Background: Hepatitis B virus is a public health burden in Uganda, yet little is known about its epidemiology in pregnancy.Objective: This study aimed at determining the prevalence and associated risk factors of hepatitis B virus infection among pregnant women attending antenatal care at the Kyazanga Health Centre IV in Lwengo District, Uganda.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2021 to June 2021 and analysed qualitative data that were collected using a structured in-person questionnaire. Aseptically collected blood specimens were screened for hepatitis B virus infection using an immunochromatographic rapid diagnostic test kit. Participants who were positive for the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) were further screened for hepatitis B envelope antigen (HBeAg) using commercial rapid diagnostic test kits.Results: Out of 384 pregnant women studied, eight tested positive for HBsAg. This gave a prevalence of 2.1% (95% confidence interval: 1.0% – 4.1%); 5/8 (62.5%) were positive for HBeAg. None of the variables studied were significantly associated with HBsAg positivity among pregnant women.Conclusion: Hepatitis B viral infection is still a public health challenge in pregnant women with possible risk for vertical transmission to their babies in the study area. We recommend routine screening for hepatitis B virus in pregnancy in addition to strengthening current strategies aimed at controlling and preventing hepatitis B infection spread and transmission.

Background: The antimicrobial effect of Warburgia ugandensis has been recognized for many years in developing countries especially in East Africa. However, limited investigations have focused on its effect on microorganisms causing urinary tract infection. Objective: To determine the antimicrobial activity of Warburgia ugandensis on selected standard microorganisms that cause urinary tract infections i.e. Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Candida albicans (ATCC 10231), Proteus mirabilis (ATCC 25933), and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923). Methods: Warburgia ugandensis stem bark was obtained from Tooro Botanical centre and were shade dried. The aqueous and ethanolic extracts were prepared and evaluated for phytochemical components using semi qualitative phytochemical screening techniques. The antimicrobial activity on three bacteria; Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis and one fungus Candida albicans was tested by agar well diffusion and broth dilution which to obtain the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) of the plant extracts respectively. Results: Phytochemical screening showed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins and terpenoids in both the aqueous and ethanolic extracts. The  bacteria were susceptible to the aqueous extract which caused significant inhibition of microbial growth with the highest activity observed on Staphylococcus aureus (MIC 0.49mg/ml), while less susceptibility to the ethanolic extract was observed with Staphylococcus aureus having an MIC of 1.95mg/ml and so was MBC/MFC, in which Staphylococcus aureus had an MBC of 7.81mg/ml. Candida albicans showed the same pattern with more susceptibility to the aqueous extract (MFC 15.63mg/ml) as compared to the ethanolic extract (MFC 62.5mg/ml) Conclusion: The aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Warburgia ugandensis exhibit antimicrobial effect against the selected urinary tract infection causing organisms. The aqueous extract showed antimicrobial activity in both agar well diffusion and broth dilution methods. This study further shows the potential of Warburgia ugandensis being a novel source of modern drugs with further studies and these results provide some new perspectives on the traditional uses of Warburgia ugandensis in treating urinary tract infections.

Background: Tuberculosis disease affects survival among HIV co-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy. Prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis in western Uganda is 15.3% and 7.2% in Tororo, Eastern Uganda. A study in Kampala revealed Tuberculosis prevalence among immuno-incompetent group at 10%. To assess the prevalence of Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB) infection in HIV/AIDS patients attending ART clinic in Bududa general hospital, Bududa district, a hospital-based, cross-sectional study was carried out. Methods and materials: Two hundred thirty eight (238) HIV/AIDS positive patients attending ART clinic were recruited using consecutive simple non-probability sampling on consenting. Data collection guide was used to capture the socio-demographic information from study participants and two sputum samples (spot and early morning samples) were obtained from each participant, and processed using Hot Ziehl Neelsen for Tubercle Bacilli. Data collected was entered into MS Excel spreadsheets and Statistical Package of Social Sciences was used for descriptive data analysis and outputs in form of percentages, figures and tables presented. Results: Out of 238 study participants recruited, 14/238 were positive for Acid Fast Bacilli (AFB); giving a prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis at 5.9% (14/238) and the most affected age group was between 26-35 years with the prevalence of 3.4%. More females (65.6%) participated in the study than males (34.4%). Conclusion: Tuberculosis remains a health challenge in HIV/AIDS positive people in Bududa district and there is need for early screening of all HIV patients for TB as part of their routine and intensification to follow up TB positive patients. We recommend large-scale studies on the trends in TB/HIV co-infection and associated factors should be carried out in this area.