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Enhancing construction management in local government projects: analyzing site instructions impact on the Ndirindiri market project in Obongi District
No full textA report submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the award of Master of Science in Construction Management Degree of the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology of Makerere UniversityThe research findings provide comprehensive insights into the impact of site instructions on the Ndirindiri Market Project in Obongi District, shedding light on opportunities to enhance construction management in Local Government projects. The study aimed to assess the clarity and understanding of instructions, analyze the timeliness and effectiveness of communication, and evaluate safety measures and feedback mechanisms. A significant portion of respondents expressed uncertainty or dissatisfaction with the clarity of the provided instructions. While some lacked confidence in their ability to understand and apply the instructions, a substantial proportion felt confident. There were varying levels of adherence to the given instructions and safety protocols, with a
notable percentage expressing uncertainty or lack of consistent adherence. Additionally, respondents showed varying levels of ease in following the instructions and safety guidelines. The survey results indicate a moderate to high level of agreement among respondents regarding the clarity and understanding of instructions, as well as the timeliness and communication of instructions in the workplace. While there is generally good compliance with safety instructions and regulations in a construction environment, there are opportunities to improve feedback mechanisms. The survey results show a notable level of agreement among respondents regarding safety compliance and feedback, as supported by the Kendall's coefficient of concordance of 0.707.
The recommendations include conducting a thorough review of instructions, providing opportunities for open communication, implementing regular performance evaluations, gathering feedback from employees, standardizing procedures for issuing instructions, providing training to supervisors on effective communication techniques, establishing a feedback mechanism for
employees, encouraging regular communication between supervisors and employees, implementing a robust feedback mechanism for safety instructions, developing a culture that values reporting of errors, providing regular training on safety protocols, and acting on the feedback received to demonstrate continuous improvement in safety practices
Trends of new onset type 1 Diabetes Mellitus among children at Mulago and Nsambya Diabetes Clinics: Pre and during the COVID 19 era, a six-year experience.
No full textA dissertation submitted to the Directorate of Research and Graduate Studies in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Award of the Master of Medicine in Pediatrics and Child Health of Makerere University.Background: Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) is one of the most common chronic and debilitating diseases in pediatric age, but few studies on its epidemiology exist, especially in low-income countries. Recently, there has been reports of increased incidence of new onset T1DM in children; projected to double by 2045. The COVID-19 pandemic has altered the presentation of T1DM, several studies have documented both increase in T1DM and diabetic keto acidosis (DKA) during the COVID-19 pandemic period. In Uganda, a few studies exist on T1DM and no studies have been done to show if this reported increase is significant for our population. The management of T1DM is expensive and requires planning both as individuals and as a program by the Ministry of Health. The paucity of data on trends of new onset T1DM in Ugandan children makes it difficult to plan management and improve their care in our setting. Objective: This study aimed at describing the trends and characteristics of children and adolescents with new onset T1DM who attended the Mulago and Nsambya Diabetic clinics in the pre and during the COVID 19 pandemic periods.
Methodology: This was a retrospective cohort study by review of charts for all children aged 6 months to 19 years with new onset T1DM between March 2017 to February 2023 at two large paediatric T1DM clinics at Mulago and Nsambya Hospitals. Relevant data on social demographic characteristics, date of diagnosis, age at diagnosis, presenting symptoms and duration, anthropometric measurements, history of admission for DKA, family history of diabetes, was collected using a structured questionnaire. Data was collected, checked for completeness, entered and cleaned using kobo collect, then exported to STATA version 17 for analysis. Participants characteristics were compared before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic using Chi-squared and Fisher’s exact tests. Trends of new onset T1DM were analyzed by interrupted time series using 12 time points with 6 months intervals. Results: A total of 245 participants were enrolled into the study. Over half of the participants were female, 138 of 245 (56%), the mean age of diagnosis (SD) was 10.9 (4.5) years. Most participants presented in the COVID 19 period (March 2020-February 2023) as compared to the pre-covid (March 2017-February 2020) years, 148(60.4%) versus 97 (39.6%) respectively, an increase of 52%, but this was not statistically significant (p-value 0.1997). Most children, 162 (66%) presented with DKA, in both time periods pre 60 (61%) and during COVID-19 period 102 (69%) at T1DM diagnosis. Conclusion and recommendations: There is an increasing trend of T1DM in Ugandan children, and most present with DKA. There is need for a high index of suspicion by health workers to facilitate early diagnosis of T1DM. There is need for nationwide sensitization of health workers on diagnosis T1DM and emergency management of DKA to prevent associated complications. Further research is needed to establish the causal relationship between SARS-CoV-2 and T1DMFogarty International Center of the National Institutes of Health,
U.S Department of State’s Office of the U.S Global AIDS Coordinator and Health Diplomacy (S/GAC)
Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS’ Relief (PEPFAR) under award number 1R25TW011213
Pre-exposure prophylaxis non-adherence and associated factors among young key populations receiving HIV services at MARPI and Taso Clinics in Kampala,Uganda
No full textBackground: The rising non-adherence to Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis among young key populations is a growing concern, threatening HIV prevention efforts. PrEP, a crucial tool in the fight against HIV/AIDS, is a medication approved for individuals at risk of HIV transmission. Despite its potential, recent studies have shown a concerning trend of non-adherence among young individuals, putting them at higher risk of HIV infection. This study explored PrEP non-adherence and associated factors among young key populations receiving HIV services at MARPI and TASO clinics in Kampala, Uganda.
Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February to April 2023, with 287 young key populations aged 15-24 receiving HIV services at MARPI and TASO clinics in Kampala, Uganda. Non-adherence was assessed through self-reported instances of missing daily medication doses at least once. Data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires, and informed consent was required for participation. Data analysis was performed using Stata version 15/MP (STATA CORP, TEXAS, USA), with descriptive statistics and modified Poisson regression for further analysis.
Results: In this study, 287 participants were enrolled, but only 270 provided complete information on key study variables. Of these, most were female (61.1%, n=65), aged 20-24 (83.7%, n=226), living in urban areas (92.2%, n=226), single (81.5%, n=220), had completed secondary education (58.5%, n= 158), and were unemployed (70.4%, n= 190). Additionally, 15% (n= 40) were concerned about PrEP's odor or taste, 72% (n=196) feared the pill size, 73.7%( n=199) preferred not to take PrEP in tablet form, and 93%( n=252) reported that PrEP was provided free of charge. Nearly half (44.4%, n=120) reported missing PrEP doses at some point. Non-adherence was associated with employment status [Adj PR: 0.68 (95% CI: 0.52-0.87); p-value= 0.012], fear of parents (Adj PR: 1.66 (95% CI: 1.30-2.12), p-value= <0.001), medicine stock-outs at the health facility (Adj PR: 1.63 (95% CI: 1.19-2.22, p value= 0.002) and rude health workers (Adj PR: 0.6 (95% C.I: 0.38-0.97), p-value= 0.035).
Conclusion and Recommendations: The study found a 44.4% PrEP non-adherence rate among young key populations receiving HIV services at MARPI and TASO clinics in Kampala, Uganda. Factors contributing to non-adherence included employment status, fear of parents, medicine stock-outs, and rude health workers. To address these issues, health facilities should ensure a consistent supply of PrEP, create youth-friendly environments by training health workers, sensitize parents about PrEP's importance, and offer additional support to unemployed individuals to overcome adherence barriers.
Keywords:
PrEP non-adherence, Young Key Populations, Central Uganda, HIV prevention, Quantitative studyUganda Institute of Allied Health and Management Sciences, Uganda
Health facility preparedness for provision of maternal health services to women with disability in Wakiso District, Uganda
No full textA dissertation submitted to the Directorate of Post Graduate Training in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the Degree of Masters of Medicine in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Makerere University.Introduction: In Uganda, the prevalence of people with disabilities is 16.5% of the total population with women accounting for more than half of the number. Women with disability continue to encounter barriers in accessing maternal health services. Lack of knowledge combined with prejudice against people with disabilities leads to negative attitudes among health care providers. The aim of this study was to establish the infrastructural preparedness of health facilities for the provision of maternal health services to women with disabilities, including attitudes of health workers towards women with disability receiving maternal health services in Wakiso district, Uganda. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 41 public and PNFP health facilities in Wakiso district. A facility observational checklist was used to assess the health facilities’ infrastructural preparedness to provide maternal health services to women with disability. In a cross-sectional survey, 182 health workers in health facilities in Wakiso district were recruited and a self-administered questionnaire was used to assess their attitude towards women with disability and factors associated with positive attitude. Positive attitude was measured as having a score of ≥50%, while a facility was considered to have adequate infrastructural preparedness to provide maternal health services to women with disability if it had a composite score of ≥50%. Results: The infrastructural preparedness for provision of maternal health services to women with disabilities among all the 41 health facilities studied was generally inadequate with an average score 32.6%, (min=11%, max=48.7%). The proportion of health workers with a positive attitude towards women with disability was low at 27.0% (95% CI; 21.0-34.0) with the mean attitude score of 44.4% (min= 20%, max= 72.9%). Type of health facility, level of health facility respondent was working in, age of respondent, cadre/profession and working experience were associated with positive attitude towards persons with disability. Health workers working in private not for profit facilities were about 4 times more likely to have a positive attitude towards persons with disability compared to those working in public facilities at 95% CI: 1.3-10.7, p-value 0.017 and this was statistically significant. Health workers working at health center IVs were 6 times more likely to have a positive attitude towards persons with disability compared to those working in hospitals at 95% CI: 1.5-22.7, p-value 0.01 and this was statistically significant. Health workers aged 25-29 years and those aged 30-34 years were more likely to have a positive attitude towards persons with disability compared to their older colleagues aged 35 years and above at adjusted odds ratios 10.707 and 10.283, 95% CIs: 1.3-87.8, p-value 0.027 and 1.7-60.8, p-value 0.01 respectively and this was statistically significant. Clinicians were 6 times more likely to have a positive attitude towards persons with disability compared to other cadres at 95% CI (1.3-29.8) and this was statistically significant with a p-value of 0.021. Health workers with 10 years or more working experience were 17 times more likely to have positive attitude compared those with lesser working experience at 95% CI: 2.3-120.4, p-value of 0.005 and this was statistically significant.
Conclusions and recommendations: The study showed that all public and PNFP facilities surveyed lacked the desired infrastructural capacity to manage WWD, coupled with negative attitude among health workers towards WWD. Working in PNFP facilities, health Centre IVs, being a clinician, or a longer working experience of 10 years and above were significantly associated with a positive attitude towards persons with disability. We recommend that health facilities ensure in-service training of health workers on sign language interpretation, in-service training of health workers on management of PWDs, presence of frontline health worker in charge of PWDs and PWDs representation on health unit management committees
Effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and their combinations with nitrogen and phosphorus on grain yields of improved finger millet varieties
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 Science in Soil Science of Makerere University.Finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn) is an important cereal crop commonly cultivated in both sub-humid and semi-arid regions of Africa and Asia. In Uganda, finger millet is the third ranked cereal after maize and sorghum in terms of production. It is grown mainly by subsistence smallholder farmers across regions of Uganda. It’s production in Uganda is low due to several abiotic and biotic factors. Among the abiotic factors, low soil fertility is the major constraint to production causing yields of less than 33% compared to that attained under research conditions. This can be addressed using fertilizers. The use of bio-fertilizers such as (AMF) which is defined as Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi provides a cheap environmentally friendly sustainable option to improve crop yields by complementing fertilizers. AMF increases bio availability of phosphorus and nitrogen nutrients to the plant in the marginal soils or nutrient-depleted soils and minimizes leaching of N. This study aimed to assess how AMF singly and in a combination with low rates of mineral fertilizers (N and P) contributes to improved finger millet production in Uganda. The study was conducted at the national semiarid resources research institute (NaSARRI), Serere, and Bukedea districts located in eastern Uganda, being one of the major finger millet producing regions across the country. A completely randomized block design was used to attain all the objectives. For objective 1 a field experiment was laid and attaining both field and screen house experiments were used to attain objective 2. Data was analysed using excel and mean pair wise comparisons (T-tests) were done for grain yield, root length, root to shoot ratio and root length density at a significance level of 5%. Results showed that application of AMF alone caused no significant differences (p>0.05) in agronomic parameters and grain yield. However, there were significant statistical differences of grain yield realized between engeny combined with (AMF+20N+0P) and (NAROMIL5 combined with (AMF+0N+6P). The other interactions of variety and fertilizer treatments had no significant statistical difference for grain yield. The root to shoot ratio was statistically significantly different for NAROMIL2 and NAROMIL4 with AMF+20N+6P fertilizer combinations. The root length and root length densities were realized to be non-statistically significantly different among varieties, but significant statistical differences were noticed amongst fertilizer treatment combinations.The Uganda National Semi-Arid Resources Research Institute (NaSARRI) under the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO
Quality function deployment in Uganda's beverage manufacturing industry.
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 science in technology innovation and industrial development of Makerere university.Quality Function Deployment (QFD) is a systematic process for incorporating customer needs
into all aspects of product and service design and delivery. Understanding the wants or needs of a
customer from a product or service is critical to the effective design and development of new
products and services. QFD is a system that meets client missions by describing what the customer
wants in a service or product. This research investigates the level of implementation of Quality
Function Deployment (QFD) in Uganda's beverage manufacturing industry. The study focuses on
three objectives: determining the level of awareness, the extent of implementation, and the
constraints to implementation of QFD in the industry. Data was collected from 65 respondents
comprising top management and quality personnel from different beverage factories using
questionnaires. The results show that the level of awareness was moderate, with 62.2% ranging
between 50 and 74%. The level of implementation was also moderate, with 68.9% falling between
50 and 74%. respectively. The study revealed the most significant constraints to the
implementation of QFD in Uganda's beverage manufacturing industry as poor understanding of
customer needs and bureaucracy of the QFD process at 5% level of significance. These constraints
hinder the successful implementation of QFD, which requires significant investment in terms of
time, money, and personnel. The study recommends that companies in the industry address these
constraints by prioritizing understanding their customers' needs and they should streamline their
processes and procedures to avoid impeding QFD implementation. By overcoming these
constraints and implementing QFD effectively, beverage companies in Uganda can improve their
product quality, customer satisfaction, and competitiveness in the market. To aid in the
implementation of QFD, a step-by-step House of Quality (HOQ) model was developed to
prioritize customer needs and design parameters. The model emphasizes the need to first
determine customer needs, setting targets and then incorporating the needs into measurable design
requirements. Based on the findings, recommendations were made to improve the level of
awareness and implementation of QFD in the industry, including providing training and education
on QFD, incorporating customer feedback into the design process, improving communication
among stakeholders, and utilizing the HOQ model for product development
A philosophical assessment of Julian Huxley's perspectives on transhumanism
No full textA dissertation submitted to the College of Humanities and Social Sciences in the Department of Philosophy in partial fulfilment for the award of the Degree of Master of Arts in Philosophy of Makerere University.Throughout history, philosophers have debated humanity’s drive to surpass its limitations, whether biological or encompassing political, economic, social, and religious constraints. Transhumanism, emerging as both a philosophical debate and a movement, originated as a critique of humanism during the Middle Ages through the Enlightenment. Humanists sought to overcome biological limitations like intelligence, aging, and wellbeing, yet their solutions, from alchemical quests for longevity to modern pharmaceuticals like Prozac, have proven impermanent. Julian Huxley and modern transhumanists argue similarly, yet both humanism and transhumanism have often overlooked essential human traits guided by moral and relational codes. This study aimed to address three objectives: identifying transhumanism’s philosophical concerns, assessing the moral agency of future hypothetical posthumans, and exploring motives behind modern humanist support for transhumanism. The study is purely qualitative, rooted in philosophical anthropology. It employs three primary approaches typical in this field: Conceptual and document analysis, critical analysis, and philosophical hermeneutics. These methodologies encompass analytical, rational, and critical dimensions. Grounded in Thomas Aquinas’ framework emphasizing self-consciousness and freedom, the analysis concludes that biotechnological enhancements favoured by transhumanists may not permanently resolve biological limits. The researcher proposes the implementation of legal and moral restrictions on biotechnological enhancements until their necessity is unequivocally proven, aiming to safeguard humanity from potential unforeseen consequences of radical scientific advancements
Reading unshackled: breaking free from the tyranny of book reviews
No full textA bookReading Unshackled: Breaking Free from the Tyranny of Book Reviews by Isaac Christopher Lubogo is a daring and provocative exploration of the literary landscape, challenging the deeply entrenched norms of book review culture. This book calls on the fearless and curious to join a revolution against the monopolizing opinions of critics and reviewers. It exposes the power dynamics, biases, and contradictions that dominate the book review establishment, revealing the limitations and potential harms inherent in this practice. Through intuitive intelligence and critical analysis, Lubogo dissects the flaws in traditional book reviews and champions alternative forms of literary engagement. He proposes a more inclusive, diverse, and authentic approach to literature that liberates both readers and writers from the constraints of review culture. Reading Unshackled is not for the faint of heart. It boldly questions the very foundation of how we evaluate literature, advocating for a literary experience free from the tyranny of others' opinions. This book is a beacon of hope for those seeking freedom and authenticity in their literary journey, encouraging a departure from the conventional and a movement towards a liberated and enriching reading experience. Join Isaac Christopher Lubogo on this revolutionary journey to reclaim the joy of reading and embrace a new era of literary freedom
Evaluation of Extension of Time (EOT) claims in real estate development for public pension funds: a case study of National Social Security Fund (NSSF) Uganda
No full textA research report submitted to College of Business and Management Sciences in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the Degree of Master of Public Infrastructure Management of Makerere UniversityThis research investigates the management of Extension of Time (EOT) claims in real estate development projects funded by public pension funds, with a particular focus on the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) of Uganda. The purpose of the study is to explore the causes of EOT claims, assess their impact on project performance, and propose strategies for improving the management of these claims to enhance project efficiency and protect investment returns. The study aims to identify common causes of EOT claims, evaluate their frequency and severity, and examine the current practices and procedures for handling such claims.
A non-experimental descriptive design, employing a qualitative approach, was used to collect data from stakeholders involved in NSSF-funded projects over the past decade. Given that the study population consisted of 77 individuals, a census method was employed, involving data collection from every member of the population rather than selecting a sample. This ensured comprehensive coverage of project managers, contractors, consultants, and supervisors, all of whom provided insights into the challenges surrounding EOT claims. The findings reveal that adverse weather conditions, ambiguities in contract documents, and delays in granting contractor access to the site are the primary causes of EOT claims. These claims significantly affect project timelines, lead to cost overruns, and strain relationships between stakeholders. The study concludes that improved contract documentation, more robust project planning and scheduling, and better risk management practices are essential for mitigating the impact of EOT claims. Additionally, continuous training for project managers and enhanced communication among stakeholders are recommended to reduce the occurrence of disputes and delays. The findings offer valuable insights into the management of EOT claims, providing strategies for improving the performance of real estate projects funded by public pension-schemes
Adoption of social media for scholarly use in Bishop Stuart University Mbarara, 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 Science in Information Science of Makerere UniversityThe 21st century has been an era of remarkable advances that have revolutionized the world in ways that the previous generations could not imagine. The emergence of the information age has been a critical driver of this transformation, ushering in the fourth and fifth industrial revolutions (4IR and 5IR), which have brought about unprecedented levels of innovation and progress. The advancements in academic libraries have displayed notable progress, particularly in connection with social media's influence, and this has generated significant interest in its adoption and utilization. The research analyzed how academic libraries use social media tools to promote scholarly engagement among users, using Bishop Stuart University Library as a case study. The objectives were to identify the social media tools used, assess their impact on supporting scholarly activities, identify challenges, and propose measures to enhance social media utilization across academic libraries in Uganda. The study employed a mixed methods research design, combining qualitative and quantitative methods to capture participants' experiences utilizing social media tools for academic endeavors. The target population comprised 9,183 individuals, including 368 registered library users intended for the quantitative segment and 5 librarians contributing to the qualitative aspect. Data was gathered using questionnaires, interviews, and observation techniques. The findings unveiled that BSUL adopted social media tools for scholarly purposes, including WhatsApp, Facebook, and Blogs, for activities such as disseminating information to users, providing reference services, sending reminders, and utilizing WhatsApp for current awareness services and instant communication with users and lecturers. It was also discovered that library users had subscribed to various social media tools including YouTube, Twitter, WhatsApp, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and LinkedIn for purposes such as knowledge sharing, research, social interaction, and communication with librarians, among other uses. Furthermore, both librarians and library users encountered various challenges when incorporating social media for scholarly purposes. Librarians highlighted key challenges such as unstable power supply, hesitance towards social media usage, scarcity of social media-trained librarians, absence of social media policies, staff shortages, and insufficient computers with unreliable internet connections. Library users also mentioned obstacles like financial constraints, electricity supply issues, university policies, lack of smartphones and laptops, slow internet, limited computers with consistent internet access, absence of social media-trained librarians, and inadequate awareness about social media tools. Drawing from these findings, the study proposed recommendations to enhance the integration and utilization of social media at BSUL, including defining specific purposes for social media tools, implementing policies to regulate their usage, and enhancing user services