Kabale University Interdisciplinary Research Journal (KURJ)
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A mobile based technology to improve male involvement in antenatal care
Get PDFThe World Health Organization Technical Working Group on maternal health unit recommended a minimum level of care to be four visits throughout the pregnancy for pregnant mothers [1]. The first visit which is expected to screen and treat anaemia, syphilis, screen for risk factors and medical conditions that can be best dealt with in early pregnancy and initiate prophylaxis if required (e.g., for anaemia and malaria) is recommended to be made before the end of the fourth month of pregnancy. The second, third and fourth visits are scheduled at 24–28, 32 and 36 weeks, respectively. Male involvement in Antenatal health care has been described as a process of social and behavioural change that is needed for men to play more responsible roles in maternal health care with the aim of ensuring women and children’s wellbeing. A study by Okoth [1] reported that, in Uganda male involvement in antenatal care stands at only 6% and this has been attributed to social, economic and cultural related factors. The situation worsens with the lack of effective coordinated platform for males sharing their experience in taking part in ANC and this has affected the process of antenatal care service delivery. Objective. To assess the role of mobile technology to improving male involvement in antenatal care by developing a mobile based technology which sends SMS reminders to male partners encouraging them to escort their pregnant wives for antenatal care services. Research questions. What are the challenges towards the limited antenatal care seeking behaviours among pregnant mothers? What are the causes of limited male involvement in antenatal care? What roles do ICTs play in enhancing Antenatal Care seeking behaviours among pregnant mothers and in increasing the male involvement in Antenatal Care? Method. We purposively selected pregnant mothers who phones, had been receiving antenatal care services from Kabale general hospital and reported staying with her male partner. The recruited participants were interviewed together with their male partners. STATA 13 software was used to define participants’ demographic while qualitative data were analysed using content analysis to come up with classes describing participants’ perceptions. Results. Participants reported that reminding them of their next antenatal visit via SMS reminder plays a significant role towards their antenatal care seeking behaviour. Conclusion. Mobile health could be a potential approach to improving male involvement in antenatal care through sending timely SMS reminders to both the expectant mother and her male partner remaining them of their next antenatal visit.  
Transformational Leadership style and occupational stress among primary School Teachers in Tanzania
Get PDFThis study focused on assessing how transformational leadership style affects occupational stress among public primary school teachers in Tanzania, Morogoro Municipality being as a case study. A sample size of 618 primary school teachers was used for data collection. A cross-sectional survey was done in 51 schools in Morogoro Municipality from January to March, 2020. The study examined how four elements of transformational leadership style affect occupational stress. The study used multiple linear regression analysis to examine how four components of transformational leadership which includes inspirational motivation, idealized influence, individual consideration and intellectual stimulation relate with occupational stress. The study found that all four components individual influence (β= -.154, p=.001), inspirational motivation (β= -.122, p=.000), intellectual stimulation (β= -.112, p=.002), individual consideration (β= -.179, p=.000) have significant negative relationship with occupational stress. This implies that the use of transformational leadership can help in reducing amount of stress that primary school teachers’ experience
Internal controls, corporate governance and fi nancial performance of MFIs in Uganda
Get PDFThe article reconnoitered the rapport between internal controls, corporate governance and financial performance of MFIs in Uganda a case of Central Uganda. The study adopted a descriptive, cross-sectional and correlational design. The study covered 76 MFIs in Uganda with 332 respondents. The findings argument to a significant positive relationship between internal controls, corporate governance and financial performance of MFIs. Internal Controls and financial performance of MFIs (r = 0.651, P-value = 0.000), corporate governance and financial performance of MFIs (r = 0.562, P-value = 0.000). From the results, we sanction that internal controls, corporate governance, predict over 70.2% of the change in financial performance of Micro Finance Institutions in Uganda. The findings display a good model fit and fig.2 defines the model of internal controls and corporate governance on financial performance of MFIs in Uganda and is comprised of 3 magnitudes of Internal Controls in terms of Control Environment, Control Activities, Risk Assessment as well as corporate governance and their predictive power on financial performance of MFIs in Uganda. Figure 2 and table 1 and 2 clearly indicate that Internal Controls and Corporate Governance are significantly associated with financial performance of MFIs. The study spoke to pragmatic issues that have not been shielded in the literature, more especially in the microfinance industry Uganda. Besides, the study has attempted to negate or confirm whether the theoretical underpinnings are empirically supported in Microfinance Institutions in Uganda. Consequently, the study has underwritten to the lasting internal controls and corporate governance debate in the field of financial industry. The study has further established that internal control and corporate governance magnitudes operate in a synergic way to affect financial performance in Microfinance Institutions in Uganda
Pesticide application and water quality in Doho and Kibimba rice irrigation schemes, eastern Uganda
Get PDFThe number and amount of agrochemicals used has increased dramatically world over and their toxic nature has raised concern about environmental impact and effects on human health. Considering that agriculture is a major source of income in most developing countries, crop damage from pest infestation is of great concern to many farmers. These farmers are therefore motivated to apply pesticides. However, runoff from such farmlands unintendedly contaminates the water sources thereby causing harm to aquatic life and contaminates drinking water. This study was carried out at Doho and Kibimba irrigation schemes, which are the two commercial paddy rice growing areas in Uganda. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of pesticide application on water quality in these two schemes and assess community awareness of the dangers of pesticide application. A cross sectional research design was used to collect data. A total of 60 samples (30 from each site) on physicochemical characteristics were collected in situ using standard equipment. 200 local community members (100 from each scheme) were randomly selected while on the farm and interviewed. Statistical analyses were conducted using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) program, version 20. Results showed that there were significant spatial differences in all the physical chemical properties of water in Doho Rice Scheme (P<0.05), while significant spatial variations were recorded for only pH, temperature at Kibimba rice scheme (P<0.05). Independent t-test results showed that water pH, temperature and turbidity varied significantly between Doho and Kibimba (P<0.05). Herbicides such as rocket, Diazine, Cypermatrine glyphosate were being used by famers with rocket frequently used at Doho while glyphosate was the only one used at Kibimba. Majority of the farm workers at Kibimba (96.9%) reported to have always used protective devices when handling pesticides and the reverse was true for farm workers at Doho despite the training on pesticide usage. The study therefore recommends regular water quality monitoring and sensitization of farmworkers on the dangers of improper pesticide use
Perennial crop farming and food security in Kigezi: a case study of Kigezi highland tea
Get PDFThis study critically examines the contribution of tea growing in Kigezi region and how it affects the growth of other crops that are meant for food consumption. It underscores the performance of tea as a cash crop and as a means of generating foreign exchange for the country as well as a source of employment. This study establishes that the tea sector has not in any way affected food security in the region of Kigezi and has instead improved household incomes, been a source of employment and boosted revenue for households. The sector has however registered some challenges like limited faith among the out growers who prefer their own traditional crops. There have also been challenges of lack of coordination from stake-holders like NEMA, the district local governments and government ministries, departments and agencies. The study recommends to government that policy makers design a comprehensive tea policy that streamlines conflicting agencies and also learn best practices from neighboring countries like Kenya where the sector has performed immensely well. Farmers also need constant sensitization on the benefits of the cash crop
On existence and uniqueness of solutions of mathematical model of biological control of cassava pests
Get PDFMathematical model of biological control of two major pests of cassava was established using prey-predator approach. The existence and uniqueness of the model solution was verified through optimal control approach, and finally, the numerical method of Runge Kutta was employed to test the validity of the model using numerical data
Developing metacognition in pre-primary childhood education in Nigeria and Uganda
Get PDFEducation is a process designed to develop skills and attitudes in learners, among these skills is metacognition. Societies have faulted educational institutions on its inability to produce graduates who can reason and decide rationally, this had prompted the search by scholars to resolve this challenge. This paper examined metacognition as a concept and how teachers can develop this skill in learners especially, those in the pre-school classes in Nigeria and Uganda. Metacognition is the ability to reflect on issues and personally take decisions that are rational and result in beneficial actions. The paper discussed various methods and theories of imparting this skill in early childhood learners which include the play-way, dramatisation and story-telling methods of teaching while the theories of learning considered include the Stimulus-Response and Cognitive theories. Models of learning like the Reggio Emilia and Friedrich Froebel’s were enumerated as means by which the skill can be imparted. The paper concluded that the skill is indispensable if the process of education is to produce graduates competent in critical thinking and logical reasoning. It recommended that professionals should be employed to handle children’s education, conducive environment be provided, while young learners should be encouraged to carry out independent actions with supervision from teachers
Mentorship and supervision in Ugandan higher education institutions universities: challenges and prospects
Get PDFThe paper examined the current status of Mentorship and Supervision in Ugandan higher education institutions and universities and considered the ideal model of Mentorship and Supervision for a typical higher education institution and university. The paper then depicted the importance of Mentorship as one way of fostering effective and efficient service delivery at higher education institutions and universities. The ideal higher education institution or university should facilitate personal and professional development enabling individuals and groups to achieve their full potential. Mentoring is a dynamic way of facilitating such development. The higher education institution or university formally requires all its faculties to make arrangements for the mentoring of its newly appointed staff and newly admitted students. Mentoring at a higher education institution or university entails long time passing on of support, guidance and advice. The underlying factor in mentoring in the work place is that the more experienced colleague uses their greater knowledge and understanding of the work or workplace to support the development of a more junior or inexperienced member of staff. The Mentoring and Supervision discussed in this paper has been considered through the three strands of the mandate of the higher education institution which are: teaching, research and community service. Data concerning Mentorship and Supervision was obtained from a meta- analysis of documents such as reports, journals, articles and books concerning Mentorship in the Ugandan higher education institutions and universities. The overall mean score for the influence was 2.5 which indicates a low influence of mentorship and supervision on the career. The paper underscored the status of Mentorship and Supervision at the Ugandan higher education institutions and universities as low. Lastly, pointed out the challenges faced in mentoring staff and students and charted the way forward in the mentoring process at Ugandan higher education institutions and universities. Therefore, the study recommends that supervisors-supervisees relationships be improved to achieve higher graduate study completion rates
Directive leadership style and staff motivation in private universities in Uganda: a case of Kampala International University
Get PDFThis study was conducted to establish the effect of directive leadership style on staff motivation in Private Universities in Uganda taking Kampala International University as a case study. Two specific objectives guided the study: (i) to examine the effect of directive leadership style on initiation of effort among staff of Kampala International University, and (ii) to establish the effect of directive leadership style on persistence of behavior among staff of Kampala International University. The study adopted a cross sectional survey design in collection of data from a sample of 111 respondents with the aid of self –administered questionnaires. Research findings indicated that whereas supervisor’s instructions accommodates innovativeness by giving employees guidelines on how to execute their tasks, they do not exactly tell employees what to do, they do not appropriately schedule work to be done, they do not set key performance indicators and that directive leadership style is not sufficient in enabling employees persevere during times of hardship let alone failing to strike a work-life-balance. The study concludes that though directive leadership style has significant and positive effect to initiation of effort and persistence of behavior among staff, little has been done to fully operationalize it. It is recommended that managers should use the style in letting employees have a sense of direction, schedule for them tasks, and above all, set key performance indicators upon which to appraise staff
Epidemiology and causes of common soccer injuries during university games in Uganda
Get PDFThe study sought to establish the common soccer injuries, their causes and management among Busitema University athletes. The study used a cross-sectional survey design involving quantitative and qualitative approaches on a sample of 76 respondents, obtained by simple random and purposive sampling techniques. Data was collected by use of self-administered questionnaires, an observational tool and interview guide. Quantitative data analysis involved generation of descriptive statistics; frequencies, percentages and means. Qualitative data was analysed using content analysis. The study established that the common injuries were ligament sprain or strains (56.6%) and re-injuries (55.1%). Dry and hard grounds, joint instability, bad playing field conditions, inadequate treatment/ rehabilitation from previous injury, exercise overload/ over training, poor skill execution, poor training techniques and player neglect caused the injuries. It was recommended that quality playing fields and equipment, providing players with adequate attention and advocating for full implementation of fair play rules should be fostered to abate sports injuries