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Charlotte Bronte, Chalk drawing by George Richmond R.A.
No full textA photograph of Charlotte Bronte, Chalk drawing by George Richmond R.A.It is a photograph taken of Charlotte Bronte, Chalk drawing by George Richmond R.A.Government of Uganda, Makerere University Research and Innovations Funds (RIF) and Makerere University Library
. A Case of Lwampanga Sub-County, Nakasongola District
No full textA Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Social Sciences in partial fulfilment for the award of a Masters of Arts Degree in Social Sector Planning and Management of
Makerere UniversityAbstract
Child Headed Households (CHHs) have more or less become an acceptable family form in many parts of Uganda and the world at large. Nevertheless, they continue to suffer a host of hardships as they strive to survive; and in the process naturally mobilize their psychological and socio- economic resources to cope with the situation.
This study attempted to uncover the social situation of CHHs in the fishing communities of Lwampanga Sub-County, Nakasongola district, using a qualitative approach and a descriptive case study design.
The specific objectives of the study include the transitioning of households from adult headed to child headed, the problems they encounter and the coping strategies they adopt to deal with them.
The key findings from the study include but are not limited to: the locality is a key variable in determining the forms, causes, problems and coping strategies of CHHs within its vicinity; the emergence of a new form of CHHs consisting of single or non orphans encountering problems similar to those of other types; and the observation that the existence of parents is no guarantee that the children’s welfare will be catered for. The emergence of CHHs in the landing sites of the study area is perpetuated more by a complex web of constraints embedded in the socio- economic/cultural and political systems of the area. The HIV and AIDS pandemic, plays a role in the death of the parents but cannot be clearly attached to the erosion of the extended family.
It was further observed that the problems encountered by CHHs in the study area are just as bad as those illuminated in existing literature; albeit the former also grapple with more sophisticated problems such as witchcraft, the impending loss of social identity and the general deficiency of formal and informal social protection mechanisms which render them more vulnerable and less resilient. CHHs in the study area redesign and reorganize the structure of the household to accommodate the new roles and responsibilities that emerge. In addition sex and age are key players in the well being of CHHs at the landing sites; the stability of families is crucial for the wellbeing of the children; and the causes and woes of these households are generally rooted in the system
The prevalence of plasmodium falciparum placental malaria and its association with prenatal sulfadoxime-pyrimethamine prophylaxis among HIV positive mothers in Mulago hospital.
No full textA Dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the academic degree of master of science (Clinical epidemiology and Bio statistics) of Makerere University.INTRODUCTION:
HIV positive (HIV+) women are more susceptible to malaria infection during pregnancy than their HIV negative (HIV-) counterparts but the actual prevalence of infection in Ugandan pregnant women is not known. HIV infection limits the pregnant woman’s capacity to control P. falciparum parasitaemia with resultant placental malaria. This is the major determinant of its impact on foetal growth and survival.
Although prenatal SP prophylaxis seems to be protective to pregnant women in general, there is growing concern that the recommended two doses prenatally may be inadequate in HIV+ mothers was determined.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY:
The study gave an insight into the situation of malaria among the HIV+ pregnant women. The protection of the standard two-dose prenatal SP was not known well established due to the inadequate sample size and therefore a large b-error although these preliminary results seem to suggest that two-dose SP may not be sufficient for the HIV+ mothers.
OBJECTIVES:
The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of p. falciparum placental malaria among HIV+ mothers and its association with prenatal SP prophylaxis.
METHODOLOGY:
This was a hospital based cross-sectional study of HIV+ pregnant women. The participants in this study were recruited at delivery from an ongoing Nevirapine cohort study in Mulago hospital where their HIV status had been determined. The history of prenatal SP prophylaxis was determined by self-report. A specimen of placental blood was collected and examined for malaria parasites using fields stain. The prevalence of placental malaria was determined. Inferences about the protection offered to HIV+ mothers by the standard two-dose prenatal SP prophylaxis were made according to its association with placental malaria.
STUDY REQUIREMENTS:
Quantitative data was collected using a structured questionnaire. Qualitative data on the practice of SP chemoprophylaxis was collected using key informant interviews of doctors who ran the antenatal clinics.
DATA MANAGEMENT AND ANALYSIS:
The prevalence of placental malaria among the HIV+ mothers was determined. The analysis also included the calculation of the odds ratio (OR), chi-squared values (X2) and their p-values and confidence intervals (CI). Adjusted ORs were calculated to control for potential confounders. Logistic regression was done to determine the association between the outcome and the variables of interest. Qualitative data was transcribed and analyzed manually.
RESULTS:
The prevalence of placental malaria was 9.4%. The prevalence of placental malaria among the SP users was 9.5% and among the non-users, 9.2%. The difference between the groups was not significant. The association between prenatal SP prophylaxis and placental malaria was not significant.
CONCLUSION:
The prevalence of placental malaria among HIV+ mothers in Mulago hospital is high. Placental malaria among HIV+ mothers is not parity specific. These preliminary results suggest that two-dose SP prophylaxis may be inadequate for HIV+ mothers but are not conclusive due to the large type II error resulting from a sample size
Effects of agroforestry initiatives on practices of rural farmers in Iganga District
No full textA thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the Masters of Science in Education Degree of Makerere University.Agroforestry is an old practice in which trees, crops and / or livestock are integrated on the same piece of land. Agroforestry practices have been designed to curb the rate of land degradation. They include Agrisilvicultural systems in which trees, shrubs, vines and tree - crops are grown on the same piece of land. Silvopastoral systems which involve planting trees, pastures and raising animals on the same piece of land and finally Agrosilvopastoral systems which integrate tree growing with crops and pasture / animals. The study was carried out in Iganga District in Ibulanku, Waibuga and Magada sub counties. Respondents included local farmers, NGO officials and District agricultural officers. The study aimed at finding out the Agroforestry practices adopted by farmers in Iganga District; The NGOs and Government bodies involved in Agroforestry activities in Iganga District and the benefits of Agroforestry to the farmers. Major findings of the study revealed that agroforestry practices which had been adopted by the farmers included scattered trees in gardens and compounds; shelter belts and wind breaks; live hedges; trees around farmlands and plots; home gardens of various trees and crops around homesteads; alley cropping and multipurpose woodlots. The tree species popularly grown included mangoes, avocado, jackfruit for fruits; Grevillea, Maesopsis eminii and Ficus natalensis were raised for timber and fuel wood and Moringa was used as a source of medicine by most of the farmers. Acacia and Calliandra were used as fodder crops and for aesthetics farmers grew Grevillea and Maesopsis eminii. Two NGOs were actively involved in agroforestry activities namely; Africa 2000 (A2N) and Women Alliance and children Affairs (WAACHA). Government bodies supporting Agro foresty included NAADS, NEMA and FORRI. Agroforestry activities included providing seeds and seedlings, nursery establishment, demonstration plots, training farmers in agroforestry practices and exchange visits. A number of benefits were realized from practicing agroforestry and they included fuel wood, fruits, medicine, soil conservation, fodder and timber. The findings of the study revealed that once agroforestry initiatives are adopted by the farmers they will go a long way in ensuring sustainable land use
Grasslands: A resource for humanity (Inaugural lecture)
No full textThis paper is a compilation of an inaugural lecture which is a Makerere University requirement following promotion to a full Professor in ones area of specialisation. I was promoted to full Professor in December 1998 having risen through at the ranks and files since 1985. My research has focused on grassland and range sciences since 1976 and I have a record of more than 100 scientific publications, the majority falling in these areas. I have attended several conferences, symposia and workshops the World over and accumulated massive knowledge and information about the vital role of grasslands in supporting the well being/ livelihoods of humanity
Risks of Taenia solium cysticercosis in urban and peri-urban areas of Kampala, Uganda
No full textIn developing countries, cities are rapidly expanding, and over 50% of Africa’s population is estimated to live in or around cities by 2025 (United Nations 2002). To feed these growing city populations, urban and peri-urban agriculture has become part of the development agenda (FAO 2000). However, it also carries risks of the transmission of zoonotic diseases (Flynn 1999), for example Taenia solium (T. solium) cysticercosis. The usual life cycle of this parasite is maintained between pigs in their muscle (cysticerci) and humans intestine (taeniasis), however, ingestion of the eggs causes human neurocysticercosis, the major symptom being epilepsy (Burneo & Garcia 2001). This study aimed to understand the risks of T. solium cysticercosis, the single most common cause of acquired epilepsy, in urban and peri-urban areas of Kampala, Uganda, where the pig population is more than two times larger than any other Eastern and Southern African countries (FAO 2002)
Research – extension – farmer linkage system in the dairy sector in South-Western Uganda
No full textA thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the Masters of Science Degree in Livestock Development, Planning and Management (MLD) of Makerere University.The study was conducted in South-western Uganda in the districts of Mbarara, Kabale and Kisoro to analyze the research – extension – farmer linkage system with the key focus on the dairy sector. Cross sectional survey method was employed to gather data from farmers, farmers’ organizations, extension agents, researchers, processors and Makerere University from December 2009 – May 2010. The study was principally qualitative using case study approach where by two cases were purposively selected, that is to say, one in FAO funded project area (small scale dairy holder), and the other on large scale dairy holder. The cases were studied using individual interviews, focus group discussions, and participatory observations complemented by Delphi technique. Various qualitative analysis tools were used to analyse data. The study found out that the central actors in dairy sector were research scientists, public & private extension service providers and farmers & farmers’ organisations. Conversely, these actors were acting disjointedly whereby research scientists, extension agents and farmers were working in isolation from each other without a formal coordination mechanism. Furthermore the key constraints affecting the strengthening of the linkage between dairy farmers, extension and research were poor feedback mechanisms, inadequate resource allocation, lack of partnership for synergy, informal co-operation at field level and infrequent contacts between the actors. The study revealed opportunities to be exploited for strengthening the linkages; these include among others, rearranging the existing farmers’ organizations into vibrant and sound dairy farmers’ organizations at each local level and the capacity of DDA to the link the active partners in the dairy sector The study recommends that, a well funded dairy coordination unit that links all the active players in the dairy sector should be formed. Furthermore, creation and strengthening of strong and sound dairy farmers’ associations or co-operative movements at each local level, with a national board, will provide opportunities for linking up with the research organizations and extension agencies