Browsing by Author "Mwizerwa, Joseph"

Now showing 1 - 7 of 7
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Capacity Building among Nursing and Midwifery Professional Associations in East Africa
    (Global Health Action, 2022-10-24) Ruhmel, Stephen; Ndirangu-Mugo, Eunice; Mwizerwa, Joseph; Pallangyo,Eunice
    Despite improvements in educational opportunities, policy changes, and pay raises in the nursing and midwifery professions in East Africa, poor working conditions, few professional development opportunities, and a general lack of respect for these professions predominate. These issues contribute to a low quality of care among a population with a high burden of communicable diseases. Health professional associations may help to address these challenges by providing a voice for nurses and midwives.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Improving Response Rates to an Alumni Survey in East Africa
    (Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 2017-10-25) Mwizerwa, Joseph; Robb, Walter; Namukwaya, Carolyne; Namuguzi, Mary; Sharon, Brownie
    Feedback from students and graduates is essential to inform ongoing quality improvement in higher education. However, African universities often face implementation issues in alumni surveys, including technological barriers and difficulties in tracking graduates, particularly those from earlier cohorts and rural alumni. Innovative strategies are needed to locate alumni and obtain a good response rate across widely dispersed, rural and remote areas. This paper reports on strategies used to increase response rates in an East African online alumni survey in a context of limited computer/Internet access. The survey aimed to assess the impact of nursing graduates over a 15 year period (2001–2016). Strategies focused on locating and communicating with graduates and providing solutions to barriers associated with computer/Internet access. Better engagement with alumni was achieved using mobile technologies and social media networks. Facilitating access to online surveys by taking technology to alumni or providing hubs for online access encouraged survey participation. The strategies discussed in this study are particularly relevant for clustered or networked alumni populations (e.g. nurses) in low income and limited resource settings.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Interventions for male involvement in pregnancy and labour: A systematic review
    (African Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health, 2015-02-19) Ayebare, Elizabeth; Mwebaza, Enid; Mwizerwa, Joseph; Namutebi, Elizabeth; Kinengyere , Alison Annet; Smyth, Rebecca
    Male involvement in pregnancy and labour care has been shown to improve maternal and newborn outcomes. Nevertheless, it continues to be low, especially in low income countries. Several interventions have been suggested for supporting male involvement in reproductive health and maternity care, but no assessment has been made in terms of their effectiveness. The objective of this review was to summarise and evaluate the current evidence related to male partner involvement in maternal health. Three databases were searched electronically. This review included two randomised controlled trials and two observational studies. Two interventions emerged from the review: facility-based couple health education and workplace-based health education. These interventions showed positive outcomes regarding the presence of partners during antenatal visits, postpartum visits, childbirth, and the initiation of breastfeeding within one hour of birth among others. More rigorous research is needed into strategies for, and the effect of, including men in maternal and newborn health.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Introducing a new cadre into Uganda’s health care system: Lessons learnt from the implementation process
    (Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 2013-10-21) Amandu, Gerald M.; Uys, Leana R.; Mwizerwa, Joseph; Erejo, Alex; Cheruto, Irene A.; Chota, Margaret
    Uganda introduced Registered Comprehensive Nursing (RCN) and Enrolled Comprehensive Nursing (ECN) training programs in 1994 and 2003 respectively, to create certificate and diploma level cadre of nurses with competencies in general nursing, midwifery, public health, psychiatry, paediatrics and management. This paper is based on an evaluation study undertaken to assess how the programs were implemented including stakeholders’ perceptions about the graduates. Despite being relevant, the implementation process of both programs failed to meet acceptable standards. We conclude that introducing a new cadre of nurses without proper preparation hinders realization of their full potential including their contribution to the healthcare system.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Stakeholders’ Expectations of Graduates of a Work-Study Nursing Upskilling Programme in East Africa
    (Africa Journal of Nursing and Midwifery, 2020-06-01) Brownie, Sharon; Mwizerwa, Joseph; Gatimu, Samwel Maina; Kambo, Isabel
    Sound alignment of stakeholders' expectations and graduate ability forms the reputational hallmark of a university's education programmes. However, little is currently known about stakeholders' expectations of graduates of work-study nursing upskilling programmes in low- and middle-income settings. Information is needed to ensure the quality and adequacy of curricula in such settings. The main aim of the current study was to explore the nursing stakeholders' expectations of graduates of work-study nursing upskilling programmes. An exploratory qualitative study was conducted between March and October 2016 in three low- and middle-income countries in East Africa. Forty-two representatives of nursing employers, regulators and professional associations (PAs) participated. The data was collected during 27 key informant interviews (KIIs) and three focus group discussions (FGDs) using a pretested interview guide. Content analysis of the data was completed. Consolidated criteria for reporting of qualitative research guidelines were used as the standard for collecting data and reporting results. Stakeholders reported their expectations of a clinically and professionally competent nurse (an “all-round” graduate) with nursing management and leadership skills that facilitated sound clinical judgement and decision making and a high level of professionalism. The study highlighted nursing stakeholders’ expectations of nursing graduates who had completed a work-study upskilling programme. These expectations should inform curriculum planning and development, and highlight the need for a strong focus on clinical competence, leadership, critical thinking and professionalism in nursing upskilling programmes.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Strengthening educational advancement for enrolled nurses: Developing a new program framework for Uganda.
    (University of Salford, 2023-12-21) Mwizerwa, Joseph
    Uganda has three pre-service program levels for entering nursing practice, the first of which is, the Enrolled Nurse (EN) and constitutes majority of Uganda’s nursing workforce. While these enrolled nurses constitute a substantial proportion of the nursing workforce and are the lowest on the qualification’s framework, their educational advancement opportunities remain limited. A host of barriers are implicated including unsuitable program schedules among others. Due to work and family commitments ENs find themselves unmatched to available programs which are supposed to target them. Most of the literature on EN educational advancement originates from High income countries, such as Australia, Canada, USA, and European countries. Within Uganda, a low-income country, there is a lack of understanding of the needs of ENs who struggle to access educational advancement programs. Therefore, this thesis explores ENs experiences, aspirations and needs with respect to advancing their nursing careers, hence generating new evidence for designing responsive education programs.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The Lived Experience of Discontinuing Hormonal Contraception Among Women in Rural Uganda
    (International Journal for Human Caring, 2011-04-20) Mwizerwa, Joseph; Rozzano, Locsin C.
    The purpose of the study was to describe the experience of discontinuing hormonal contraceptive use among women in rural Uganda. Asignificant number of women in Uganda discontinue hormonal contraception even though such method has been effective. Consequently, these women have unprotected sex, although not wanting to conceive. Narrative descriptions of the experiences by eight women were analyzed using content analysis. The findings describe the experience as Frustration and Helplessness, Living in Fear of Uncertainty, Ingenuity of using other methods of contraception, thus fostering the Accomplishments of being a wife, mother, and woman. Implications for nursing practice, research, and education are described.