Featured Publications
Disparities in availability of essential medicines to treat non-communicable diseases in Uganda: A Poisson analysis using the Service Availability and Readiness Assessment
Armstrong-Hough M, Kishore SP, Byakika S, Mutungi G, Nunez-Smith M, Schwartz JI. Disparities in availability of essential medicines to treat non-communicable diseases in Uganda: A Poisson analysis using the Service Availability and Readiness Assessment. PLOS ONE 2018, 13: e0192332. PMID: 29420640, PMCID: PMC5805288, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0192332.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNon-communicable diseasesHIV servicesHealth centersHealth facility preparednessHealth service readinessEssential medicinesPrimary health centersReferral health centersHealth facility typeUgandan health facilitiesFacility typePoisson regression modelsHIV careHIV counselingFacility preparednessReadiness assessment toolGeneral HospitalPredictors of readinessHealth facilitiesService readinessMultivariate analysisSignificant associationDiagnostic capacityHigher countsMultivariate modelTowards reframing health service delivery in Uganda: the Uganda Initiative for Integrated Management of Non-Communicable Diseases
Schwartz JI, Dunkle A, Akiteng AR, Birabwa-Male D, Kagimu R, Mondo CK, Mutungi G, Rabin TL, Skonieczny M, Sykes J, Mayanja-Kizza H. Towards reframing health service delivery in Uganda: the Uganda Initiative for Integrated Management of Non-Communicable Diseases. Global Health Action 2015, 8: 26537. PMID: 25563451, PMCID: PMC4292588, DOI: 10.3402/gha.v8.26537.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNon-communicable diseasesHealth service deliveryIntegrated health services deliveryTraining of HCWsChronic disease preventionHealthcare worker trainingMiddle-income countriesService deliveryDisease preventionCommunicable diseasesHealth systemDouble burdenDiseaseWorker trainingMultidisciplinary research collaborationBurdenDeliveryMorbidityMajor roleManagementMortalityIntegrated ManagementCarePreventionLooking at non-communicable diseases in Uganda through a local lens: an analysis using locally derived data
Schwartz JI, Guwatudde D, Nugent R, Kiiza CM. Looking at non-communicable diseases in Uganda through a local lens: an analysis using locally derived data. Globalization And Health 2014, 10: 77. PMID: 25406738, PMCID: PMC4240853, DOI: 10.1186/s12992-014-0077-5.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNon-communicable diseasesNCD epidemicHealth systemImportant chronic conditionsNCD risk factorsExcessive alcohol intakeChronic respiratory diseasesMental health disordersRoad traffic accidentsMiddle-income countriesAlcohol intakeChronic conditionsRisk factorsRespiratory diseaseHealth facilitiesHealth disordersNutritional transitionDiseaseNCD policiesSaharan AfricaEpidemicTraffic accidentsRepresentative dataMulti-sector partnershipsUganda
2023
Planning for Hospital Discharge for Older Adults in Uganda: A Qualitative Study Among Healthcare Providers Using the COM-B Framework
Owokuhaisa J, Schwartz J, Wiens M, Musinguzi P, Rukundo G. Planning for Hospital Discharge for Older Adults in Uganda: A Qualitative Study Among Healthcare Providers Using the COM-B Framework. Journal Of Multidisciplinary Healthcare 2023, 16: 3235-3248. PMID: 37936911, PMCID: PMC10627173, DOI: 10.2147/jmdh.s430489.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchDischarge planningHealthcare providersOlder adultsHealth facilitiesPatient careHealthcare service deliveryRoutine clinical care settingsProper discharge planningHealthcare provider perspectiveClinical care settingsNon-communicable diseasesHome-based careCOM-B frameworkUgandan health systemQuality patient careHospital dischargeContinuous medical educationInpatient wardsCare settingsAudio-recorded interviewsHealth systemProvider perspectivesInfluence behaviour changeQualitative exploratory studyService deliveryDiabetes mellitus care cascade among a cohort of persons living with HIV and hypertension in Uganda: A retrospective cohort study
Ambangira F, Sharman J, Muddu M, Kimera I, Namara D, Musimbaggo D, Namugenyi C, Ssenyonjo R, Mbuliro M, Katwesigye R, Schwartz J, Semitala F, Ssinabulya I. Diabetes mellitus care cascade among a cohort of persons living with HIV and hypertension in Uganda: A retrospective cohort study. International Journal Of STD & AIDS 2023, 34: 728-734. PMID: 37269360, DOI: 10.1177/09564624231179497.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDiabetes mellitusLarge urban HIV clinicNon-suppressed viral loadNon-communicable disease burdenUrban HIV clinicHIV care programsRetrospective cohort studyCohort of personsAppropriate diabetes careDiabetes mellitus careNon-communicable diseasesDual HIVCare cascadeHIV clinicCohort studyGlycaemic controlMedian ageViral loadRetrospective studyDiabetes careDisease burdenMellitus careCare programHIVHypertension
2022
The risk of hyperglycemia associated with use of dolutegravir among adults living with HIV in Kampala, Uganda: A case-control study
Namara D, Schwartz JI, Tusubira AK, McFarland W, Birungi C, Semitala FC, Muddu M. The risk of hyperglycemia associated with use of dolutegravir among adults living with HIV in Kampala, Uganda: A case-control study. International Journal Of STD & AIDS 2022, 33: 1158-1164. PMID: 36222490, PMCID: PMC9691558, DOI: 10.1177/09564624221129410.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsUse of dolutegravirRisk of hyperglycemiaCase-control studyDTG useDiabetes mellitusSubsequent diagnosisOral glucose tolerance testOdds of hyperglycemiaMedical record abstractionGlucose tolerance testMultivariable logistic regressionInterviewer-administered questionnaireNon-communicable diseasesTimes greater oddsDiagnosis of hyperglycemiaDTG exposureAlternate regimensAntiretroviral agentsRecord abstractionMultivariable analysisPotential confoundersPlasma glucoseTolerance testClinical dataHyperglycemia
2021
Causes of medication non-adherence and the acceptability of support strategies for people with hypertension in Uganda: A qualitative study
Wilkinson R, Garden E, Nanyonga RC, Squires A, Nakaggwa F, Schwartz JI, Heller DJ. Causes of medication non-adherence and the acceptability of support strategies for people with hypertension in Uganda: A qualitative study. International Journal Of Nursing Studies 2021, 126: 104143. PMID: 34953374, DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2021.104143.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCauses of medicationPoor medication adherenceNon-communicable diseasesHypertension controlMedication adherenceCommon non-communicable diseasesMedication side effectsLack of symptomsUrban private hospitalsMonthly group meetingsHealth Belief ModelTraditional herbal medicineHypertensive medicationsUntreated hypertensionAdherence clubsAdherence interventionsConventional content analysis approachText remindersSide effectsHypertensionPatientsMedicationsPatient effortHealthcare providersContext-specific barriersSocial Support for Self-Care: Patient Strategies for Managing Diabetes and Hypertension in Rural Uganda
Tusubira AK, Nalwadda CK, Akiteng AR, Hsieh E, Ngaruiya C, Rabin TL, Katahoire A, Hawley NL, Kalyesubula R, Ssinabulya I, Schwartz JI, Armstrong-Hough M. Social Support for Self-Care: Patient Strategies for Managing Diabetes and Hypertension in Rural Uganda. Annals Of Global Health 2021, 87: 86. PMID: 34458110, PMCID: PMC8378074, DOI: 10.5334/aogh.3308.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNon-communicable diseasesSelf-care practicesPrescribed medicinesConventional medicinePatient's social support networkRural UgandaSelf-care activitiesBlood sugar levelsCross-sectional qualitative studyResource-limited settingsSelf-care effortsSocial support networksSocial supportNCD clinicsNineteen patientsAdult patientsHealth facilitiesPatientsPatient strategiesManaging diabetesHypertensionSelf-CareDiabetesDiagnostic testsLow-income countries
2020
Self-care practices and needs in patients with hypertension, diabetes, or both in rural Uganda: a mixed-methods study
Tusubira A, Nalwadda C, Akiteng A, Armstrong-Hough M, Hsieh E, Ngaruiya C, Rabin T, Hawley N, Lipska K, Kalyesubula R, Ssinabulya I, Schwartz J. Self-care practices and needs in patients with hypertension, diabetes, or both in rural Uganda: a mixed-methods study. The Lancet Global Health 2020, 8: s19. DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(20)30160-1.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchNon-communicable diseasesSelf-care practicesPhysical activityManagement of NCDsDaily vigorous physical activityEssential NCD medicinesRural UgandaMost respondentsModerate physical activityMixed-methods studyVigorous physical activitySelf-care programFocus group discussionsNCD clinicsAdult patientsMost patientsSwollen footPatient adherenceSaharan AfricaMean ageNCD medicinesNCD patientsWeight managementAlcohol abstinenceHealth facilitiesDevelopment of a discrete choice experiment to understand patient preferences for diabetes and hypertension management in rural Uganda
Moor S, Tusubira A, Akiteng A, Hsieh E, Ngaruiya C, Rabin T, Hawley N, Lipska K, Armstrong-Hough M, Nalwadda C, Nugent R, Kalyesubula R, Ssinabulya I, Schwartz J. Development of a discrete choice experiment to understand patient preferences for diabetes and hypertension management in rural Uganda. The Lancet Global Health 2020, 8: s22. DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(20)30163-7.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchNon-communicable diseasesPatient preferencesHealth facilitiesCommon non-communicable diseasesRural UgandaCause of deathHealth care providersHealth service deliveryFormative qualitative researchAvailability of medicinesPeer support groupsHealth care systemPublic health officialsHypertension managementMiddle-income countriesRural patientsDiscrete choice experimentExpert consensusNakaseke districtPatientsCommunicable diseasesDiabetesLow-income countriesInternational content expertsHealth officials
2019
Self-management of non-communicable diseases in low- and middle-income countries: A scoping review
Hearn J, Ssinabulya I, Schwartz JI, Akiteng AR, Ross HJ, Cafazzo JA. Self-management of non-communicable diseases in low- and middle-income countries: A scoping review. PLOS ONE 2019, 14: e0219141. PMID: 31269070, PMCID: PMC6608949, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219141.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2018
Capacity of Ugandan public sector health facilities to prevent and control non-communicable diseases: an assessment based upon WHO-PEN standards
Rogers HE, Akiteng AR, Mutungi G, Ettinger AS, Schwartz JI. Capacity of Ugandan public sector health facilities to prevent and control non-communicable diseases: an assessment based upon WHO-PEN standards. BMC Health Services Research 2018, 18: 606. PMID: 30081898, PMCID: PMC6080524, DOI: 10.1186/s12913-018-3426-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsRegional Referral HospitalHealth Centre IVPublic sector health facilitiesGeneral HospitalNCD screeningHealth facilitiesEssential Noncommunicable Disease InterventionsManagement guidelinesDiabetes management guidelinesManagement of NCDsRandom blood glucosePrimary health careNon-communicable diseasesInter-facility variabilityOnly laboratory testBlood pressure machineLow-resource settingsNCD clinicsPublic sector facilitiesDiabetes clinicReferral hospitalPatient RegistryBlood glucoseProvider knowledgeNCD burdenPrescribing and dispensing practices for medicines used to treat non-communicable diseases in Uganda: a cross-sectional study
Ngongoni R, Gan G, Deng Y, Agaba G, Akiteng A, Schwartz J. Prescribing and dispensing practices for medicines used to treat non-communicable diseases in Uganda: a cross-sectional study. The Lancet Global Health 2018, 6: s23. DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(18)30152-9.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchNon-communicable diseasesHealth care facilitiesPublic health care facilitiesCross-sectional studyNCD medicinesBackground Non-communicable diseasesNational essential medicines listsPre-tested structured questionnaireEssential Medicines ListNCD clinicsCare cascadeMost patientsHeart failureMiddle-income countriesPrimary outcomeChronic conditionsPrescribed dosesCardiovascular diseaseWHO methodologyDiabetes medicinesMedicines ListPatientsAverage ageDispensing practicesTotal doses
2017
Exploring knowledge and attitudes toward non-communicable diseases among village health teams in Eastern Uganda: a cross-sectional study
Ojo TT, Hawley NL, Desai MM, Akiteng AR, Guwatudde D, Schwartz JI. Exploring knowledge and attitudes toward non-communicable diseases among village health teams in Eastern Uganda: a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health 2017, 17: 947. PMID: 29233114, PMCID: PMC5727968, DOI: 10.1186/s12889-017-4954-8.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsVillage health teamsNon-communicable diseasesNCD preventionVHT membersHealth teamsMaternal-child healthMedical personnelCross-sectional studyResource-limited settingsEastern UgandaNCD servicesHealth workersReferral toolMajor barrierInfectious diseasesMayuge districtHealth issuesDiseaseThematic qualitative analysisPotential rolePreventionRole expansionCommunity awarenessFocus group discussionsEssential personnelDisparities in Availability of Essential Medicines to Treat Non-communicable Diseases in Uganda: A Cross-sectional Poisson Analysis Using the 2013 Service Availability and Readiness Assessment
Armstrong-Hough M, Schwartz J, Kishore S. Disparities in Availability of Essential Medicines to Treat Non-communicable Diseases in Uganda: A Cross-sectional Poisson Analysis Using the 2013 Service Availability and Readiness Assessment. Annals Of Global Health 2017, 83: 138-139. DOI: 10.1016/j.aogh.2017.03.309.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchExploring Knowledge and Attitudes toward Non-Communicable Diseases among Village Health Teams in Eastern Uganda: A Cross-sectional Mixed Methods Study
Ojo T, Hawley N, Desai M, Guwatudde D, Schwartz J. Exploring Knowledge and Attitudes toward Non-Communicable Diseases among Village Health Teams in Eastern Uganda: A Cross-sectional Mixed Methods Study. Annals Of Global Health 2017, 83: 180. DOI: 10.1016/j.aogh.2017.03.408.Peer-Reviewed Original Research