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Factors associated with delay in seeking care for children under five years diagnosed with malaria attending Tororo General Hospital
No full textA dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Award of a Master of Family Medicine and Community Practice of Makerere University Kampala.Background: In children, ability to diagnose malaria early and initiating treatment on time have been registered as a successful pathway towards controlling the malaria infection. This pathway breaks the chain of disease progression thus reducing chances of severe disease, death and transmission. The World Health Organization established that early diagnosis and prompt
treatment should occur within 24hrs of the onset of malaria symptoms. Therefore, it’s importantthat caregivers ensure children access early diagnosis and prompt, effective treatment within 24hrs of the onset of malaria symptoms. General objective: To determine the prevalence of delay to get care and factors associated with delay to seek care among children under 5 years diagnosed with malaria disease attending Tororo general hospital.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study at the pediatric outpatient and inpatient departments, Tororo general hospital. It enrolled 380 children under five years presenting with malaria symptoms and a positive blood slide or RDT.A questionnaire was administered to caregivers of the enrolled children to determine the factors associated with delay to seek care. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the child, caregiver and health facility characteristics. The proportion of children that delay to get care was determined. A logistic regression model was used to evaluate factors that are associated with delay to seek care among caregivers.
Results : Out of 380 caretakers sampled, 87.1% delayed to seek care when their children fell sick. About 72.9% of the caretakers treat their children from home with majority (50%) of them sourcing the medicines they use from health facilities, 22.1% from drug shops and 0.8% from drug shops. No factor was significantly associated with delay in seeking care among the caretakers sampled.
Conclusions: The findings reflect high prevalence of delay in seeking care among the caretakers
Prevalence of infertility in cattle and associated risk factors in Kayunga District
No full textA dissertation submitted for the award of the Degree of Master of Science in Livestock Development and Management of Makerere UniversityRecent publications show that the prevalence of infertility in form of perinatal calf mortality, repeat breeding and abortion has increased in some farms and an increased proportion of this loss is not associated with risk factors in the post covid period. The objectives of this study were to determine the characteristics of farming pre and post covid, establish the prevalence of infertility (perinatal calf mortality, repeat breeding and abortion) and its associated risk factors in cattle herds. A total of 164 farms were studied within 5 subcounties in Kayunga district. Direct interview using semi-structured questionnaires and direct observations were used to collect data on farms. Data was entered into Microsoft Excel sheet and exported into SPSS version 16 for data analysis. The analysis showed significant changes in cattle farming post covid 19 pandemic such as reduction in the number of large scale farms, increase in the number of farms carrying communal grazing and artificial insemination. The analysis at 95% confidence level and 0.05 level of significance showed the prevalence of peri natal calf losses, abortion and repeat breeding was 20.09%, 10.27% and 11.98% respectively. Herd size, pasture improvement, management system used, response time to artificial insemination calls, period of time a bull stays on the farm, age of bulls and supervison of hand mating had a significant effect on occurrence of repeat breeding( p0.05) between occurrence of abortion and breeding method used, type of management system, age of bulls, age at which calves are weaned, pasture improvement and common diseases like ECF, worm infestation and FMD. In conclusion, the prevalenceof infertility was high to levels believed to cause low productivity and losses in cattle farming through mainly lowering both milk production and availability of replacement stock. It is therefore, recommended that improved calf management practices, good breeding practices and timely health management in the study areas would significantly reduce perinatal calf losses, abortions and repeat breedin
Comparison of the prevalence and associated factors of chronic kidney disease diagnosed by serum creatinine or cystatin C among young people living with HIV in Uganda
No full textIntroduction
Young people living with HIV (YPLHIV) are at increased risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD) which is associated with high mortality and morbidity. Early diagnosis is important to halt progression. We aimed to estimate the prevalence and factors associated with CKD among YPLHIV in Kampala, Uganda, and to compare serum creatinine and cystatin C for early diagnosis of CKD in this population.
Methods
A cross-sectional study with YPLHIV aged 10 to 24 years was conducted in seven HIV clinics. Participants provided a urine and blood sample to measure urinary albumin, proteinuria, serum creatinine and cystatin C levels at baseline and after three months. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated using CKDEPI 2021, Cockroft-Gault and bedside Schwartz equations using creatinine or cystatin C. The albumin creatinine ratio (ACR) and proteinuria were measured. CKD was defined as either eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73m2 or < 90 ml/min/1.73m2 or ACR above 30 mg/g on two separate occasions. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression were used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for factors associated with CKD.
Results
A total of 500 participants were enrolled. Most were female (56%; n = 280) and aged 10 to 17 years (66.9%; n = 335). CKD prevalence ranged from 0 to 23% depending on the criteria, equation and biomarker used. Cystatin C-based equations estimated higher prevalence of CKD compared to creatinine-based ones. Prevalence of ACR above 30 mg/g was 10.1% and of proteinuria 29%. Factors independently associated with CKD were age (aOR = 1.42; 95% CI:1.30–1.51) and male sex (aOR = 3.02; 95% CI:1.68–5.43).
Conclusion
CKD prevalence among YPLHIV varied substantially depending on definitions used and the current definition would likely lead to missed cases of CKD among YPLHIV. Estimating equations should be validated against measured GFR in YPLHIV and the optimal definition of CKD in this vulnerable population should be revised to optimise detection and opportunities for reducing disease progression.The Fogarty International Centre,
National Institutes of Health,
The UK Medical Research Council (MRC),
The UK Department for International Development (DFID),
The MRC/DFID Concordat agreement,
The NIHR for this research project
Regional integration and economic development in East African Community: a case study of Uganda
No full textThis study delves into the complexities of regional integration in East Africa, focusing on Uganda the East African Community (EAC) as a case study. It examines the challenges and opportunities associated with EAC’s journey towards a common market, analyzing factors such as political instability, economic disparities, and cultural differences. The research investigates the impact of these challenges on the EAC’s progress, including the implementation of the customs union and common market. Furthermore, the study explores the implications of multiple regional membership and the role of sovereignty in the integration process. By examining the EAC’s experience, the research identifies critical factors influencing regional integration and provides recommendations for addressing non—tariff barriers, enhancing infrastructure , boosting industrial competitiveness, and promoting productivity. Ultimately, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the challenges and potential pathways for successful regional integration in East Afric
Effect of Land Use Land Cover Changes on Carbon Stocks of Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Western Uganda.
No full textDissertation submitted to the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training in Partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the Degree of Master of Science in Forestry and Biodiversity Management of Makerere University.Sustainable management of natural resources in Rwenzori mountainous areas requires an
understanding of the current carbon stocks available and the nature of human-ecosystem
interactions and local communities‘ perspectives regarding evolving changes. The study's aim
was to investigate temporal and spatial changes in land cover and their contribution to the
environmental stewardship of RMNP. This study characterized the dynamics of LULC in the
Rwenzori Mountains National Park (RMNP), drivers of LULC changes, the current aboveground
biomass and carbon stocks of the forest, and determined the effect of observed LULC changes on
the park‘s carbon fluxes over a 30 year period. Satellite imagery for 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2020
were obtained from United States Geological Survey (USGS) website and analyzed to determine
the LULC changes. A household survey, key informant interviews and focus group discussions
were conducted to obtain the perceived drivers of LULC changes. Selected allometric equations
were applied to assess the above ground biomass and carbon stocks of the forest in the park.
Calculation of the Mean Squared Error (MSE), Prediction Sum of Squares (PRESS) statistic and
Predicted R2 values of the selected equations was done to establish the most appropriate equation
for biomass and carbon estimation. One way ANOVA was used to assess the variation in carbon
stocks estimated for the various forest cover types. The effect of LULC changes on park‘s carbon
stocks was determined by estimating the amount of greenhouse gases released or sequestered
using the EX-ACT tool. Results show that there were expansions and reductions in the acreages
of land covers between 1900 and 2020 in the RMNP i.e. there was a 3.6% reduction in the
tropical high forest well-stocked; an increase in cultivated land; a reduction in the tropical high
forest low stocked; and an increase in the grassland cover. The cultivation is mainly along the
boundaries. Deforestation (33%), Agronomic practices (39%), and Population growth (17%)
were perceived as key drivers of LULC changes. The TAGB was 668.495t/ha, and 50.625t/ha in
the tropical high forest (THF)-High Stock, and THF-Low Stock respectively. The carbon stocks
in the THF-High Stock were 327.245tC ha-1, and 27.898tC ha-1 in the THF-Low Stock. The
study found significant variations (P <0.05) in above ground biomass and carbon stocks in the
different forest cover types. There were both spatial and temporal changes in land use and land
cover within RMNP, with loss of forest cover and cultivation along park boundaries being the
most conspicuous. The major drivers of LULC change were mainly anthropogenic related factors
with deforestation, population growth, & agronomic practices being the major drivers. The high
AGB and carbon stocks in RMNP were indicative of a high potential for carbon sequestration,
with the park being a net carbon sink over the 30 year period. The study recommends that UWA
should tighten park boundary management by applying hybrid approaches including buffer
zoning, electric fencing, thorn & stone hedges and support park bordering communities with
sustainable and resilient agriculture and livelihood interventions to minimize encroachment on
park resourcesMERIT (Environmental Risk Management under Increasing Extremes and Uncertainty), a project made possible by a generous grant from NORAD through the Norwegian Programme for Capacity Development in Higher Education and Research for Development (NORHED II); and technical assistance from Makerere University
Characterization of performance of three commercial monoclonal antibodies in detection of spike protein in SARS-CoV-2
No full textThe study aimed at characterizing the Performance of three commercial monoclonal antibodies in detection of spike protein in SARS-CoV-2. This was looking at avidity and specificity of the monoclonal antibodies which would be used to compare the performance of the three monoclonal antibodies. This assay was based on a principle of dilutions where we looked at the best performing monoclonal antibody under minimum concentrations and the present conditions in the country at the moment.
These results were used to inform development of an in-house Elisa for detection of COVID19 among the populations in the country. A research purposed Elisa kit, the commercial monoclonal antibodies and a commercially available SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein were commercially procured and used for this study. The study was carried out from at Makerere University, College of Health Sciences Immunology laboratory. The primary outcome of this study was to have a successful optimization which included coming up with a working concentration of the antigen being coated and to come up with the right dilutions of the antibodies to be used. The secondary outcome was to come up with the best performing antibody and Spike protein readily available on market under the local Ugandan conditions for development of an in-house Elisa kit.
Discussion and Conclusion: From the results, it was seen that Invitrogen and genescript monoclonal antibodies gave better performance in terms of specificity and avidity index values and therefore can be seen as the best candidates in development of an in-house Elisa kit for detection of SARS-CoV-2. In conclusion, basing on the results and discussion as seen above, we decided that the Invitrogen and genecript monoclonal antibodies would be used as the best candidates in development of an in-house Elisa kit in dilutions ratios of 1:200 for detection of SARS-CoV-2. The spike protein used was also concluded that it would be used at a concentration of 200ng per well when coating the plates to be used to detect or test for SARS-CoV-2 using an in-house Elisa while PBS also emerged as a good candidate to be used as a substitute for the antigen coating buffer.MAPRONANO AC
Redevelopment of Kiyindi Waterfront.
No full textA research project submitted to the directorate of research and graduate training in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Postgraduate Diploma in Urban Planning and Design of Makerere University.Kiyindi has a landing site which is among the 52 designated landing sites in Buikwe district. Kiyindi gets its name from the owner of
the land called Kiyindiru who donated it to one of the Kabakas of Buganda while he was on Buvuma island. The name was later cut
short to Kiyindi. Formerly a local boat docking point, it was designated as a fish landing site in Najja subcounty in 2000 by the Fish Act
of Uganda (Cap 197). Kiyindi waterfront has a resident population of around 11,000 people most of whom are involved in fishing
activities
Delivery of Non-Academic Student Support Services by staff in Kyambogo University
No full textA Dissertation Submitted to the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Management of Makerere UniversityNon-academic student support services are an essential component of universities that play a
crucial role in assisting and promoting student retention. The success of students and institutions
depends on the staff who provide non-academic student support services. The staff are faced
with several complex, dynamic, and growing student challenges when providing these services.
These include; the increasing student numbers and diversity, mental illnesses, suicide intentions,
societal impact on higher education students, and reduced government funding which create
questions on how the staff members manage to navigate through these challenges. It was upon
this basis that my study explored how staff deliver and make sense of the delivery of the nonacademic student support services at Kyambogo University. My study was guided by two
objectives: (1) to explore how staff deliver non- academic student support services at Kyambogo
University; (2) to explore how the staff make sense of the delivery of non- academic student
support services at Kyambogo University. Using situational ethnomethodology, my study
employed a single case study design because it helped me to investigate this issue in depth and
within its real-world context. I purposively selected my participants, which enabled me to get
informants with rich data that enabled me to have an in-depth understanding of the phenomenon.
Using thematic analysis, four themes including policy guidelines, management functions,
capacity building, and servanthood emerged from this study. The findings indicated that staff
were guided by regulations, carried out administrative and mandatory roles, sensitisation and
training activities in the delivery of non-academic student support services. Staff make sense of
their work when it led to others‟ and their own fulfilment. It was therefore concluded that those
staff adhered and consulted policy guidelines, performed management functions and engaged in
capacity building activities to deliver non-academic student support services at Kyambogo
University. It was also concluded that those participants make sense of their work because it was
all about servanthood. The study therefore, recommended that, the University should initiate the
process of formulating policies, and guidelines and actualise the implementation of existing
policies, and strengthen capacity-building initiatives through multi-stakeholder involvement to
sustainably deliver the services. The university should motivate staff to make sense of their work
through rewards and recognition so that they build and strengthen a culture of servanthood
Estimation of Radiological Effects and Modeling Radionuclide Transfer to Milk and Fish in Kisoro, South-western Uganda
No full textA Thesis submitted to the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the Degree of Philosophy in Physics of Makerere University.Exposure to natural radiation energy (ionozing radiation) is one of the primary causes of radiation ailments like cancer. Radioactivity is widely spread in the earth’s environment and it exists in various geological formations in soils, rocks, plants, water, air and in building materials. Uranium (238U), thorium (232Th) and potassium (40K) are Naturally Occurring Radionuclides (NORMs). Activity concentrations of 238U, 232Th, and 40K in pasture, milk, water and fish were determined using sodium iodide detector in order to estimate the radiological effects and model radionuclide transfer to milk and fish. The radiological effects that were determined were radium equivalent, annual effective dose equivalent, and excess lifetime cancer risk. Seventy nine (79) pasture samples were randomly collected from cattle farms in seven sub-counties where geological formation was due to volcanic eruption. The same was done for milk on the same farms. Milk samples were collected by manual milking technique by the farmer. A lactating cow from which milk was collected, was chosen at random in case there were more than one cows lactating
on the same fame. Sixteen (16) fish samples randomly collected from landing sites of the four lava dammed lakes. All fish types were sampled during rainy and sunny days to cater for different variations of background radiation due to weather conditions. One
hundred twenty one (121) water samples were collected from all the four larva dammed lakes by scooping using a jug. Water samples were collected along the lake shores since fish mainly go near the lake shores to find their food and water sampler was not needed since water was collected on the surface where temperature and depth are constant In milk and fish, average radium equivalent was 4.531 and 39.24 Bq l −1, the annual effective dose equivalent was 0.014 and 0.126 mSv y −1 and the excess lifetime cancer risk was 0.041 × 10−3 and 0.378 × 10−3, respectively. The quantity of milk to be consumed was estimated to be 0.105 litres per day (0.74 litres per week) in order to keep the radiological effects low. The radiological effects from consumption of fish were about 10 times higher than the safe values recommended by WHO and RPA hence, the safe consumption rate was estimated to be 0.02 kg (fresh weight) per day. Contribution to radium equivalent, annual effective dose equivalent, and excess lifetime cancer risk due to the radionuclide transfer from pasture to milk were estimated as 0.074 (Bq l−1), 0.002 (mSv y−1), and 6.1×10−6, respectively. These contributions of radiological effects account for about 1.5 % to the safe limit, hence causes a minimal radiation hazard. In fish, accumulation of 238U, from water to fish remained constant after five years, the transfer does not contribute to radiological effects. Therefore, for poverty reduction and improving food security, animal rearing and stocking of the lakes need to be encouraged. This study was limited by considering only milk and fish, and assuming equilibrium conditions of radionuclide transfer a similar study where the chemistry of the soils and water is considered, on foodstuffs like vegetables, beans, potatoes, maize, yams, bananas and drinking water, should be carried out
Effecacy of selected Entomopathogenic fungi for the management of Sweetpotato weevils (Coleoptera: Brentidae) in Uganda.
No full textA Dissertation submitted to the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of Master of Science in Zoology.Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas L.) is a versatile and highly nutritious crop that plays a significant role in global food security. The crop is well adapted to all agroecological conditions and serves as an important staple food for many Ugandan households, especially in rural areas contributing to the alleviation of malnutrition by providing vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. Despite the vast importance of sweetpotato, sweetpotato weevil (Cylas spp. Coleoptera: Brentidae) has continued to negatively impact the crop in Uganda by significantly reducing the quality and quantity of sweetpotato root tubers through root damage in the garden. These damages are a threat to food security, nutrition and income generation. Microbial control using fungi has the potential of reducing damage caused by sweetpotato weevils. This study aimed at investigating laboratory and field efficacy of entomopathogenic fungal isolates for the management of sweetpotato weevil in Uganda. Laboratory bioassays were conducted on the two African sweetpotato weevil species Cylas brunneus and Cylas puncticollis using five strains including four Metarhizium isolates, and one Beauveria isolate over a period of seven days. Mortality rates of sweetpotato weevils ranged from 20 to 80% among the isolates. Isolates K157, K191, K020 all showed significant differences relative to the control group (p < 0.05) while Isolates K040, K061 were not significantly different relative to the control group (p < 0.05) for Cylas brunneus. For Cylas
puncticollis, K157, K191, K040 showed significant differences while K020 and K061 were not significantly different relative to the control group. Four of the isolates tested under laboratory conditions, Isaria, and Cypermethrin were tested under field conditions at two sites of National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI) in Wakiso district and National Semi Arid Resources Research Institute (NaSARRI) in Serere district. Treatments were applied after every two weeks for three months. Relative to the control, there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) on the sweetpotato vine yield, damaged root incidence and
severity, and vine damage among all the isolates of fungi K191, K040, K020, K157 and Isaria. Cypermethrin however had a significant effect (p < 0.05) in reducing the sweetpotato vine damage in NaCRRI but not in NaSARRI. While laboratory evaluations demonstrated promising results for the potential management of sweetpotato weevils, the lack of significant differences in the field suggests the need for refinement. Environmental factors such as UV, temperature, rainfall was identified as potential limitations to the field efficacy. Focus should therefore be to address these constrains to enhance its field applicability.National Crops Resources Research Institute, Kampala, Uganda