Natamba, Barnabas

High levels of food insecurity were observed among HIV, TB, and HIV/TB co-infected outpatients in northern Uganda

Publication Type

Food insecurity among individuals living with HIV is well-recognized globally. Since comorbidity with TB is common, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, we examined the variation in the severity of food insecurity among people with either infection or both concurrently.

HIV infection is associated with a lower rate of gestational weight gain and reduced neonatal length

Publication Type

Adequate gestational weight gain (GWG) and neonatal growth are important, respectively, for favorable birth outcomes and survival of infants through the first year. In sub-Saharan Africa, underlying infections, such as HIV, may adversely impact GWG and neonatal growth.

HIV-Infected Pregnant and Lactating Women have Higher Serum Aflatoxin levels than HIV-Uninfected Women and Aflatoxin Levels are Higher during Early Postpartum than during Pregnancy among HIV-Infected Women

Publication Type

Aflatoxins are carcinogenic and may affect linear growth. Prior cross-sectional data from Ghana have shown that aflatoxin levels are ~ 20% higher among HIV-infected than HIV-uninfected post-partum women. It is not known if HIV-infected pregnant women have elevated serum aflatoxin levels during pregnancy, or if aflatoxin levels change during the perinatal period. We therefore studied these relationships among a cohort of 246 women recruited in Gulu, Uganda, and followed through pregnancy and early infant life.

Perinatal Exposure to Aflatoxins is Associated with a Lower Rate of Weight Gain Among HIV-Infected Pregnant Women and Reduced Linear Growth of HIV-Exposed Infants

Publication Type

Aflatoxins (AF) are carcinogens associated with poor linear growth in infants. AF serum levels have been reported to be higher in HIV infected (+) women. However, it is not known if maternal AF exposure affects gestational weight gain (GWG), or if relationship between in utero AF exposure and changes in perinatal anthropometry differs by maternal HIV or infant HIV exposure status. We enrolled 403 pregnant women (33.3% HIV (+), all on anti-retroviral treatment) at the antenatal clinic of Gulu Hospital, northern Uganda.

Progression of antepartum depression differs by level of perceived social support and food insecurity

Publication Type

Antepartum depression (AD) is a risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes and may be worsened by food insecurity (FI) and lack of social support (SS). We studied the progression of AD from mid gestation to term and examined whether such progression differed by measures of SS and longitudinal measures of FI.

Cross-sectional but not Longitudinal Measures of Food Insecurity are Associated with the Rate of Weight Gain during Pregnancy in Northern Uganda

Publication Type

Food insecurity (FI) during pregnancy may lead to adverse health outcomes for affected women. However, little is known on whether such effects are due to short-term within person changes (longitudinal effects) in FI or long-term between person differences (cross-sectional effects) in this exposure. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess whether differences in cross-sectional measures of FI between women (defined as the mean prenatal IFIAS score) and/or longitudinal changes in FI within women (i.e.

Maternal HIV Infection, but not Food Insecurity, Predicts the Pattern of Weight Gain in Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Services in Northern Uganda

Publication Type

In Sub-Saharan Africa, the differential impact of maternal HIV infection and/or food insecurity on the pattern of weight gain among pregnant women is unknown. To fill this gap, data on 402 pregnant women (33% HIV+ & participating in antiretroviral treatment) enrolled in a perinatal cohort study at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital in northern Uganda were analyzed.