Strengthening HIV Oral Health Human Resource for Research Capacity in Uganda.

Makerere University College Of Health Sciences, Kampala

Investigators

Abstract

Abstract Globally, oral diseases represent a neglected area of research in both the public health and global health discourse. Oral diseases are largely preventable and treatable, yet affect approximately 3.5 billion people globally, increasing health and economic burdens while significantly decreasing quality of life. The populations in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are disproportionately affected by oral diseases highlighting the widespread poverty and inequalities experienced by those least able to access care. Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) bears 24% of the world’s total burden of infectious diseases that include 69% of the global HIV disease burden. The oral cavity has played an important role in guiding the management of HIV based on the effects of HIV on the oral cavity. In LMICs like Uganda there is a need for more efforts to understand the co-morbidities during long-term Anti-Retroviral Treatments and non-AIDS defining illnesses that are emerging as significant contributors to morbidity and mortality among adults aging with HIV disease more so in relation to the oral cavity, the focus of this application. The overall objective of the work that is proposed in this application is to strengthen the oral health research capacity in Uganda. This work builds on NIH grants at Makerere University and Uganda Christian University that include the two led by the PDs (Grant Number: 1R56DE032217, PD Buwembo William, Grant number: 4UH3HL154501, PD Semitala Fred). The team will work to achieve the overall objective through the following aims: Aim 1: To determine the current research training needs for HIV oral health personnel in Uganda. Aim 2: To mobilize research training resources and partners for HIV related oral health research. Aim 3: To prepare a D43 training grant application to address the identified gaps in Ugandan HIV related oral health research. This effort takes advantage of the access to large numbers of patients living with HIV and the multi-disciplinary/inter professional education expertise at MakCHS to increase the oral health research capacity in Uganda. Our immediate goal is to develop a follow up D43 training program that will support the strengthening of oral health research through a high-quality oral health research portfolio based on the work of an initial critical mass of local research scientists. This will align our efforts with those of NIH OAR with regards to research training of the multidisciplinary workforce required to conduct High Priority HIV/AIDS or HIV/AIDS-related research.