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A secret for survival: covert contraceptive use and the burden of male resistance to family planning in Kigezi, Uganda
No full textIn the rural highlands of Uganda’s Rubanda District, a region with a critically high maternal mortality rate, women’s attempts to plan their families are often shrouded in secrecy due to spousal opposition.While male opposition is a well-documented barrier to contraceptive use in sub-Saharan Africa, the literature lacks a deep, context-specific understanding of the dynamics driving this resistance in critically high-burden settings like the Rubanda District, Uganda, where women are compelled to resort to covert contraceptive use.This qualitative study explores the lived experiences of women to understand the underlying drivers of male resistance to Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs). Data were collected through a combination of eight in-depth interviews (IDIs) with individual participants and two focus group discussions (FGDs) comprising seven and nine women respectively. The findings indicate that male resistance is not monolithic but stems from a complex interplay of factors: deep-seated misinformation due to exclusion from health education, powerful socio-cultural norms that equate masculinity with high fertility, and the pervasive impact of alcohol abuse, which leads to the abdication of familial responsibilities. These barriers compel women to adopt contraception covertly, placing them at risk of marital conflict and domestic violence. This secrecy arises from the lack of husbands’ engagement in health programs and reflects women’s determination to safeguard their health and secure the wellbeing of their children. The paper amplifies these women’s voices, illuminating their silent struggle and emphasizing the urgent need for systemic interventions and health programs that actively involve men, challenge harmful social norms, and remove barriers to equitable and collaborative family planning
Soft Computing Solutions for Reducing the Carbon Footprint of Fly Ash Based Concrete. Advances in Civil Engineering
No full textThe construction industry significantly contributes to environmental degradation,with many structures exhibiting high carbon footprints throughout their construction processes and lifespans.Activities such as cement hydration and other commoncon-struction practices substantially influence environmental conditions overtime,necessitating a critical evaluation of material and design choices.This study reported the environmental impact of fly ash(FA),which is largely used to enhance concrete strength.A prediction of two end point indicators,that is,global warming potential(GWP)and CO2 emission using soft computing methods are presented,which are particularly effective for handling complex,non linear relationships in environmental data.To achieve this, two machine learning approaches,the random forest(RF)and decision tree(DT)models,are employed to assess the environ- mental impact of structural materials and designs.Two data sets were obtained from reputable databases,including ResearchGate, Science Direct, Semantic Scholar,and Mendeley Data.The models are trained to explore the potential for optimizing structural designs and material selection stominimize environmental impacts.Feature importance is analyzed using Shapley values,providing insights into the most influential factors affecting GWP and CO2 emission Model performance is evaluated using R2 and root mean square error(RMSE) metrics. Notably, the RF model achieved an R2 score of 91% for GWP and 97% for CO2 emission, demonstrating superior predictive accuracy compared to the DT approach.The findings demonstrate the effectiveness of these machine learning techniques in enhancing the sustainability of construction practices,offering a pathway for informed decision-making. This study highlights the urgent need for innovative approaches in the built environment to support sustainable development and mitigate the carbonfootprint associated with structural engineering
Semantic categories of proper names in Runyankore/Rukiga and English: A comparative study.
No full textThe study focused on personal nomenclature in Banyankore/Bakiga and British societies. The major concern of the study was: to establish semantic similarities and differences between Runyankore/Rukiga and English personal names by categories, to establish the meaning of names in the Runyankore/Rukiga surname corpus, to examine the meaning of names in the British surname corpus, and to examine the factors that influence the creation of personal names among the Banyankore/Bakiga and the English. This study sought to cause an appreciation of locally birthed names and the traditional naming culture and the need for its maintenance. The research was conducted using a qualitative approach. The data was collected from both primary secondary sources. In the case of Runyankore and Rukiga names, the researcher used an interview guide and read the existing literature, and manually analysed and interpreted the data got. The researcher collected one thousand names: 500 English anthroponyms and 500 Runyankore/Rukiga and anthroponyms, and categorised them according to their meanings into seventeen (17) semantic groups. It was discovered that there are similarities and differences between Banyankore/Bakiga and English personal nomenclatures. The two societies share eleven (11) categories of names: anthroponyms related to place, occupation, description of physical and behavioral traits, affective features, war, insects, birds, animals, plants, ethnicity and theophoric content. The Banyankore/Bakiga, however, have six (6) categories that the English do not have: anthroponyms related to suffering, circumstances surrounding the child’s birth, death, optimism, wealth and birth order. The two societies have factors influencing the creation of these names and the name giver’s life experiences play a big role in the creation of a name
Social assistance grant for the eldery (sage) and their well-being. A case study of Rubanda District, Uganda.
No full textThe study investigated the effectiveness of the Social Assistance Grant for the Elderly (SAGE) and its impact on well-being in Rubanda District, Uganda. Using a case study design, 50 respondents were purposively selected from a population of 16 key informants to provide in-depth qualitative insights into the SAGE program’s effectiveness. The key objectives were to assess the financial stability of older adults, explore the impact on their overall well-being, and examine how elderly beneficiaries utilize the financial support, particularly its effect on housing conditions. The findings reveal that SAGE positively impacts beneficiaries’ financial situation and well-being, with 60% strongly agreeing and 40% agreeing that it significantly improves financial stability. The grant has enhanced the ability of beneficiaries to meet basic needs like food and healthcare, contributing to greater happiness and life satisfaction. However, the study also identifies challenges, particularly in housing stability, with mixed responses regarding the program's effect on reducing homelessness. Notably, the demographic distribution shows a predominance of younger elderly individuals and a significant gender imbalance, with more women benefiting than men, who tend to die early. Recommendations include expanding the program to more districts and inquiring into the gender disparity, especially why men seem to die earlier. Recommendations include increasing the grant amount, improving housing support, addressing gender imbalances, enhancing program reach, and implementing regular monitoring and evaluation. The study concludes that while SAGE significantly improves the financial and overall well-being of elderly beneficiaries, further program enhancements are required to address their diverse needs comprehensivel
Prevalence of Bovine Fasciolosis,Financial Losses and Risk Factors Associated with the Disease in Lira and Gulu Districts, Northern Uganda
No full textBovine fasciolosis (BF) is a parasitic disease of cattle that causes significant economic impacts to cattle farmers. The physical loses include weight loss, drop in productivity, liver condemnation and mortalities. Tis study assessed the prevalence, financial losses and risk factors associated with the disease in Lira and Gulu Districts, northern Uganda. A cross-sectional study of 720 slaughter cattle from the abattoirs was conducted by macroscopic examination of the animals and carcasses during routine slaughter. In the farms, 120 rectal faecal samples were taken to a laboratory for Fasciola egg detection by simple microscopy, while risk factors were assessed by administering a questionnaire to farm owners. Prevalence of BF was highest (38%) within cattle in the age group of 1–3years and lowest (18%) in those over 5years. The overall BF prevalence was 48% and 26% by postmortem examination and coprology, respectively. The cattle body condition had a significant association (p<0.01) with prevalence of BF, in which emaciated cattle were most affected (59%), while fat ones had the least prevalence (15%). The annual financial loss due to BF infection was USD 89,099. The major risk factors associated with the disease at the farm level were communal grazing in swampy areas (82%) and watering cattle in swamps (71%). Farms where the source of drinking water was swamp water had higher chances (p<0.05) of their cattle having BF. An integrated approach using routine deworming programs, improvement of cattle management practices and control of snail intermediate hosts is recommended to effectively control the spread of BF
Utilisation of Acoli Folktales for Mindset Modification in Post-LRA Incursions: A Sociological Perspective
No full textThis study explores the sceptre of Acoli folktales on mentality adjustment among the Acoli people of northern Uganda. The overarching terminus of the study was to analyse the implications of Acoli folktales in mentality adjustment in the post-Lord Resistance Army (LRA) infringements in Acoli land. This was accomplished by conducting a literature review of some selected Acoli folktales, with a quintessence on the underlying concepts such as deceit, boredom, boastfulness, rebellious-ness, and treachery. Like any other traditional edification, the traditional Acoli community has pre-served group cohesiveness and unconscious acceptance of customary codes articulated, and en-coded in 13 their oral narratives (myths, legends, and folktales) to ensure a peaceful life in the ge-nealogy and community. The study found that folktales have momentousness in kinfolk regulation. Furthermore, the study claims that a commune with a strong awareness of folktales and their impli-cations for mentality adjustment would view squabbles as an integral aspect of human existence and harmonious living and would hence avoid actions and inactions 19 that foster antipathy
Constructs of Postcolonial Space and Identity in Women’s Fiction
No full textThis study examines women fictionists’ engagement with the interwoven themes of conflict trauma, the pursuit of education, and duplicity in Beatrice Lamwaka’s Butterfly Dreams and Monica Arac de Nyeko’s Jambula Tree. It argues that these authors construct narrative spaces which reflect contemporary realities where their heroines assert autonomy, reconstruct identities, inscribe painful memories, and confront postcolonial tensions in northern Uganda during the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) insurgency. Using textual analysis, the research interrogates the weight of postcolonial governance through critical concerns such as gender, post-traumatic stress disorder, armed conflict, educational aspiration, and sexuality—particularly in Uganda’s sociopolitical context, where same-sex relationships are criminalised. Findings indicate that women fiction writers employ the postcolonial framework to anchor their narratives in historical tragedy, advocate for sociopolitical transformation, affirm individuality, and pursue emancipation through the written word
Sustainable innovation in foamed concrete using waste sanitary ware as fine aggregate for properties enhancement
No full textThe solid waste generated by the waste sanitary ware (WSW) sector is of considerable magnitude on a global scale. Recycling ceramic waste is an essential practice that ensures its proper disposal. Therefore, the objective of this research endeavor was to investigate the effects of replacing sand with WSW on different characteristics of foamed concrete (FC), such as its thermal properties, transportability, freshness, and mechanical strengths. A range of replacement rates, ranging from 5% to 25%, was considered. The utilization of WSW replacements increases the initial and final setting times, along with the densities of the mixtures, according to the test results. Nevertheless, the slump of the fresh test decreases. Significant improvements were observed in the mechanical characteristics when the replacement ratio was established at 10%. Furthermore, the results of the scanning electron microscopy evaluation and pore distribution analysis indicated that the performance of FC containing up to 10% WSW was superior as a filler for pores. Also, the addition of WSW resulted in a decrease in sorptivity, porosity, and water absorption. Nevertheless, the thermal conductivity of FC was enhanced. Nevertheless, considering the comprehensive examination, the most optimal approach to manufacturing environmentally friendly FC may involve replacing 10% of WSW.Ministry of Higher Educatio
Bibliometric Insights into Advances in Nondestructive Testing Techniques for Delamination Detection
No full textThis study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of advances in nondestructive testing (NDT) techniques for delamination detection, based on 4,382 publications indexed in Scopus from 2021 to 2025. Using advanced bibliometric methods and the biblioshiny package in R, the analysis evaluates annual scientific production, citation trends, thematic focus, and collaboration patterns. The results reveal a peak in research output in 2024, followed by a marked decline in 2025, alongside a steady decrease in average citations per article. “Delamination,” “composite,” “ultrasonic,” and “infrared thermography” are identified as core research themes. The field is dominated by a few prolific journals, authors, and institutions most notably in China which account for the majority of scientific output and impact. These findings illuminate evolving research priorities, highlight central contributors, and offer critical perspectives on the development, concentration, and future directions of NDT for delamination detection
A Multimodal Convolutional Neural Network Based Approach for DICOM Files Classification. , 2025(1), e70107.
No full textIn this study, we developed a convolutional neural network approach for directly classifying digital imaging and communication in medicine files in medical imaging applications. Existing models require converting this format into other formats like portable network graphics. This conversion leads to metadata loss and classification bias, the developed model processes raw digital imaging and communication in medicine files, thereby preserving both pixel data and embedded metadata. The model was evaluated on chest X-ray images for tuberculosis detection and magnetic resonance imaging scan images for brain tumour classification from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. The X-ray modality achieved a precision of 92.9%, recall of 88.4%, F1-score of 90.6% and accuracy of 90.9%, while the magnetic resonance imaging modality obtained a precision of 80.0%, recall of 79.4%, F1-score of 79.7% and accuracy of 85.5%. These results demonstrate the model’s effectiveness across multiple imaging modalities. A key advantage of this approach is the preservation of diagnostic metadata, enhancing accuracy and reducing classification bias. The study highlights its potential to improve medical imaging and support real-time clinical decision making. Despite the promising results, the study acknowledges limitations in dataset diversity and computational efficiency, with future work focusing on addressing these challenges and further optimising the model for deployment in resource-limited environments