GRIT Lab Publications

Guy K, Tsui J, Musasizi E, Kusolo R, Mukupa M, Arinaitwe J, Goma F, Atuyambe L, Guwatudde D, Phiri MM, Zyambo C, Wipfli H. Barriers and facilitators to delivering tobacco cessation interventions at HIV care clinics in Sub-Saharan Africa: Qualitative application of the consolidated framework for implementation research. Tob Prev Cessat. 2026 Jul 29;12. doi: 10.18332/tpc/221806. LINK TO TEXT Abstract: Introduction: Tobacco use among people living with HIV (PLWH) in Sub-Saharan

Kim A, Tumuhimbise P, Odur K, Wipfli H. Local Experiences of the Uganda Nutrition Action Plan in Lira District: Challenges and Lessons for Policy Implementation. Food Nutr Bull. 2026 Mar 13:3795721261423259. doi: 10.1177/03795721261423259. LINK TO TEXT Abstract: Background: In response to high rates of undernutrition, Uganda began rolling out the multisectoral Uganda Nutrition Action Plan (UNAP) in 2011, followed by Phase II (UNAP II) in 2020. Uganda has since progressed towa

Wipfli H, Kim A, Alonyo C, Guy K, Fabian A, Gillis S, Wipfli R, Tumuhimbise P, Odur K. The Uganda youth public health ambassador program: a community-based public health initiative. Frontiers in Public Health, 2025, Vol 13. DOI.10.3389/fpubh.2025.1640598. LINK TO TEXT Abstract Background: In 2020, the Global Research, Implementation, and Training (GRIT) Lab at the University of Southern California was forced to quickly shift its large community-based youth public health train

Musasizi, E., Wipfli, H., Arinaitwe, J., Atuyambe, L., Guy, K., Kusolo, R., Rutebemberwa, E., & Guwatudde, D. (2025). Multilevel drivers of tobacco use among people living with HIV in West Nile and Karamoja Regions in Uganda: a mixed-methods study. BMC public health, 25(1), 3622. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-24938-9 LINK TO TEXT Abstract Background: Tobacco use is a significant public health problem, especially among People Living with HIV (PLWH) yet evidence on its pre

Wipfli, H., Arinaitwe, J., Goma, F., Atuyambe, L., Guwatudde, D., Phiri, M. M., Rutebemberwa, E., Wabwire-Mangen, F., Zulu, R., Zyambo, C., Guy, K., Kusolo, R., Mukupa, M., Musasizi, E., & Tucker, J. S. (2025). Usability and cultural adaptation of a text message-based tobacco cessation intervention for people living with HIV in Uganda and Zambia. Addiction science & clinical practice, 20(1), 55. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13722-025-00580-z LINK TO TEXT Abstract Background: Text

This study aims to examine experiences and drivers of cancer stigma and their associations with access to care.

Atuyambe, L. M., Etajak, S., Walyawula, F., Kasasa, S., Nyabigambo, A., Bazeyo, W., Wipfli, H., Samet, J. M., & Berhane, K. T. (2025). Air quality and attributable mortality among city dwellers in Kampala, Uganda: results from 4 years of continuous PM2.5 concentration monitoring using BAM 1022 reference instrument. Journal of exposure science & environmental epidemiology, 35(2), 288–293. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41370-024-00684-9 LINK TO TEXT Abstract Background: Air pollutio

Laestadius L, Vassey J, Kim M, Ozga J, Li D, Stanton C, Wipfli H, Unger JB. Tob Control. 2022 Sep 28:tc-2022-057657. doi: 10.1136/tc-2022-057657. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36171148. LINK TO TEXT Concept naming of flavours is popular among e-liquid manufacturers. Rather than explicitly stating a taste or smell, these names convey aesthetics or sensations (eg, unicorn, frostbite, roadhouse), as well as positive health and lifestyle experiences (eg, relaxed, blissful). Concept

Drowning is a major cause of death in Uganda, especially among young adults with water-based occupations and livelihoods. Information about

Scott I Donaldson, Trista A Beard, Jacqueline Trinh, Sarayu Jaladanki, Jennifer B Unger, Artur Galimov, Heather L Wipfli, Jon-Patrick Allem, Content Analysis of E-mail Marketing Communications Among Online E-cigarette Retailers, Nicotine & Tobacco Research, Volume 26, Issue 9, September 2024, Pages 1248–1252, https://doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntae046 LINK TO TEXT Abstract Introduction Online e-cigarette retailers use e-mail communications to promote products directly to consumers,

Wipfli H, Arinaitwe J, Goma F, Atuyambe L, Guwatudde D, Phiri MM, Rutebemberwa E, Wabwire-Mangen F, Zulu R, Zyambo C, Guy K, Kusolo R, Mukupa M, Musasizi E, Tucker JS. A phone-based tobacco use cessation program for people living with HIV in Uganda and Zambia: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Addict Sci Clin Pract. 2024 Jan 19;19(1):6. doi: 10.1186/s13722-024-00438-w. PMID: 38243301; PMCID: PMC10797805. LINK TO TEXT Full Text Abstract Background: Nicotine rep

Wipfli H, Guy K, Kim A, Tumuhimbise P, Odur K; Lira Youth Public Health Ambassadors. Adolescent mental health in post-conflict communities: results from a cross-sectional survey in Northern Uganda. Confl Health. 2023 Nov 2;17(1):52. doi: 10.1186/s13031-023-00549-2. PMID: 37919822; PMCID: PMC10623748. LINK TO TEXT Abstract Purpose: This study evaluated adolescents' mental health their knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about mental health conditions, and their access to critica

Tatum Z, Leventhal A, Wipfli HL. Playtime: vaping devices designed as cartoons and toys may appeal to kids.Tobacco Control 2024;33:693-694. LINK TO TEXT Abstract Vaping device technology and appearance have transformed from cigarette lookalikes to mod devices, to the discreet and colourful designs of JUUL and its many offshoots. Recent innovations in vaping devices include those that resemble miniature toys, including soda bottles, snow cones and popsicles (figures 1–3). Thes

Cwalina SN, Ihenacho U, Barker J, et al. Advancing racial equity and social justice for Black communities in US tobacco control policy.Tobacco Control 2023;32:381-384. LINK TO TEXT Full Text Abstract The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) applies the Population Health Standard in tobacco product review processes by weighing anticipated health benefits against risks associated with a given commercial tobacco product at the population level. However, systemic racism (ie, dis

Donaldson SI, Beard T, Dormanesh A, et al. Monitoring website marketing among leading e-cigarette brands and vendors in California: content analysis. Tobacco Control 2025;34:192-197. LINK TO TEXT Abstract Background Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) brands and vendors use websites to promote pro-tobacco messages that may increase susceptibility to use e-cigarettes among never users or help sustain continued e-cigarette use among current users. E-cigarette website marketing i

Kim AJ, Guy K, Tumuhimbise P, Odur K, Wipfli H, et al. (2023) Community- Based Participatory Research: A Cross-Sectional Study Understanding Malaria in Rural Northern Uganda. J Community Med Health Educ 12:794. Doi: 10.4172/2168-9717.1000794 LINK TO TEXT Abstract Objective: Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) is founded on the principle of recognizing community members as equal research partners in order to best understand and address their health needs. Recognizing

Matt GE, Greiner L, Record R, Wipfli H, et al. Tobacco Control. Published Online First: 01 June 2023. doi:10.1136/tc-2023-057971 LINK TO TEXT Full Text Abstract Starting in the 1970s, individuals, businesses and the public have increasingly benefited from policies prohibiting smoking indoors, saving thousands of lives and billions of dollars in healthcare expenditures. Smokefree policies to protect against secondhand smoke exposure, however, do not fully protect the public fr

Donaldson SI, Beard TA, Colonna R, et al. Online Purchase Attempts of Flavored E-Cigarettes to Minors in California Before and After Senate Bill 793. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(12):e2348749. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.48749 LINK TO TEXT Full Text Introduction E-cigarette use among adolescents has been considered a global public health concern.1 To prevent youth access to flavored e-cigarette products, California enacted Senate Bill (SB) 793 on December 21, 2022, prohibiting

Sidhu AK*, Pednekar MS, Fong GT, Gupta PC, Quah ACK, Unger J, Sussman S, Sood N, Wipfli H, Valente T. BMC Public Health. 2022 Sep 13;22(1):1738. doi: 10.1186/s12889-022-14112-w. LINK TO TEXT Full Text Abstract Background: Previous research in high-income countries (HICs) has shown that smokers reduce their cognitive dissonance through two types of justifications over time: risk minimizing and functional beliefs. To date, however, the relationship between these justifications

Wipfli H, Kumie A, Atuyambe L, Oguge O, Rugigana E, Zacharias K, Simane B, Samet J, Berhane K. GeoHealth. 2021 June; 5(6). doi: 10.1029/2021GH000406. LINK TO TEXT Abstract Externalities, such as air pollution and increased occupational hazards, resulting from global trends in climate change, rapid industrialization, and rapidly increasing populations are raising global concerns about the associated health risks. The Global Environmental and Occupational Health Hub for Eastern

Wipfli H, Kim M, Vassey J*, Stanton C. Tobacco Control. 2022 Apr 26:tobaccocontrol-2021-057195. doi:10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2021-057195. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35474025. Full Text Anime, or Japanese animation which combines graphic art, characterisation and cinematography, is experiencing a global boom after having doubled its market size over the past decade. The industry was valued at $23.5 billion in 2020 and is continuing to grow rapidly. Anime is popular among adolesc

St.Claire, S, Kia J, Alobo W, Wipfli RW, Wipfli W.1. Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health. 2020 March. 4:175. DOI: 10.29011/2577-2228.100075. LINK TO PUBLICATION Full Text Abstract Background: Unintended pregnancies and HIV/AIDS prevention and response remain significant health challenges throughout Uganda, especially among adolescents who have limited access to comprehensive sexual health education. This study aimed to evaluate youth attitudes towards and knowled