The National Research Repository of Uganda - NRU

Welcome to the National Research Repository of Uganda, abbreviated as "NRU". NRU was established in 2021. NRU is a collection of scholarly output by researchers from the UNCST Community, including scholarly articles and books, electronic theses and dissertations, conference proceedings, journals, technical reports and digitised library collections. It is the official Institutional Archive (IA) of UNCST.

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For information about the publishers' copyright policy on archiving your articles online or in an institutional archive, visit the Sherpa Site at http://www.sherpa.ac.uk/romeo.php The site gives a summary of the permissions normally given as part of each publisher's copyright transfer agreement. If you wish to publish your research findings in the NRU, please contact NRU administrator at admin@uncst.go.ug for details. NRU operates both open access and closed access models. Access to fulltext has been restricted in adherence to the UNCST Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and Copyrights policies.

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Africa Portal is an online repository of open access library collection with over 3,000 books, journals, and digital documents on African policy issues. This is an initiative by the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI), Makerere University (MAK), and the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA). Please visit the Africa Portal at http://www.africaportal.org/library.

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Now showing 1 - 5 of 12

Recent Submissions

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Educational factors influencing academic achievement in biomedical sciences among undergraduate nursing students in Uganda: analytical cross-sectional study
(Springer International Publishing, 2025-06-30) Munguiko, Clement;; Ngeno, Anne;; Museene, Safinah
Abstract Abstract Introduction Biomedical science courses, including anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry, are challenging for many undergraduate nursing students. This study explored academic achievement in these subjects and the impact of student educational factors on performance among nursing students in Uganda. Methods Analytical cross-sectional study of 208 nursing students from four Ugandan public universities examined academic achievement in biomedical sciences. Using Grade Point Average (GPA) and letter grades as measures, the study analysed the influence of student educational factors like prior academic performance, career choice, and learning methods through Welch’s Analysis of Variance, Pearsons’s correlation and Linear Mixed-Effects model. Results Academic achievement varied slightly across universities, with physiology having the highest mean GPA of 2.89 (1.83–3.70) and anatomy the lowest at 2.63 (2.04–3.30), resulting in an overall GPA of 2.80 ± 0.747. Most students received C (37%) and D (33.7%) grades. Choosing nursing as a lower-priority career (β = 0.42, 95% CI 0.08–0.76, p = 0.02) and infrequent participation in group discussions (β = −0.61, CI −1.21 to −0.12, p < 0.001) influenced academic achievement in biomedical sciences. Secondary school performance showed negligible correlation with biomedical science GPA (r = 0.1163). Conclusion Academic achievement in biomedical sciences among Ugandan nursing students is marginal to moderate, with most earning C and D grades. Universities should provide extra support to students who select nursing as their first choice while continuing to admit those who choose nursing as a later option. Encouraging small group discussions among students could also be beneficial.
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Urban child poverty in Kampala city, insights from children’s drawings
(Springer International Publishing, 2025-10-08) Kwiringira, Japheth Nkiriyehe;; Okimait, David;; Perry, Elizabeth W. ;; Akugizibwe, Mathias;; Otim, Jude;; Bhangyi, Venesio Bwambale;; Balyejjusa, Moses Senkosi;; Mugisha, James;; Isabirye, Alone;; Rujumba, Joseph
Abstract In many urban areas, rapid urbanization, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, has overwhelmed technical and administrative capacity to provide adequate services. This has led to various challenges of urban sustainability, including urban child poverty, known to worsen the cognitive and emotional well-being of such children. We aimed to gain an understanding of and provide evidence on urban child poverty in Uganda through children’s diagrammatic representations of the drivers, effects, and needed interventions. We used children’s drawings, in-depth interpretations of these drawings, and observations. Using a two-stage sampling strategy, data were collected from four poor slum zones within Kampala city. Through purposive sampling, 26 deprived slum dwelling children aged between 7 and 15 years, who were willing to take part in the study, were asked to share their stories regarding their experiences of urban poverty using drawings, and generating narratives about them. Data analysis was done using a participatory design of the code-book, drawing visualization, and analysis. Some verbatim statements were also picked directly from raw data and used to strengthen this analysis and reporting. Children were well conversant with the problem of urban child poverty based on its causes, manifestations, and effects. Children expressed that urban child poverty was linked to domestic violence, lack of parental care, chronic sickness, orphanhood, and the absence of child support services in the community. Effects of urban poverty included the inability to use medical facilities, lack of access to information, ill health, coping with street life through violence, poor shelter, overcrowding, lack of social capital, and being excluded from basic decision-making processes at all levels. There is also a need to build on the available child rights initiatives in urban areas and elsewhere as a means to reduce these urban distortions. Continuous investment in research to present the different experiences of urban vulnerable groups should also be done to underpin evidence-based urban programming.
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Cognitive interviewing for understanding and adaptation of mental health screening instruments among people living with HIV in rakai, Uganda: the thinking a lot questionnaire, the patient health questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9), and the hopkins symptoms checklist (HSCL)
(Elsevier Ltd, 2025-12) West, Nora S.;; Namuganga, Lydia P.;; Isabirye, Dauda ;; Nakubulwa, Rosette;; Ddaaki, William;; Nakyanjo, Neema;; Nalugoda, Fred;; Murray, Sarah M.;; Kennedy, Caitlin E.
Mental health is conceptualized differently across cultures, making exploration of the understandability of screening tools for the purpose of adaptation critical. In Uganda, we used cognitive interviewing to understand comprehension of and make adaptations to three scales for measuring psychological distress: the Thinking Too Much (TTM) Questionnaire, the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9), and the Hopkins Symptoms Checklist (HSCL). We recruited 12 people living with HIV from the Rakai Community Cohort Study (RCCS) and interviewed seven potential users of the scales (four RCCS survey interviewers and three local health workers). Data were analyzed systematically using a team-based matrix approach. The HSCL was generally well understood, with minor clarifications needed. The TTM Questionnaire was also well understood, though differences between “how much” and “how often” required specificity. Both included local idioms of distress from prior adaptations. The PHQ-9 performed less well, with many questions interpreted variably or showing unclear local applicability, especially among people living with HIV. For example, questions about trouble concentrating were misunderstood, focusing on examples like newspapers rather than the broader issue of concentration. Future research should explore the validity and utility of commonly used instruments as mental health research expands in Africa, and both researchers and public health programmers should consider the strengths and limitations of screening instruments in their setting. •Adapts mental health tools for cultural relevance in Uganda.•Enables accurate distress screening for people living with HIV.•Enhances treatment adherence and health outcomes locally.•Serves as a model for mental health tool adaptation in Africa.•Promotes global equity in culturally sensitive mental health care.
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Relationship between baseline right ventricular systolic function and left ventricular recovery at six-months of follow up among women with peripartum cardiomyopathy in Uganda
(Elsevier B.V, 2025-09-07) Nabbaale, Juliet;; Okello, Emmy;; Nakimuli, Annettee ;; Chakafana, Graham;; Sliwa, Karen
AbstractBackgroundLV recovery in Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM) depends on several baseline factors including left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), LV end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), duration of symptoms. The role baseline RV function in LV recovery remains poorly described. This study sought to determine the relationship between baseline RV systolic function and LV recovery at six-months follow up among women with PPCM in Uganda. MethodsProspective cohort study of 80 PPCM cases and 80 healthy matched controls observed over a 6-month period while on goal-directed medical therapy (GDMT). All enrolled participants had a 12-lead electrocardiography, echocardiography at baseline and at 6-months follow-up for assessment of LV systolic function using LV global longitudinal strain (LV GLS) and LV EF whereas RV systolic function was assessed using; fractional area change (FAC), tricuspid annular plane excursion (TAPSE), RV lateral wall S’ (RV S’), fractional wall strain (FWS) and RV global longitudinal strain (RV GLS). ResultsThe mean data of cases included age of 33.6 ± 6.6 years, LVEF 35.7 ± 11.0 %, LV GLS −11.9 ± 4.7 % and RV GLS −14.7 ± 10.9 %, RV FAC 32.9 ± 13.5 %, Lat S’ 10.6 ± 3.0 cm/s and RV FWS −17.1 ± 7.2 %. LV recovery occurred among 46.3 % cases. Factors which predicted LV recovery included heart rate and LVEDD. ConclusionUnder half of PPCM cases had LV recovery at six-months on GDMT and Bromocriptine. Baseline heart rate and LVEDD predicted LV recovery.
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Leveraging digital technologies to reduce cancer disparities in low-income and middle-income countries
(Elsevier Ltd, 2025-11-14) Gichoya, Judy W;; Mwavu, Rogers;; Minja, Frank ;; Kaonga, Nadi;; Purkayastha, Saptarshi;; Newsome, Janice
In a rural clinic in southwestern Uganda, Dr Sarah examines cervical images on her smartphone, receiving real-time artificial intelligence-powered guidance from a gynaecologic oncologist located hundreds of miles away. Once imaginary, this scenario now represents a highly probable future of digital health innovation transforming cancer care globally. With over 35 million new cases of cancer estimated by 2050, and up to 70% of deaths anticipated to disproportionately occur in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), digital solutions can be leveraged to accelerate the closure of these cancer care gaps. The global oncology community has responded to this imminent crisis by proposing several interventions, including promoting workforce education, mentorship, and task shifting; supporting early diagnosis and referrals through integrated diagnostics; prioritising and implementing prevention strategies such as tobacco cessation, cervical cancer screening, and vaccination; standardising and personalising treatment through increased participation in clinical trials and provision of essential cancer medications; and strengthening health-care systems. Across all these strategic pillars, digital health tools are crucial for advancing cancer care and narrowing existing global and geographical disparities in LMICs. In this Series paper, we evaluate the current status of these digital innovations in the context of cancer care.In a rural clinic in southwestern Uganda, Dr Sarah examines cervical images on her smartphone, receiving real-time artificial intelligence-powered guidance from a gynaecologic oncologist located hundreds of miles away. Once imaginary, this scenario now represents a highly probable future of digital health innovation transforming cancer care globally. With over 35 million new cases of cancer estimated by 2050, and up to 70% of deaths anticipated to disproportionately occur in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), digital solutions can be leveraged to accelerate the closure of these cancer care gaps. The global oncology community has responded to this imminent crisis by proposing several interventions, including promoting workforce education, mentorship, and task shifting; supporting early diagnosis and referrals through integrated diagnostics; prioritising and implementing prevention strategies such as tobacco cessation, cervical cancer screening, and vaccination; standardising and personalising treatment through increased participation in clinical trials and provision of essential cancer medications; and strengthening health-care systems. Across all these strategic pillars, digital health tools are crucial for advancing cancer care and narrowing existing global and geographical disparities in LMICs. In this Series paper, we evaluate the current status of these digital innovations in the context of cancer care. MEDLINE - Academic