Bishop Stuart University

The aim of this scoping review is to identify the currently available mHealth interventions for palliative care and factors influencing their use in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Although palliative care is essential for improving quality of life, its use in SSA remains low. mHealth (an interaction with a mobile device) interventions could enhance and promote palliative care in the region. Integration of mHealth into palliative care has been observed across Europe and the USA to support pain management and improve communication between health professionals and patients; however, there is little evidence on its use in low- and middle-income countries. Eligible studies will involve key stakeholders in palliative care, such as patients with life-limiting illnesses (eg, cancer), health professionals, community volunteer workers, and community leaders. Studies reporting evidence on mHealth in the design, implementation, or evaluation of palliative care services in any country in SSA will be considered. The review will follow JBI methodology for scoping reviews and will be reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). The following sources will be searched for published and unpublished literature: CINAHL (EBSCOhost), PubMed (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), the Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science, and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global. Study screening and selection will be conducted independently by 2 reviewers. Data will be extracted using a modified JBI data charting form, and will be presented in tabular format and narrative summary. OSF https://osf.io/gbqcn/overview.

This study explored the Lived experiences of Born-Again Anglican Christians and Longevity in marriage in Ankole Diocese, with a special focus on the role of regular church attendance. A Phenomenological qualitative study research design was used to obtain the information from born-again Anglican Christians. In-depth Interviews were conducted among 12 born-again Anglican Christians (married for 50 years and above and had been in salvation for 20 years at the time of data collection), 2 parish priests and 1 archdeacon. Using content analysis, data was analysed and coded. Findings were presented under themes and sub themes. Majority of the study participants showed that spirituality significantly contributes to sustainable harmonious Anglican marriage. The participants revealed that Church attendance contributes to marital happiness in a way that born-again Christian couples get marital support. Findings showed that regular church attendance enhances religious commitments, helps couples to quickly grow in Faith, facilitates regular moral guidance and are more likely to resolve issues just in case they separate. The study concludes that regular church attendance is very vital in the lives of “Born again Anglican Christians” through learning how to love each other, how to forgive and how to be humble. Therefore, for Anglican Christian marriages to be harmonious and last longer, the married couples need to attend Church services together since it strengthens their relationship with God who is the Author of Christian Marriage.

The main purpose of this study was to examine the impact of teacher effectiveness on learners’ academic achievements in Biology in O-Level secondary schools within Rwampara District, Uganda. The study employed a descriptive survey research design and used a sample of 297 respondents determined using the Krejcie and Morgan table 1970. The findings revealed that there is a strong and statistically significant positive correlation (r = 0.66) between teacher effectiveness and learner academic achievement. Approximately 44% of the variance in student performance could be explained by teacher-related factors. This result highlighted the critical influence of teacher effectiveness on academic success, emphasising the need for support and capacity building for Biology teachers. Teacher effectiveness is a cornerstone of academic achievement in Biology. While educators demonstrate strength in core teaching competencies, systemic barriers hinder peak instructional quality. Student performance reflects both strengths and shortcomings in current teaching practices, and the positive correlation between teacher effectiveness and achievement confirms the importance of focused investment in teacher development. For Teacher Effectiveness: The Ministry of Education and school leaders should implement continuous professional development (CPD) focusing on modern, student-centred teaching strategies, access to global content, and effective classroom management. For Learner Achievement: Schools must reinforce hands-on and project-based learning, actively monitor student attendance, and ensure standardised project assessments aligned with curriculum goals. For Teacher–Student Achievement Link: Educational authorities should introduce targeted support for underperforming teachers through mentorship and coaching, while establishing recognition and reward systems to motivate high-performing educators

Urbanisation is a transformative global phenomenon, profoundly shaping societies and economies in the 21st century. In Africa, many governments are actively pursuing the creation of new cities as a strategy to stimulate economic growth, enhance decentralisation, and implement governance reforms. Uganda, aligning with its Vision 2040 strategic development framework, has embarked on an ambitious initiative to transition from a predominantly agrarian economy to a modern, urbanised nation through the establishment of new cities. In 2020, ten new cities were declared by the Ugandan government, with further plans for additional urban centres by 2025, aiming to bolster local economies, upgrade infrastructure, and decentralise administrative functions. However, this initiative has not been without significant contention. Scholarly discourse suggests that political motivations have been a primary driver in determining which towns are elevated to city status, frequently overshadowing genuine developmental needs and economic viability. This politicisation of urban development is not unique to Uganda; studies across sub-Saharan Africa indicate that urban administrative reforms are often influenced by political agendas aimed at consolidating power, securing electoral victories, and manipulating demographic voting blocs. This paper critically analyses the city creation process in Uganda, examining the extent to which political considerations have shaped urbanisation trends and their subsequent impact on governance structures and the efficiency of service delivery. By investigating the interaction between political objectives and urban development outcomes, this research aims to provide insights into the challenges and opportunities for sustainable urbanisation in Uganda and offers recommendations for a more equitable and development-focused approach to city creation.

This study was conducted to assess the effect of head teachers’ delegation levels on their job effectiveness in government-aided secondary schools in Mbarara City South Division. The Objectives were to establish the head teachers’ delegation levels, assess the head teachers’ job effectiveness, and determine the effect of the head teachers’ delegation levels on their job effectiveness. A cross-sectional research design employing both qualitative and quantitative approaches was adopted. The study was conducted in six government-aided secondary schools, with a sample size of 130 respondents comprising 6 head teachers (purposively selected) and 124 teachers (selected using simple random sampling). Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires for teachers and interview guides for head teachers. Quantitative data were analysed using the Pearson correlation coefficient in SPSS version 28, while the qualitative data were manually coded, and themes were identified through an inductive approach. Findings revealed that most head teachers demonstrated moderate to high levels of delegation, often assigning administrative and instructional roles to other staff members. Job effectiveness was rated as average to high, depending on the extent of delegation. A very high positive correlation (r=0.844) was found between delegation levels and job effectiveness. Also, a p-value of 0.001 (p < 0.05) indicated that there is a statistically significant relationship between head teachers’ delegation levels and their job effectiveness, meaning that increased delegation contributed to the job effectiveness of the head teachers. The study concluded that head teachers who embraced higher levels of delegation experienced better job effectiveness due to shared responsibilities, reduced workload, and increased staff participation. Delegation was thus identified as a key strategy for enhancing the head teachers’ job effectiveness in schools. It is recommended that the Ministry of Education and Sports, and school boards, should provide training in delegation and leadership skills to head teachers. Schools should institutionalise delegation policies to ensure consistent leadership practices

This study investigates the influence of community participation on the retention of learners in government-aided secondary schools in Kazo Sub-County, Kazo District, Uganda. The primary objectives were to assess the current retention rates, identify the levels and forms of community involvement, and examine the relationship between community participation and retention of learners. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative data from structured questionnaires administered to learners, teachers, and key stakeholders, with qualitative insights from interviews with district officials, headteachers, and PTA members. The sample comprised 341 respondents selected through purposive and random sampling techniques. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation to establish relationships. Results indicated a generally positive perception of community participation's role in retention, with frequent PTA meetings, community support for infrastructure, and local leadership involvement being prominent factors. Quantitative analysis revealed a weak but significant positive correlation (r=0.134, p=0.009) between community participation and learner retention. The findings conclude that while community involvement contributes to improved retention, other factors also influence learner persistence. The study recommends increasing community engagement efforts, strengthening school-community partnerships, and implementing policies that formally recognise community roles in education. The study contributes to the limited literature on rural pastoral communities, emphasising the need for targeted interventions to enhance learner retention through active community involvement

As climate change continues to threaten rural livelihoods, indigenous knowledge remains an underutilized resource in adaptation efforts. This study explores how traditional ecological practices and belief systems enhance climate resilience among rural communities in the Ankole sub-region of Uganda. Highlighting the role of indigenous strategies, the research aims to demonstrate how context-specific, culturally embedded solutions can complement formal climate adaptation frameworks. The study employed a qualitative ethnographic approach, using a case study design to examine the application of indigenous knowledge in selected communities, including farmers, women, and youth. The findings reveal that Ankole communities employ a diverse range of indigenous strategies to cope with climate variability and extreme weather events. These include soil and water conservation techniques, traditional water harvesting systems, climate-smart housing designs, and agroforestry practices. The study suggests that integrating indigenous knowledge into formal climate adaptation policies can lead to more sustainable, culturally relevant, and effective solutions. Recognizing and incorporating these time-tested strategies can strengthen resilience at both the local and national levels. This research underscores the significance of indigenous knowledge systems in addressing climate change in rural settings. Bridging the gap between traditional and scientific adaptation approaches highlights the need for holistic and community-driven solutions. The findings contribute to the broader discourse on climate resilience, emphasizing the importance of culturally embedded strategies in shaping sustainable adaptation policies

This paper critically explores the role of voluntary labour in refugee-led responses to displacement. Despite the wide celebration of volunteering in response to crises and community needs, refugees and displaced populations tend to be depicted as passive beneficiaries of support. This paper engages with critical literatures challenging this assumption and provides an analysis of refugee volunteering experiences in Uganda, interrogating the uneven spaces of articulation between dominant humanitarian thinking and action on displacement, and volunteering by refugees. The analysis draws upon data collected as part of a large mixed methods investigation of volunteering by young refugees in Uganda, exploring its impacts on their skills, employability, and experiences of inequality. We explore narratives of volunteering in relation to service-delivery and self-reliance, and how different understandings of voluntary labour emerge from and against the precarities experienced by refugees navigating employment and livelihood strategies. We conclude by arguing that volunteering connects with responses to displacement in ways that are shaped by refugee subjectivities and livelihoods in particular places, and that its potential to de-stabilise existing systems is ambivalently situated between self-reliance strategies and the perpetuation of dependencies.

BackgroundSexual violence, a global concern, disproportionately affects women. In Kenya, over 40% of women experience intimate partner violence, reflecting a pressing need for understanding and addressing this issue. Sub-Saharan Africa faces a 18.7% prevalence with deep-rooted determinants like unequal power relations and cultural practices. Consequences from unwanted pregnancy to trauma hinder development goals. This study focuses on sexual violence among Kenyan women aged 15–49, aiming to inform policies and contribute to a safer, more equitable society.MethodsThis study analyzed 2022 Kenya Demographic Health Survey data. It used a two-stage cluster sampling method, surveyed 32,156 women aged 15–49, examined determinants of sexual violence, and employed statistical analysis to identify significant predictors.ResultsThis study revealed several significant factors associated with the risk of sexual violence among women in Kenya. Educational attainment emerged as a key determinant, with women holding primary or secondary education showing higher odds of experiencing sexual violence compared to those with higher education. Desire for children also played a significant role; women whose partners desired more children had higher odds of experiencing sexual violence compared to those with mutual or differing desires for children. Domestic violence exposure was strongly associated with sexual violence, as women who experienced domestic violence had 8.69 times the odds of experiencing sexual violence. Additionally, partner alcohol consumption increased the likelihood of sexual violence, as did cultural attitudes, with women who believed that a wife’s refusal of sex justified physical violence facing higher odds of sexual violence.Conclusions and recommendationsThis study identifies key factors, including education, domestic violence, alcohol consumption, and cultural attitudes, that increase sexual violence risk. Recommendations include education, addressing domestic violence, promoting healthy relationships, and challenging harmful norms.

BackgroundAfrican refugee communities in Uganda encounter significant barriers to maternal health services, particularly regarding men's involvement in maternal health. This study explored the perspectives of African refugees and stakeholders on men's engagement in couple's maternal health decisions, utilizing an interdependence-based theoretical model as a framework.MethodsThis qualitative study, conducted in Uganda's Nakivale refugee settlement, included 14 in-depth interviews with healthcare providers, community leaders, and religious leaders, along with eight focus group discussions (n = 78) with refugee men and women. Participants were purposefully recruited to represent diverse experiences. Data were analyzed through deductive analysis to identify factors influencing men's engagement and couple's behaviors in maternal health, emphasizing predisposing factors that affect motivation and communal coping.ResultsKey individual-level factors influencing engagement included men's financial status, mental health, and peer/community influence. At the couple level, closeness, trust, commitment, communication, and joint household decision-making were crucial for fostering male participation. Couples with a high transformation of motivation viewed maternal health as a shared concern rather than an individual one. Those practicing effective communal coping, discussing and jointly deciding to address maternal health issues, also expressed higher engagement in health-promoting behaviors, such as saving for birth, attending antenatal visits together, utilizing family planning, and sharing household chores.ConclusionsMaternal health should be reframed as a shared responsibility between partners, not solely women's issue. To effectively engage African refugee couples and improve outcomes, interventions must prioritize men's involvement alongside women-focused efforts, eventually addressing couples together. These initiatives should enhance men's financial literacy, mental health, knowledge, and relationship quality to foster equitable discussions, decisions, and behaviors between refugee couples.