Background: Health experts agree that widespread use of safe and effective vaccines will rapidly contain the COVID-19 pandemic. The big question is whether these vaccines can easily be accepted by their end-users. Our study aimed at determining sociodemographic factors associated with acceptance of vaccines and clinical trials of COVID-19 in western Uganda. Method: A simplified snowball sampling technique was used to select 1067 respondents of 18–70 years in western Uganda using an online questionnaire from July to September 2020. Vaccine acceptability and risk perception were assessed using odds ratio at 95% confidence interval in R software version 3.6.3. Results: There were 1067 participants in the study. The majority were males (73.2%) and age group 31–40 years (32.6%). The acceptance rate for COVID-19 vaccination was (53.6%; 572/1067) with those aged 18–20 years, males, elites at tertiary level of education (degree or diploma), students, Muslims, married, non-salary earners and rural dwellers having better odds and likeliness to accept vaccination. Only 44.6% (476/1067) showed interest in clinical trials among which; males, primary school leavers, students, Christians, un-married, respondents who didn’t earn any salary and rural dwellers had better odds and likelihood to participate in clinical trials. Conclusion: There was a low level of vaccine acceptance and clinical trial interest in western Uganda. Minority groups in the study i.e., Muslims, students, primary school leavers, un-married rural dwellers among others showed more interest in vaccination and clinical trials. We anticipated fears in the larger part of this community that health experts need to address through reassurance of the community that vaccines are tested and that they are safe and important if we are to rapidly contain the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Market vendors occupy a strategic position in the fight against the spread of SARS CoV-2 in rural Uganda. To successfully contain the spread of the virus, special attention needs to be given to this set of people by assessing the type of information, source of information, and practices they inculcate as regards adherence to WHO guidelines in the fight against COVID-19 in Uganda. The study aimed to assess the role of information sources, education level, and phone internet connectivity in influencing COVID-19 knowledge among the rural market vendors; and the relationship existing between knowledge, attitude, and practices among them. Methods: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional study among rural market vendors (n = 248) in southwestern Uganda. Information was collected using a questionnaire and descriptively presented as frequency and percentages. Results: The study showed that the majority of the rural market vendors had sufficient information regarding COVID-19 with the majority being female individuals and have attained a secondary level of education, The general percentage score for knowledge, attitude, and practices were (75.57, 82.6, and 76.50% respectively). There was a positive correlation between attitude and practices (r = 0.17, p = 0.007), as well as their knowledge with practices (r = 0.29, p < 0.001). The majority of the people in the population did not have their phones connected to the internet (OR = 1.96, 95%CI: 1.16–3.31, P = 0.01). The majority of people received their information regarding COVID-19 from one source (radio) (OR = 1.55). Conclusion: Where and how the rural market vendors get their information and education level are vital in breaking COVID 19 infection circle in line with WHO guidelines. Therefore, sources of information and education level played a key role in molding their knowledge and practices. However, the level of knowledge on COVID 19 among our respondents was not linked with phone internet connectivity.

Background: The World Health Organization has placed a lot of attention on vulnerable communities of Africa due to their chronically weak health care systems. Recent findings from Uganda show that medical staff members have sufficient knowledge but poor attitudes toward coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge, attitudes, and preparedness/practices of lecturers and students in the fight against COVID-19. Method: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of 103 lecturers and students both men and women of age group 18 to 69 years in western Uganda. Data were obtained through a pretested questionnaire availed online. Results: Knowledge on COVID-19 symptoms was highest in this order: fever > dry cough > difficulty breathing > fatigue > headache with no significant differences between lecturers and students. Knowledge of participants on transmission of COVID-19 was highest in the order of cough drops > contaminated surfaces > person-to-person contact > asymptomatic persons > airborne > zoonotic with no significant differences among lecturers and students. Lecturers and students were all willing to continue using personal protective equipment like masks, and personal practices such as covering the mouth while sneezing and coughing, no handshaking, and washing of hands with no significant differences in the responses. The positive attitudes that COVID-19 could kill, anyone can get COVID-19, and willing to abide by the set regulations against the pandemic showed personal concerns and desired efforts against COVID-19. Conclusion: The study identifies lecturers and students as potential stakeholders in the fight against community transmission of COVID-19.

The purpose of the study was to generate information on the safety of probiotics, thus the study objectives were to evaluate the effects of Yoba® on basic physiochemical properties. The study assessed male w1118 Drosophila melanogaster which were provided food supplemented with Yoba® at 1%, 3%, 6%, and 12% on motor function, total protein, catalase activity, and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity and lifespan. Yoba® at high concentration (≥ 6%) increased locomotor activity in Drosophila melanogaster, however, total protein, catalase, and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity were significantly higher at 1% Yoba® compared to 3%, 6%, and 12% Yoba®. Yoba consumed at 1% was associated with greater physiological benefits in Drosophila melanogaster. Findings in the study offer a rationale for the consumption of Yoba® at 1% in humans as is currently being promoted by the Yoba for Life consortium, however, high concentrations of Yoba® would disrupt physiological function as shown by this study.

Background: Many countries have drawn their attention on developing Corona virus disease 2019 vaccine however there is less emphasis on whether this vaccine could be accepted in most of these countries. This study aimed to investigate acceptance and risk perception of COVID-19 vaccine in Uganda. Method: A simplified snowball sampling technique was used to select 1067 respondents of 18-70 years in western Uganda using an online questionnaire from July to September 2020. Vaccine acceptability and risk perception was assessed using odds ratio at 95% confidence interval using R software version 3.6.3. Results: The acceptance rate for vaccination against COVID-19 was (53.6%; 572/1067) with participants in the reference age group 18-20 (OR: 1; 95%CI: NA); males (OR: 2.1; 95%CI: 1.56-2.71; P=0.000); tertiary level of education (OR: 2.8; 95%CI: 1.25-6.11; P=0.009); students (OR: 3.19; 95%CI: 1.98-5.15; P=0.000) and non-salary earners (OR: 2.29; 95%CI: 1.53-3.44; P=0.000) significantly more likely to accept the vaccine. Results also showed that (46.4%; 495/1067) of the respondents were un-likely to accept the vaccine. About (44.6%; 476/1067) of the respondents were likely to accept vaccine clinical trials with participants in the reference age group 18-20 (OR: 1; 95%CI: NA), students (OR: 2.37; 95%CI: 1.49-3.77; P=0.000), marrieds (OR: 1.3; 95%CI: 1.03-1.69; P=0.028), and non-salary (OR: 1.56; 95%CI: 1.05-2.30; P=0.029) significantly more likely to accept clinical trials. There were (46.7%; 500/1067) of the respondents who perceived the vaccine as being risky with males (OR: 3.13; 95%CI: 2.33-4.21; P=0.000); students (OR: 2.59; 95%CI: 1.63-4.13; P=0.000); Civil servants (OR: 1.49; 95%CI: 0.98-2.25; P=0.063); and non-salary earners; (OR: 2.34; 95%CI: 1.57-3.47; P=0.000) who significantly perceived the vaccine as being more risky.Conclusion: The level of vaccine acceptance (53.6%) and risk perception (46.7%) was relatively average in western Uganda. In order to ensure successful vaccination process, the government needs to prioritize vaccine acceptance strategies especially among the risky group in the community.