Islamic University in Uganda

Қоршаған ортаны қорғау бүгінгі жаһандық күн тәртібінің орталық мәселелерінің бірі болып отыр. Әлемдік экологиялық дағдарыстың тереңдеуі барлық этикалық және құқықтық ресурстарды, соның ішінде исламдық діни-құқықтық дәстүрлерді қайта қарастыруды талап етеді. Мақалада шариғаттағы ḥimāya al-bīʾah ұғымына негізделген экологиялық сақтаудың құқықтық тетіктеріне фиқһтық талдау беріледі. Сондай-ақ мақасид әл-шариғат (шариғат мақсаттары) және siyāsah al-shar‘iyyah (қоғамдық саясат) құралдарының табиғи ресурстарды тұрақты басқарудағы және экологиялық бұзылулардың алдын алудағы рөлі қарастырылады. Зерттеу әдіснамасы Құран мен Сүннетке сүйенген доктриналық және аналитикалық тәсілді қамтиды, оны классикалық фиқһ интерпретациялары толықтырады. Нәтижесінде ислам құқығы экологиялық зиянды ғана тыйым салмайтыны, сонымен қатар жеке тұлғалар мен мемлекетке экологиялық тепе-теңдікті (mīzān) сақтауға қатысты моральдық әрі құқықтық міндет жүктейтіні айқындалады. Мақалада осы тетіктерді заманауи экологиялық сын-қатерлерді шешуге бейімдеу жолдары көрсетілген. Қорытындысында исламдық құқықтық қағидаларды қазіргі экологиялық саясатқа кіріктіру мұсылман қоғамдары мен одан тысқары аймақтар үшін орнықты дамуға негізделген тұтас әрі этикалық жүйе қалыптастыра алатыны дәлелденеді.

Lithium-ion solid electrolyte batteries have attracted great attention to replacing liquid electrolytes due to their cycling electrochemical properties, durable stability and safety. Numerous studies have been investigated to increase the performance of ionic-conductivity and enhance the stability of solid-state electrolytes, and its commercialization is broadly spread. This review article highlights the progress in developing NASICON-type solid electrolytes, which are made by solid-state reactions and wet-chemical procedures. Initially, researchers focused on the crystal structure, strength, and electrochemical properties of LiZr2(PO4)3, but recent studies have shifted towards investigating the electrical conductivity, crystal structure and its compatibility with Li metal. Also, the indigenous research on LiTi2(PO4)3 was pivoted on densification of the solid electrolyte to improve ionic conductivity by partial substitution of Ti4+ with Al3+ or B3+ now yields a promising ionic conductivity. LiGe2(PO4)3 is yet another Li-based NASICON electrolyte that, from the early stage, received extensive research majoring on the partial substitution of Al3+ with Ge4+ with the formula Li1+xAlxGe2-x(PO4)3 to stabilize the crystal structure following experimental and computational analysis. Improved ionic conductivity currently increasing as a result of improved Li intensity affected by aliovalent Al3+ substitution. Numerous research efforts have been explored to improve the ionic conductivity and elevate the electrochemical and thermal stabilities of NASICON-type electrolytes. It deems it fit to bring forth a cascade of promising results that so far have been recorded in both the early and the current research efforts in improving the suitability of NASICON-type electrolytes.

This study explored the integration of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into curriculum implementation processes using a dual methodology that combined questionnaire administration and analysis of academic program curriculum objectives. The underlying rationale was that incorporating select SDGs into relevant programs can enrich and diversify curriculum implementation processes, thereby enhancing their relevance and effectiveness. The study undertook a qualitative questionnaire survey design, and by administering a questionnaire to students and reviewing academic programme curriculum objectives, this study investigated the inclusion of aspects of SDGs in curriculum implementation processes. The sample comprised 600 students in three faculties of management studies, education, and social sciences, and 340 students filled and returned the questionnaire. The rationale was that the processes of curriculum implementation could be enriched and diversified by including contemporary aspects like some of the 17 SDGs goals in related programs. There is limited attention paid to the promotion of SDGs in curriculum development processes in Uganda’s higher education institutions (HEIs). Engaging HEIs in the pursuit of SDGs can significantly facilitate the attainment of these objectives. As centres of diverse stakeholders, including students, faculty, researchers, and community partners, HEIs possess a unique capacity to leverage their collective expertise, resources, and influence to drive SDG implementation. This espouses existing literature that the numerous gaps in higher education training, coupled with the high degree of indigenization of knowledge through geographically inclined curriculum designs and implementation, and gaps in graduate competencies and skills, call for a very diversified intervention.

Background: Cervical cancer remains a leading cause of mortality among women in Uganda. This study assessed awareness and uptake of cervical cancer screening among female health science students at the Islamic University in Uganda. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 189 female students using a pretested, self-administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21. Results: While 84.7% of respondents were aware of cervical cancer, only 57.7% had acceptable knowledge of symptoms, and merely 11% had ever been screened. Conclusion: Despite high awareness, cervical cancer screening uptake is very low. Targeted educational and screening interventions are urgently needed.

The increasing global use of unvalidated herbal products poses substantial health risks, highlighting the importance of rigorous toxicity evaluations. In the Elgon sub-region, Rhoicissus tridentata extracts are traditionally used to treat prostate cancer, but the absence of standardized dosages restricts their potential use and limits evidence for informing chemotherapeutic applications. This study aimed to investigate the subacute toxicity of R. tridentata extracts in Wistar albino rats. We used 84 Wistar albino rats to assess clinical toxicity symptoms, hematological and biochemical parameters, and histopathological changes using advanced equipment like hematology machines and COBAS INTEGRA Chemistry Plus 600. A total of 84 Wistar albino rats were used to assess clinical symptoms, hematological, biochemical parameters and majar organ histopathological changes. Histological biomarkers were analyzed using Coulter Counter Hamatology analyzer while biochemical indices were analyzed using COBAS INTEGRA Chemistry Plus 600, but eosinophils increased significantly (p ≤ 0.0001), confirming mild toxicity. To guarantee the safe use of R. tridentata in therapy, determining the maximum dose that produces no adverse effects (NOAEL) is essential to inform dosing in sub-chronic and sub-acute toxicity. Regulatory agencies evaluating herbal products containing R. tridentata should exercise caution and require standardized dosing protocols and comprehensive toxicity assessments to safeguard public health.

ABSTRACT Several systematic reviews have been published on psychosocial care interventions (PCIs) in cancer care. However, there are limited systematic reviews and meta-analyses (SRMA) on the effectiveness of PCIs in cancer care for adults patients in low- and-middle income countries (LMICs). This study aimed at synthesizing the available evidence on the effectiveness of PCI in improving the quality of life (QoL) of adult cancer patients in LMICs. We registered the protocol with PROSPERO (ID: CRD4202342156) before conducting this SRMA. Studies published between 2002 and 2023 were searched from MEDLINE, Web of Science, EmBASE and APA PsycINFO. We followed the standard guidelines for Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. Results of the pooled studies were analysed using MedCalc version 10.10 statistical software. Twenty-six intervention studies were included in this SRMA. The Eastern Mediterranean WHO region had the highest number of studies and Africa region had the least. Most studies utilised Cognitive Behavioural therapy-related interventions (38%, n = 10 studies), while Family systems therapy 4% (n = 1) was the least utilised. From the subgroup analyses of the means and standard deviations of domains of QoL in the pooled primary studies, the respective standardized mean differences indicated that the PCIs had a significant positive effect on the physical (0.972: p = 0.002), social (0.884: p = 0.005) and psychological (0.590: p = 0.03) domains of QoL of adult cancer patients. However, some PCIs did not improve the QoL of study participants. Generally, PCIs effectively improved most domains of the QoL of adult cancer patients. However, more research is needed for PCIs that had a negative effect on some domains of the QoL of cancer patients. Lastly, there is need for LMICs to prioritise resources to strengthen the integration of psychosocial care interventions in cancer care to meet the different QoL sub-domains of patients with cancer.

Access to healthcare is a significant challenge for individuals with limited mobility, particularly in developing countries and among vulnerable populations in Asia. Portable dentistry offers an innovative solution by delivering essential dental services directly to patients' homes. This study explores the perceptions of patients and dentists regarding portable dentistry's feasibility and acceptability and employs machine learning models to predict its regional need and willingness. A cross-sectional, multi-country study was conducted over six months (June-November 2024) involving 1,550 patients and 1,320 dentists from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Iran, and Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using validated questionnaires distributed online and in person. Machine learning models-Random Forest, Gradient Boosting, K-Nearest Neighbors, Support Vector Machine, and Logistic Regression-were applied to predict the acceptance and regional needs of portable dentistry. The models were evaluated for accuracy, precision, recall, F1 score, and ROC-AUC metrics. Qualitative analysis was performed on open-ended responses to identify thematic insights. Approximately 76% of patients and 74% of dentists expressed a need for portable dentistry, with urban residents, women, and younger dentists showing the highest interest. Random Forest consistently achieved the highest predictive accuracy, reaching up to 97.10% for patients and 88.17% for dentists. Feature importance analysis revealed that demographic factors, professional experience, and perceived demand strongly influenced acceptance. Qualitative findings highlighted portable dentistry's potential benefits, including improved access, reduced travel, and personalized care, alongside challenges such as equipment limitations and operational constraints. The study demonstrates a substantial demand for portable dentistry in Asia, supported by robust predictive modeling and thematic analysis. Targeted awareness campaigns, professional training programs, telehealth integration, and economic viability assessments are recommended to facilitate the sustainable implementation of portable dentistry, addressing healthcare disparities and improving accessibility for underserved populations.

Teacher job satisfaction remains a central determinant of instructional quality and retention in secondary education, particularly within Uganda’s growing private school sector. This study examined the relationship between work-life balance provisions and teachers’ job satisfaction in private secondary schools in Mukono District, Uganda. The study was guided by four specific objectives: to determine the relationship between work-family balance, work-faith balance, work-health balance, and work-training balance, and teachers’ job satisfaction. A descriptive correlational research design under a quantitative approach was employed to establish the strength and direction of associations among these variables. The study involved 80 participants, including teachers and head teachers, selected from four private secondary schools in Mukono District through purposive and random sampling techniques. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analysed using descriptive statistics and Spearman’s rank correlation with the aid of SPSS software. The findings revealed that work-family and work-health balance had strong and statistically significant positive relationships with teachers’ job satisfaction, while work-faith balance showed a moderate but significant positive relationship. Work-training balance exhibited a very strong and significant positive relationship with teachers’ job satisfaction. These results suggest that improved work-life balance provisions enhance teachers’ well-being, motivation, and performance. The study concludes that equitable workload distribution, institutional respect for personal and faith commitments, health promotion, and professional development are key to fostering teacher satisfaction and retention. Strengthening these provisions can ultimately improve teaching quality and educational outcomes in private secondary schools in Mukono District.