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Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding infection prevention and control among non-medical handlers of healthcare waste in public healthcare facilities in Wakiso district.
No full textA dissertation submitted to the Directorate of Research and Graduate Studies in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the award of Masters Degree of Public Health of Makerere University.Background: Healthcare waste can result in exposure to infectious conditions. Therefore, medical
waste handlers need to adhere to infection prevention and control. Waste handlers, especially the
non-medical ones, play a significant role in infection prevention and control (IPC) through
cleaning, collection, transportation, and sometimes disposal of healthcare waste within the
healthcare facility. However, their knowledge, attitude and practice towards handling healthcare
waste are unclear. This study aimed to assess the IPC-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices
of non-medical handlers of healthcare waste and associated factors in the public health facilities
in Wakiso district.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that utilized quantitative methods to collect data among
135 randomly selected non-medical healthcare waste in public health facilities in Wakiso district.
A structured questionnaire designed using open data kit data collection software was utilized to
collect the data. The data was then downloaded in Microsoft Excel on a daily basis and stored in a
password-protected computer. The data was cleaned and transferred to STATA version 15 for
statistical analysis. Descriptive analysis was carried out to describe the data, while the bivariable
and multivariable analysis was performed using modified poison regression to assess the factors
associated with IPC practices.
Results: Over two-thirds, 67.5% (81/120), of the respondents had adequate knowledge regarding
Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) when handling healthcare waste, while 45% (55/120) of
the respondents had a positive attitude towards IPC. In addition, 45.8% (55/120) of the respondents
had good IPC practices. The factors that were associated with IPC practices included being married
(APR=1.5; 95% CI 1.04-2.34), having a secondary level of education (APR=2.09; 95% CI: 1.46-
2.99), and working in a health Centre IV (APR=0.58; 95% CI: 0.37-0.91).
Conclusion: The study found that the level of knowledge regarding IPC among non-medical
handlers of healthcare waste was 67.5%. Furthermore, 45% of the respondents had good attitudes
related to IPC, while 45.8% had good IPC practices. Good IPC practices were significantly
associated with being married, having a secondary level of education, and working in a health
Centre IV. Training for non-medical handlers of healthcare waste, targeting those with lower
education level, the unmarried, and those who work in Health Centre IV facilities is crucial to
improve IPC practices
Modelling the spatio-temporal distribution of dichrostachys cinerea in Queen Elizabeth National Park
No full textA research dissertation submitted to the School of Forestry, Environmental and Geographical Sciences in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the Master’s Degree in Environment and Natural Resources of Makerere UniversityThis study was conducted in March 2022 in QENP. Dichrostachys cinerea (L.) Weight and Arn. Shrub
has been reported to be on the increase threatening other native plant species in Queen Elizabeth National Park. However, the spatial distribution, response to climate patterns, and relationship with woody plants diversity remain largely undocumented. This study covered three objectives, i) to simulate the historical spatial distribution of D. cinerea in the QENP, ii) to model the potential distribution of Dichrostachys cinerea under future climate change scenarios for the year 2030, and iii) to assess the relationship between D. cinerea and woody plant diversity. To assess the historical distribution, and effect of climate change, 528 points data for D. cinerea, and 10 predictors (e.g., Euclidean distance from the road, Maximum temperature, Elevation, Euclidean distance from water sources, Minimum temperature, Slope angle, Precipitation, and bushfire) were used in a maximum entropy (MaxEnt) model. The climate data included both historical and future (near term) data for scenarios SSP2-4.5, and 5-8.5. The Pearson correlation coefficient (r) was used to study the effects on species diversity and abundance. The results showed that human influenced factors need to be qualified ie. Soil (46.5%), Road (25.4%), and water (17.4%) were the most important factors for historical spread of D. cinerea in QENP, even in isolation from other factors. In terms of spatial spread, 1.5%, 2.92%, and 9.7% and of QENP were highly, moderately, and suitable. Under future climate, the effect of rainfall was observed to change by 228%, while that of maximum temperature changed by 188%, while minimum temperature effect declined. Areas of high and moderate suitability increased by 42.5%, and 75% for SSP2-45, and by 33.0% and 90.1% for SSP5-8.5. Further D. cinerea caused a 4-, 10-, and 3-fold decrease in species diversity, abundance and richness. This study found out that Soil types exhibited characteristics (e.g., high fertility, good drainage, high moisture retention, and nutrient availability), favourable for the invasive species. Roads serve as pathways for introduction of invasive species and spread. Human activities near roads facilitate seed dispersal contributing to its invasive success. Waterlogged conditions inhibited the species, while low water conditions supported the growth of D. cinerea. The effect of climate change was significant for invasion. The relationship on diversity, abundance and richness is evident, due to allopathic, competition and fast growth characteristics of D. cinerea. The study recommends prioritization of management and control efforts in areas categorized as highly suitable and moderately suitable, early detection and rapid response to identify and address new invasions, and timely intervention to avoid the observed expansions with climate change and other influencing factors, education of local communities about the risks associated with invasive species and the importance of preventing its sprea
The enduring relevance of the common heritage of humankind principle in the space age: perspectives from Africa and beyond
No full textA research dissertation submitted to the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the Master of Laws of Makerere UniversityThe rapid advancement of space activities and the intensifying commercialization of space resources have brought into sharp focus the need to revisit and reinforce the Common Heritage of Humankind (CHH) principle, enshrined in the foundational treaties of space law. This dissertation examines African perspectives on the reforms needed to operationalize an inclusive and equitable CHH regime for space exploration and resource utilization. Through a comprehensive analysis of legal frameworks, governance proposals, benefit-sharing mechanisms, capacity-building initiatives, and the integration of indigenous worldviews, this research charts a path towards a reinforced CHH regime that addresses contemporary challenges and promotes sustainable, inclusive space development. Drawing upon African advocacy efforts, regional cooperation initiatives, and scholarly discourse, the study highlights the pivotal role that African nations can play in shaping the global agenda for equitable space governance. Key findings underscore the inadequacy of scholarly work and legislation to address key issues in resource utilisation, and the urgent need for legal reforms. These include the development of a Comprehensive Convention on Space Resources and the establishment of an International Space Resources Authority (ISRA) to oversee compliance and regulate space resource activities. Additionally, the research proposes strategies for expertise and knowledge transfer, the promotion of joint ventures and collaborations, and the integration of indigenous resource management principles such as Ubuntu. The study also emphasizes the importance of complementary measures, including robust environmental protection strategies, economic instruments, and capacity-building programs tailored to the needs of developing nations. Furthermore, it explores the implications of this research for scholarly discourse, diplomatic engagement, and international cooperation, identifying potential areas for future research and avenues for fostering multilateral partnerships. Above all, this dissertation presents a clarion call for collective action, international cooperation, and a renewed commitment to the ideals of equity, sustainability, and shared prosperity enshrined in the CHH principle. By embracing the wisdom of diverse perspectives, fostering global partnerships, and pursuing innovative governance solutions, the international community can collectively forge a future in space that is truly inclusive, and reflective of the aspirations of all humanity
Prevalence of and factors associated with cervical precancerous lesions among women aged 25-65 years attending Uganda Cancer Institute comprehensive cancer community programs
No full textA research dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of a Master’s of Science in Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics of Makerere UniversityCervical cancer is a significant global issue, with 604,000 new cases in 2022. Women with HIV face a sixfold higher risk. In Uganda, despite efforts like HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening, around 7,000 cases of cervical cancer occur annually among women aged 15 to 44, causing about 5,000 deaths. The Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) prioritizes prevention through early detection and treatment but lacks detailed data on the prevalence and risk factors of cervical precancerous lesions (CPL) across regions. Study objective: To determine prevalence and factors associated with CPL among women aged 25-65 years attending UCI- Comprehensive Cancer Community Programs (CCCP) in selected outreach sites. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 439 women aged 25-65 years who attended cervical cancer screening at UCI-CCCP outreach sites. Participants were systematically chosen if they met inclusion criteria. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews and medical records. Data was analyzed using STATA 14.0. Continuous variables were summarized as means with standard deviations (SD) or median with interquartile ranges (IQR), categorical variables as proportions. Prevalence was expressed as percentages with 95% confidence intervals, and associated factors as odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. Significance was set at p. value strategies that can expand cervical cancer screening programs to increase access, especially targeting unmarried women which would increase on number of women screened early and treated for CPL. Health workers should incorporate CPL checks into routine services, such as birth control and pregnancy care visits. Policy makers should recognize marital status as a risk factor for CPL in resource allocation. Researchers should expand studies to further explore risk factor for CP
Dry spell characteristics and adoption of on-farm adaptation strategies among vegetable farmers in Mbale district, 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 Science in Climate Change and Development of Makerere University.Dry spells associated with increased climate variability have had devastating consequences on the farming communities that have continuously threatened vegetable production. The study assessed dry spell characteristics and adoption of on-farm adaptation strategies among vegetable farmers in mbale district in Mbale District. It specifically evaluated the impact of climate change on dry spell characteristics (duration and frequency) over various time scales, examined the influence of dry spell characteristics on adoption of on-farm adaptation strategies and determined their impact on yields among vegetable farmers. A cross-sectional survey was adopted to obtain quantitative and qualitative data following snowball sampling of 171 vegetable farmers. Rainfall data was used for a historical period 1993-2023 retrieved from Climate Hazards Group InfraRed Precipitation with Station data as well as a projected timescale of 2025-2055 sourced from Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Six for two Shared Socio-economic Pathways (SSP245 and SSP585). Extreme Value Analysis was employed to determine the duration of dry spells over 2,5, 10, 20 and 30-year return periods while the frequency of dry spells was determined using the Climate Data Tool (CDT). Binary logistic regression was used to determine the influence of dry spells on adoption of on-farm adaptation strategies and multiple linear regression for the influence of strategies on vegetable yields. The study results show that the duration of dry spells was reported to be increasing from the observed dry days in the past with a range of 44-54 and 24-25 to 97-376 and 92-338 under SSP245, 113-294 and 112-303 under SSP585 for MLE and L moments, respectively for both MAM and SON. There was a significant difference between the frequency in historical and future dry spells in the season of MAM compared to SON. The frequency and duration of dry spells influenced adoption of irrigation, mulching and organic pesticides among carrot, climbing beans and onion farmers in the various seasons. Vegetable yields were positively influenced by mulching in climbing beans, irrigation in carrots, and inorganic fertilizer in carrots and onion yields. Similarly, other factors like education level, size of land, access to credit, household size, external workers and gender influenced the adoption of on-farm adaptation strategies and vegetable yields. The study concludes that the frequency of dry spells are likely to increase in the future due to more rainfall variability and these are likely to influence the adoption of the different on-farm adaptation strategies which will impact vegetable yields. The study recommends that farmers should be encouraged to adopt irrigation and inorganic fertilizers as well soil water conservation practices like mulching
The effect of international trade liberalization on the growth of export in 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 Economic Policy and Planning of Makerere UniversityThis study examines the effect of international trade liberalization on Uganda's export growth using annual time series data from 1990 to 2023. Employing the Augmented Dickey Fuller (ADF) and Phillips-Perron (PP) tests to establish unit root properties, the research finds that inflation and terms of trade are stationary at level, while export growth, trade openness, exchange rate, and regulatory quality are stationary after first differencing. The empirical results from the Autoregressive Distributed Lag Model (ARDL) model suggest a positive long-run relationship between trade openness, terms of trade, and regulatory quality with export growth, while a negative relationship exists between inflation and export growth. Cointegration and error correction tests confirm a long-run equilibrium relationship. The study concludes that increased trade openness enhances Uganda's export activities by opening new markets, attracting investment, and improving competitiveness, while favorable terms of trade strengthen foreign exchange earnings and economic stability. Furthermore, improved regulatory quality facilitates easier and more attractive export activities, whereas persistent inflation undermines export profitability and economic predictability. Based on these findings, the study recommends that the government strengthen participation in regional trade blocs, pursue favorable trade agreements, improve regulatory frameworks, and adopt policies to maintain low inflation, ensuring the sustainability and growth of Uganda's exports in the global market
A framework for institutionalization of information security management practices in public organisations in Uganda
No full textA thesis submitted to the College of Computing and Information Sciences in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Information Systems of Makerere UniversityThis study developed a framework for institutionalization of information security management practices in public organizations in Uganda. The aim was to address the urgent need for effective information security measures amidst escalating cyber threats. Research focused on elements that constitute a framework for integrating information security into operations of public organizations. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research was conducted across various agencies mostly public universities. The Principal Component Analysis technique was used to establish most significant components and create composite index for each security practice. Findings indicate three key security practices as Information Security Governance Practice; Physical Security and Technical measures; and Personnel Security Practices. From these practices, significant components such as information security policies, information security vulnerabilities, risk management, business continuity, secure asset management, inventory taking, external controls, physical access controls, information access controls, information backups, internal data center access controls, personnel security roles and responsibilities, and security awareness, education and training were identified as requirements to develop the Information Security Management Practices framework. The research findings contribute significantly to academic discourse on information security within developing countries, while furnishing practical recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders by offering systematic guidelines and strategies to address security threats. By providing the framework, this research enhances the overall security posture of cyber security and promote sustainable governance in the digital age. Furthermore, the study recommends for the appointment of Chief Information Security Officer and an Information Risk Owner in public organizations, designating them as accountable individuals for securing organizational information assets. Future work should aim at framework validation in multiple organizations, investigations into how Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things impact on cybersecurity, or testing the hypotheses to establish the relationships between constructs based on theories adopted
Production and evaluation of granular activated carbons from rice husks for water treatment
No full textA thesis submitted to the directorate of research and graduate training in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the award of the degree of Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering of Makerere UniversityRice husks (RH) is a great potential precursor for activated carbon (AC) for effective water
treatment. However, inorder to improve activated carbon effectiveness and easy recovery, granular
activated carbon (GAC) production was employed. The aim of this research was to obtain granular
activated carbon from local under-utillised rice husk precursor (NERICA-10) and its efficiency
for removal of heavy metal ions from wastewater was assessed. The rice husks were collected,
cleaned, and alkaline pretreated using 2-4% w/v NaOH. The binders selected for the study were
characterized and the most suitable binder with a high lignin percentage was selected. The
pretreated rice husks were then granulated with a lignin binder. The pellet precursors were
carbonized at a temperature (400 – 500
o
C) heating rate (20
xi
o
Cmin
-1
) and holding time (30-90 min).
The carbonized char was further physically activated using steam at 850
o
Cmin
-1
o
C, heating rate (10-30
), and activation time (10 min). The response surface methodology (RSM) was employed
to investigate the effect of the binder percentage (0 ≤ B ≤ 30 %) and particle size (0.3 ≤ S ≤ 1 mm)
on pellet durability as well as carbon content. The effect of carbonization temperature (400 ≤ T ≤
500
o
C), heating rate (10 ≤ Y ≤ 30
o
Cmin
-1
), and heating time (10 ≤ Z ≤ 30 min) on the char yield,
fixed carbon, and ash content were also analyzed. The granular activated carbon was subjected to
proximate analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis and sorption studies. The sorption
properties of GAC samples for the adsorption of Cu
2+
, Co
2+
, and Pb
2+
ions were analyzed. The
ANOVA results revealed that binder percentage and carbonization temperature had asignificant
influence on the granulation and carbonization process respectively. The optimized parameters for
GAC production were found to be binder percentage (21.88%), particle size (0.65 mm),
carbonization temperature (400
o
C), heating rate (10
o
Cmin
-1
), and hold time at peak temperature
(30 min). Characterization of the produced GAC showed a low ash content (1.12%), high fixed
carbon content (64.91%), and the presence of surface functional groups on FTIR analysis. Sorption
studies showed that the heavy metal ion removal increased with an increase in the weight of the
GAC dosage. The maximum efficiency of GAC heavy metal ions removal was found for copper
(88.5% /4g of RH GAC), lead (90.5 % /8g), and cobalt (88.42%/8g). These results demonstrate
that rice husk-derived granular activated carbon can remove heavy metal ions from wastewater
and be an alternative low-cost precursor for granular-activated carbon production
A report on the management of sub-contractors on the construction warehouse facility at plot 38a-38b Nagongera road, Tororo municipality
No full textA project report submitted to the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training in partial fulfillment of the requirements for award of Postgraduate Diploma in Construction and Project Management of Makerere University.This report gives an understanding of managing sub-contractors on construction projects with view of increasing productivity and effectiveness of resources. it gives insights of managing sub-contractor issues and optimization of sub-contractors on construction projects
SNMP alert & prediction system for bandwidth utilization of critical data links
No full textA project report submitted to School of Graduate Studies for the study leading to a report in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of Master of Science in Data Communication and Software Engineering of Makerere University.The steady growth of internet usage in Uganda has led to a healthy competitive internet business market that has resulted in continuous improvement in the reliability and uptime of the service. Service providers have setup redundant links, highly available and fault tolerant systems to mitigate any outages or degradation in service. End to end monitoring of the various parameters particularly bandwidth utilization has become a critical aspect in detecting and mitigating faults that cause degradation of service or outages. In this project we look at the problem of anomaly detection in bandwidth utilization which is very indicative of fault that needs to be addressed immediately. The traditional monitoring tools available do not fully solve this problem as they use the threshold approach to determine a fault i.e. an upper bound and lower bound thresholds are set and if utilization goes beyond or below the respective bound, an alert is triggered. This however is not exhaustive because anomalies can occur even within the bounds of those thresholds. A machine learning approach is employed as the alternative solution where various datasets of bandwidth utilization are picked from production devices like Internet Edge switches and routers and are used to train the model on anomaly detection. The main problem faced was false positives/low accuracy. Multiple iterations were carried out and with various optimization techniques being applied to the model which greatly improve results