Joseph K B Matovu
Biographic Data
| ID | 2415743 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Joseph K B Matovu |
| GIVEN NAMES | Joseph K B |
| FAMILY NAME | Matovu |
| SIGNATURE | MATOVU J K B |
| AFFILIATIONS | Busitema University |
| ORCID | 0000-0001-6480-2940 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 40 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 1 |
| WORKS AS AUTHOR | 40 |
| WORKS AS EDITOR | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2006 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 1 |
Longitudinal Correlates of Internalized HIV Stigma Among Ugandan PLWH
Internalized HIV stigma, defined as negative self-perceptions among people living with HIV (PLWH) based on the societal stereotype, is a significant barrier to effective HIV prevention and care in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study examined longitudinal correlates of internalized HIV stigma among PLWH in Uganda. The sample included 105 participants (mean age = 39.3 years (SD = 10.5); 69.5% women). Surveys were conducted at baseline, and 6, 12, and 18…
HIV Disclosure and Prevention Advocacy Partially Mediate Advocacy Training Intervention Effect on Reduced Internalized HIV Stigma
Reduction of internalized HIV stigma is key to increasing HIV disclosure and engagement in peer advocacy for HIV prevention—and these latter processes may also be important for making further inroads into minimizing stigma. We examined mediators of the effect of a peer advocacy training intervention, Game Changers for HIV Prevention (GC-HIV), on reduced internalized HIV stigma among persons living with HIV (PLWH) in Uganda. A randomized controlle…
Impact of layered behavioral, socio-economic and school-based interventions on selected behavioral and biomarker indicators among adolescent girls and young women in Uganda
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,…
Intersectional HIV stigma in Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean
Research has recently surged on intersectional HIV stigma, including how intersecting stigmatized identities and socio-structural conditions influence HIV prevention and treatment outcomes. However, most of this work has been concentrated in high-income settings. This scoping review aimed to provide an overview of research on intersectional HIV stigma in Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. A search was conducted using five databa…
Incidence and predictors of Sudan ebolavirus transmission among contacts in Uganda in 2022
This study revealed a high incidence of Ebola among contacts, with cases emerging beyond the standard 21-day follow-up period. The incidence was notably higher in secondary transmission settings, with high-risk contacts and males being particularly vulnerable. These findings suggest the need to revise contact tracing protocols (extend beyond 21 days), and prioritize follow-up on the basis of risk stratification. Further research is warranted to e…
Randomized Controlled Trial of Game Changers, a Social Network Intervention for HIV Prevention in Uganda
In Uganda, where HIV prevalence remains above 5% among those aged 15 and older, we conducted a randomized controlled trial of Game Changers, an 8-session peer-facilitated group intervention that empowers people living with HIV (PLHIV) to engage in HIV prevention advocacy with their social network members ("alters"). A total of 210 index PLHIV participants (105 intervention, 105 control) and 599 alters were enrolled; assessments were conducted at …
Leading with Hope
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-…
Factors Influencing the Re-engagement of School Dropout Adolescent Girls into the Education System Following the Enactment of the Re-entry Policy in Zambia
Introduction Globally, adolescent pregnancy and marriage contribute to high school dropout rates. Girls who drop out of school early tend to have poorer health indicators than those who continue their education. In 1997, the government of Zambia, through the Ministry of Education, introduced the Re-entry Policy to facilitate adolescent girls who had dropped out of school to continue their education. However, since this policy enactment, there has…
Equity in family planning policies and programs in Uganda
There is lack of a common understanding and definition of equity in FP programs in Uganda. There is need to build consensus on the definitions and measurements of equity with a multidimensional lens to inform clear policy and programming focus on equity in FP programs and outcomes. To improve equitable access to and use of FP services, attention must be paid to addressing implementation, client and policy constraints
Factors associated with uptake of isoniazid preventive therapy among children living with HIV in Mwanza region, Tanzania
The uptake of IPT uptake among CLHIV in Mwanza, Tanzania exceeds the global WHO-target of ≥ 90%. Monthly ART clinic visits could be essential in promoting IPT uptake among CLHIV
Covid-19 vaccination, perceptions about the vaccine and willingness to take the vaccine among unvaccinated individuals at two Ugandan border points of entry
COVID-19 vaccine uptake was high in this setting while nearly six out of every ten unvaccinated individuals were willing to take the vaccine. Our findings lend credence for ongoing vaccination efforts at points of entry to contain the importation of new COVID-19 variants into the country
Characteristics of Received HIV Prevention Advocacy from Persons Living with HIV in Uganda, and Associations with HIV Testing and Condom Use Among Social Network Members
Receiving peer advocacy has been shown to result in increased HIV protective behaviors, but little research has gone beyond assessment of the mere presence of advocacy to examine aspects of advocacy driving these effects. With baseline data from a controlled trial of an advocacy training intervention, we studied characteristics of HIV prevention advocacy received among 599 social network members of persons living with HIV in Uganda and the associ…
Concordance of HIV Prevention Advocacy Reports and its Associations with HIV Protective Behaviors
Peer advocacy can promote HIV protective behaviors, but little is known about the concordance on prevention advocacy(PA) reports between people living with HIV(PLWH) and their social network members. We examined prevalence and correlates of such concordance, and its association with the targeted HIV protective behavior of the social network member. Data were analyzed from 193 PLWH(index participants) and their 599 social network members(alters). …
Factors associated with willingness to take Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) among high-risk adolescent boys and young men in Masese fishing community, Uganda
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is a known HIV prevention strategy for high-risk populations however, some high-risk communities have not yet fully embraced it. We sought to determine willingness to take PrEP and the associated factors among high-risk adolescent boys and young men (ABYM) in Masese fishing community, Jinja district, Eastern Uganda. We conducted a cross-sectional study, between October and November 2020, using a semi-structured que…
Factors associated with retention on pre-exposure prophylaxis among female sex workers in Kigali, Rwanda
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is recommended as an additional HIV prevention measure for persons at substantial risk of HIV acquisition. Although uptake of PrEP among female sex workers (FSW) has increased, retention remains low, resulting in suboptimal benefits. This study aimed at determining PrEP retention rates and associated factors among FSW in Kigali, Rwanda. We retrospectively studied records of 309 FSW abstracted from five (5) health c…
Secondary distribution of HIV self-test kits from males to their female sexual partners in two fishing communities in rural Uganda
Secondary distribution of HIV self-test kits from females to their male partners has increased HIV testing rates in men but little evidence exists on the potential for HIV self-test kits distribution from males to their female partners. We assessed the acceptability of secondary HIV self-test kits distribution from males to their female sexual partners in a fishing community context. This secondary analysis used data from the PE er-led HIV S elf-…
Side-Effects following Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid-19 Vaccine in Tororo District, Eastern Uganda
Effective, safe and proven vaccines would be the most effective strategy against the COVID-19 pandemic but have faced rollout challenges partly due to fear of potential side-effects. We assessed the prevalence, profiles, and predictors of Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine side-effects in Tororo district of Eastern Uganda. We conducted telephone interviews with 2204 participants between October 2021 and January 2022. Multivariable logistic regression was…
Association of Condom Use Advocacy with Perceived Condom Use Among Social Network Members
Covid-19 Awareness, Adoption of Covid-19 Preventive Measures, and Effects of Covid-19 Lockdown Among Adolescent Boys and Young Men in Kampala, Uganda
Low acceptance of intimate partner violence by pregnant women in Uganda predicts higher uptake of HIV self-testing among their male partners
Introduction : Heterosexual couples are at high risk for HIV acquisition in sub-Saharan Africa, and HIV self-testing (HST) is an additional approach to expand access to HIV testing services. However, it is not well known how gender equality is associated with HST. Methods : We used intervention-arm data from a cluster-randomised controlled HST intervention trial ( N = 1 618) conducted in Uganda to determine the association between attitudes towar…
Men’s comfort in distributing or receiving HIV self-test kits from close male social network members in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
Overall, these findings suggest that distribution of HIV self-test kits through close male friends could improve the proportion of men reached with HIV self-testing services and improve HIV testing rates in this population where uptake remains low. However, additional promotional strategies such as peer-led HIV self-testing education are needed to raise awareness and increase the proportion of men who are comfortable to receive and/or distribute …
Peer-leaders’ experiences and challenges in distributing HIV self-test kits in a rural fishing community, Rakai, Uganda
A majority of the peer-leaders successfully distributed the kits to their social network members save for a few who experienced challenges. These findings suggest that lay people can be trained as effective HIV self-test kits distributors to improve the distribution of kits in the community
Tobacco use and cessation in the context of ART adherence
Sub-Saharan Africa carries a disproportionate burden of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Tobacco use amongst people living with HIV is higher than in the general population even though it increases the risk of life-threatening opportunistic infections including tuberculosis (TB). Research on tobacco use and cessation amongst people living with HIV in Africa is sparse and it is not clear what interventions might achieve lasting cessation. We ca…
Formative research to inform the development of a peer-led HIV self-testing intervention to improve HIV testing uptake and linkage to HIV care among adolescents, young people and adult men in Kasenser…
Our study shows that peer-led HIVST is potentially acceptable in the fishing community. These findings suggest that this approach can improve uptake of HIV testing and linkage to HIV care services among populations that are usually missed through conventional HIV testing services
A Pilot Test of Game Changers, a Social Network Intervention to Empower People with HIV to be Prevention Advocates in Uganda
Sexually Transmitted Infection Management, Safer Sex Promotion and Voluntary HIV Counselling and Testing in the Male Circumcision Trial, Rakai, Uganda
If circumcised men believe that they are protected from HIV there is a possibility that they will compensate for their perceived risk reduction by engaging in higher risk behaviours thereby mitigating any benefit of circumcision in preventing HIV infection. Some observational studies have shown that circumcised men engage in higher risk behaviours than uncircumcised men and the Orange Farm trial in South Africa found circumcised men to have sligh…
Repeat Voluntary HIV Counseling and Testing (VCT), Sexual Risk Behavior and HIV Incidence in Rakai, Uganda
Sexually Transmitted Infection Management, Safer Sex Promotion and Voluntary HIV Counselling and Testing in the Male Circumcision Trial, Rakai, Uganda
If circumcised men believe that they are protected from HIV there is a possibility that they will compensate for their perceived risk reduction by engaging in higher risk behaviours thereby mitigating any benefit of circumcision in preventing HIV infection. Some observational studies have shown that circumcised men engage in higher risk behaviours than uncircumcised men and the Orange Farm trial in South Africa found circumcised men to have sligh…
Building capacity for HIV/Aids program leadership and management in Uganda through mentored Fellowships
The Fellowship Program offers a unique opportunity for hands-on training in HIV/AIDS program leadership and management for both Fellows and host institutions
Strengthening health workforce capacity through work-based training
BACKGROUND: Although much attention has been given to increasing the number of health workers, less focus has been directed at developing models of training that address real-life workplace needs. Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) with funding support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) developed an eight-month modular, in-service work-based training program aimed at strengthening the capacity for monitori…
Trends in HIV counseling and testing uptake among married individuals in Rakai, Uganda
Uptake of couples' HCT remained consistently low (below 30%) over the years, while uptake of individual HCT declined over time. These findings call for innovative strategies to increase demand for couples' HCT, particularly among younger couples and those with no prior HCT
Correlates of previous couples’ HIV counseling and testing uptake among married individuals in three HIV prevalence strata in Rakai, Uganda
BACKGROUND: Studies show that uptake of couples' HIV counseling and testing (couples' HCT) can be affected by individual, relationship, and socioeconomic factors. However, while couples' HCT uptake can also be affected by background HIV prevalence and awareness of the existence of couples' HCT services, this is yet to be documented. We explored the correlates of previous couples' HCT uptake among married individuals in a rural Ugandan district wi…
A comparision of the yield of three tuberculosis screening modalities among people living with HIV
The active screening modalities (e-ICF & i-ICF) had a comparable TB yield and were eight to nine times more efficient in identifying TB cases when compared to the PCF. Cost effectiveness studies would be informative
Uptake and correlates of cervical cancer screening among HIV-infected women attending HIV care in Uganda
BACKGROUND: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected women are at high risk of cervical cancer. OBJECTIVE: This study assessed uptake and correlates of cervical screening among HIV-infected women in care in Uganda. METHODS: A nationally representative cross-sectional survey of HIV-infected women in care was conducted from August to November 2016. Structured interviews were conducted with 5198 women aged 15-49 years, from 245 HIV clinics. Knowl…
“When they know that you are a sex worker, you will be the last person to be treated”
BACKGROUND: HIV prevalence among female sex workers (FSWs) in high burden countries in sub-Saharan Africa varies between 24 and 72%, however their access to HIV services remains limited. This study explored FSWs' perspectives of the barriers and opportunities to HIV service access in Uganda. METHODS: The cross-sectional qualitative study was conducted between October and December 2013. Twenty-four focus group discussions were conducted with 190 F…
A large and persistent outbreak of typhoid fever caused by consuming contaminated water and street-vended beverages
Contaminated water and street-vended beverages were likely vehicles of this outbreak. At our recommendation authorities closed unsafe water sources and supplied safe water to affected areas
HIV prevalence and uptake of HIV/Aids services among youths (15–24 Years) in fishing and neighboring communities of Kasensero, Rakai District, South Western Uganda
The prevalence of HIV is high especially among young females and in landing site communities than in the peripheral communities. Uptake of HIV prevention and treatment services is very low. There is an urgent need for youth-friendly services in these communities
‘If I had not taken it [HIVST kit] home, my husband would not have come to the facility to test for HIV’
BACKGROUND: HIV self-testing (HIVST) can improve HIV-testing rates in 'hard-to-reach' populations, including men. We explored HIVST perceptions, delivery strategies, and post-test experiences among pregnant women and their male partners in Central Uganda. METHODS: This was a qualitative study implemented as part of a pilot, cluster-randomized oral HIVST intervention trial among 1,514 pregnant women attending antenatal care services at three healt…
Correlates of HIV status awareness among older adults in Uganda
Less than a quarter of older Ugandans are aware of their current HIV status. High levels of stigma and low comprehensive knowledge of HIV/AIDS remained critical barriers to HIV testing and awareness of HIV status. These findings suggest a need for innovative HIV testing strategies to increase HIV status awareness among older adults in Uganda
HIV testing preferences among pregnant women attending antenatal care and their male partners
HIV testing rates remain stubbornly low among men - a crucial target population for reaching the ambitious global and regional goals of the HIV programme. In an era of declining donor funding, identifying cost-effective strategies to increase testing rates amongst men remains paramount. Antenatal care is an effective entry-point for the delivery of HIV testing services for women, and partner testing presents an important opportunity to reach thei…
Factors associated with prior engagement in high-risk sexual behaviours among adolescents (10–19 years) in a pastoralist post-conflict community, Karamoja sub-region, North eastern Uganda
Prior engagement in high-risk sexual behaviours was significantly associated with having sex with partners of unknown HIV sero-status and use of illicit drugs. These findings suggest a need for targeted interventions to improve mutual HIV status disclosure between sexual partners while minimizing their use of illicit drugs/substances
Formative research to inform the development of a peer-led HIV self-testing intervention to improve HIV testing uptake and linkage to HIV care among adolescents, young people and adult men in Kasenser…
Our study shows that peer-led HIVST is potentially acceptable in the fishing community. These findings suggest that this approach can improve uptake of HIV testing and linkage to HIV care services among populations that are usually missed through conventional HIV testing services
A Pilot Test of Game Changers, a Social Network Intervention to Empower People with HIV to be Prevention Advocates in Uganda
Covid-19 Awareness, Adoption of Covid-19 Preventive Measures, and Effects of Covid-19 Lockdown Among Adolescent Boys and Young Men in Kampala, Uganda
Low acceptance of intimate partner violence by pregnant women in Uganda predicts higher uptake of HIV self-testing among their male partners
Introduction : Heterosexual couples are at high risk for HIV acquisition in sub-Saharan Africa, and HIV self-testing (HST) is an additional approach to expand access to HIV testing services. However, it is not well known how gender equality is associated with HST. Methods : We used intervention-arm data from a cluster-randomised controlled HST intervention trial ( N = 1 618) conducted in Uganda to determine the association between attitudes towar…
Men’s comfort in distributing or receiving HIV self-test kits from close male social network members in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
Overall, these findings suggest that distribution of HIV self-test kits through close male friends could improve the proportion of men reached with HIV self-testing services and improve HIV testing rates in this population where uptake remains low. However, additional promotional strategies such as peer-led HIV self-testing education are needed to raise awareness and increase the proportion of men who are comfortable to receive and/or distribute …
Peer-leaders’ experiences and challenges in distributing HIV self-test kits in a rural fishing community, Rakai, Uganda
A majority of the peer-leaders successfully distributed the kits to their social network members save for a few who experienced challenges. These findings suggest that lay people can be trained as effective HIV self-test kits distributors to improve the distribution of kits in the community
Tobacco use and cessation in the context of ART adherence
Sub-Saharan Africa carries a disproportionate burden of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Tobacco use amongst people living with HIV is higher than in the general population even though it increases the risk of life-threatening opportunistic infections including tuberculosis (TB). Research on tobacco use and cessation amongst people living with HIV in Africa is sparse and it is not clear what interventions might achieve lasting cessation. We ca…
Side-Effects following Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid-19 Vaccine in Tororo District, Eastern Uganda
Effective, safe and proven vaccines would be the most effective strategy against the COVID-19 pandemic but have faced rollout challenges partly due to fear of potential side-effects. We assessed the prevalence, profiles, and predictors of Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine side-effects in Tororo district of Eastern Uganda. We conducted telephone interviews with 2204 participants between October 2021 and January 2022. Multivariable logistic regression was…
Association of Condom Use Advocacy with Perceived Condom Use Among Social Network Members
Factors associated with willingness to take Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) among high-risk adolescent boys and young men in Masese fishing community, Uganda
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is a known HIV prevention strategy for high-risk populations however, some high-risk communities have not yet fully embraced it. We sought to determine willingness to take PrEP and the associated factors among high-risk adolescent boys and young men (ABYM) in Masese fishing community, Jinja district, Eastern Uganda. We conducted a cross-sectional study, between October and November 2020, using a semi-structured que…
Medicine (31 works) · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions (28 works) · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (23 works) · Public health (21 works) · Demography (20 works) · Family medicine (20 works) · Environmental health (19 works) · HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk (15 works) · Internal Medicine (15 works) · Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV (14 works)