Bugema University

Ecological filters govern how hemiparasites express functional traits, shaping species persistence and ecosystem dynamics in drylands. We investigated how host identity, elevation, and disturbance influence morphological plasticity in Osyris lanceolata, a facultative hemiparasite of conservation concern in Uganda’s semi-arid Karamoja rangelands. Despite broad host availability, O. lanceolata consistently associated with a core group of woody hosts including Rhus natalensis, Euclea racemosa, and Maytenus senegalensis, reflecting deterministic host-driven trait outcomes (Sørensen greater than 0.70). Elevation, coppicing, and spatial arrangement caused pronounced plasticity in stem number, stem diameter, and leaf area, with trade-offs observed between height and thickness under disturbance. These predictable shifts, influenced by both hosts and the environment, reveal mechanisms of hemiparasite adaptation that support nutrient cycling and dryland community dynamics. Considering host specificity, morphological plasticity, and responses to disturbance, O. lanceolata provides a model for understanding functional ecology in hemiparasitic plants. The findings offer guidance for sustaining O. lanceolata populations and their host networks to maintain resilient dryland ecosystems.

This study examined the factors affecting the academic performance of Bachelor of Science (BS) Chemistry students at Central Luzon State University. Specifically, it investigated the relationships between students’ socio-demographic characteristics, parental learning support, peer influence, attitudes toward chemistry, learning styles and strategies, and teachers’ characteristics with academic performance in chemistry courses. A survey research design was employed using a structured questionnaire administered to seventy-two (72) BS Chemistry students enrolled during the academic year 2014–2015. Descriptive statistics and Pearson’s correlation analysis were used to analyse the data. However, only twenty-three (23) students who had completed all chemistry courses were included in the correlational analysis. Results indicated that most students had parents with secondary-level education and blue-collar occupations, received parental learning support, and demonstrated positive attitudes toward chemistry. Kinesthetic learning style and effort regulation were the most commonly reported learning approaches. Classroom management, teaching effectiveness, and teacher commitment were positively evaluated by students. Significant predictors of academic performance included age, father’s occupation, parental learning support, attitude toward chemistry, kinesthetic and visual learning styles, metacognitive and environmental regulation strategies, peer influence, and selected teacher characteristics. Peer influence showed a negative association with academic performance. The findings highlight the importance of family support, learner characteristics, and instructional quality in shaping academic achievement in chemistry. However, the small sample used in correlational analysis limits generalizability.

BackgroundMental health services are most effective and equitable when designed, delivered, and evaluated in collaboration with People With Lived Experience of mental health conditions (PWLE). However, PWLE are rarely involved in health systems strengthening, and when they are, it is limited to specific components (e.g., peer helpers) rather than multi-tiered collaboration in the full continuum of home to community to facility based services. Moreover, programs that do involve PWLE typically involve people with a history of substance use conditions or common mental disorders. The collaboration of People With Lived Experience of Psychosis (PWLP) is especially rare. Therefore, we aim to explore the feasibility of collaborating with PWLP for health systems strengthening in this feasibility trial.MethodsThis pilot cluster randomized controlled feasibility trial will randomize 36 health facilities to a standard implementation arm where primary care workers (PCW) will be trained by mental health specialists (control), or a collaborative care model with added co-facilitation of PCW trainings by PWLP as well as home visits by PWLP to service users (intervention). The intervention condition is referred to as “Strengthening CAre in collaboration with People with lived Experience of psychosis in Uganda” (SCAPE-U). The 36 health facilities will be distributed across six clusters with three clusters in each arm. PhotoVoice will be used to train PWLP to be co-facilitators of PCW training and provide home-based support to service users in the intervention arm. The primary outcomes of the feasibility trial will be the feasibility, acceptability, and safety of collaborating with PWLP. Data will also be collected on individual-level outcomes for PCWs, and service users to inform the feasibility of data collection and obtain effect size estimates.DiscussionFindings from this feasibility trial will inform a fully powered trial to evaluate the benefits of an implementation strategy characterized by collaboration with PWLP across the continuum of healthcare services.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov. number: NCT05863572.Date of registration: May 18, 2023.URL of trial registry record: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05863572?term=NCT05863572&rank=1.

There was an indication in 2012 that Non Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) were responsible for 38 million (68%) of the world’s 56 million deaths. Almost three-quarters of all NCDs (28 million) and the majority of premature deaths (82%) occur in low and middle-income countries mainly in Asia and Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries. A comprehensive and culturally applicable community-based Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) services package was implemented with an aim to test the effectiveness of the community-based NCD services on the Quality of Life (QoL) of people with HIV. The Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) was conducted to compare the effectiveness of the community-based NCD services as an intervention. The control group received the usual HIV services in the community. Participants were randomly allocated to receive weekly and monthly intervention sessions using the standard care in the community ARV drug distribution points. Paired and independent t-tests were performed to compare changes in the QoL scores at the baseline and the endline. Between November and December 2018, 1076 individuals were screened, of whom 438 were randomly assigned to either the intervention or control group in a ratio of 1:1. The post-intervention results revealed that the community-based NCD services were effective and improved the QoL in all three domains; the physical, environmental and social relationship domains. The study findings further revealed that QoL was higher at the end line across all domains in the treatment group compared to the control group, the mean differences were statistically significant (p = 0.000 < 0.05). Thus, the community-based NCD services were efficacious in improving the QoL of HIV-infected people. Findings could be utilized in regular community service settings for their sustainability and long-term effects. The intervention created an improved understanding of HIV and NCD integration health promotion strategies and community support systems activities by the VHT, ART expert clients and community volunteers. The study recommended that the Government through the Ministry of Health (MOH) review and adopt the transformed community-based HIV and NCD services in the national guidelines for the management of HIV in the communities using the differentiated models.

Hоzirgi kundа о‘smirlik dаvridа bulling muаmmоsi vа ungа qаrshi kurаshishdа qо‘llаnilаdigаn kорing strаtеgiyаlаrining о‘rni muhimdir. О‘smirlik dаvri ijtimоiy vа еmоtsiоnаl rivоjlаnishidа muhim bоsqiсh bо‘lib, bu dаvrdа bulling о‘z nаvbаtidа о‘smirlаrning ruhiy sаlоmаtligigа sаlbiy tа’sir kо‘rsаtishi mumkin, shuning uсhun bu muаmmоni hаl qilishdа sаmаrаli strаtеgiyаlаrni qо‘llаsh zаrur. Mаqоlаdа о‘smirlik dаvridа bullinggа qаrshi kurаshishdа kорing strаtеgiyаlаrining аhаmiyаti hаqidаgi mа’lumоtlаr kеltirilgаn.

Occupation-Related Injuries (ORIs) and sicknesses continue to be major public health concerns requiring serious and urgent action. There is increasing global concern about the prevalence of occupational injuries among workers in informal recycling in developing countries especially those in sub-Saharan Africa. This is arising due partly to the poor methods of waste management. This was observed in the eastern African countries and in particular in Uganda. Solid waste recycling in Uganda landfill is done manually, which requires repeated heavy physical activities such as lifting, carrying, pulling, and pushing. In Uganda, especially in the Kiteezi landfill, the solid waste recycling process raises a lot of concern as solid waste recyclers are exposed to a number of health hazards leading to injuries. The study focused on the Kiteezi Landfill site in Wakiso District central Uganda and investigated the prevalence of occupational injuries among workers in informal recycling businesses, the factors (individual and institutional) influencing the prevalence of these injuries and the association between these factors. The study employed a quantitative research approach using a cross-sectional research design and collected data from 112 participants who were selected by stratified sampling technique. This data was collected using a structured questionnaire and was analyzed at univariate, bivariate and multivariate levels. Data was analyzed using the SPSS version 2020. Descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) were used to respond to objectives one and two and chi-square analysis was used to analyze the objectives of the study in order to determine the association between the organizational factors, individual factors and the prevalence of occupational injuries. The results show that the prevalence of occupational injuries was 55.4% and the only significant factor was accessibility to sanitation facilities (AOR= 0.38; 95%CI: 0.16-0.94, P = 0.05). Disruption in access to sanitation facilities predisposes the workers in informal recycling businesses to increased incidences of occupational injuries. There is a high prevalence of occupational injuries among workers in this informal recycling unit which if not addressed will inevitably contribute to the increase of the disease burden in the country. This study therefore strongly recommends the need for not only education and awareness for the workers but also provision of all the essential personal protective equipment and processes and relevant accessible sanitary facilities.

Background: Lack of credible sexual partner dialog and support regarding family planning (FP) and other sexual reproductive health issues is a major impediment to contraception service uptake and utilization. This study examined the feasibility and acceptability of attitudes toward using telehealth for remote education of couples through behavioral, motivational, and informational messaging on FP methods and its eventual impact on partner conversations around FP. Methods: The study was conducted in Kampala, Uganda, and involved recruiting 450 men from diverse settings. These men received regular SMS content on FP and sexual and reproductive health for a duration of 6 months. The content aimed to provide information and motivation while serving as a resource for discussions with their spouses. Following the main quantitative study, a qualitative follow-up study was conducted with a subset of 15 randomly selected men. In-depth interviews were conducted with these men to gain deeper insights into their experiences and perspectives. Results: The study revealed positive outcomes where men reported improved knowledge of FP methods such as child spacing, and types of contraception. The messaging prompted discussions with spouses on family size and spousal support. Couples reported a shift toward viewing FP as a joint responsibility, with some couples even taking concrete actions. The findings suggested that telehealth interventions can promote social and behavioral change and can improve couple communication and male involvement in FP decisions in Uganda. Conclusion: The study found that using telehealth messaging to educate men about FP in Uganda successfully improved communication between couples on the topic.

Purpose: The general purpose of the study was to explore one health approaches to disease management.
 Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library.
 Findings: The findings reveal that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to one health approaches to disease management. Preliminary empirical review revealed that that interdisciplinary collaboration was vital in addressing health challenges at the human-animal-environment interface. Through a comprehensive review of empirical evidence and case studies, the research demonstrated the potential of One Health initiatives to mitigate the burden of infectious diseases, improve health outcomes, and promote sustainable development. Community engagement was highlighted as crucial for identifying health priorities and implementing interventions effectively. Despite challenges such as the need for standardized methodologies and sustainable financing, the study emphasized the importance of continued investment in One Health research and practice to build resilient health systems and promote equity in health outcomes.
 Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The Complexity theory, Social Ecological model and the Diffusion of Innovations theory may be used to anchor future studies on disease management. The study advocated for interdisciplinary collaboration, complexity theory, and systems thinking to understand health systems better. In practice, these recommendations led to the development and implementation of integrated health interventions, considering the health of humans, animals, and ecosystems. From a policy perspective, they emphasized fostering multi-sectoral collaboration and establishing institutional frameworks to support One Health initiatives. Additionally, the recommendations highlighted the importance of community engagement, investment in research and innovation, and international cooperation to advance One Health agendas and address global health threats. Overall, these recommendations provided valuable guidance for stakeholders in promoting integrated approaches to disease management and improving health outcomes for all.

Abstract Iron deficiency anemia is still a global public health concern with the highest burden among children 6 to 23 months due to their rapid growth spurt exceeding breastmilk supply. Therefore, nutritional supply is a key source of iron to attain the required nutrients for better growth and development. This was a cross-sectional descriptive study done at Ishaka Adventist Hospital (IAH) and Kampala International University Teaching Hospital (KIUTH) from April to July 2022. Participants were consecutively enrolled in the study. Structured questionnaires, 24-hour dietary recall, and clinical assessment were used to obtain data. Data analysis was done using the Statistical Package for Social scientists (SPSS) V22.0. Bivariable and multivariable analysis was done using logistic regression for associations with significance set at P-value <0.05. A total of 364 participants were enrolled, with majority males 198(54.4%) and born at term 333(91.5%). The modal age was 12-17 months [163(44.8%)] with a mean age of 14.1 months (SD 5.32). The overall prevalence of IDA was 151/364 (41.5%). The factors associated with IDA included male sex (aOR 1.61), current episode of diarrhoea (aOR 1.71), poor meal frequency (aOR 1.78), no vegetable consumption (aOR 2.47) and consuming fruits once (aOR 1.97) in 7 days preceding the study. The study finds a high prevalence of IDA among infants 6-23 months with at least four in 10 being affected. Screening for IDA should be recommended in male children with current diarrhea, poor intake of fruits and vegetables, and poor meal frequency. The Mentzer index is an equally good alternative screening test for IDA.