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Browsing Research Articles by Author "Amos Odiit"

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    Effect of corticosteroids on haemoglobinuria resolution among children with blackwater fever at Soroti regional referral hospital, Uganda: a retrospective cohort study
    (Springer Nature, 2025-11-03) Amos Odiit; Patrick Lubogo; Moses Ochora; Isaac Ebiju; Ronald Opito
    Background Corticosteroids are sometimes used in clinical practice in the treatment of blackwater fever (BWF), a complication of severe malaria, despite limited evidence of benefit. This study aimed to compare the time to haemoglobinuria resolution between children with BWF who received corticosteroids and those who did not, and determine if corticosteroid use significantly influences this outcome. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study carried out at Soroti Regional Referral Hospital in Soroti, Uganda, among children diagnosed with blackwater fever (BWF), between 1st January 2023 to 31st December 2024. Participants included in the study were 889. Time to haemoglobinuria resolution was determined using the Kaplan–Meier survival function and compared using log rank test. Predictors of time to haemoglobinuria resolution were determined using an extended cox proportional hazard model, with results expressed as adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results The median time to haemoglobinuria resolution was 3 days in both the corticosteroid and non-corticosteroid groups. Corticosteroid use was not significantly associated with time to haemoglobinuria resolution (aHR: 0.90; 95% CI 0.75–1.07, p = 0.239). The predictors of time to haemoglobinuria resolution were: antibiotic use (aHR: 0.68; 95% CI 0.58–0.81, p < 0.001), blood transfusion (specifically for those who received transfusions twice [aHR: 0.78; 95% CI 0.62–0.97, p = 0.024], three times [aHR: 0.59; 95% CI 0.40–0.88, p = 0.010], and four times [aHR: 0.36; 95% CI 0.24–0.53, p < 0.001]), presence of jaundice (aHR: 1.49; 95% CI 1.14–1.94, p = 0.003), and administration of normal saline (aHR: 0.57, 95% CI 0.45–0.74, p < 0.001). Conclusion Corticosteroid use did not accelerate haemoglobinuria resolution in children with blackwater fever, supporting current WHO guidance against their use. These findings suggest limited benefit of corticosteroids in BWF management.
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    Profiling the disease burden in Teso subregion during community-based medical education and research services at Soroti University: a prospective study protocol
    (Archives of Public Health, 2026-06-18) Opito Ronald; Amos Odiit; Hellen Akurut; Emmanuel Ayikobua Tiyo; Joash Okoboi; Letizia Maria Atim; Clement Munguiko; Lawrence Obado; Bonniface Oryokot; Fred Kirya; Ruth Muhindo; David Aderu; Patrick Lubogo; Stephen Econyu; Simon Icumar Omeke; Samuel Kabwigu; Amos Deogratius Mwaka
    Background: Community-based medical education and research services (COBMERS) place medical students in primary health care facilities to strengthen their skills in community health service delivery, teamwork, leadership and professional ethics within limited-resource settings. Beyond training, COBMERS enables universities to generate evidence on local disease epidemiology, transmission dynamics, and control practices, resulting in a tangible, contextualized impact on the communities. There is however limited data on disease profile in Teso subregion, with limited epidemiological research in the area. This prospective study aims to profile the disease burden in the Teso subregion through COBMERS, thereby informing community-level interventions and health policy. Methods: The study will employ convergent parallel mixed-methods design, integrating quantitative and qualitative approaches. Quantitative ARTICLE IN PRESS components will include cross-sectional surveys to determine prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), and ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT ARTICLE IN PRESS infectious diseases, complemented by prospective cohort studies to assess temporal trends. Qualitative data will be gathered through focus group discussions and key informant interviews to explore community perceptions, health system capacity, and effectiveness of preventive measures. A community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach will guide all phases, ensuring that research is co-designed with community members, health practitioners, and local authorities. Medical students, under the supervision of faculty and site mentors, will serve as primary data collectors, integrating research with their COBMERS training. Discussion: The study is expected to provide evidence on the prevalence, trends, and risk factors of major diseases in the Teso subregion, alongside community perspectives on health priorities and barriers to care. Findings will stir up debates to inform tailored interventions, strengthen primary health care, and guide policy formulation. Additionally, embedding research within COBMERS is expected to build local research capacity among site mentors and students, fostering sustainability and continued community university collaboration. This protocol therefore provides an integrated framework that combines epidemiological surveillance, community engagement, and capacity building. By leveraging COBMERS and CBPR, the study seeks to provide actionable evidence to reduce the burden of NCDs, infectious diseases, and NTDs while promoting health system resilience in ARTICLE IN PRESS Eastern Uganda.