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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Multilevel analysis of factors associated with abortion among adolescents in Uganda insights from UDHS 2022 dataset
(Public Library of Science, 2026-01-12) Stephen Mungau;; Joan Nanteza;; Genevieve Dupuis
Unsafe abortion is a major reproductive health challenge, causing 7.9% of global maternal deaths and 9.6% in East Africa. In Uganda, about 8% of maternal deaths result from unsafe abortions. Early sexual activity, poor access to sex education, restrictive laws and stigma push adolescents into unsafe practices. Limited safe services force many to use dangerous methods leading to severe complications and high maternal mortality. This study examined determinants and prevalence of abortion among Ugandan female adolescents using the 2022 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey dataset of 5,125 females aged 15-24 who had ever engaged in sexual activity. The dependent variable was binary (1 for ever terminated, 0 for never). Weighted data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, ordinary and mixed effect logistic regression models to explore individual- and cluster-level influences. Intra-class correlation and likelihood ratio tests assessed cluster variation. Findings showed 562 adolescents had ever aborted. Those whose first sex was before age 15 were 3.44 times more likely to abort compared to those aged 20-24 while those aged 15-17 were 2.24 times more likely. Married adolescents had twice the odds compared to never married, and cohabiting adolescents were 2.44 times more likely. Compared to those with education beyond secondary, adolescents with no education, primary and secondary schooling were 5.8, 2.99 and 3.01 times more likely to abort. Regional variations accounted for 16.8% of variance, with intra-class correlation of 4.9%. Overall, 11.0% of Ugandan female adolescents reported abortion. Key determinants included age at first sex, marital status, education, contraceptive use and internet use. Region-level factors contributed 4.9% of variation highlighting the need for cluster-level interventions alongside individual approaches.
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Longitudinal Trends in Physical Activity Among Older Adults With and Without HIV in Uganda
(SAGE Publications, 2026-01) Ratnayake, Aneeka;; Tong, Yao;; Reynolds, Zahra ;; Chamut, Steffany;; Quach, Lien T.;; Mbabazi, Phoebe;; Sagar, Shruti;; Maling, Samuel;; North, Crystal M.;; Passell, Eliza;; Yoo-Jeong, Moka;; Tsai, Alexander C.;; Paul, Robert;; Ritchie, Christine S.;; Seeley, Janet;; Hoeppner, Susanne S.;; Atwiine, Flavia;; Tindimwebwa, Edna;; Okello, Samson;; Nakasujja, Noeline;; Saylor, Deanna;; Greene, Meredith L.;; Asiimwe, Stephen;; Tanner, Jeremy A.;; Siedner, Mark J.;; Olivieri-Mui, Brianne
IntroductionPhysical Activity (PA) and its links to frailty, quality of life (QoL), and other comorbidities in older Ugandans living with HIV remain under-explored.MethodsWe analyzed data from three annual assessments of older people living with HIV (PLWH) and age- and sex-similar people not living with HIV (PnLWH). We fitted linear generalized estimating equations (GEE) regression models to estimate the correlates of PA, including demographics, frailty, QoL, HIV, and other comorbidities.ResultsWe enrolled 297 PLWH and 302 PnLWH. Older age (b = -157.34, 95% CI [-222.84, -91.83]), living with HIV (b = -979.88 [95% CI: -1878.48, -81.28]), frailty (b = -3011.14 [95% CI: -4665.84, -1356.45]), and comorbidities (b = -2501.75 [95% CI: -3357.44, -1646.07]) were associated with lower overall PA. Higher general QoL (b = 89.96 [95% CI: 40.99, 138.94]) was associated with higher PA.ConclusionPA interventions may support wellbeing of older people in the region, and tailored interventions should be explored. MEDLINE
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Perspectives of Primary Health Facility Leaders on the Contributions of Clinical Residents During Community Placement in Southwestern Uganda
(Dove Medical Press, 2026-01) Kawungezi PC;; Ntaro M;; Turyakira E ;; Wesuta AC;; Tushabe A;; Matte M;; Ndizeye R;; Mwebembezi F;; Turigye B;; Ngonzi J;; Mulogo EM
Peter Chris Kawungezi,1 Moses Ntaro,1 Eleanor Turyakira,1 Andrew Christopher Wesuta,1 Angela Tushabe,1 Michael Matte,1 Ronnie Ndizeye,1 Fred Mwebembezi,1 Brian Turigye,1 Joseph Ngonzi,2 Edgar Mugema Mulogo1 1Department of Community Health, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara City, Uganda; 2Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara City, UgandaCorrespondence: Peter Chris Kawungezi, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, P.O Box 1410, Mbarara City, Uganda, Tel +256704904714, Email pkawungezi@yahoo.comBackground: The Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST)’s First Mile Community Health Program (FMCH) has facilitated community placement of clinical residents at Primary Healthcare (PHC) facilities within the MUST catchment area in southwestern Uganda. While community-based training of medical residents is common in sub-Saharan Africa, little is known about how PHC facility leaders perceive its effect on service delivery in Uganda. This assessment aimed to describe the perspectives of PHC facility leaders on the impact of clinical residents’ community placements on PHC services in southwestern Uganda between 2018 and 2023.Methods: From July 2018 to December 2023, 152 clinical residents from ten specialties were placed at PHC facilities in southwestern Uganda. This was a cross-sectional study based on qualitative data-collection techniques. This study focused on MUST clinical residents and PHC facilities in the MUST catchment in southwestern Uganda. We conducted KIIs with 15 health facility leaders until no new ideas emerged. Data were deductively analyzed using WHO’s five strategic directions. Transcripts were transcribed verbatim, repeatedly reviewed, and coded into predefined categories. Interviewers bracketed their own experiences to ensure facility leaders’ perspectives were accurately captured.Results: Of the 15 facility leaders interviewed, most were male and from government HC IVs. Leaders reported that resident placements improved health service delivery through community engagement, enhancing care models through training, mentorship and low-cost innovations, and improving service coordination, including establishing specialized clinics and promoting better use of equipment. Residents also supported advocacy and resource mobilization. However, short placements, inconsistent outreach, staff shortages and lack of specialists limited continuity and sustainability.Conclusion: Facility leaders reported perceived improvement in strengthening PHC services by the clinical residents. Sustaining these gains will require institutionalized partnerships and evaluation of long-term impact. This could contribute to the advancement of primary healthcare services.Keywords: universal health coverage, health systems strengthening, community placement, service delivery gaps, health professional, medical practice
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The burden of travelling for cervical cancer treatment in Uganda:A mixed-method study
(Blackwell Publishing Ltd, 2024-02) Dau, Hallie;; Zhou, Chuanlin;; Nankya, Esther ;; Naguti, Priscilla;; Basemera, Miriam;; Payne, Beth A.;; Vidler, Marianne;; Singer, Joel;; McNair, Avery;; AboMoslim, Maryam;; Mithani, Nadia;; Smith, Laurie;; Orem, Jackson;; Nakisige, Carolyn;; Ogilvie, Gina
Background Uganda has one of the highest rates of cervical cancer in the world. Many women are diagnosed and treated with advanced stages of the disease. With only one facility offering comprehensive cervical cancer care in Uganda, many women are required to travel significant distances and spend time away from their homes to receive cervical cancer care. It is important to understand the burden of time away from home while attending treatment because it can inform the expansion of cervical cancer treatment programmes. The aim of this mixed‐methods paper is to describe how the distance to cervical cancer treatment locations impacts women in Uganda. Methods Women were recruited from 19 September, 2022, to 17 January, 2023, at the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) and the cancer clinic at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital (JRRF). Women were eligible for the study if they were (i) aged ≥18 years with a histopathologic diagnosis of cervical cancer; (ii) being treated at the UCI or JRRF for cervical cancer; and (iii) able to provide consent to participate in the study in English, Luganda, Lusoga, Luo, or Runyankole. All participants completed a quantitative survey and a selected group was sampled for semi‐structured interviews. Data were analysed using the convergent parallel mixed‐methods approach. Descriptive statistics were reported for the quantitative data and qualitative data using an inductive‐deductive thematic analysis approach. Results In all, 351 women participated in the quantitative section of the study and 24 in the qualitative. The quantitative and qualitative findings largely aligned and supported one another. Women reported travelling up to 14 h to receive treatment and 20% noted that they would spend three or more nights away from home during their current visit. Major themes of the qualitative include means of transportation, spending the night away from home, and financial factors. Conclusion Our findings show that travelling to obtain cervical cancer care can be a significant burden for women in Uganda. Approaches should be considered to reduce this burden such as additional satellite cervical cancer clinics or subsidised transportation options.
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Prevalence of diarrhea and water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) associated factors among children under five years in Lira City Northern Uganda: Community based study
(Public Library of Science, 2024-06) Auma, Brenda;; Musinguzi, Marvin;; Ojuka, Edward ;; Kigongo, Eustes;; Tumwesigye, Raymond;; Acup, Walter;; Kabunga, Amir;; Opio, Bosco
Background Children under the age of five experience a significant disease burden from diarrheal illnesses. This poses a severe public health risk as the second leading cause of infant death worldwide, after pneumonia. Lira City in Uganda is one of the developing urban areas with limited information about the diarrheal disease among children under the age of 5 years. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and assess the water, sanitation and hygiene related factors associated with diarrheal diseases among children under five years in Lira City. Methods The study was conducted among 492 care takers of children under the age of 5 years in Lira City between August 2022 and September 2022. Data was collected using an interviewer administered questionnaire and a multi-stage sampling was used to select study participants. Data was analyzed by bivariate and multivariate logistic regression using STATA version 17. P-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Out of 541 participants, 492 responded. The majority of the respondents, 425(86.4%) were female, 146(29.7%) had children aged 1–12 months, 192 (39%) had primary level education, and 155(31.5%) were self-employed. The prevalence of diarrhea among children under five years was 130(26.4%) and the associated factors with diarrheal disease were children between 49–60 months old (AOR = 0.12, 95% CI : 0.03–0.39, P = 0.001), cleaning the latrine more times (AOR = 0.42, 95% CI : 0.22–0.81, P = 0.010) and not treating water (AOR = 1.84, 95% CI : 1.11–3.06, P = 0.018). Conclusion There is high prevalence of diarrhea among children under 5 years of age. The study’s findings highlight the need for ongoing efforts to lower the prevalence of diarrheal illnesses among children under the age of five in Uganda’s emerging urban areas.