, a patients whose biopsies were taken before 5 months of recognising symptoms were two times as likely to have cancer stage I and II compared to those patients in whom the biopsies were taken after 4 months. Conclusion More than three in four patients were diagnosed late. Taking a biopsy after 4 months of initiation of symptoms was partially responsible for the delay. To improve time to diagnosis, communities should be educated about symptoms of prostate cancer and advised to seek health care early. Health care workers should be sensitised to suspect prostate cancer among patients to allow timely referral for appropriate specialised assessment and management.

Background Late diagnosis of prostate cancer is common in Uganda and elsewhere. Diagnosis in advanced stages is associated with high mortality, morbidity and low quality of life. We estimated time taken from perception of symptoms attributable to prostate cancer to biopsy among patients with prostate cancer at the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) and the associated factors. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of records of 280 patients with histologically confirmed diagnosis of prostate cancer at UCI from January 2016 to December 2017. Time to diagnosis was obtained from the difference between the approximate date of onset of initial symptoms and date when a biopsy was taken. Late diagnosis was that when an individual was diagnosed with prostate cancer stage III or IV whereas stages I and II were classified as early. We used modified poisson regression to assess factors associated with timing of diagnosis among patients. Results The median time from first perceived symptoms to biopsy for prostate cancer patients was 12 (IQR5-24) months and 76% were diagnosed after 4 months of symptoms. Median age at time of diagnosis of patients was 70 (IQR66-74.5) years and at least 50% were aged between 65-74 years. About 81.8% of the patients were diagnosed late; of which 35.7% were in stage III and 46.1% were in stage IV. Nearly all patients presented with raised prostate specific antigen with median prostate specific antigen of 100.2 (IQR36.02-350) ng/ml of blood at the time of admission. In adjusted analysis, a patients whose biopsies were taken before 5 months of recognising symptoms were two times as likely to have cancer stage I and II compared to those patients in whom the biopsies were taken after 4 months. Conclusion More than three in four patients were diagnosed late. Taking a biopsy after 4 months of initiation of symptoms was partially responsible for the delay. To improve time to diagnosis, communities should be educated about symptoms of prostate cancer and advised to seek health care early. Health care workers should be sensitised to suspect prostate cancer among patients to allow timely referral for appropriate specialised assessment and management.