Abstract Background Caregivers of children with epilepsy, cerebral palsy (CP), or co-occurring epilepsy and CP in low-resource settings face substantial psychological, social, and economic challenges. Despite high caregiver burden in sub-Saharan Africa, limited qualitative research has explored how caregivers perceive their experiences, their children’s care needs, and the contextual factors shaping coping. This study examined caregivers’ lived experiences and coping strategies to inform interventions that strengthen caregiver well-being and capacity. Methods A descriptive qualitative study was conducted at the paediatric neurology clinic of Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital in southwestern Uganda. Twenty in-depth interviews were held with primary caregivers of children with epilepsy, CP, or both. Purposive sampling ensured variation in caregiving duration, child diagnosis, and coping patterns. Interviews were conducted in English or Runyankore, audio-recorded, transcribed, translated, and analyzed thematically using Braun and Clarke’s six-step approach. Data collection and analysis occurred iteratively until saturation. Results Caregivers described caregiving as intensive and continuous, with children requiring substantial assistance in daily activities, consistent medication adherence, physiotherapy, and coordinated school support. Access to hospitals, schools, and community resources was inconsistent, often leaving caregivers to bridge gaps in care. Financial strain, stigma, social isolation, and disruption of income-generating activities were pervasive challenges that compounded emotional distress. Despite these pressures, caregivers demonstrated adaptive coping strategies, drawing on hope, acceptance, faith, and social connectedness to sustain their roles. They reported emotional exhaustion and limited family or professional support, with minimal engagement in formal mental health services. At the same time, caregivers developed structured routines, environmental adjustments, and personalized problem-solving strategies to maintain stability and ensure continuity of care. Conclusion This study demonstrates that caregiving for children with chronic neurological conditions, including epilepsy and CP, in low-resource settings is highly demanding, marked by substantial medical, emotional, social, and financial challenges. Despite these burdens, caregivers show notable resilience through faith, optimism, and adaptive coping strategies. The findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive support, including reliable medication access, psychosocial services, assistive devices, and stigma-reduction efforts, to strengthen caregiver well-being and improve care for affected children.
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), specifically preeclampsia and eclampsia, are leading causes of maternal and perinatal mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. In Uganda’s tiered health system, primary healthcare facilities (Health Center III and IV) serve as the frontline for early detection of HDP among women attending antenatal care (ANC). However, implementation gaps persist in these settings. This study explored the perspectives of healthcare providers (HCPs) on the practices, barriers, and facilitators regarding HDP screening, diagnosis, and management in Southwestern Uganda. We conducted an exploratory qualitative study using in-depth interviews with 13 purposively sampled HCPs (midwives, nurses, and medical officers) across six primary health facilities in Mbarara City. Using a semi-structured interview guide, data were collected from January 2025 to March 2025. Data were analyzed using inductive thematic content analysis. Screening for HDP during ANC was primarily conducted using blood pressure measurement and urinalysis, but was frequently undermined by technical barriers such as non-functional blood pressure machines and supply constraints like stock-outs of urine dipsticks. No participants (0/13) reported the use of prophylactic aspirin for high-risk mothers. Key barriers included the absence of HDP-specific guidelines, heavy workloads, cultural and socioeconomic factors. Facilitators included routine health education sessions and the use of digital consultation via WhatsApp groups for real-time specialist support. To address these challenges, HCPs proposed potential measures such as facility-based mentorship for HCPs, the integration of mHealth decision-support tools, and redesigning ANC cards to make risk factors more visible. Healthcare providers in southwestern Uganda showed strong awareness of HDP care but were constrained by unreliable equipment, supply shortages, and limited staffing. Strengthening supply chains, mentorship, and digital decision-support could enhance the capacity of primary care facilities to deliver timely HDP prevention, screening, and early diagnosis.
Nontraumatic ileal perforation is a cause of obscure peritonitis characterized by severe toxicity and high mortality. This burden is disproportionately greater in LMICs due to poor hygiene practices, burden of HIV infection, and other comorbidities. This study aimed at determining the prevalence, anatomic-pathologic findings, and factors associated with nontraumatic ileal perforation a multicenter cross‑sectional study at 3 selected hospitals in Uganda. This was a cross-sectional study of 149 consecutive sample participants that used a structured checklist. We conducted logistic regression analyses using SPSS v21.0 (IBM), Variables with p < 0.20 in the bivariate analysis were entered into the multivariable logistic regression model, and p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Nontraumaticileal perforation was more prevalent among males (20.1
Background Metabolic syndrome (MetS) increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes; however, data among professional workforces in Uganda are limited. We assessed the prevalence and associated factors of MetS among university and hospital staff in Mbarara, southwestern Uganda. Methods We conducted an institution-based cross-sectional study among 231 university and hospital staff. Participants were selected using stratified simple random sampling with proportional allocation by institution and staff category. MetS was defined using the harmonized Joint Interim Statement criteria as the presence of ≥ 3 of five components: central obesity, elevated triglycerides, reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, elevated blood pressure, and dysglycemia. We described component clustering as 0, 1–2, or ≥ 3 components and used modified Poisson regression to identify factors associated with MetS Results Among 231 participants, 139 (60.2%) were male, the mean age was 41.1 years, and 164 (71.0%) were university staff. Overall, 68 participants had MetS, giving a prevalence of 29.4% (95% CI 23.6–35.8). Low HDL-C (65%) and dysglycemia (51%) were the most common components. Only 9% of participants had no MetS components, whereas 62% had 1–2 components MetS was independently associated with age 35–49 years (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] 2.24, 95% CI 1.10–4.54), age ≥ 50 years (aPR 2.75, 95% CI 1.27–5.97), female sex (aPR 3.16, 95% CI 2.05–4.88), and alcohol use (aPR 1.78, 95% CI 1.20–2.63). Conclusions MetS and subthreshold cardiometabolic risk clustering were common among academic and healthcare workers. The predominance of low HDL-C and dysglycemia, together with higher MetS prevalence among older staff, women, and alcohol users, supports workplace-based screening, targeted prevention, and longitudinal follow-up in similar low-resource professional settings.
