Barbara Castelnuovo
Datos Biográficos
| ID | 1732533 |
|---|---|
| NOMBRE | Barbara Castelnuovo |
| NOMBRES | Barbara |
| APELLIDO | Castelnuovo |
| FIRMA | CASTELNUOVO B |
| AFILIACIONES | Infectious Diseases Institute |
| ORCID | 0000-0001-7756-5032 |
| VERIFICADO | Sí |
| TOTAL DE OBRAS | 23 |
| TOTAL DE CITAS | 1 |
| TOTAL COMO AUTOR | 23 |
| TOTAL COMO EDITOR | 0 |
| PRIMER AÑO DE PUBLICACIÓN | 2012 |
| AÑO MÁS RECIENTE DE PUBLICACIÓN | 2026 |
| ÍNDICE H | 1 |
Strengthening capacity for clinical trial monitoring in the East African community
BACKGROUND: The expanding volume and increasing complexity of clinical research in East Africa, driven by emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, has increased the need for strong regulatory monitoring systems. Clinical trials must be monitored to ensure regulatory compliance and participant safety. Despite strengthened regulatory and ethical frameworks in the region, gaps in trial monitoring persist due to a shortage of adequately trained …
Prevalence and factors associated with falls among older people living with HIV in Kampala, Uganda
Falls result in adverse outcomes such as hospitalization, disability, and increased mortality among older people. There is a paucity of data on falls among older PLHIV in sub-Saharan Africa. We determined the prevalence and factors associated with falls among older PLHIV in Kampala, Uganda. We carried out a cross-sectional analysis of 500 people aged ≥ 60. We administered structured questionnaires to collect participants' characteristics, the num…
Lessons Learned from Community Contact Tracing of Women Disengaged from an Urban Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission Program in Uganda
Community tracing for disengaged pregnant and post-partum women with HIV(PPWH) shows promise, yet few studies detail the practical challenges of tracing, particularly in the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission programs (PMTCT). Standard guidelines and evidence-based approaches remain lacking. We share lessons from our experiences in tracing disengaged PPWH in an urban PMTCT program in Uganda, where nurse counselors joined outreach teams to…
Preferences for long-acting injectable HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis service delivery among male and female sex workers in Uganda
In Sub-Saharan Africa, limited data exist on the delivery of injectable HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). We explored service delivery preferences for injectable cabotegravir (CAB-LA) among heterosexual male sex workers (MSWs) and female sex workers (FSWs) in Uganda. We conducted a discrete choice experiment (DCE) among HIV-negative sex workers in two high HIV-prevalence Ugandan cities between October and December 2024. Participants selected f…
Barriers and facilitators of adherence to long-term antiretroviral treatment in Kampala, Uganda
Few qualitative studies have evaluated adherence to long-term antiretroviral treatment (ART) in sub-Saharan Africa. We explored adherence barriers and facilitators among PLWH on long-term ART (≥10 years in Kampala)., We conducted 22 in-depth interviews with 16 purposively selected PLWHs on long-term ART and six purposively selected healthcare providers at the Infectious Diseases Institute ART clinic.,. Interviews with PLWH explored their perspect…
The impact of geriatric syndromes on quality of life among older people living with HIV in Kampala, Uganda
Objective: Older people living with HIV (OPWH) often have lower quality of life (QoL) compared to general population. Measuring their QoL is an important step in HIV care to ensure they have long healthy lives. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of life and its associated factors among people living with HIV aged 60 years and above in Uganda. Methods: We used a cross-sectional analysis of older people living with HIV (OPWH) enrolled in a pr…
Health research mentorship in low-income and middle-income countries
INTRODUCTION: Research mentorship is critical for advancing science, but there are few practical strategies for cultivating mentorship in health research resource-limited settings. WHO/TDR Global commissioned a group to develop a practical guide on research mentorship. This global qualitative evidence synthesis included data from a crowdsourcing open call and scoping review to identify and propose strategies to enhance research mentorship in low/…
Adapting citizens’ jury methodology for use in Uganda
Barriers and facilitators to viral load suppression among people living with HIV following intensive adherence counseling in Kampala, Uganda
Impact of intensive adherence counseling on viral load suppression and mortality among people living with HIV in Kampala, Uganda
Intensive adherence counseling (IAC) is recommended for people living with HIV (PLHIV) with viral load (VL) ≥1,000 copies/ml after ≥6 months of anti-retroviral therapy (ART). We evaluated the effect of IAC on VL suppression and all-cause mortality among PLHIV on first-line ART with VL ≥1,000 copies/ml after ≥6 months of ART in Kampala, Uganda using regression discontinuity design, a quasi-experimental method for effect estimation when interventio…
Research Participants’ Preferences for Individual Results of Pharmacogenomics Research
Little is known about whether people living with HIV would like to receive their results from pharmacogenomics research. This study explored the factors influencing participants' preferences and the reasons for their desire to receive individual results from pharmacogenomics research. We employed a convergent parallel mixed methods study design comprising a survey of 225 research participants and 5 deliberative focus group discussions with 30 pur…
Building Capacity for Research Ethics Committees in Uganda
Timely communication from Research Ethics Committees (REC) to researchers is essential to meet deadlines. We conducted a capacity building program for REC members, REC and research administrators, and researchers from seven RECs in Uganda in order to improve the research regulatory approval cycle. The training was delivered from March 2020 to July 2021. Trainees were evaluated using pre and post-training tests. There was an increase in the averag…
Adherence monitoring methods to measure virological failure in people living with HIV on long-term antiretroviral therapy in Uganda
Appointment keeping and self-report within 7-day or and 30-days recall periods are non-objective measures of antiretroviral treatment (ART) adherence. We assessed incidence of virological failure (VF), predictive performance and associations of these adherence measures with VF among adults on long-term ART. Data for persons initiated on ART between April 2004 and April 2005, enrolled in a long-term ART cohort at 10-years on ART (baseline) and fol…
Adaptations to HIV services delivery amidst the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions in Kampala, Uganda
The enforcement of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic restrictions disrupted health services delivery and currently, there is a limited understanding regarding measures employed by health facilities to ensure delivery of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) services amidst the interruptions. We, therefore, designed a qualitative study to explore the measures for continuity of HIV services during the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions in Kampal…
Cost-Effectiveness of Peer-Delivered HIV Self-Tests for MSM in Uganda
Introduction: Distribution of HIV self-testing (HIVST) kits through MSM peer networks is a novel and effective strategy to increase HIV testing coverage in this high-risk population. No study has evaluated the cost or cost effectiveness of peer distribution of HIVST strategies among MSM in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods: From June to August 2018, we conducted a pilot study of secondary MSM peer HIVST kit distribution at The AIDS Support Organization…
I felt very small and embarrassed by the health care provider when I requested to be tested for syphilis”
HIV programs are likely to be important entry points for syphilis testing among FSW. Multi-level interventions to address testing barriers should consider focusing on these service delivery points. Extending the dual syphilis and HIV testing approach to FSW may improve testing uptake for both infections at public health facilities and decrease population-level incidence
Implementing routine physical function screening among elderly HIV-positive patients in Uganda
We conducted a cross-sectional study to describe routine physical function assessment for HIV-infected adults aged ≥60 years attending a large urban HIV clinic in Kampala, Uganda. Assessed demographic and clinical factors associated with low physical function in the population, generalized linear regression model was used to estimate factors associated with low physical function. Of the 93 elderly patients that underwent the Short Physical Perfor…
Patient and health system factors associated with pretreatment loss to follow up among patients diagnosed with tuberculosis using Xpert® MTB/RIF testing in Uganda
In public health facilities in Uganda, we found a high rate of pretreatment loss to follow up especially among TBHIV co-infected patients diagnosed at high volume health facilities. Interventions to improve the efficiency of Xpert® MTB/RIF testing, including monitoring of the TB care cascade should be developed and implemented
Increasing retention of HIV positive pregnant and breastfeeding mothers on option-b plus by upgrading and providing full time HIV services at a lower health facility in rural Uganda
This study was retrospectively registered with the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST), registration receipt number 10961 on the 9th March, 2018
Incidence rate of sexually transmitted infections among HIV infected patients on long-term ART in an urban and a rural clinic in Uganda
We found STIs incidence rate of approximately 3 per 1000 person-years among patients on long-term (≥ 4 years) ART followed up-to 3.5 years. Rural and younger persons on ART should be routinely screened for STIs because high incidence of STIs may undo the preventative effects of ART for all
High mobile phone ownership but low internet access and use among young adults attending an urban HIV clinic in Uganda
Whilst there is increasing interest in the use of mobile phones and other technologies for improving health outcomes (mHealth), limited data exists on how young people living with HIV use these technologies to gather information and support their health. We sought to assess access and use of mobile phones and the internet among young adults living with HIV attending the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) clinic, Kampala. Data collection took pla…
Different modalities of entry in a large urban clinic in Uganda and impact on outcomes of patients assessing HIV care and treatment
In resource-limited settings, a number of patients do not receive continuous HIV care. In this analysis, we compared outcomes in patients who entered care by different modality of entry. This was a retrospective analysis of all patients started on antiretroviral treatment (ART) at a large urban center in Uganda from 2005 to 2012. Patients were categorized into three groups (1) Front door: started on ART without interruption during follow-up; (2) …
Cost-effectiveness of early initiation of first-line combination antiretroviral therapy in Uganda
In HIV-positive patients presenting with CD4 count between 250-350 cells/μl, immediate initiation of cART is a highly cost-effective strategy using the recommended one-time per capita GDP threshold of $490 reported for Uganda. This would constitute an efficient use of scarce health care funds
High mobile phone ownership but low internet access and use among young adults attending an urban HIV clinic in Uganda
Whilst there is increasing interest in the use of mobile phones and other technologies for improving health outcomes (mHealth), limited data exists on how young people living with HIV use these technologies to gather information and support their health. We sought to assess access and use of mobile phones and the internet among young adults living with HIV attending the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) clinic, Kampala. Data collection took pla…
Cost-effectiveness of early initiation of first-line combination antiretroviral therapy in Uganda
In HIV-positive patients presenting with CD4 count between 250-350 cells/μl, immediate initiation of cART is a highly cost-effective strategy using the recommended one-time per capita GDP threshold of $490 reported for Uganda. This would constitute an efficient use of scarce health care funds
Different modalities of entry in a large urban clinic in Uganda and impact on outcomes of patients assessing HIV care and treatment
In resource-limited settings, a number of patients do not receive continuous HIV care. In this analysis, we compared outcomes in patients who entered care by different modality of entry. This was a retrospective analysis of all patients started on antiretroviral treatment (ART) at a large urban center in Uganda from 2005 to 2012. Patients were categorized into three groups (1) Front door: started on ART without interruption during follow-up; (2) …
High mobile phone ownership but low internet access and use among young adults attending an urban HIV clinic in Uganda
Whilst there is increasing interest in the use of mobile phones and other technologies for improving health outcomes (mHealth), limited data exists on how young people living with HIV use these technologies to gather information and support their health. We sought to assess access and use of mobile phones and the internet among young adults living with HIV attending the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) clinic, Kampala. Data collection took pla…
Increasing retention of HIV positive pregnant and breastfeeding mothers on option-b plus by upgrading and providing full time HIV services at a lower health facility in rural Uganda
This study was retrospectively registered with the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST), registration receipt number 10961 on the 9th March, 2018
Incidence rate of sexually transmitted infections among HIV infected patients on long-term ART in an urban and a rural clinic in Uganda
We found STIs incidence rate of approximately 3 per 1000 person-years among patients on long-term (≥ 4 years) ART followed up-to 3.5 years. Rural and younger persons on ART should be routinely screened for STIs because high incidence of STIs may undo the preventative effects of ART for all
Implementing routine physical function screening among elderly HIV-positive patients in Uganda
We conducted a cross-sectional study to describe routine physical function assessment for HIV-infected adults aged ≥60 years attending a large urban HIV clinic in Kampala, Uganda. Assessed demographic and clinical factors associated with low physical function in the population, generalized linear regression model was used to estimate factors associated with low physical function. Of the 93 elderly patients that underwent the Short Physical Perfor…
Patient and health system factors associated with pretreatment loss to follow up among patients diagnosed with tuberculosis using Xpert® MTB/RIF testing in Uganda
In public health facilities in Uganda, we found a high rate of pretreatment loss to follow up especially among TBHIV co-infected patients diagnosed at high volume health facilities. Interventions to improve the efficiency of Xpert® MTB/RIF testing, including monitoring of the TB care cascade should be developed and implemented
Cost-Effectiveness of Peer-Delivered HIV Self-Tests for MSM in Uganda
Introduction: Distribution of HIV self-testing (HIVST) kits through MSM peer networks is a novel and effective strategy to increase HIV testing coverage in this high-risk population. No study has evaluated the cost or cost effectiveness of peer distribution of HIVST strategies among MSM in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods: From June to August 2018, we conducted a pilot study of secondary MSM peer HIVST kit distribution at The AIDS Support Organization…
I felt very small and embarrassed by the health care provider when I requested to be tested for syphilis”
HIV programs are likely to be important entry points for syphilis testing among FSW. Multi-level interventions to address testing barriers should consider focusing on these service delivery points. Extending the dual syphilis and HIV testing approach to FSW may improve testing uptake for both infections at public health facilities and decrease population-level incidence
Adherence monitoring methods to measure virological failure in people living with HIV on long-term antiretroviral therapy in Uganda
Appointment keeping and self-report within 7-day or and 30-days recall periods are non-objective measures of antiretroviral treatment (ART) adherence. We assessed incidence of virological failure (VF), predictive performance and associations of these adherence measures with VF among adults on long-term ART. Data for persons initiated on ART between April 2004 and April 2005, enrolled in a long-term ART cohort at 10-years on ART (baseline) and fol…
Adaptations to HIV services delivery amidst the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions in Kampala, Uganda
The enforcement of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic restrictions disrupted health services delivery and currently, there is a limited understanding regarding measures employed by health facilities to ensure delivery of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) services amidst the interruptions. We, therefore, designed a qualitative study to explore the measures for continuity of HIV services during the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions in Kampal…
Impact of intensive adherence counseling on viral load suppression and mortality among people living with HIV in Kampala, Uganda
Intensive adherence counseling (IAC) is recommended for people living with HIV (PLHIV) with viral load (VL) ≥1,000 copies/ml after ≥6 months of anti-retroviral therapy (ART). We evaluated the effect of IAC on VL suppression and all-cause mortality among PLHIV on first-line ART with VL ≥1,000 copies/ml after ≥6 months of ART in Kampala, Uganda using regression discontinuity design, a quasi-experimental method for effect estimation when interventio…
Research Participants’ Preferences for Individual Results of Pharmacogenomics Research
Little is known about whether people living with HIV would like to receive their results from pharmacogenomics research. This study explored the factors influencing participants' preferences and the reasons for their desire to receive individual results from pharmacogenomics research. We employed a convergent parallel mixed methods study design comprising a survey of 225 research participants and 5 deliberative focus group discussions with 30 pur…
Building Capacity for Research Ethics Committees in Uganda
Timely communication from Research Ethics Committees (REC) to researchers is essential to meet deadlines. We conducted a capacity building program for REC members, REC and research administrators, and researchers from seven RECs in Uganda in order to improve the research regulatory approval cycle. The training was delivered from March 2020 to July 2021. Trainees were evaluated using pre and post-training tests. There was an increase in the averag…
The impact of geriatric syndromes on quality of life among older people living with HIV in Kampala, Uganda
Objective: Older people living with HIV (OPWH) often have lower quality of life (QoL) compared to general population. Measuring their QoL is an important step in HIV care to ensure they have long healthy lives. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of life and its associated factors among people living with HIV aged 60 years and above in Uganda. Methods: We used a cross-sectional analysis of older people living with HIV (OPWH) enrolled in a pr…
Health research mentorship in low-income and middle-income countries
INTRODUCTION: Research mentorship is critical for advancing science, but there are few practical strategies for cultivating mentorship in health research resource-limited settings. WHO/TDR Global commissioned a group to develop a practical guide on research mentorship. This global qualitative evidence synthesis included data from a crowdsourcing open call and scoping review to identify and propose strategies to enhance research mentorship in low/…
Adapting citizens’ jury methodology for use in Uganda
Barriers and facilitators to viral load suppression among people living with HIV following intensive adherence counseling in Kampala, Uganda
Preferences for long-acting injectable HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis service delivery among male and female sex workers in Uganda
In Sub-Saharan Africa, limited data exist on the delivery of injectable HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). We explored service delivery preferences for injectable cabotegravir (CAB-LA) among heterosexual male sex workers (MSWs) and female sex workers (FSWs) in Uganda. We conducted a discrete choice experiment (DCE) among HIV-negative sex workers in two high HIV-prevalence Ugandan cities between October and December 2024. Participants selected f…
Barriers and facilitators of adherence to long-term antiretroviral treatment in Kampala, Uganda
Few qualitative studies have evaluated adherence to long-term antiretroviral treatment (ART) in sub-Saharan Africa. We explored adherence barriers and facilitators among PLWH on long-term ART (≥10 years in Kampala)., We conducted 22 in-depth interviews with 16 purposively selected PLWHs on long-term ART and six purposively selected healthcare providers at the Infectious Diseases Institute ART clinic.,. Interviews with PLWH explored their perspect…
Strengthening capacity for clinical trial monitoring in the East African community
BACKGROUND: The expanding volume and increasing complexity of clinical research in East Africa, driven by emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, has increased the need for strong regulatory monitoring systems. Clinical trials must be monitored to ensure regulatory compliance and participant safety. Despite strengthened regulatory and ethical frameworks in the region, gaps in trial monitoring persist due to a shortage of adequately trained …
Prevalence and factors associated with falls among older people living with HIV in Kampala, Uganda
Falls result in adverse outcomes such as hospitalization, disability, and increased mortality among older people. There is a paucity of data on falls among older PLHIV in sub-Saharan Africa. We determined the prevalence and factors associated with falls among older PLHIV in Kampala, Uganda. We carried out a cross-sectional analysis of 500 people aged ≥ 60. We administered structured questionnaires to collect participants' characteristics, the num…
Lessons Learned from Community Contact Tracing of Women Disengaged from an Urban Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission Program in Uganda
Community tracing for disengaged pregnant and post-partum women with HIV(PPWH) shows promise, yet few studies detail the practical challenges of tracing, particularly in the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission programs (PMTCT). Standard guidelines and evidence-based approaches remain lacking. We share lessons from our experiences in tracing disengaged PPWH in an urban PMTCT program in Uganda, where nurse counselors joined outreach teams to…
Medicine (18 obras) · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions (16 obras) · Family medicine (10 obras) · Nursing (9 obras) · Environmental health (8 obras) · HIV Research and Treatment (7 obras) · Internal Medicine (7 obras) · Population (7 obras) · Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV (6 obras) · Pediatrics (6 obras)