Health

Research findings show that Iron levels of blood donors in Uganda are low

Published

1 year ago

November 23, 2022

Zaam Ssali

Members of the research team at the dissemination on 15th November 2022.

Makerere University researchers have released research findings showing that some blood donors in Uganda have low iron levels,low iron stores are common in blood donors, and that the donors who are deferred for low blood levels have limited insight into their situation. The findings were presented at a research dissemination workshop held on the 15^th November 2022 at Makerere University College of Health Sciences.

In his remarks, Dr. Aggrey Dhabangi, Principal Investigator (PI) of the study explained that lack of iron may result in anaemia, which in turn makes blood donors ineligible to donate. ‘Other complications arising from low iron include, fatigue, low energy, and depression’, he added.

Statistics show that Uganda collects about 300,000 blood donations per year which is below the WHO recommended target of one donation per 100 population per year. As such, more donations are needed to increase blood supply. However, 10% of potential donors are turned away (deferred), 25% of these are due to low blood levels (anaemia); these missed donations may further exacerbate blood shortages in the country. Thresholds for eligibility to donate are 12.5g/dL and 13.5 g/dL for women and men respectively.

A total of 500 donors were involved in the cross-sectional study conducted within the central region blood collection sites of the Uganda Blood Transfusion Services (UBTS). The key findings of the study included:

The results showed that, of all potential donors screened to donate, 20.6 % had low iron stores. Among donors with blood levels acceptable to donate, 11.5% had low iron stores, while among those already turned away from donating for low blood levels, 61.5% also had had low iron.
The prevalence of low iron stores was higher among females (33.0%) compared to males (2.5%), but even higher among younger females i.e., 24 years and below (35.4%).
Further analysis revealed that, NOT eating an“iron-rich” diet was a major factor linked to low storesamong blood donors.
Interviews with donors turned away from donating for low blood levels revealed that many did not receive sufficient explanations as to why they were turned away, and what they were told was sometimes confusing to them.
Although the majority were surprised to be found with low blood levels and seemed frustrated for being turned away; deferral for low blood levels was generally poorly understood. Some interpreted it to mean, they had just ‘enough blood for themselves, but not enough to donate’. Others took the issue very lightly, yet their iron measurements have shown that 61.5% of these individuals besides being low on blood, they also had low iron.

The researchers gave the following recommendations:

Dietary (Iron-rich diet):Action – The population should be encouraged to adopt healthy eating lifestyle/diet which is iron-rich.Foods like leafy greens (bbugga, dodo, nakati), liver, beef, beans among others should be included in diets.
Behavioural change communicationon nutrition should be instituted to get the populations to change their diets and eating habits.
Consider Iron supplements for the population to repleteiron stores. The UBTS/Ministry of Health can offer iron pills to the affected donors. In the past this was done.
Identify donors at risk of Iron Deficiency through screening to identify affected persons early enough for interventions.
Improved communication is necessary for better handling of blood donors; the capacity of UBTS staff should be built; produce IEC materials for deferred donors: anaemia treatment, and prevention
Referral – to physicians for work-up and further management of anaemia

This study was made possible through collaboration between Makerere University College of Health Sciences and Uganda Blood Transfusion Services. Funding support was provided by the Government of the Republic of Uganda, through the Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF) – Round 3, financial year 2021/22.

Research Team: Dr. Aggrey Dhabangi (Principal Investigator (PI) and Co-PIs Dr. Godfrey Siu, Dr. Ronald Ssenyonga, Dr. Susan Acan, Mrs. Dorothy Kyeyune, and Dr. Imelda Bates.

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METS Newsletter October 2022

Health

Call For Applications: Masters Support in Self-management Intervention for Reducing Epilepsy Burden

Published

3 days ago

April 23, 2024

Mak Editor

An aerial photo of the College of Health Sciences (CHS), Makerere University showing Left to Right: The Sir Albert Cook Memorial Library, School of Biomedical Sciences, Davies Lecture Theatre, School of Public Health, Mulago Specialised Women and Neonatal Hospital (MSWNH)-Background Left and Nakasero Hill-Background Right, Kampala Uganda.

The Makerere University College of Health Sciences & Case Western Reserve University, partnering with Mbarara University of science and Technology are implementing a five-year project, “Self-management Intervention for Reducing Epilepsy Burden Among Adult Ugandans with Epilepsy”.

The program is funded by the National Institute of Health (NIH), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). One aspect of the program is to provide advanced degree training to qualified candidates with an interest in pursuing clinical and research careers in Epilepsy. We are aiming at growing epilepsy research capacity including self-management approaches in SSA.

The Project is soliciting for applications for Masters Research thesis support focusing on epilepsy related research at Makerere University and Mbarara University, cohort 1, 2024/2025.

Selection criteria

Should be a Masters’ student of the following courses; MMED in Internal Medicine, Paediatrics, Surgery and Neurosurgery, Psychiatry, Family Medicine, Public Health, Master of Health Services Research, MSc. Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Nursing or Masters in the Basic Sciences (Physiology, Anatomy, Biochemistry or any other related field).
Should have completed at least one year of their Masters training in the courses listed above.
Demonstrated interest in Epilepsy and Neurological diseases, care and prevention and commitment to develop and maintain a productive career and devoted to Epilepsy, Clinical Practice and Prevention.

Research Programs

The following are the broad Epilepsy research priority areas (THEMES) and applicants are encouraged to develop research concepts in the areas of; Applicants are not limited to these themes; they can propose other areas.

The epidemiology of Epilepsy and associated risk factors.
Determining the factors affecting the quality of life, risk factors and outcomes (mortality, morbidity) for Epilepsy, epilepsy genetics, and preventive measures among adults.
Epilepsy in childhood and its associated factors, preventative measures etc.
Epilepsy epidemiology and other Epilepsy related topics.
Epilepsy interventions and rehabilitation

In addition to a formal masters’ program, trainees will receive training in bio-ethics, Good Clinical Practice, behavioral sciences research, data and statistical analysis and research management.

The review criteria for applicants will be as follows:

Relevance to program objectives
Quality of research and research project approach
Feasibility of study
Mentors and mentoring plan; in your mentoring plan, please include who are the mentors, what training they will provide and how often they propose to meet with the candidate.
Ethics and human subjects’ protection.

Application Process

Applicants should submit an application letter accompanied with detailed curriculum vitae, two recommendation letters from Professional referees or mentors and a 2-page concept or an approved full proposal describing your project and addressing Self-Management Intervention for Reducing Epilepsy Burden Among Adult or epilepsy related problem.

A soft copy should be submitted to the Administrator, Reducing Epilepsy Burden Project. Email: smireb2@gmail.com; Closing date for the Receipt of applications is 1^st July 2024.

For more information, inquiries and additional advice on developing concepts, please contact the following:

Makerere University College of Health Sciences

Prof. Mark Kaddumukasa: kaddumark@yahoo.co.uk

Mbarara University

Ms. Josephine N Najjuma: najjumajosephine@yahoo.co.uk

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for Interviews.

Health

Call For Applications: Masters Support in Brain Health

Published

3 days ago

April 23, 2024

Mak Editor

Artistic illustration of Medical Science at the College of Health Sciences (CHS), Makerere University, Kampala Uganda.

The Makerere University College of Health Sciences and Uganda Martyrs University (UMU), Research Training and mentorship to strengthen brain health program is a five-year project, funded by the National Institute of Health (NIH), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and the Fogarty International Center (FIC). The Major goal is to strengthen brain health research through multidisciplinary training and build a sustainable faculty and institutional capacity for research to improve brain health across the Lifespan in Uganda.

The Project is soliciting for applications for Master’s training support in Brain Health-related research at Makerere University/UMU, 5^th Cohort, 2024/2025.

Selection criteria

Should be a Masters’ student of the following courses; MMED in Internal Medicine, Obstetrics/Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Surgery and Neurosurgery, Psychiatry, Family Medicine, Public Health, Master of Health Services Research, MSc. Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Nursing or Masters in the Basic Sciences (Physiology, Anatomy, Biochemistry or any other related field at Makerere University/UMU.
Should have completed at least one year of their Masters training in the courses listed above and ready to start their thesis development.
Proof of admission onto a master’s program at Makerere or UMU
Research work should be related to their selected research area in brain health
A letter of support from a mentor and another letter from the department committing to give the candidate protected time to study.
Demonstrated interest in Brain Health and Neurological diseases, care and prevention and commitment to develop and maintain a productive career and devoted to Brain Health, Clinical Practice and Prevention.

Research Programs

The following are the broad Brain Health Research priority areas (THEMES) and applicants are encouraged to develop research concepts in the areas of; Meningitis, encephalitis, traumatic brain injury, seizures/ epilepsy, neurodevelopmental disorders, ADHD, Autism, cerebral palsy, mental health disorders, stroke, dementias, Parkinson’s disease and nerve disorders plus “other brain-related topics”

In addition to a formal masters’ program, trainees will receive training in bio-ethics, Implementation science, behavioral sciences research, qualitative and quantitative research methodology, data analysis and research management.

The review criteria for applicants will be as follows:

Relevance to program objectives
Quality of research and research project approach
Feasibility of study
Mentors and mentoring plan; in your Mentoring plan, please include who are the proposed mentors, what training they will provide and how often they propose to meet with the candidate.
Ethics and human subjects’ protection.

Application Process

Applicants should submit an application letter accompanied with a detailed curriculum vitae, two recommendation letters from Professional referees or mentors and a 2-page concept or approved full proposal addressing a brain health or neurological disease related problem.

A soft copy should be submitted to the Training Coordinator, Brain Health Project.

Email: brainhealthtraining@gmail.com.

Closing date for the Receipt of applications is 10^th June 2024.

For more information, inquiries and additional advice on developing concepts, please contact the following:

Prof. Elly Katabira, katabira@infocom.co.ug;

Dr. Mark Kaddumukasa. kaddumark@yahoo.co.uk

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for Interviews

Health

Call For Applications: Masters Support in Reducing Stroke Risk Factors

Published

3 days ago

April 23, 2024

Mak Editor

The Dean’s Gardens with Davies Lecture Theatre (Right), College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Mulago Hill, Kampala Uganda on a bright sunny day. East Africa

The Makerere University College of Health Sciences and Case Western Reserve University, partnering with Mbarara University of Science and Technology are implementing a five-year project, “A targeted self-management Intervention for Reducing Stroke Risk Factors in High Risk Ugandans”.

The program is funded by the National Institute of Health (NIH), the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). One aspect of the program is to provide advanced degree training to qualified candidates with an interest in pursuing clinical and research careers in Stroke. Trainees will be expected to develop and maintain a productive career devoted to Stroke Research, Clinical Practice, and Prevention. We are aiming at growing Research Capacity in Stroke Risk Reduction and training the next generation of Stroke health in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The Project is soliciting for applications for Masters Research thesis support in stroke-related research at Makerere University and Mbarara University, cohort 5, 2024/2025.

Selection criteria

Should be a Masters’ student of the following courses; MMED in Internal Medicine, Paediatrics, Surgery and Neurosurgery, Psychiatry, Family Medicine, Public Health, Master of Health Services Research, MSc. Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Nursing or Masters in the Basic Sciences (Physiology, Anatomy, Biochemistry or any other related field).
Should have completed at least one year of their Masters training in the courses listed above.
Demonstrated interest in Stroke and Neurological diseases, care and prevention and commitment to develop and maintain a productive career and devoted to Stroke, Clinical Practice and Prevention.

Research Programs

The following are the broad brain health research priority areas (THEMES) and applicants are encouraged to develop research concepts in the areas of; Applicants are not limited to these themes, they can propose other areas.

The epidemiology of Stroke and associated risk factors.

Stroke risk factors and outcomes (mortality, morbidity) for stroke, stroke genetics, and preventive measures in among adults.
Stroke in childhood and its associated factors, preventative measures etc.
Stroke epidemiology and other stroke related topics.
Stroke interventions and rehabilitation

In addition to a formal masters’ program, trainees will receive training in bio-ethics, Good Clinical Practice, behavioral sciences research, data and statistical analysis and research management.

The review criteria for applicants will be as follows:

Relevance to program objectives
Quality of research and research project approach
Feasibility of study
Mentors and mentoring plan; in your mentoring plan, please include who are the mentors, what training they will provide and how often they propose to meet with the candidate.
Ethics and human subjects’ protection.

Application Process

Applicants should submit an application letter accompanied with a detailed curriculum vitae, two recommendation letters from Professional referees or mentors and a 2-page concept or an approved full proposal describing your project and addressing Stroke Risk Factors or a stroke related problem.

A soft copy should be submitted to the Training Coordinator, Reducing Stroke Project.

Email: reducingstroke@gmail.com. The closing date for the Receipt of applications is 10^th June 2024.

For more information, inquiries, and additional advice on developing concepts, please contact the following:

Makerere University College of Health Sciences

Prof. Elly Katabira: katabira@infocom.co.ug

Dr. Mark Kaddumukasa: kaddumark@yahoo.co.uk

Mbarara University

Ms. Josephine N Najjuma: najjumajosephine@yahoo.co.uk

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for Interviews.