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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Timeliness and completeness of weekly surveillance data reporting on epidemic prone diseases in Uganda, 2020–2021
(BioMed Central, 2023-04-04) Nansikombi, Hildah Tendo;; Kwesiga, Benon;; Aceng, Freda L. ;; Ario, Alex R.;; Bulage, Lilian;; Arinaitwe, Emma S.
Disease surveillance provides vital data for disease prevention and control programs. Incomplete and untimely data are common challenges in planning, monitoring, and evaluation of health sector performance, and health service delivery. Weekly surveillance data are sent from health facilities using mobile tracking (mTRAC) program, and synchronized into the District Health Information Software version 2 (DHIS2). The data are then merged into district, regional, and national level datasets. We described the completeness and timeliness of weekly surveillance data reporting on epidemic prone diseases in Uganda, 2020-2021.INTRODUCTIONDisease surveillance provides vital data for disease prevention and control programs. Incomplete and untimely data are common challenges in planning, monitoring, and evaluation of health sector performance, and health service delivery. Weekly surveillance data are sent from health facilities using mobile tracking (mTRAC) program, and synchronized into the District Health Information Software version 2 (DHIS2). The data are then merged into district, regional, and national level datasets. We described the completeness and timeliness of weekly surveillance data reporting on epidemic prone diseases in Uganda, 2020-2021.We abstracted data on completeness and timeliness of weekly reporting of epidemic-prone diseases from 146 districts of Uganda from the DHIS2.Timeliness is the proportion of all expected weekly reports that were submitted to DHIS2 by 12:00pm Monday of the following week. Completeness is the proportion of all expected weekly reports that were completely filled and submitted to DHIS2 by 12:00pm Wednesday of the following week. We determined the proportions and trends of completeness and timeliness of reporting at national level by year, health region, district, health facility level, and facility ownership.METHODSWe abstracted data on completeness and timeliness of weekly reporting of epidemic-prone diseases from 146 districts of Uganda from the DHIS2.Timeliness is the proportion of all expected weekly reports that were submitted to DHIS2 by 12:00pm Monday of the following week. Completeness is the proportion of all expected weekly reports that were completely filled and submitted to DHIS2 by 12:00pm Wednesday of the following week. We determined the proportions and trends of completeness and timeliness of reporting at national level by year, health region, district, health facility level, and facility ownership.National average reporting timeliness and completeness was 44% and 70% in 2020, and 49% and 75% in 2021. Eight of the 15 health regions achieved the target for completeness of ≥ 80%; Lango attained the highest (93%) in 2020, and Karamoja attained 96% in 2021. None of the regions achieved the timeliness target of ≥ 80% in either 2020 or 2021. Kampala District had the lowest completeness (38% and 32% in 2020 and 2021, respectively) and the lowest timeliness (19% in both 2020 and 2021). Referral hospitals and private owned health facilities did not attain any of the targets, and had the poorest reporting rates throughout 2020 and 2021.RESULTSNational average reporting timeliness and completeness was 44% and 70% in 2020, and 49% and 75% in 2021. Eight of the 15 health regions achieved the target for completeness of ≥ 80%; Lango attained the highest (93%) in 2020, and Karamoja attained 96% in 2021. None of the regions achieved the timeliness target of ≥ 80% in either 2020 or 2021. Kampala District had the lowest completeness (38% and 32% in 2020 and 2021, respectively) and the lowest timeliness (19% in both 2020 and 2021). Referral hospitals and private owned health facilities did not attain any of the targets, and had the poorest reporting rates throughout 2020 and 2021.Weekly surveillance reporting on epidemic prone diseases improved modestly over time, but timeliness of reporting was poor. Further investigations to identify barriers to reporting timeliness for surveillance data are needed to address the variations in reporting.CONCLUSIONWeekly surveillance reporting on epidemic prone diseases improved modestly over time, but timeliness of reporting was poor. Further investigations to identify barriers to reporting timeliness for surveillance data are needed to address the variations in reporting. MEDLINE - Academic
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Predictors of female condom utilisation among women of reproductive age (15–49 years) in Rakai district, Uganda: a cross-sectional study
(BioMed Central, 2025-09-26) Shannon, Ahumuza;; Kevin, Nwanna Uchechukwu;; Gbadamosi, Mojeed Akorede
The female condom serves as a dual protective device, preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS, unintended pregnancies and other sexually transmitted infections (STIS). When it comes to sexual protection and contraception, the female condom is an essential tool for women's empowerment. Females are more susceptible than males to acquiring STIs due to their biological makeup. Females are particularly vulnerable to sexual abuse following substance use. The uptake of female condoms has been a significant challenge in Uganda, and their uptake remains low. Limited research exists on the subject of female condom use in Uganda; hence, this study was undertaken and used the Health Belief Model to investigate the prevalence and factors associated with the use of female condoms among women of reproductive age in Rakai district, Uganda. This cross-sectional study used a multistage random sampling method with a sample size of 125 women. Data were gathered using an interviewer-administered questionnaire and assessed with the Health Belief Model against the outcome variable, which was Female Condom utilisation. Log-binomial regression model analysis was done using SPSS version 25. The prevalence of utilising female condoms was 34%. The socio-demographic variables of the respondents that influenced FC utilisation were age (26-35 years) (aPR: 0.84, CI: 0.76-0.93, p < 0.001) and Monthly income (200,000-500,000 Ugx) (aPR: 0.14, CI: 0.03-0.74, p = 0.021). Also, perceived severity (aPR: 2.9, CI: 1.14-7.35, p = 0.026) and perceived benefits (aPR: 6.6, CI: 1.19-36.70, p = 0.031) were significantly associated with the outcome variable. Our significance level was 0.05 with a 95% confidence interval. The prevalence of utilisation of female condoms was low; age, religion, marital status, monthly income, perceived severity and benefits were the predictors of female condom use among women of reproductive age. Therefore, health education and awareness should be carried out at the community level to increase the sensitisation of female condoms by emphasising the importance of their use in preventing HIV/AIDS, STIs, and unintended pregnancies. Gale OneFile: Nursing and Allied Health
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Health professionals’ stigmatizing attitudes towards people with mental illness: A cross-sectional study in a referral hospital in Uganda
(Public Library of Science, 2024-12-02) Abaatyo, Joan;; Nyemara, Novatus;; Ashaba, Scholastic
Health professionals in primary care settings show stigmatizing attitudes towards people with mental illness (PMI), leading to undermined quality of care delivered. However, information is sparse on stigmatizing attitudes of health professionals towards PMI in Uganda. This study aimed to discover the levels of stigmatizing attitudes towards PMI and associated factors among health professionals in Uganda. We enrolled 254 health professionals at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital in a cross-sectional study. Community attitude towards mental illness-2 (CAMI-2) scale was used to assess stigmatizing for attitudes. Linear regression was used to determine factors associated with level of stigmatizing attitudes. The average overall CAMI score for all participants was 91.1±16.6. Nurses/midwives compared to doctors had significantly higher total CAMI score (p<0.001), and higher malevolent (p = 0.01) and non-acceptance attitudes (p = 0.02) than doctors. Doctors had significantly lower authoritarian attitudes than clinical officers, (p = 0.004). Being male (aCoef: -4.86; p = 0.02), increase in compassion satisfaction (aCoef: -0.44; p = 0.02), and increased mental health knowledge (aCoef: -2.90; p = <0.001), increased likelihood of having lower levels of stigmatizing attitudes, while being a non-psychiatric health professional was associated with higher levels of stigmatizing attitudes (aCoef: 12.08; p = 0.01). Health professionals exhibit moderate levels of stigmatizing attitudes towards PMI and stigmatizing attitudes are more among nurses/midwives. Various steps including providing education and training on mental illness, promoting community integration and social inclusion, and advocating for policies, should be taken to reduce stigmatizing attitudes of health professionals towards PMI. Gale OneFile: Science
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Consumer risk perception towards pesticide-stained tomatoes in Uganda
(Public Library of Science, 2023-12) Sekabojja, Daniel;; Atuhaire, Aggrey;; Nabankema, Victoria ;; Sekimpi, Deogratias;; Jórs, Erik
Tomatoes are consumed daily. Unfortunately, abuse of pesticide application by vegetable growers in Uganda increases risks of pesticide residue exposure among consumers, as they may be above Maximum Residue Limits (European Union Maximum Residue Limits used as a standard in Uganda). This study aimed to determine consumer attitudes and risk perceptions towards pesticide-stained tomatoes in Uganda to support interventions that could be used to reduce pesticide residue exposures in food. A mixed methods cross-sectional study sampled 468 household consumers in four regions of Uganda, selecting one district (interventional project area) per region. In each district, about 60 household members were randomly selected from a total of three Sub Counties and interviewed. In addition, 9 tomato handlers (three tomato farmers, three tomato retailers, and three tomato wholesalers) participated in Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) per district. Collected data were entered into MS-Excel 13 and exported into Stata version 14.0 for cleaning and analysis at a 5% level of significance and 95% Confidence Intervals (CI). The proportion of risk perceptions and attitudes were computed and presented as percentages, while factors associated with risk perception were determined using Fisher exact test. Qualitative data collected under a traditional theory were analyzed using thematic content analysis. More than half, 54.2% (253/468), of the respondents were females, mean age was 37 years (SD = 13.13, ranging from 18 to 88 years). Half of the respondents, 50.9% (238/467), were farmers by occupation, and 40.3% (188/468) had completed upper primary education. Only 5.0% (20/396) of consumers reported a high-risk perception towards tomatoes stained with pesticide residues, the rest, 95.0% (376/396), were buying pesticide-stained tomatoes despite their awareness of the possible health effects. The main reason for buying the pesticide-stained tomatoes was that a majority, 59.0% (230/390), lacked an alternative to stained tomatoes like organically grown tomatoes. However, consumers generally had a negative attitude towards pesticide-stained tomatoes, with 67.0% (313/468) of the consumers disagreeing with the statement that tomatoes sold on the market are safe. Consumer risk perception was significantly associated with their awareness about residues in the tomatoes; where the proportion of consumers who were aware of the risk of pesticide-stained tomatoes was 42.8 times more likely not to buy stained tomatoes compared to the proportion of those who were not aware. OR, 42.8 (95% CI: 10.76-170.28). However, after Fisher-Exact tests analysis, level of education P(0.975), gender P(0.581), and age group P(0.680) were not associated with consumer risk perception (95% CI and 5% level of significance). Although the consumers had a negative attitude towards the pesticide-stained tomatoes, their risk perception towards them ranked low, with most consumers buying tomatoes stained with pesticide residues due to a lack of an alternative. Ministry of Agriculture extension service efforts should promote and emphasize community to start household-based organic kitchen gardens as the efforts for the establishment of a national pesticide residue monitoring center awaits.
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Malaria epidemics and its drivers in Uganda in 2022
(BioMed Central Ltd, 2025-07-17) Aregawi, Maru W.;; Maiteki, Catherine;; Rek, John C. ;; Agaba, Bosco;; Katureebe, Charles;; Ranjbar, Mansour;; Zhang, Chunzhe;; Kiware, Samson;; Opigo, Jimmy
In Uganda, malaria is a year-round health threat, with transmission intensity varying across regions. Despite ongoing intensified interventions, an unprecedented malaria resurgence in early 2022 affected several districts, prompting a swift response from the National Malaria Control Division (NMCD). This study aims to assess the scale and underlying causes of the epidemics, quantify the excess cases and deaths, and propose targeted prevention and response strategies. District Health Information System (DHIS2) data from 2017 to 2022 were analysed. A 75th percentile threshold from 2017 to 2021 was used to define true malaria epidemics and compare them to the suspected 2022 epidemic. Excess cases, admissions, and deaths were quantified using area under the curve (AUC) calculations. The level of epidemics was compared across districts with Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) and Integrated Community Case Management (iCCM) interventions. Precipitation data from multiple sources were used to evaluate rainfall patterns and their impact on malaria epidemics. Malaria cases were lowest in 2018 but rose by 31% in 2022 compared to the 2017-2021 3rd quartile. Sixty-four of 146 districts experienced epidemics, with 4 facing persistent epidemics year-round. The 2022 epidemic accounted for 3,379,309 (95% CI 1,553,714, 5,339,709) total excess outpatient malaria cases (confirmed and presumed), 3,018,920 (95% CI 1,321,951, 4,661,201) excess confirmed cases, 149,789 (95% CI 66,029, 235,743) excess inpatient cases. Paradoxically, more epidemics occurred in IRS and iCCM districts. Precipitation patterns were consistent across years and were insignificantly correlated with the 2022 epidemic. Provinces with bimodal rainfall patterns were more prone to epidemics, while unimodal regions had fewer epidemics but higher incidence rates. Rainfall lagged by two months (Lag 2) significantly increased malaria incidence (p < 0.01), with each millimetre of rainfall two months prior associated with 13.4 additional malaria cases. The 2022 malaria epidemic affected 64 districts, with over 3.3 million excess cases and nearly 150,000 excess admissions. Gaps in IRS, iCCM, and intervention coverage, along with minimal rainfall correlation and high vulnerability in bimodal regions, highlight the need for better surveillance, sustainable funding, and tailored responses. While climate was not the main driver, programmatic deficiencies, vector composition shift, reduced efficacy of insecticides, coverage and effectiveness of the interventions likely fueled the epidemic. Strengthening epidemic preparedness, response, and investment will be crucial to preventing future outbreaks and achieving long-term malaria control in Uganda. Gale OneFile: Nursing and Allied Health