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Utilization of modern contraceptive methods among female refugee adolescents at Kyangwali refugee settlement, Kikuube district, south-western Uganda
(Kyambogo University (Unpublised work), 2024-10) Nabukeera, Mariam
Despite global efforts, inadequate contraceptive provision remains a significant issue, particularly among vulnerable populations such as teenagers, travelers, those residing in slums, and refugees (WHO, 2020). In Uganda, 30.4% of adolescents have unmet family planning needs (UDHS, 2016). Refugees and migrants face various challenges in accessing family planning services, such as language barriers, low education levels, lack of information, cultural and religious taboos, limited income, and personal experiences with contraceptive side effects.
This study aims to assess the utilization of modern contraceptives among female refugee adolescents in Kyangwali refugee settlement, identify factors influencing their contraceptive use, determine knowledge and accessibility of contraceptive methods, and determine the proportion of adolescents utilizing these methods.
A cross-sectional study design was employed, utilizing structured questionnaires, focus group discussions (FGDs), and key informant interviews (KIIs) for data collection. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23 and thematic content analysis. Univariate and bivariate methods were utilized, including frequency generation at the univariate level, chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression to test variable associations.
The study interviewed 399 sexually active female refugee adolescents (aged 15-19 years). The prevalence of modern contraceptive use (all methods) was 15.3% (95% CI: 11.8-19.0). Condoms (54.1 %) and injectables (31.1 %) were the most preferred methods, with lack of family planning knowledge cited as the primary reason for non-use. Significant associations were found between socio-demographic factors (e.g., age, marital status, education level, and school attendance) and modem contraceptive use.
The study reveals a low prevalence of modern contraceptive utilization (15.4%), with injectables being the most known method (35.0%). Barriers to uptake include: side effects, lack of knowledge, myths, misconceptions, inadequate privacy and functionality of adolescent-friendly healthcare facilities. These findings directly relate to the study objectives by highlighting the critical need to assess the factors influencing contraceptive use, examine knowledge, accessibility, and determine the proportion of adolescents utilizing these methods.
Urgent measures are needed to improve adolescents' access to high-quality sexual and reproductive healthcare in refugee settings, thereby addressing the identified barriers and enhancing contraceptive uptake among female refugee adolescents in Kyangwali.
By focusing on these objectives, the research seeks to highlight the barriers to contraceptive use in this demographic and inform targeted interventions to improve reproductive health outcomes.
Ethnobotanical survey and phytochemical analysis of medicinal plants used in the management of diabetes and hypertension diseases in Mpigi district, Uganda
(Kyambogo University (Unpublised work), 2024-10) Nnko, Silas Sangito
Diabetes and hypertension have emerged as significant global health challenges due to their increasing prevalence within populations and status as major contributors to mortality worldwide, with projections indicating a further rise in deaths, particularly in less developed regions. Various allopathic medicines have been produced but with low curative efficiency and side effects. On the other hand, medicinal plants have emerged as a significant alternative for treating various human conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension. Despite their importance, and high usage globally, majority of them have not been studied and documented. This study was conducted to assess the use of medicinal plants in the management of diabetes and hypertension in Mpigi district, Uganda. Individual interviews with traditional herbalists were carried out in a semi-structured format followed by field visits for taxonomic classification of the plants mentioned in the local language. Furthermore, three highly used plants were selected for phytochemical analysis qualitatively, quantitatively, and using the GCMS method. These plants were also analysed for their safety profile using rats as model species. Fifty-four (54) herbalists were interviewed, and 64% of them had an experience of more than 6 years in treating diabetes and hypertension. Herbalists reported the utilization of one hundred and twenty (120) plant species for the treatment of diabetes and hypertension. In the phytochemical analysis, the results revealed the presence of a majority of the analysed phytochemicals, encompassing alkaloids, steroids, phenols, tannins, flavonoids, coumarins, and terpenoids. The FSM extract exhibited high levels of total phenols (217±25.05mg/g) and total tannins (179.75±3.44mg/g). The CRM extract contained substantial amounts of total flavonoids (28.75±0.98mg/g), total saponins (225.07±4.11mg/g), and total alkaloids (116.15±3.73mg/g). Additionally, FSM extract contained 14 detected compounds, while both CRM and MPM extracts contained 30 compounds each. Several of the identified compounds exhibit pharmacological activities that are pertinent to the treatment of diabetes and hypertension. The LD50 value, surpassing 5000mg/kg in toxicity assessment, confirms the safety of these plants within the context of traditional use. However, the administration of the three extracts significantly altered certain haematological (White Blood Cells) and biochemical parameters (liver enzymes), indicating potential toxicity. Traditional healing knowledge remains crucial for addressing human ailments, and the study underscores the significance of the identified plants in managing diabetes and hypertension, albeit with a need for cautious use to prevent adverse health effects. The three analysed plants possess compounds with antidiabetic and antihypertensive abilities signalling the potential for drug development.
Effect of desert locust outbreaks on agricultural production of smallholder farmers in Karamoja region, Uganda
(Kyambogo University (Unpublised work), 2024-11) Lutaaya, Noah
The 2020 desert locust invasions invoked fears in Eastern Africa, including Uganda, but more so in the Karamoja region, due to their potential to devour crop fields and pasturelands, which are major livelihood sources for agro-pastoralists. This research assessed the duration and timing of the invasions by desert locusts, the impact they had on agricultural output, and the efficacy of the control strategies put in place in the districts of Amudat, Abim, Moroto, and Nakapiripirit.
Specifically, it was intended to analyze the time of invasion and length of stay of the locusts in that area, determinant factors for the invasions, effects on cropland and pastureland for livestock, and to evaluate the effectiveness of the measures that were applied. To gather more than one data from households and local leaders in the same study, a cross-sectional sh1dy approach was employed.
This was guided by the need to capture a snapshot of the locust invasions' impact over a single period, which allowed for the efficient collection and comparison of diverse responses from affected communities. With the assistance of well-trained research assistants well versed with the karamojong local languages, a questionnaire for a household survey was administered to 183 respondents who included elders, youths, opinion leaders, and local council 1 chairpersons chosen by sampling technique. The views on the subject matter from the local leaders and small holder farmers in Amudat and Moroto were gathered through two corresponding focused group discussions. Numeric data was analyzed using multiple response, chi-square, and paired t-test techniques, whereas qualitative data underwent content analysis techniques. The findings reveal that the most favorable factors that attracted the pests were vegetation type, strong dry winds, and soil type (sandy) (P <0.05). The effects of the invasions reported include destruction of trees (43%) and grass cover (39%), increased replanting costs (28%), interference with plant flowering (26%), and shifts in season planting (24% in the locales of the invasions). Desert locusts significantly (P < 0.05) affected livestock and crop production by reducing grass and tree vegetation that cattle feed on and destroying sprouting crops. These culminated in a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in household income, an increase in the need for food purchases, and the use of less land (74%) for agriculture. In response to the invasions, ground spraying (68%) and aerial spraying (29%) were the most effective measures for desert locust control. To enhance resilience among agro-pastoralists against future invasions, the study recommends support for acquiring specialized spraying equipment to enable more effective and timely control efforts.
Education-to-work transition among the youth in post-conflict settings: a review of the roles of individual agency, mental health, and psychosocial well-being
(Social sciences, 2025-06-25) Mayengo, Nathaniel; Namusoke, Jane; Kibedi, Henry; Amone-P’Olak, Kennedy
Education-to-work transition among war-affected youth in post-conflict settings is fraught with challenges, not least compounded by the little attention placed on individual agency and mental health. This review examines the debate on war-affected youth skilling programmes in post-conflict settings, which neglect the roles of individual agency and mental health in the education-to-work transition. Building on Albert Bandura’s Self-Efficacy Theory (SET) and the Cumulative Stress Hypothesis (CSH), the review presents an integrated approach to skills development for improving education-to-work transition among waraffected youth. According to SET, the development of self-efficacy is anchored on enactive mastery, vicarious experience, verbal persuasion, and physiological arousal. Moreover, individual agency factors such as motivation, aspiration, goal orientation, active efforts, and alignment of intentions with skills are protective factors for effective education-to-work transition, but they are also eroded by the adverse consequences of violent conflicts. Similarly, the CSH also suggests that the effects of exposure to protracted violent conflicts are cumulative and may lead, in turn, to a plethora of mental health problems in the aftermath of violent conflicts. Mental health problems like depression, anxiety, and PTSD are linked to, inter alia, behaviours such as aggression, substance abuse, and apathy, all related to poor employment outcomes. To increase the employability of young people affected by war, skills training institutions and work settings need to prioritise the mental health and individual agency of the youth, as well as skills acquisition for specific trades. Consequently, we propose an integrated model of reintegrating war-affected and vulnerable youth anchored on professional technical and vocational skills training; recognition of individual agency; provision of mental and psychosocial support; and life skills training, all nested within the local economic realities.
Spouse support, socio-economic status and adherence to antiretroviral therapy among patients attending art services in Butabika hospital, Kampala Uganda
(Kyambogo University (Unpublished work), 2024-09) Nabulya, Victoria
This study assessed the con-elation between support from the spouse and adherence to ART and how socio-economic status modified this relationship. Using a cross-sectional survey, data was collected from 268 patients on ART in Butabika hospital, being aided by a structured questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used in analyzing the data mainly through Pearson correlation and regression analysis. It was revealed that instrumental support was strongly and significantly (r =. 65, P