Rhoda K Wanyenze

Biographic Data

ID249785
NAMERhoda K Wanyenze
GIVEN NAMESRhoda K
FAMILY NAMEWanyenze
SIGNATUREWANYENZE R K
AFFILIATIONSMakerere University
ORCID0000-0001-5864-3314
VERIFIEDYes
TOTAL WORKS121
TOTAL CITATIONS14
AUTHOR COUNT121
EDITOR COUNT0
FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR2006
LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR2026
H-INDEX3

  • Uganda’s cholera elimination journey in a cholera endemic region of Africa

    Open AccessGodfrey Bwire, Bwire Godfrey et al.ARTICLEPLOS Global Public Health2026

    Uganda has been endemic for cholera since 1971. To reduce the threat of cholera, Uganda reviewed its approach to cholera, emphasizing surveillance, continued using single dose doxycycline for cholera patients and their households, and conducted 16 oral cholera vaccine campaigns in high-risk districts between 2018 and 2021.To understand recent changes in cholera patternsand the impact of the OCV campaigns, we classified districts as endemic, elimi…

  • Community experiences of the impacts of climate-induced extreme weather events in Uganda

    Open AccessRawlance Ndejjo, Susan Karuhanga et al.ARTICLEPLOS Global Public Health2026

    Climate change is impacting health, social systems and livelihoods of populations across the world with sub-Saharan Africa being particularly hard-hit. Lived experiences of the impacts of climate change are paramount to understanding how at-risk communities are uniquely impacted and collectively devise response mechanisms. However, there is limited evidence of the community’s lived experiences of these impacts. This study explored the community e…

  • Qualitative findings on the benefits of depression treatment for pregnant women living with HIV in Uganda

    Open AccessRose Kisa, Glenn J Wagner et al.ARTICLECambridge Prisms Global Mental…2026

    Depression among women living with HIV affects their psychological well-being, HIV disease management, and prevention of mother-to-child transmission. A subset of 25 women selected from the intervention arm of the Maternal Depression Treatment in HIV (M-DEPTH) cluster randomized trial were interviewed; they had received either antidepressant therapy (ADT) or problem-solving therapy (PST). Their experiences as new mothers with the effects of depre…

  • A qualitative study on fertility preferences and barriers to fertility autonomy in rural Uganda among women with an unmet need for family planning

    Open AccessRebecca Luttinen, Rebecca L Luttinen et al.ARTICLEGlobal Public Health2026

    Women's autonomy in fertility decision-making is essential for improved health and social outcomes. Guided by the social-ecological model, this investigation explores multilevel influences on the fertility autonomy of women with an unmet need for family planning in rural Uganda. We conducted four focus groups with men and women ( n = 26), and 15 key informant interviews with community leaders and individuals involved in the provision of family pl…

  • Applying implementation science frameworks to understand why fisherfolk continue or discontinue pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention in Uganda

    Open AccessSimon Mwima, Laura M Bogart et al.ARTICLEBMJ Global Health2025

    INTRODUCTION: In Uganda, fisherfolk have an HIV prevalence between 15% and 40%, significantly higher than the national average of 5.5%. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is effective in preventing HIV but faces challenges in uptake and continuation among fisherfolk. This study explores factors influencing PrEP continuation and discontinuation among fisherfolk in Uganda using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). METHODS: Pa…

  • Accelerating progress towards better public health and sustainable development in fragile settings

    Open AccessRawlance Ndejjo, Daniel Helldén et al.ARTICLEBMJ Global Health2025

    box Despite notable progress in some health-related targets, the majority of health-related Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets are off track in fragile and conflict-affected countries, which are simultaneously facing geopolitical insecurity and declining funding sources

  • Towards equitable partnerships in global health research

    Open AccessKassahun Alemu Gelaye, Della Berhanu et al.ARTICLEBMJ Global Health2025

    Equitable partnerships in global health research can counteract power imbalances in this field. Theoretical perspectives have been provided on equitable global health partnerships, but there are few reports from researchers actively engaged in such partnerships. This article departs from the experiences of four long-term global health research partnerships, two in Africa and two in Asia. It describes the challenges in enhancing an equitable resea…

  • Impact of layered behavioral, socio-economic and school-based interventions on selected behavioral and biomarker indicators among adolescent girls and young women in Uganda

    Open AccessJoseph K B Matovu, John Baptist Bwanika et al.ARTICLEPLOS Global Public Health2025

    Globally, adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) continue to be at an elevated risk of HIV infection. We assessed the impact of layered behavioral, socio-economic and school-based interventions on selected behavioral and biomarker indicators among AGYW in Uganda. We used data from two serial cross-sectional surveys conducted in 14 (eight intervention and six comparison) districts in 2018 ( n = 8,236) and 2023 ( n = 5,449). Between 2019 and 2023,…

  • Characterising people who inject drugs, and association with HIV infection

    Open AccessPeter Mudiope, Bradley Mathers et al.ARTICLEPLOS Global Public Health2025

    Uganda implements interventions for injection drug use, but significant barriers hinder efforts to effectively reach and support persons who inject drugs (PWID). We describe characteristics of PWID, and associated risk behaviour, to inform the designing of programmes that are tailored to clients’ needs and preferences. A cross-sectional survey (August 23 rd to December 5 th , 2023) in Kampala interviewed 354 PWID (≥18-years) at selected venues(ba…

  • Maintenance of service delivery during medical countermeasures deployment

    Open AccessSteven Ndugwa Kabwama, Neda Razaz et al.ARTICLEPLOS Global Public Health2025

    COVID-19 vaccines significantly reduced COVID-19 related morbidity and mortality. Although purposeful response measures like movement restrictions affected delivery of other health services, few studies have investigated the association between COVID-19 vaccination as a response strategy and continuity of other immunization services. We aimed to assess the association between the COVID-19 vaccine rollout and continuity of routine immunization ser…

  • Mixed methods pilot evaluation of a gender-sensitivity training for HIV care providers in Uganda

    Open AccessKatelyn M Sileo, Rhoda K Wanyenze et al.ARTICLEPLOS Global Public Health2025

    In sub-Saharan Africa, gender norms shape women’s and men’s barriers to HIV care engagement, and influence providers’ behaviors. Interventions are needed to build providers’ capacity for delivering gender-sensitive HIV care. We pilot tested a gender-sensitivity training for HIV care providers and staff in Uganda. Using a quasi-experimental controlled trial (2022–23), we assessed a 4-session intervention, developed by the study team, focused on: g…

  • Time to control of anthrax outbreaks in Africa, 2014–2023

    Open AccessAlex Riolexus Ario, Esther Buregyeya et al.ARTICLEPLOS Global Public Health2025

    Anthrax is a notifiable zoonotic disease targeted for control in Africa, however, outbreaks due to anthrax are still frequent and large. Surveillance systems should monitor and detect anthrax outbreaks early for prompt response. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine anthrax outbreaks epidemiological investigations gaps and time to control in Africa, Jan 2014-Dec 2023. We searched MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Google Schol…

  • Additive interaction of conjoint tobacco smoking and heavy drinking on hypertension prevalence in rural Uganda

    Open AccessPaineto Masengere, Nynke Halbesma et al.ARTICLEBMC Public Health2025

    Tobacco smoke interacts with heavy alcohol consumption to increase the risk of increased blood pressure (BP) when it cooccurs. Integrated intervention strategies targeting both smoking and heavy drinking are essential for reducing the incidence of hypertension in rural Uganda

  • Acceptability, feasibility, and factors affecting implementation of a gender-sensitivity training for HIV providers and staff in Uganda

    Open AccessKatelyn M Sileo, Rhoda K Wanyenze et al.ARTICLEBMC Public Health2025

    Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT05178979, registered: November 15, 2021

  • Leading with Hope

    Open AccessEric A Hurley, Violet Gwokyala et al.ARTICLEAIDS and Behavior2025

    Among heterosexual couples in sub-Saharan Africa, fears of relationship dissolution and inability to bear healthy children following an HIV-positive result remain barriers to HIV testing. Recently expanded availability of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) affords a critical opportunity to promote HIV testing with reassuring communication that highlights use for relationship preservation and healthy childbearing. We aimed to develop a theoretically-…

  • Feasibility, Acceptability, and Preliminary Efficacy of a Pilot Study To Integrate Buprenorphine into a Harm-reduction Drop-in-Center in Kampala, Uganda

    Open AccessJulia Dickson‐gómez, Sergey Tarima et al.ARTICLEAIDS and Behavior2025

    Illicit drug use has been increasing rapidly in Sub-Saharan Africa in the past decade. However, until recently HIV prevention has largely ignored people who inject drugs and medications to treat opioid use disorder (MOUD) were largely absent. This paper reports results of a pilot intervention that integrated buprenorphine into a harm-reduction drop-in-center for people with opioid use disorder (OUD) in Kampala, Uganda. We collected implementation…

  • Maintaining essential health services during Covid-19 in Ghana

    Open AccessIsaac Yeboah, Duah Dwomoh et al.ARTICLEBMJ Global Health2024

    INTRODUCTION: Evidence suggests that non-pharmaceutical interventions such as lockdown policies, restriction of movement and physical distancing to control the novel COVID-19 contributed to the decline in utilisation of essential health services. We explored healthcare providers' and policy-makers' experiences of the barriers, interventions and response actions that contributed to ensuring the continuity of essential health services during the CO…

  • Improving HPV vaccine acceptance through peer-to-peer education among adolescent girls in the urban poor settings of Kisenyi, Kampala, Uganda

    Open AccessDoreen Tuhebwe, Christine Adyedo et al.ARTICLEPLOS Global Public Health2024

    In Uganda, cervical cancer due to Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is the most prevalent cancer among women. In 2015, the HPV vaccine was introduced into Uganda’s EPI program, targeting young girls in-and out-of-school. However, HPV vaccine uptake remains low at 44% for the second dose with disparities in vulnerable populations in urban poor settings. We piloted a peer-to-peer education approach in the urban slums of Kisenyi in Kampala, Uganda to addr…

  • Facilitators and barriers to integrated malaria prevention in Wakiso district, Uganda

    Open AccessDavid Musoke, Grace Biyinzika Lubega et al.ARTICLEPLOS Global Public Health2024

    Malaria continues to cause significant morbidity and mortality globally, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Appropriate combinations of non-chemical and chemical methods of malaria vector control in the context of integrated vector management have been recommended by the World Health Organization. The aim of the study was to explore facilitators and barriers to using integrated malaria prevention in Wakiso district, Uganda. This qualitative stud…

  • Regional variation in Covid-19 vaccine uptake and intention in Nigeria

    Open AccessEniola Bamgboye, Rawlance Ndejjo et al.ARTICLEPLOS Global Public Health2024

    Globally, vaccination has been known to reduce the burden of infectious diseases such as COVID-19, with its effectiveness relying on public acceptance and widespread uptake. Despite the efforts put into the rapid development of SARS-COV-2 vaccines, uptake remains a major challenge in many countries especially those with large population dynamics like Nigeria. Most studies in Nigeria have assessed the uptake of the SARS-COV-2 vaccine among groups …

  • Trajectories of perinatal depression among women living with HIV in Uganda

    Open AccessRyan K McBain, Megan S Schuler et al.ARTICLEJournal of Global Health2024

    Background: Perinatal depression affects one-third of pregnant women living with HIV (WLH). We examined patterns of treatment response to a novel stepped model of depression care among WLH with perinatal depression in Uganda. Methods: As part of the Maternal Depression Treatment in HIV (M-DEPTH) cluster randomised controlled trial, 191 women were enrolled across four antenatal care clinics assigned to provide stepped care including behavioural an…

  • Schools of public health as a cornerstone for pandemic preparedness and response

    Open AccessRawlance Ndejjo, Honore Kabwebwe Mitonga et al.ARTICLEGlobalization and Health2024

  • How interventions to maintain services during the Covid-19 pandemic strengthened systems for delivery of maternal and child health services

    Open AccessSteven Ndugwa Kabwama, Rhoda K Wanyenze et al.ARTICLEGlobal Health Action2024

    BACKGROUND: Health systems are resilient if they absorb, adapt, and transform in response to shocks. Although absorptive and adaptive capacities have been demonstrated during the COVID-19 response, little has been documented about their transformability and strengthened service delivery systems. We aimed to describe improvements in maternal and child health service delivery as a result of investments during the COVID-19 response. METHODS: This wa…

  • Life Science 2.0

    Open AccessMichaela Vallin, G Tomson et al.ARTICLEGlobal Health Action2024

    The COVID-19 pandemic put the life science sector to the test. Vaccines were developed at unprecedented speed, benefiting from decades of fundamental research and now honoured by a Nobel Prize. However, we saw that the fruits of science were inequitably distributed. Most low- and middle-income countries were left behind, deepening the inequalities that the Sustainable Development Goals were set to reduce. We argue that the life science sector mus…

  • Village health team-delivered oral HIV self-testing increases linkage-to-care and antiretroviral-therapy initiation among men in Uganda

    Joanita Nangendo, Fred C Semitala et al.ARTICLEAIDS Care2024

    Targeted strategies are central to increasing HIV-status awareness and progress on the care cascade among men. We implemented Village-Health-Team (VHT)-delivered HIV self-testing (HIVST) among men in a peri-urban Ugandan district and assessed linkage to confirmatory-testing, antiretroviral-therapy (ART) initiation and HIV-status disclosure following HIVST. We conducted a prospective cohort study from November 2018 to June 2019 and enrolled 1628 m…