Mak IR Repository (Makerere University)
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Health-related quality of life among adult patients with cancer in Uganda – A cross-sectional study
No full textObjectives: The study aimed to investigate the prevalence and factors associated with poor health-related quality of life in adults with cancer in Uganda.
Methods: This cross-sectional study surveyed 385 adult patients (95% response rate) with various cancers at a specialised oncology facility in Uganda. Health-related quality of life was measured using the EORTC QLQ-C30 in the Luganda and English languages. Predetermined validated clinical thresholds were applied to the instrument in order to identify patients with
poor health-related quality of life, that is, functional impairments or symptoms warranting concern. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with poor health-related quality of life in six subscales: Physical Function, Role Function, Emotional Function, Social Function, Pain and Fatigue.
Results: The mean age of the patients was 48 years. The majority self-reported poor functioning ranging between 61% (Emotional Function) to 79% (Physical Function) and symptoms (Fatigue 63%, Pain 80%) at clinically concerning levels. These patients were more likely to be older, without formal education and not currently working. Being an inpatient at the facility and being diagnosed with cervical cancer or leukaemia was a predictor of poor health-related quality of life.
Conclusion: Improvement of cancer care in East Africa requires a comprehensive and integrated approach that addresses various challenges specific to the region. Such strategies include investment in healthcare infrastructure, for example, clinical guidelines to improve pain management, and patient education and support services.African Development Bank through Uganda Cancer Institut
The forms and sources of misinformation on twitter: a case study of Uganda Ministry of Health COVID-19 risk communication and vaccination intervention
No full textA dissertation submitted to The Directorate of Research and Graduate Training in partial fulfillment for the award of the degree of Master of Arts in Journalism and Communication of Makerere UniversityThe COVID-19 pandemic was accompanied by an infodemic of misinformation that posed a serious public health problem. This study, I set out to examine the forms and sources of misinformation on Twitter. The study focused on the MoH’s COVID-19 risk communication and vaccination intervention in Uganda as a case study. It adopted a qualitative research approach and employed content analysis and in-depth interviews as data collection methods. Using the media systems dependency theory, the study different uncovered forms and sources of misinformation on Twitter and examined how risk communication practitioners engaged with misinformation during the Ministry of Health (MoH) COVID-19 risk communication and vaccination intervention. Findings indicate that the forms of misinformation were categorised under four themes – misleading content, malinformation, fabricated content, and conspiracy theories. The sources of misinformation were the politicians, public figures and citizens as well as traditional media (newspapers television, and radio) and online platforms, such as news websites and social media. Findings revealed that Twitter was a source of misinformation during Uganda’s MoH COVID-19 response and vaccination. For this reason, this study indicated that factual information was shared from verified twitter accounts with blue ticks. Misinformation was shared through fabricated and forged twitter accounts. Health professionals countered this misinformation through the listening and evidence generation sub-committees at MoH, sensitization, health education, and provision of real-time information. Communication professionals engaged with misinformation by presenting facts, engagement with the media, and the President and Minister’s addresses and speeches. The study recommends that the MoH should focus on misinformation circulating on social media during outbreaks of diseases, such as COVID-19. It further recommends in the need for health professionals to take the lead in education and public sensitisation, as well as responding to issues that come from the communities
The spatial – temporal relationship between land use / land cover changes and microclimates in the Kigezi Highlands Region, Uganda
No full textThe current study was carried out to establish the spatial and temporal relationship between land use / land cover (LULC) changes and highland microclimates in Uganda, with Kabale district as the study area. The objectives of the study were; to quantify all LULC changes that have taken place since 1990, establish the variations in rainfall and temperature over the same period and establish if there is significant (α=0.05) covariation between the changes in LULC and those in the climate variables.
Landsat images for the years; 1995, 2003, 2011, 2016 and 2021 were acquired from the United States Geographical Survey (USGS) website (https://earthexplorer.usgs.gov/) and reduced to the geographical extent of Kabale district. These were classified to develop land cover maps with classes; Open Water, Developed Area, Wetland, Agricultural Land, Forest and Bare Land. Transition matrices were developed to explain the changes from one class to another over the years. Using ArcMap software, 300 random points were picked from the area of interest and overlayed on classified rasters as well as rainfall and temperature geotiff images to extract the underlying data. This data was acquired from the Makerere University Earth Observations Lab. The data variables were; the LULC class at the time, the annual rainfall recorded that year, and maximum temperature for the year. For each period, an analysis of variance was run to establish if the mean rainfall / temperature for the period was dependent on the LULC class the data collection point fell in.
Results of the study revealed that between 1995 and 2003, there was a reduction in wetlands (44.1%) and forests (62%), with increasing agricultural land (15.2%) and developed area (2.8%), a trend that was reversed between 2003 and 2021. At α=0.05, rainfall increased insignificantly (P=0.456), while temperature increased significantly (P<0.01) over the period. Different LULC recorded significantly different (α=0.05) rainfall and temperature with all P-values less than 0.05 (appendices 2 and 4). Wetlands and open water recorded the most rainfall and lowest temperature, while developed area and forest had the least rainfall and warmest temperatures.
From the study results, it was established that changes in LULC have contributed significantly to the emergence of current microclimates. Therefore, efforts to establish green spaces and restore degraded natural ecosystems are needed in curbing the impacts of the changing climate, especially heat waves.German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD
Employers’ Agents Views on employability skills of Makerere University graduates in Kampala International University and Islamic University in Uganda
No full textA Dissertation submitted to the directorate of research and graduate training in partial fulfillment of requirements for the award of Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Management of Makerere University.The study aimed at examining the employers agents views on the employability skills of Makerere University graduates. Using the phenomenological research design, data was collected from eight departmental heads and deans on individual endowments (creativity, problem solving), social skills (communication, teamwork) and job inevitable skills (computer knowledge, ability to transfer acquired knowledge) claimed by Makerere University graduates and are exhibited at work in Kampala International University and Islamic University in Uganda. Findings show employers agents place a great value on the graduates' illustrated unique endowment abilities, such as creativity and problem-solving skills. Employer’s agents of Makerere University graduates also show that they demonstrated strong social competencies in their jobs, especially in the areas of communication and teamwork. The employers agents lastly express that Makerere University graduates have excellent knowledge transfer skills, which are crucial for their chosen job positions. They are also able to use computer software and technologies effectively. In conclusion, the study worked towards developing more effective and inclusive skill requirements during work processes that value a wide range of employability skills that contribute to modern industrial production. The underlying structures of consciousness that shape employer agents views were revealed. The employers agents identified their biases and limitations. However, employers agents may prioritize certain skills over others based on their experiences, beliefs, and biases, leading to undervaluing of soft skills like communication and teamwork or certain academic backgrounds. The study recommends that universities prioritize the cultivation and development of creativity, problem-solving, communication, teamwork, computer knowledge and ability to transfer the acquired knowledge. The study suggests additional employability skills studies be conducted in other contexts using systematic mixed methods approach
Sero-antigen prevalence of lymphatic filariasis and risk factors of podoconiosis in Busiriba Sub-county, Kamwenge District, Southwestern Uganda, August–September 2018
No full textObjective Given the neglected nature of filariasis, especially in Uganda where data are scarce, this cross-sectional
study aimed to determine the sero-antigen prevalence of lymphatic filariasis and risk factors associated with nonlymphatic filariasis (podoconiosis) in Busiriba Sub-county, Kamwenge District, Uganda, during August–September
2018, to inform targeted elimination efforts.
Results We enrolled 101 participants, among whom 35 (34.7%) had podoconiosis. The sero-antigen prevalence
of lymphatic filariasis was 1.0%. Older age and walking barefoot were associated with increased podoconiosis risk.
Specifically, individuals aged 25–49 years with had 7.38 times higher odds of podoconiosis (adjusted odds ratio
[aOR]=7.38, 95% CI: 1.36–40.13) compared to those under 25 years, while those aged≥50 years had even higher odds
(aOR=8.49, 95%CI: 1.44–50.15). Additionally, individuals who reported walking barefoot had 14 times higher odds of
podoconiosis (aOR=14.08; 95% CI: 2.49–79.50)
Effect of COVID-19 and related interventions on access to veterinary antimicrobials and clinical services for management of common poultry diseases by poultry farmers in Hoima District, Western Uganda
No full textBackground
The poultry industry is an important contributor to daily human protein requirements as meat and eggs consumed. Among the major animal source foods in Hoima district, those from poultry rank highest. Unfortunately, poultry farmers are reported to irrationally use veterinary antimicrobials in disease management and prevention, exacerbating antimicrobial resistance. This could be attributed to inadequate access to veterinary antimicrobials and clinical services. COVID-19 pandemic and related interventions further strained the already impaired of access to veterinary antimicrobials and clinical services.
Objectives
This study aimed at assessing the effect of COVID-19 pandemic and related interventions on access to veterinary antimicrobials and clinical services for management of common poultry diseases by poultry farmers in Hoima district, western Uganda.
Methods
A cross-sectional study with both qualitative and quantitative approaches was employed. Semi-structured questionnaires were administered to 365 poultry farmers, 9 animal health practitioners and 9 veterinary medicine outlets. Three focus group discussions in 3 sub-counties as well as in-depths interviews with animal health practitioners were conducted. Data was entered in Epi-data version 4.6 and analyzed with Microsoft excel 2019 and SPSS version 26.
Results
The common diseases reported in poultry farms were Newcastle disease (46.6%, 56.6%), Coccidiosis (37.0%, 22.2%) and Collibacillosis (11.0%, 22.2%) by farmers and animal health practitioners respectively. Before the pandemic, there was inadequate access to veterinary antimicrobials resulting from unequal distribution of veterinary medicine outlets in the district (40% are located in the town center). Veterinary antimicrobials were also unaffordable to most poultry farmers (47.6% of the average monthly farm expenditure). There was inadequate access to veterinary clinical services due to a low ratio of animal health practitioners to poultry farmers and a larger number of animal health practitioners were not qualified to provide the necessary clinical services (66.7%). COVID-19 pandemic and its related interventions led to increase in drug prices, reduced operating hours for medicine outlets, inaccessibility of animal health practitioners and veterinary medicine outlets further worsening the situation.
Conclusions
Newcastle, Coccidiosis and Collibacillosis were the common diseases reported on poultry farms. Access to veterinary antimicrobials and clinical services was affected by COVID-19 pandemic and its related interventions. There should be a robust veterinary supply chain system to ensure that farmers are able to access veterinary antimicrobials and clinical services even in times of crisis.Health Professions Education and Training for strengthening the Health System and Services in Uganda (HEPI-SHSSU)
The role of nutrition in enhancing learning among pre-primary school children in Kawempe division
No full textA dissertation submitted to the School of Education in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the degree of Masters of Education in Early Childhood Development (ECD) of Makerere University KampalaThe study aimed at investigating the role of nutrition on the learning process of pre-school children in selected schools of Kawempe Division. The study adopted a qualitative study design which was thematic in nature. The study was guided by three objectives: to determine how nutrition influences the learners‘ class attendance, to find out how nutrition determines the academic performance of pre-school learners and to determine how nutrition influences the concentration of pre-primary school children in class activities. Purposive sampling technique was used to draw a sample of twenty (20) participants from the target population. Data was collected from the participants using open ended interview questions and observation checklists. Data was thematically analyzed by searching across a data set to identify, analyze, and report repeated patterns. The results indicated that all respondents were more female respondents (65.0%) than males (35.0%), and majority of respondents were of age group 31 years plus (80.0%). Qualitative research findings indicate that the nutrition greatly influences learners‘ attendance, academic performance and concentration in classroom. The results further indicated that most pre-schools try to provide meals to children but constrained by finances. The participants recommend provision of food to all learners in pre-schools. The present study provides a basis and implications for further investigation on views of head caregivers, caregivers and parents on the role of nutrition on children‘s learning in pre-schools in different parts of Uganda. It was recommended that the head caregivers of pre-schools need to design ways of sensitizing the parents, caregivers to support them in providing food to learners. This will help the children in pre-schools to get access to the right food, hence improve their class attendance, academic performance and concentration in class
Farmer indigenous knowledge and reduction of postharvest handling losses along the maize value chain in Eastern Uganda
No full textA dissertation submitted to the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the degree of Master of Arts Degree in Rural Development of Makerere UniversityIndigenous Knowledge (IK) is the information base for a society, which facilitates communication and decision-making (Barrett, 2017). The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of farmer indigenous knowledge in addressing postharvest handling losses along the maize value chain in Eastern Uganda. The study employed a cross-sectional research design which involved both qualitative and quantitative data methods. The study was conducted in October 2022. Quantitative data was collected from 285 randomly selected respondent using questionnaires while the qualitative data was collected using focus group discussions and interview guides, respectively. Results show majority of farmers use indigenous postharvest handling practices such as harvesting maize with use of knives (46.1%) and hands (53.9%), drying on the bare ground (74.7%) and storing in gunny bags (40.7%). The use of ingenious knowledge relates directly to postharvest losses at every stage of the value chain. Farmers who applied IK recorded losses of 5-10kg of maize per 100kgs harvested. However, IK is more dominant among smallholder farmers compared to largescale farmers. Very few farmers are aware that improper handling practices cause postharvest losses. Use of indigenous PHH practices is influenced by level of education, poverty, access to modern technologies and costs of technologies among others. In conclusion, despite the availability of improved PHH technologies and practices, majority of smallholder farmers still use indigenous technology and practices resulting in postharvest losses along the maize value chain. Uses of improved technologies, such as moisture meters, portable dryers and hermetic storages devices, can help to reduce postharvest losses for maize. Improving postharvest management practices can further contribute to reducing poverty and food insecurity in Eastern Uganda. I recommend that stakeholders in agriculture devise ways of improving cost and availability of improved technologies to smallholder farmers to improve the quality and quantity of maize
Personal values, norms, situational factors and sustainable consumption behaviours of beverage consumers in Central Uganda
No full textA thesis 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 Management of Makerere UniversityHuman consumption behaviours have significant adverse effects on the environment. Such challenges can be mitigated by adopting sustainable consumption behaviours. The study was anchored on the Value Belief Norm (VBN) and the Attitude Behaviour Context (ABC) theories, to investigate the role of personal values, norms and situational factors on sustainable consumption behaviours of beverage consumers in Central Uganda. The study objectives were: to examine the relationship between personal values and sustainable consumption behaviours, personal values and norms, and norms and sustainable consumption behaviours. The study tested the mediating effect of norms, the moderating impact of situational factors, and the moderated mediation relationship. It also explored the commonly practised sustainable consumption behaviours of beverage consumers.
The study used a sequential explanatory mixed-methods approach. Four hundred respondents were selected using a multi-stage random sampling technique to collect the quantitative data, whereas the qualitative data were collected from ten purposively selected key informants. The quantitative data were analysed using structural equation modelling in AMOS and conditional process analysis in PROCESS Macro, while qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis in the ATLAS.ti software.
The findings show positive relationships between personal values and sustainable consumption behaviours (β = 0.803, p <0.01), personal values and norms (β = 0.611, p <0.01), norms and sustainable consumption behaviours (β = 0.322, p <0.05), the mediating effect of norms (β = 0.197, p <0.05), and the moderating influence of situational factors (β = 0.094, p <0.05). The study also provides evidence of a moderated mediation relationship (β = 0.0562, 0.0071–0.115). The qualitative findings identified three behaviours: donation, public-sphere behaviours and using refillable bottles that had not been measured in the quantitative phase.
The researcher recommends that for sustainable consumption behaviours to be practiced, vendors of beverage products should intensify communicating sustainability information using various media outlets, implement bottle recovery mechanisms, and introduce alternative sustainable product packaging. Also, policymakers should amend environmental policies, enforce penalties for non-compliance, introduce sustainability education programmes and make recycling and waste disposal facilities accessible
Assessing the effectiveness of digital finance as a strategy to enhance financial inclusion at NCBA bank – Uganda
No full textA research report submitted to the College of Business and Management Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of a degree of Master of Business Administration of Makerere UniversityThe study was aimed at examining the effectiveness of digital banking as a strategy to enhance financial inclusion at NCBA Bank. The study was guided by three specific objectives which included examining the effectiveness of digital banking at NCBA Bank, to examine the level of financial inclusion at NCBA Bank and to examine the relationship between digital banking and financial inclusion at NCBA Bank.
A cross sectional survey design was used basing on the population of 116 respondents who were bot employees and customers of NCBA Bank. Closed and open-ended questionnaire were used to collect data. Data was analyzed using SPSS to capture sample characteristics and percentage frequency distribution perception of the respondents.
On effectiveness of digital banking at NCBA Bank, the study found out that NCBA Bank's digital banking enhances access to diverse financial services, promoting inclusivity. Users express confidence in the platform, accessing a wide array of financial products. The system's ease extends to cross-border transactions, underscoring its convenience. On the level of financial inclusion at NCBA Bank, it was found out that NCBA Bank offers a diverse range of tailored financial services catering to various income groups. Their digital and mobile banking options provide convenient access, coupled with financial education initiatives. The bank actively reaches underserved groups, ensuring affordability and transparency, and places importance on customer feedback for continuous service improvement. Study findings indicate that there is a positive and significant relationship between digital banking and financial inclusion. The study concludes that NCBA Bank's digital banking stands as a pivotal force in advancing financial inclusivity. With a user-friendly platform and tailored services, it fosters confidence and accessibility. The study affirms the bank's commitment to customer-centricity, affordability, and innovation, establishing a positive correlation between digital banking and enhanced financial inclusion. It was recommended that NCBA Bank should consistently invest in upgrading and expanding its digital banking services to stay ahead in technological advancements, ensuring that users continue to experience improved reliability, efficiency, and innovation. The Bank should launch targeted education initiatives and as well continue actively seeking feedback from users