RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), including soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) and schistosomiasis, continue to impose a heavy burden, especially in sub-Saharan Africa and Uganda, despite being preventable. Integration of NTD management into primary healthcare has been inadequate. While researchers have explored community perspectives, there is a notable gap in understanding the viewpoints of healthcare workers (HCW), which is crucial for effective NTD control strategies. This study explores HCW' perspectives in Eastern Uganda, highlighting challenges in schistosomiasis and STH prevention and management. METHODS: In this qualitative descriptive study, we conducted semistructured interviews with 10 key informants who were HCW in Eastern Uganda with experience in managing STHs and schistosomiasis. Participants were selected purposively and interviewed through Zoom guided by a comprehensive interview guide. The data were transcribed, coded and analyzed thematically. RESULTS: We identified five key themes regarding the impact and management of NTDs: (i) the burden of NTDs, where schistosomiasis and STHs were notably prevalent among children and communities adjacent to water bodies; (ii) transmission of NTDs, emphasizing water bodies and poor sanitation as primary routes of disease spread; (iii) clinical manifestations of NTDs, detailing the symptomatic presentations that complicate diagnosis and management; (iv) challenges in managing and diagnosing NTDs, highlighting the shortages of essential medications and diagnostic tools, along with the under-prioritization of NTDs within healthcare systems; and (v) fatalities and complications arising from NTDs, reporting on the severe outcomes and under-reporting of deaths associated with NTDs due to misdiagnosis, delayed treatment and traditional healing preferences. CONCLUSION: The interviewed Ugandan HCW demonstrated sufficient knowledge of schistosomiasis and STHs, but faced challenges due to inadequate diagnostic tools and medication shortages. The study underscores the need for NTD prioritization with direct funding and government involvement, alongside strategies that integrate continuous medical training, effective community outreach and an enhanced healthcare system response to reduce the burden of NTDs.
RESUMEN
Introduction: Emergency medicine (EM) is a new specialty in Uganda. There is no current formal EM undergraduate curriculum. The Mbarara University of Science and Technology Emergency Medicine Interest Group (MUST-EMIG) was established to bridge this gap. This survey was done to assess the contributions of MUST-EMIG. Objectives of the study were to: discover students' reasons for joining the MUST-EMIG; assess whether interest in learning emergency medicine was affected by participation in MUST-EMIG; evaluate plans to pursue emergency medicine as a specialty before and after joining MUST-EMIG; determine whether MUST-EMIG affected students' perception of emergency medicine's importance in Uganda's health care system; and elicit feedback from students on their experience as members of MUST-EMIG. Methods: The MUST-EMIG executive developed a membership survey which was reviewed by MUST-EMIG's faculty advisor for suitability. Members of MUST-EMIG were voluntarily asked to participate in the online survey. Results of the survey were summarized using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Results: 49 responses (46.7% response rate) were collected and analyzed. Participants included 29 (59.2%) male and 20 (40.8%) female medical students. The majority of participants were fourth year students 22 (44.9%). 44 (89.8%) students joined MUST-EMIG to learn how to handle medical emergencies, and expressed a desire of at least 6/10 to learn more about emergency medicine after utilizing opportunities provided by MUST-EMIG. Overall, students had a good experience with MUST-EMIG. They reported that our interest group had provided them networking, unique learning, and leadership opportunities. Having an EMIG significantly affects students' desire to pursue a career in emergency medicine and their perception of the relevance of emergency medicine. Discussion: An EMIG helps develop interest of medical students in emergency medicine. Students passionate about emergency medicine need to be supported to help them preserve and further develop this passion.