Data for: “Epidemiology of Microbial Keratitis in Uganda: A 7-year update” - User Guide

Persistent identifier

10.17037/DATA.00004852

Description

This dataset contains information collected from 369 patients enrolled in the Epidemiology study who exhibited signs of microbial keratitis when receiving treatment at three eye units in Uganda. It includes variables detailing participant demographics, clinical history, clinical presentation, and laboratory diagnoses based on corneal sample analysis.

Data access method

The dataset is managed by the study team at the Mbarara University of Science and Technology and is not stored in the LSHTM repository. To request access, researchers should complete the application form, outlining their proposed research, and submit it for consideration. The application will be reviewed by Mbarara’s data access committee. If approved, applicants will be required to sign a data transfer agreement prior to being provided with data.

Data collection methods

Data was collected using a questionnaire administered by ophthalmologists, ophthalmic clinical officers and laboratory technicians.

Data analysis and preparation

Data was entered into a Microsoft Excel Database and imported into STATA 16 for analysis.

Geographic regions

Mbarara City, Uganda; Masaka City, Uganda; and Kampala City, Uganda

Key dates

Data collected between 4 November 2023 and 2 June 2025

Quality controls

Before data collection, the ophthalmologists, ophthalmic clinical officers and laboratory technicians underwent training on how to collect the data in this study.

Population

The study participants consisted of patients with signs of microbial keratitis who presented at three eye units in Uganda

Privacy

Participant information, such as names, addresses, and contact details have been removed

Ethics

Organisation Ethics ID Other information
Mbarara University of Science and Technology Research Ethics Committee MUST-2022-592 -
Uganda National Council for Science and Technology HS2719ES -
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Research Ethics Committee 29494 -

Keywords

Microbial keratitis; bacterial keratitis; fungal keratitis; keratitis; blindness; Uganda

Language of written material

English

Project information

Project name Funder/sponsor Grant number
Piloting testing of point of care diagnostics to improve diagnosis of microbial keratitis in Uganda Velux Stiftung 1703

Creators

Forename Surname Faculty / Dept Institution Role
Simon Arunga Ophthalmology London School of Science and Technology/ Mbarara University of Science and Technology Project leader, Supervisor, Data Creator

Associated roles

Forename Surname Faculty / Dept Institution Role
Abel Ebong Ophthalmology Mbarara University of Science and Technology Project Member

File description

Filename Description Access status Licence
microbial_keratitis_data Dataset contains demographic data, data on clinical history and presentation, and laboratory findings Request access Data Transfer Agreement
microbial_keratitis_data_codebook Codebook outlining variables contained within the dataset Open Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY)
Case_Report_Form Case report form used to collect data on patients presenting with microbial keratitis Open Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY)
STROBE_checklist_cross-sectional STROBE cross-sectional checklist Open Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY)
Supplementary_material Table 1 information Open Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY)
Informed_consent_form Participant informed consent form used for study Open Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY)
Data_Transfer_Agreement Data Transfer Agreement developed by Mbarara University of Science and Technology for use in data sharing Open Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY)
4852-UserGuide User guide for microbial keratitis dataset (this document) Open Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY)