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Enhancing students’ knowledge of integration of GeoGebra in mathematics classes in lower secondary schools in Rwampara district
No full textA dissertation submitted to the Directorate of Research and Graduate training in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of a Master of Science Education of Makerere UniversityGeoGebra, an open-source Dynamic Mathematics Software (DMS), has emerged as a transformative tool in mathematics education, allowing students and teachers to visualize, explore, and manipulate geometric concepts in dynamic virtual environments. This study enhanced the students’ knowledge of integration of GeoGebra in mathematics classes in lower secondary schools in Rwampara District. The theoretical referents used in this study were Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). The objectives of this study were to: identify abstract geometrical concepts that posed challenges to students, examine the impact of GeoGebra training on students’ learning of the identified abstract concepts, and assess the relationship between students' attitudes and the integration of GeoGebra. This study adopted quasi-experimental and cross-sectional survey designs with a quantitative approach. All 103 senior three students were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires along with pre-and post-tests. Independent samples t-test, Pearson's Linear Correlation Coefficient, and descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation, and frequencies were employed as data analysis methods. The study found that rotational transformation was the most abstract geometrical concept identified by students in the lower secondary school mathematics curriculum. The pre-test results indicated that respondents from the experimental and control groups had similar baseline knowledge of rotational transformation. However, the post-test results revealed a significant difference between the mean scores of the two groups. The experimental group achieved a significantly higher mean score than the control group and demonstrated a positive attitude in learning about rotational transformation with the software. Based on the study's findings, it was concluded that GeoGebra is an effective tool for teaching and learning rotational transformation, a geometry concept. It is a powerful resource that improves students’ conceptual understanding of geometrical concepts and engaging with knowledge in active and self-directed ways. Also, the study recommended that teachers should strongly consider integrating GeoGebra into their ICT-based teaching and learning resources to help improve students' motivation, attitude, and achievement in rotational transformations and other geometric concepts
An exploration of how ECD centres ensure a safe physical learning environment for Children: a case study of selected centres in Wakiso District, 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 Education in Early Childhood Education and Development (MECE) of Makerere UniversityEnsuring a safe physical learning environment in Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres is critical for children’s well-being and development. This study aimed to explore how selected ECD centres in Wakiso District, Uganda, ensure a safe physical learning environment. Specifically, the research objectives were to assess the awareness of safety guidelines among ECD centre heads and teachers, evaluate the actions taken to ensure children's physical safety, and propose evidence-based interventions to enhance safety practices in these settings. Grounded in Montessori’s principles on safe learning environments, the study also introduced a proposed framework designed to guide ECD centres in implementing effective safety measures. Using a
qualitative multiple case study design, data were collected through semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and observations engaging 12 teachers and four centre heads from four purposively selected ECD centres. Cross-case analysis allowed for comparison across setting, revealing that while awareness of safety guidelines was influenced by access to training,
compliance varied significantly between rural and urban setting centres. Findings indicated that some centres maintained adequate safety standards, resource constraints in rural centres posed challenges. Key issues included limited financial support, insufficient training, and infrastructure limitations. Based on these findings, the proposed framework offers practical, context-sensitive strategies for enhancing safety in ECD centres. The study highlights the need for policy revisions to address disparities in safety resources across settings, contributing to Uganda’s broader child development and educational goal
Development of a low-cost waste water treatment and recycling unit at car wash stations in Uganda.
No full textA Master’s dissertation submitted to the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the Master of Science in Technology Innovation and Industrial Development of Makerere University.Car washing has been identified as a major consumer of water and generator of waste water,
leading to environmental pollution and increased expenditure on fresh water. However, this issue
has not received much attention in Uganda. The study examines the development of a low-cost
waste water treatment and recycling unit for Uganda’s car wash industry to address water
conservation and pollution mitigation challenges. A quasi-experimental design was used to study
10 car wash stations in Kampala, with a focus on analyzing waste water pollutants such as
Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Total Dissolved Solids
(TDS), turbidity, oil and grease, and detergents. A prototype treatment system, utilizing a sandgravel-charcoal filter, was tested to determine its effectiveness in reducing contaminants to meet
National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) standards. Results demonstrated
significant reductions in TSS, oil, grease, and COD, supporting the system's suitability for
reusing treated water within car wash operations. Economic analysis projected a positive Net
Present Value (NPV) of approximately 11 million Ugandan shillings over three years, indicating
financial viability for car wash operators. The system’s affordability, simplicity, and scalability
make it a promising solution for small-scale car wash businesses and potentially other waterintensive industries. Key recommendations include government support for eco-friendly
technologies, industry implementation of water recycling practices, and further research into
alternative local filtration materials and system automation to enhance pollutant removal and
user-friendlines
Knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) among clinicians on aetiologic management of abnormal vaginal discharge in pregnant women at Kawempe National Referral Hospital.
No full textA research report submitted to the Directorate of Graduate Research and Training in partial fulfillment of the award of Masters Degree in Medicine (Obstetrics and Gynaecology) of Makerere UniversityIntroduction:
Aetiologic management of STIs to treat the curable abnormal vaginal discharge caused by bacterial vaginosis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis is a sensitive and specific tool to achieve WHO’s global target of eliminating these infections among pregnant women by 2030. There has not been a national adoption of this approach policy wise. However, individual clinicians apply it variably in Uganda. CDC guidelines are a globally recognised document adoptable to implement aetiologic management. Constructs measuring knowledge, attitudes and practices among KNRH clinicians were developed with reference to this guideline. There has never been a study done to ascertain knowledge, attitudes, and practices of clinicians in relation to aetiologic management of AVD causing organisms at KNRH thus the intention of this study.
Method:
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 184 treating clinicians including specialists, SHOs, intern doctors, midwives and nurses adopting quantitative approaches. A self-developed structured questionnaire using a likert scale was developed using CDC guidelines for aetiologic management of STIs to measure categorical variables - level of knowledge, attitude and practices.
Results:
Universally, the Level of knowledge was low with over 50% of the clinicians having inadequate knowledge. Adequate levels of knowledge were predominantly noted among intern doctors 34 (68%), specialists 3 (60%) and SHOs 29 (54%).
For attitude, 81 (44%) of clinicians had a positive attitude, 77 (42%) had a relatively positive attitude and only 26 (14%) had a negative attitude. More nurses 10 (63%) had a positive attitude followed by specialists 3 (60%).
Excellent practice was noted in 36 (20%) of clinicians, good practice in 76 (41%) of clinicians and improper practice in 54 (29%) of clinicians. Excellent practice was most frequent among specialists 3 (60%), SHOs 15 (28%) and midwives 9 (15%) respectively. Ironically, nurses 3(19%) and intern doctors 7(14%) were the most non-applicants.
Conclusions and recommendations:
The level of knowledge is not adequate for clinicians. Attitude for using aetiologic management is positive for most clinicians thus high motivation to use test and treat but excellent practice was very low with 36 (20%) of clinicians noted. Therefore, there was a low knowledge among majority of clinicians but a positive attitude and the positive attitude did not translate into excellent or right practice.
There is need to harmonize practice of aetiologic management through formal trainings and drafting hospital and national guidelines to aid use
Determinants of export performance 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 University.The study set out to examine the determinants of the level of exports in Uganda. The study
adopted the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) stationarity model to undertake the study.
The study findings showed that Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Real Exchange rate were
negatively related to Uganda’s exports whereas Inflation was positively related to exports in
the short run. However, in the long run, the result showed that there is a negative significant
relationship between inflation and exports; and a positive relationship between exports and
Real exchange rate and GDP. These study findings have policy implications
Understanding genetic diversity and rapid drug resistance prediction in mycobacterium tuberculosis from whole-genome sequence and other epidemiological data
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 Master of Science in Bioinformatics of Makerere UniversityTuberculosis (TB) remains one of the major global health problems with an estimated 1.6 million deaths worldwide. The availability of whole-genome sequence (WGS) data offers a good avenue for understanding genetic diversity and drug resistance (DR) mutations. We aimed to investigate the genetic diversity and relatedness of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates among individuals with different CD4 cell counts and leverage machine learning (ML) algorithms in predicting DR using WGS and epidemiological data from Uganda.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study utilizing 226 WGS samples of MTB isolates in Uganda between 2013 and 2023. Associated patient demographic data and phenotypic drug information was obtained. We utilized TB profiler for lineage and drug resistance prediction, and snippy tool for variant calling and annotation. Phylogenetic analysis was performed on the core genome alignment file in MEGA. For ML model development, we split the data into training (80%) and testing (20%) datasets. The SMOTE technique was applied to handle for class imbalance issue. We evaluated various ML algorithms including random forest (RF), Logistic regression (LR), boosting classifiers such as ada Boost, cat Boost, Gradient Boosting, XGBoost etc. for prediction of drug resistance for the antibiotics Rifampicin, Ethambutol, Isoniazid and Streptomycin. Various key metrics such as recall, precision, Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), and Matthews Correlation Coefficient (MCC) were used to assess the performance characteristics of the models.
Results: Across the 203 MTB isolates, we observed 5 distinct phylogenetic lineages (L1-4, L3&L4) with L4 being the most prevalent with 149/203 (73.40%) followed by L3 (46(22.66%) among others. The most common sub lineage was L4.6.1.1/Uganda II compared to the other sub lineage. There was statistical association between MTB lineages and CD4 cell count group as either low or high. Overall, all ML algorithms proved that they can predict drug resistance however the boosting classifiers had the highest AUC values. Age, Sex and HIV status proved to be significant features in addition to the SNP positions for ML model development.
Conclusion: Our findings of the circulating lineages, sub lineages, drug resistance profiles play a crucial role in understanding the genetic diversity of MTB. Additionally, our approach of ML, can robustly predict drug resistance and also inform on the underlying gene mutations while utilizing both the WGS (SNP) and epidemiological data
Concordance of data on key malaria indicators between DHIS 2 and source documents and its influencing factors at health facilities in Mayuge District, Uganda
No full textA dissertation submitted to the Clinical Epidemiology Unit in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of a Degree in Master of Science in Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics of Makerere University.Introduction: Effective malaria surveillance is a key strategy for malaria control in sub-Saharan Africa. Uganda rolled out the District Health Information System, version 2 (DHIS 2) to improve routine malaria surveillance data quality. However, the quality of DHIS 2 reported malaria data surveillance data remains questionable.
Objective: To assess the level of concordance of selected data indicators between the DHIS 2 and facility source documents and its influencing factors among health facilities in Mayuge district.
Methods: This was a mixed-methods study that included a retrospective review of DHIS 2 data reported between 2021-2022 and corresponding data in the HMIS source documents at 12 lower-level public health facilities (Health Centre IVs, IIIs and IIs) in Mayuge district. In addition, Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and In-depth Interviews (IDIs) were conducted among health facility heads and health records personnel of the participating facilities. The level of data concordance for the key malaria indicators was determined and expressed as a proportion of weeks with a VF of 0.9 to 1.1 and also assessed using the Bland-Altman analysis. Modified Poisson regression with robust standard errors was used to determine factors associated with data concordance for malaria TPR. Qualitative data were analyzed using deductive thematic analysis.
Results: The overall concordance between DHIS 2 and routine data sources was low, and varied by malaria indicator type; (36.7%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 25.2 - 49.9%) for suspected malaria cases; (53.6%, 95% CI 41.7 - 65.1%) for the suspected malaria cases tested, and (56.8 %, 95% CI 43.9 - 68.8%) for the test positivity rate (TPR) indicator. Factors significantly associated with concordance included the presence of dedicated HMIS personnel at the facility [adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR=1.41, 95% CI=1.20 - 1.66, P= <0.001)], stock out of malaria rapid tests (RDTs), (aPR= 0.55, 95% CI=0.35 - 0.86, P= 0.009) and timely reporting (aPR=1.15, 95% CI=1.00 - 1.31, P= 0.049). From qualitative data, regular data verification, value and relevance of HMIS data were the commonly reported facilitators of improved data concordance while insufficient HMIS training and stock out of HMIS forms were reported as barriers to improved data concordance.
Conclusion: Data concordance for all selected malaria indicators was below the WHO standard of ≥ 80%. The presence of HMIS personnel at a health facility, stockout of RDTs and timely reporting were significantly associated with data concordance of reported malaria data. The health facility in charges and records people frequently mentioned stock out of HMIS forms and insufficient HMIS trainings as barriers of data concordance. These results highlight the need for investment in hiring and training of HMIS data clerks, maintaining adequate RDT stocks and HMIS forms at public health facilities.Fogarty International Center of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number D43TW010526
Traffic loading correlation with the magnitude and rate of change of fatigue crack growth
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 Civil Engineering of Makerere UniversityThe study investigated traffic loading correlation with magnitude and rate of fatigue crack
growth on a section of the Northern Corridor Route in Uganda. The objectives of the study
were (i) characterizing fatigue crack behaviour and traffic loading on the study road, (ii)
establishing the trends in the rate of change of fatigue crack geometry propagation and (iii)
developing a maintenance regime based on fatigue crack propagation. Seven study sections
were carefully selected and marked out between Magamaga and Kakira on the selected
highway. Three rounds of measurement of crack geometry (width, length and cracked block
area) were taken using a digital vernier caliper and tape measure. Traffic surveys for a duration
of one and a half years (18 months) from September 2017 to February 2019 were conducted.
The results showed that the Kakira (West) bound lane was more heavily loaded than the
Magamaga (East) bound lane. Statistical analysis revealed that the selected road section, data
collection period and traffic direction were significant at a 0.05 level. There was a reducing
trend in the percentage rate of change of crack geometry propagation i.e., crack width
(57.27%), crack length (48.85%) and cracked block area (15.70%) during the study period. A
maintenance regime based on the percentage rate of change of crack geometry per annum was
developed whereby the duration to maintenance can be determined based on crack geometric
parameters. The developed pavement maintenance regime can be used by the various agencies
such as Ministry of Works and Transport (MoWT), Uganda National |Roads Authority
(UNRA), Urban authorities such as Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), District Local
Governments (DLGs), etc., to scientifically determine the duration to maintenance of their
pavements. The agencies are recommended to invest in similar studies on their road networks
to be able to get their specific road network input parameters. Additional research needs to be
carried out on other pavements of varied thickness and traffic loading. The effect of
climatic/environmental factors (temperature and rainfall) and geographical locations can also be
studied
Determinants of frequency of meal intake among children (9-23 months) 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 the Degree of Master of Statistics of Makerere UniversityFrequency of meal intake is a major principle of optimal complementary feeding. Therefore, modelling this indicator that takes on real-valued integers (count); requires attention to the probability distribution of the outcome measure. Also, the use of full information from this measure is often required. Thus, in this study, we modeled frequency of meal intake among children (9-23months) in Uganda as a count while accounting for its distribution as Poisson in examining its factors. Secondary data were sourced from the 2016 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS). Descriptive characteristics of the respondents were generated. This was followed by fitting a simple Poisson regression model to assess the association between each covariate and meal frequency intake, and in turn, identify variables for the inferential analysis. At the inferential level, there was a comparison between the Poisson and binary logistic regression models to identify the most suitable model. The study established that the Poisson regression model of frequency of meal intake offered a better precision in the identification of associated factors. Finally, a Poisson model based on case-wise deletion was fitted to examine the determinants of frequency of meal intake. It was found that birth order of the fourth position and above (IRR= 0.915; 95% CI = 0.842 – 0.997) was associated with reduced frequency of meal intake; while being aged from the richest household wealth quintile (IRR= 1.170; 95% CI = 1.004 – 1.398), being from the Bukedi, Ankole and kigezi regions (IRR= 1.429; 95% CI = 1.170 – 1.743), 24% (IRR= 1.239; 95% CI = 1.023 – 1.502) respectively were associated with increased frequency of meal intake. The findings proved that attention to distributional analysis and the use of Poisson regression rather than binary logistic regression improves the precision for identification of factors associated with frequency of meal intake. We recommend the use of the Poisson regression model for modelling the risk factors associated with frequency of meal intake. Also, we recommend a future study on the potential determinants of frequency of meal intake stratified by region
Assessing sustainable procurement practices for organizational productivity: a case of Mercy Corps in Uganda
No full textA research project report submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the award of the Degree of Master of Business Administration of Makerere UniversityThe study assessed the effectiveness of Mercy Corps effectiveness of Sustainable procurement practices for organizational productivity in Uganda, and this was realized by investigating the overview and understanding of Mercy Corps sustainable procurement practices and their effect on the organizational productivity. A descriptive research design was adopted, both qualitative and quantitative data was collected from 113 staff of Mercy Corps using both structured questionnaire and interview guide instruments. Data was analyzed using Statistical package for Social Sciences software and subsequently presented in tables comprising of frequencies, mean and standard deviation. The findings of the study revealed that Mercy Corps staff agree about the environmental focus of sustainable procurement, suggesting that initiatives focused on environmental sustainability are likely well-received and supported within the organization there is a prevalent belief among respondents that sustainable procurement practices are economically advantageous, primarily through cost reduction. The data suggests a strong recognition among respondents of the environmental focus of SPPs and their economic benefits, such as cost reduction. Additionally, there is an acknowledgment of Sustainable Procurement Practices (SPPs) in risk management, aligning with organizational culture and values, enhancing stakeholder responsibility, improving organizational image and competitive advantage, and the importance of clear communication of these practices. Based on the overall findings, the study recommends enhancement of stakeholder engagement and communication through development and implementation of targeted training programs and workshops to clearly define and communicate the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders in sustainable procurement to the Ugandan context. Additionally, Mercy Corps Uganda should establish and utilize robust evaluation tools for assessing sustainability outcomes, among others