Publications

Faculty of Medicine and Surgery of Kampala International University Western Campus Uganda. ABSTRACTIn Uganda, the prevalence of HIV among adults aged 15 to 64 is 6.2%, with higher rates among females (7.6%) thanmales (4.7%). This corresponds to around 1.2 million people aged 15 to 64 living with HIV in Uganda, and a 0.5%prevalence of HIV among children aged 0-14, which equates to approximately 95,000 children living with HIV inthe country. Despite the availability of Highly Active Antiretroviral therapy, which suppresses the virus andreduces HIV-related illness and mortality, oral candidiasis is a common issue in up to 95% of HIV-infectedindividuals during their illness. This study was conducted at Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital in Ugandawith 287 HIV-positive patients. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of oral candidiasis among thesepatients and identify associated factors to develop strategies for reducing its prevalence. The study found that44.26% of HIV-positive patients at Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital had oral candidiasis, a higher rate than inmost other studies in Uganda. Factors independently associated with oral candidiasis were advanced age (≥56years), which increased the risk, and having a CD4 count of ≥ 200 copies/mm3, which was protective against oralcandidiasis. These findings provide insights into addressing and managing oral candidiasis among HIV patients inthis region.