Increasing postgraduate medical mycology research dissertations at Uganda's higher institution of learning

Abstract

Objectives

Postgraduate medical mycology research may also be affected by funding. This study reports the positive impact of funding on postgraduate medical mycology research at Makerere University, Uganda.

Methods

This retrospective study was conducted on postgraduate medical microbiology dissertation topics from 2023 to 2024 using data collected between September and November 2024.

Results

A total of N = 60 postgraduate medical microbiology dissertations were analyzed for medical mycology topics, of which a total of 18 (30%) focused on medical mycology. The percentage of dissertations centered on medical mycology increased from 16% (four of 25) in 2023 to 40% (14 of 35) in 2024. Cryptococcal meningitis is the most studied fungal disease (35.7%) (five) in 2024. Notably, molecular-based polymerase chain reaction (50%, two) and semi-automated culture (35.7%, five) were the most commonly used laboratory methods in 2023 and 2024. There were 75% (four) and 71.4% (14) timely completions of the postgraduate students, and the Makerere University Fungal Group was formed to promote the “buddy system of learning” among the postgraduate medical mycology students.

Conclusion

There has been an increase in medical mycology research among postgraduate medical microbiology students at Makerere University, Uganda, which is attributable to increased funding.