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Introduction: There are differets ways to design a Curriculum for Master of Science in Physiology to train postgraduate students. Objective: to design a Curriculum for Master of Science in Physiology to train postgraduate students in Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) of Uganda. Methods: MUST was founded in 1989 and its Academic programmes are intended to be tailored towards the Government effort of solving Uganda’s economic problems by producing the skilled manpower in all relevant areas. There are 7 Degree programmes and 12 Master’s Degree Programmes, one of which was Physiology. The Department of Physiology was a pioneer in the Faculty of Medicine and had been training postgraduate students for some time without a proper curriculum. New regulations and guidelines together with the development of science and teaching demanded to generate a new Curriculum for Master in Physiology in order to resume the training at MUST according to the current needs and standards. During one year and under the guidance of the Curriculum Committee Faculty of Medicine, different steps were followed to come up with a product able to satisfy the requirements. Accomplished tasks included: identification of mandatory courses based on the need of a physiologist with knowledge in all areas to be able to train undergraduates through Physiology with research and teaching skills; a large search of curricula followed by several universities in Uganda and abroad; several meetings, discussions, workshops to review contents, objectives, skills and the overall structure according to the guidelines, and review after submissions. Results: The curriculum was designed, presented, reviewed at the different established levels and approved to resume the training of postgraduate students in the area of Physiology by the Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, MUST. The first group of postgraduates started their training following this curriculum in August 2016. Conclusions: As a result of the request by the Dean, Faculty of Medicine, MUST; the efforts made by the Physiology staff members who directly participated in designing the curriculum, under the leadership of the Head of Department who spent 4 years working as staff of the University; with the invaluable guidance of the Curriculum Committee, MUST; and the support and mentorship from experienced colleagues; was possible to come up with a curriculum in less than one year. Without this curriculum, the training of Physiologists at MUST was not going to be possible despite the urgent needs of the country.

New regulations together with the development of science and teaching demanded to write a curriculum for postgraduate training in Physiology in Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST). Objective: to design a Curriculum for Master of Science in Physiology at MUST. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted during one year under the guidance of the Curriculum Committee. The process was organized in three major phases: identification of needs and analysis of relevant documents; curriculum writing; assessment, review and submission. Some accomplished tasks included analysis of regulations, guidelines and other postgraduate curricula; identification of the learning needs and mandatory courses; designing of courses and other components, meetings, discussions and workshops; submissions and internal review. Relevant theoretical and empirical methods included analysis and synthesis; interviews; scientific observation; documents and bibliography review and experts consulting. This curriculum review process allowed to incorporate a new side to the previous programme: the teaching skills and aspects of Pathophysiology. Results: The curriculum was designed, presented, reviewed and approved to resume the training by the Department of Physiology, MUST and the first group of postgraduates started it in August 2016. Conclusions: the curriculum for Master of Science in Physiology, produced in less than one year of collective and intense work is being followed to train postgraduates at MUST. Without this curriculum, the training of Physiologists at MUST was not going to be possible despite the needs of the University and the region.

Abstract Background A six-dose antimalarial regimen of artemether-lumefantrine (A/L) may soon become one of the most widely used drug combination in Africa, despite possible constraints with adherence and poor absorption due to inadequate nutrition, and a lack of pharmacokinetic and effectiveness data. Methods Within a trial of supervised versus unsupervised A/L treatment in a stable Ugandan Plasmodium falciparum transmission setting, plasma lumefantrine concentrations were measured in a subset of patients on day 3 (C [lum]day3) and day 7 (C [lum]day7) post-inclusion. Predictors of lumefantrine concentrations were analysed to show how both C [lum]day7 and the weight-adjusted lumefantrine dose affect 28-day recrudescence and re-infection risks. The implications of these novel findings are discussed in terms of the emergence of lumefantrine-resistant strains in Africa. Results C [lum]day3 and C [lum]day7 distributions among 241 supervised and 238 unsupervised patients were positively skewed. Unsupervised treatment and decreasing weight-adjusted lumefantrine dose were negatively associated with C [lum]day3. Unsupervised treatment and decreasing age showed strong negative associations with C [lum]day7. Both models were poorly predictive (R-squared < 0.25). There were no recrudescences in either arm, but decreasing lumefantrine dose per Kg resulted in up to 13-fold higher adjusted risks of re-infection. Re-infections occurred only among patients with C [lum]day7 below 400 ng/mL (p < 0.001). Conclusion Maintaining the present six-dose regimen and ensuring high adherence and intake are essential to maximize the public health benefits of this valuable drug combination.

Aims: To identify the Candida species that cause vulvovaginal candidiasis and determine their antifungal susceptibility patterns., Study Design: This was a cross-sectional study., Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the antenatal clinic of Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital in Mbarara Municipality, between December 2012 and February 2013., Methods: High vaginal swabs from 456 pregnant women were subjected to microscopy and culture on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar. Candida isolates were identified by the germ tube and Analytical profile index (API ® Candida) tests. Susceptibility to fluconazole, itraconazole and voriconazole was determined by the Etest strips and for clotrimazole and nystatin by the disc diffusion method on Mueller Hinton agar supplemented with 2%w/v glucose and 0.5μg/ml methylene blue dye., Results: Of the 456 High vaginal swabs cultured, 207 grew Candida species. Species distribution was as follows: C. albicans (78.95%), C. glabrata (14.35%), C. krusei (3.35%), C. tropicalis (1.44%), C. famata (0.96%), C. parapsilosis (0.48%) and C. lusitaniae (0.48%). Resistance to nystatin was only observed in 0.61% of C.albicans . Resistance to clotrimazole was observed in 50%, 36.67% and 0.61% of C. famata , C. glabrata and C. albicans respectively. C. krusei showed a high resistance of 71.43% to fluconazole. C. glabrata , C. krusei , C. famata and C. lusitaniae exhibited 100% resistance to itraconazole. Resistance to voriconazole of less than 11% was exhibited by only C. albicans and C. glabrata., Conclusion: C.albicans was susceptible to most antifungal agents tested except itraconazole and voriconazole. All isolates were susceptible to nystatin except less than 1% of Candida albicans . Non- albicans demonstrated resistance to some drugs especially itraconazole. We recommend use of Nystatin for empirical management of vulvovaginal candidiasis among pregnant women.