Over 80% of morbidity due to soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) occurs in low-income countries. Children under 5 account for 20–30% of the burden in endemic areas. This study assessed the prevalence, intensity and factors associated with STH infections among preschool-age children (PSAC) in Hoima district, Uganda. The PSAC are particularly vulnerable because the chronicity of this condition usually affects their physical and mental growth and development. A cross-sectional study was carried out among 562 PSAC (1–5 years old) in 6 counties of Hoima district using Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) method. Stool samples from children were examined using the formol ether concentration technique for STH egg detection. Egg counts were represented as egg per gram (EPG). A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on factors associated with STH infection. Generalized linear models were used to analyze relationships between STH infection and associated factors. Overall STH prevalence was 26.5%. Hookworm infection was the most prevalent (18.5%), followed by A.lumbricoides (9.8%) and T.trichiura (0.5%). Prevalence of STH infection was significantly higher in children aged 5 years (Pearson chi-square test, p = 0.009) than in children aged 1 year. The general geometric mean (GM) counts for Hookworm infection was (696.1 EPG; range (530.3–913.8)) with girls having a higher GM (789.8 EPG; range (120–13,200)) than boys. Eating uncooked or unwashed vegetables (adj. Prevalence Ratio (PR) = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.3–2.7) and fruits (adj.PR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.1–2.8), indiscriminate disposal of young children’s faeces (adj.PR = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.1–2.0); not washing hands after defecation (adj.PR = 2.6, 95% CI: 1.9–3.6); and not deworming children regularly (adj.PR = 1.4, 95% CI: 1.1–1.8) were significantly associated with STH infection. The prevalence of Soil transmitted helminths infection among preschool-age children in Hoima district significantly increased with age. Poor hygiene, inadequate sanitation and irregular deworming were associated with STH infections among PSAC in the study area. Intense health education on the importance of hygienic practices, improved sanitation and regular deworming of PSAC should be integrated into prevention and control programs.

This study was set out to assess the level of adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and its determinants among children receiving HIV treatment in Kabale district, south western Uganda, in order to inform interventions for improving pediatric ART adherence. Overall, 79% (121/153) of the children did not miss ART doses over the 7 days. Caregiver forgetfulness was the major reason for missing ART doses, 37% (13/35). Other reasons included transportation costs to the health facilities, 17%, (6/35) and children sitting for examinations in schools. Older children (11–14 years) were more likely to adhere to ART than the younger ones (0–10 years) (AOR = 6.41, 95% CI 1.31–31.42). Caregivers, who knew their HIV status, had their children more adherent to ART than the caregivers of unknown HIV status (AOR = 21.64: 95% CI 1.09–428.28). A significant proportion of children in two facilities 21.5% (32/153) missed ART doses within the previous week. Support for providers to identify clues or reminders to take drugs, extending HIV testing to caregivers and innovative models of ART delivery that alleviate transport costs to caregivers and allow sufficient drugs for children in school could enhance drug adherence among children.

Indoor residual spraying (IRS) is an efficient method of preventing malaria in homes, and community willingness to take up IRS is critical to its success. The first phase of IRS was conducted in Tororo district, Uganda between December 2014 and January 2015. High coverage rates (90%) were attained in the district. However, Mulanda sub-county had the lowest coverage of 78%, in the first round. This study assessed willingness and associated factors of IRS uptake among household heads for the next IRS campaign in Mulanda sub-county, Tororo district. A household survey was conducted in all three parishes of Mulanda sub-county. A multistage sampling technique involving the village and household as the first and second sampling levels, respectively, was used to identify 640 households Household heads were interviewed using standard questionnaire. Seven key informants were also conducted to explore the impact of community IRS-perceptions on uptake. Bi-variable and multi-variable logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with willingness to take up IRS. Qualitative data was analysed by thematic content analysis method. Most (79.9%) respondents were willing to take up repeat IRS. However this was below the target of 85%. Fear of insecticide adverse effects (62%) was the most common reason mentioned by 134 (21%) household heads who were not willing to take up IRS. Factors associated with to take up IRS were; age ≥ 35 years (AOR 1.9; 95% CI 1.08–3.51), higher socio-economic status (AOR 0.4; 95% CI 0.27–0.98), not taking IRS in previous round (AOR 0.1; 95% CI 0.06–0.23), not knowing reason for conducting IRS (AOR 0.4; 95% CI 0.24–0.78) and having an iron sheet roof (AOR 2.2; 95% CI 1.03–4.73). Community and religious leaders were the preferred sources of IRS information. The level of willingness to take up IRS was low (79%) compared to the targeted 85%. Involvement of community and religious leaders in community sensitization on the efficacy and safety of the chemicals could increase uptake of IRS.

Voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) remains one of the recommended HIV prevention measures in heterosexual men in selected countries, including Uganda. While most VMMCs are on adolescent and adult males, its longer-term potential population-level impact might be realized through the inclusion of early infant male circumcision (EIMC). However, EIMC’s successful rollout requires understanding the perspectives of health workers, health system-level facilitators, and barriers to EIMC. Following EIMC pilot/project implementation, we explored health workers’ individual-level perspectives on, and health system-level facilitators and barriers (to EIMC) in a traditionally non-circumcising setting in Northeastern Uganda. In April 2022, we conducted a qualitative study involving 26 in-depth interviews. Participants included seven health workers who participated in EIMC and seven who did not, two heads of hospitals that conducted EIMC, and six District health officials, four representatives of national-level partners who supported EIMC implementation in the study area. Data were coded and analyzed using inductive (for individual-level perspectives) and deductive (for health system-level barriers and facilitators) thematic analyses. Health workers who had participated in EIMC reported its comparative advantages, including performance simplicity, faster wound healing, and relatively lower cost. Some health workers who had not participated in EIMC expressed concerns regarding the safety of the procedure and the potential associated pain. Health system-related facilitators for EIMC included leadership support and availability of funding and supplies for initial implementation and health workers’ capacity building through EIMC training. This support was limited to the project’s period and later ended. Therefore, barriers to EIMC implementation, including a lack of supplies and funding, were reported. EIMC was perceived as a comparatively beneficial intervention for possible HIV prevention because, compared to VMMC, it is technically simpler, safer, potentially low-cost, and wound healing is faster. Nevertheless, some health workers raised concerns about EIMC. Leadership support, funding, health workers’ EIMC training, equipment, and supplies availability facilitated EIMC. Some facilitators were short-lived as a lack of continued funding and supplies stock-outs were major EIMC barriers. Successful implementation requires sustained EIMC financing and addressing the concerns of some health workers, in addition to the identified health system-related barriers.