Browsing by Author "Siya, Aggrey"

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    Lowland Grazing And Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) Outbreak In Kween District, Eastern Uganda
    (BMC Public Health, 2019) Siya, Aggrey; Bazeyo, William; Tuhebwe, Doreen; Tumwine, Gabriel; Ezama, Arnold; Manirakiza, Leonard; Kugonza, Donald R.; Rwego, Innocent B.
    Uganda is one of the few countries in Africa that has been experiencing outbreaks of viral hemorrhagic fevers such as Ebola, Marburg and Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic fevers. In 2017 Uganda experienced a Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) outbreak with case fatality rate of 100% in Kween district. Although hunting for wild meat was linked to the MVD outbreak in Kween district, less was reported on the land use changes, especially the changing animal grazing practices in Kween district.Through Makerere University One Health graduate fellowship program with attachment to Uganda Red Cross Society, a study was conducted among the agricultural communities to elucidate the risk behaviors in Kween district that can be linked to the 2017 Marburg disease outbreak.Results show that although a few elderly participants ascribed fatal causes (disobedience to gods, ancestors, and evil spirits) to the MVD outbreak during FGDs, majority of participants linked MVD to settling in caves (inhabited by Fruit Bats) during wet season as upper belts are extensively used for crop production leaving little space for animal grazing. Members also noted side activities like hunting for wild meat during this grazing period that could have predisposed them to Marburg Virus.There is need to integrate One Health concepts within agricultural extension service provision in Uganda so as to enhance the management of such infectious diseases.
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    Malaria patterns across altitudinal zones of Mount Elgon following intensified control and prevention programs in Uganda
    (BMC Infectious Diseases, 2020) Siya, Aggrey; Egeru, Anthony; Kalule, Bosco John; Lukwa, Tafadzwa Akim; Ssentongo, Benard
    Background Malaria remains a major tropical vector-borne disease of immense public health concern owing to its debilitating effects in sub-Saharan Africa. In the recent past, the high altitude areas in Eastern Africa have been reported to experience dramatic cases of malaria. However, its patterns following intensified control and prevention interventions remains and the changing climate remains widely unexplored in these regions. This study thus analyzed malaria patterns across altitudinal zones of Mount Elgon, Uganda. Methods Times-series data on malaria cases (2011 - 2017) from five level III local health centers occurring across three altitudinal zones; low, mid and high altitude was utilized. Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) interpolation regression and Mann Kendall trend test were used to analyze malaria patterns. Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) model was used to project malaria patterns for a seven year period. Results On average, 66±69/1000 individuals suffered from malaria on a monthly basis. This was most pronounced in the months of May-August 89±88/1000 compared to the months of November-February (40±33/1000). Malaria patterns varied with season and altitude and declined over time across the three altitudinal zones. Observed cases, revealed an annual average of 587±750/1000; 345±321/1000 and 338±351/1000 cases in lower, mid and high altitudes respectively. Conclusions Despite observed decline in malaria cases across the three altitudinal zones, the high altitude zone became a malaria hotspot as cases variably occurred in the zone. The projections of malaria revealed declining patterns of malaria cases in all the altitudinal zones. Malaria control interventions thus ought to be strengthened and strategically designed to achieve no malaria cases across all the altitudinal zones. Integration of climate information within malaria interventions can also strengthen eradication strategies of malaria in such differentiated altitudinal zones.
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    Micro-level analysis of climate-smart agriculture adoption and effect on household food security in semi-arid Nakasongola District in Uganda
    (Environmental Research: Climate, 2022) Egeru, Anthony; Mwesiga Bbosa, Martha; Siya, Aggrey; Asiimwe, Robert; Mugume, Isaac
    Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) is fronted as a sustainable, transformative, and technologically innovative approach that increases agricultural productivity, income and enhances greenhouse gas mitigation. However, there is limited micro-level evidence on the effects of the adoption of CSA on food security despite intensified promotion efforts in Uganda. A cross-sectional household survey among 165 respondents, undertaken in August–September 2020, was used to collect requisite data. Principal component analysis (PCA) with iteration and varimax rotation and analysis of variance were used in characterizing CSA practices. An ordered logit model was applied to identify the reported levels of CSA utility. Meanwhile, an endogenous switching regression was adopted to determine the effect of CSA adoption on household food security. Results showed that households used a combination of practices, including soil and water management, pasture management, livestock productivity and disease management. The PCA results revealed six major categories for the 16 most commonly used CSA practice combinations. The key factors that influenced the adoption of CSA practices among households included; access to climate information, total livestock units, ownership of non-livestock assets, and participation in off-farm activities. Results also revealed that the expected food consumption scores (FCS) for adopters and non-adopters were 53.87 and 66.92 respectively. However, when adopters and non-adopters were compared, we found that the adopters of CSA practices would have had a significantly lower counterfactual FCS had they not adopted CSA. While the adoption levels of CSA in this study is low, the counterfactual effects have shown that households that adopted CSA would have had a lower FCS and therefore lower food security status had they not adopted CSA. We recommend CSA promotional efforts that give more attention to combined CSA practices and respond to local production constraints.
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    Past, Present and Future Climate Trends Under Varied Representative Concentration Pathways for a Sub-Humid Region in Uganda
    (Climate, 2019) Egeru, Anthony; Barasa, Bernard; Nampijja, Josephine; Siya, Aggrey; Tenywa Makooma, Moses; Majaliwa, Mwanjalolo Gilbert Jackson
    Long-term trend analysis at local scale for rainfall and temperature is critical for detecting climate change patterns. This study analysed historical (1980–2009), near future (2010–2039), mid- (1940–2069) and end-century (2070–2099) rainfall and temperature over Karamoja sub-region. The Modern Era-Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA) daily climate data provided by the Agricultural Model Inter-comparison and Improvement Project (AgMIP) was used. The AgMIP delta method analysis protocol was used for an ensemble of 20 models under two representative concentration pathways (RCPs 4.5 and 8.5). Historical mean rainfall was 920.1 118.9 mm and minimum, maximum and mean temperature were 16.8 0.5 C, 30.6 0.4 C and 32.0 0.7 C, respectively. Minimum temperature over the historical period significantly rose between 2000 and 2008. Near future rainfall varied by scenario with 1012.9 146.3 mm and 997.5 144.7 mm for RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 respectively; with a sharp rise predicted in 2017. In the mid-century, mean annual rainfall will be 1084.7 137.4 mm and 1205.5 164.9 mm under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 respectively. The districts of Kaabong and Kotido are projected to experience low rainfall total under RCP4.5 (mid-century) and RCP8.5 (end-century). The minimum temperature is projected to increase by 1.8 C (RCP4.5) and 2.1 C (RCP8.5) in mid-century, and by 2.2 C (RCP4.5) and 4.0 C (RCP8.5) in end-century.
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    Risk factors for human anthrax outbreak in Kiruhura District, Southwestern Uganda: a population-based case control study
    (PAMJ - One Health, 2021) Migisha, Richard; Mbatidde, Irene; Agaba, David C.; Turyakira, Eleanor; Tumwine, Gabriel; Byaruhanga, Aggrey; Siya, Aggrey; Ruzaaza, Gad N.; Kirunda, Halid
    Introduction: in 2018, Uganda experienced recurrent outbreaks of anthrax in both humans and livestock. We aimed to determine risk factors for human anthrax outbreak among residents of Kazo County, Kiruhura District, south-western Uganda. Methods: we conducted an unmatched case control study during March-April 2019. We defined a case as having had anthrax infection reported to be diagnosed by a healthcare worker in a resident of Kazo County between May 1st, 2018 and June 1st, 2018. A control was a resident in the nearest neighboring household who had not been diagnosed with anthrax between May 1st and June 1st and who had no symptoms suggestive of anthrax in May 2018. We obtained participants' sociodemographic, clinical and exposure characteristics using a structured questionnaire. We performed logistic regression to identify risk factors for human anthrax. Results: we recruited 101 participants (28 cases and 73 controls) with median age of 34 (IQR; 26-47) years; most (61.4%) were female. The overall attack rate was 1.9%, while the most common clinical manifestations were ulcers (96.4%) and fever (96.4%). The risk factors for contracting human anthrax were: slaughtering of anthrax infected animals (aOR=5.74; 95%CI: 1.39-23.8), consuming of anthrax infected meat (aOR=6.4; 95%CI: 1.53- 6.7) and being male (aOR=12.8; 95%CI: 3.31-49.1).
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    Savannah Phenological Dynamics Reveal Spatio-Temporal Landscape Heterogeneity in Karamoja Sub-region, Uganda
    (Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 2020) Egeru, Anthony; Magaya, John Paul; Kuule, Derick Ansyijar; Siya, Aggrey; Gidudu, Anthony; Barasa, Bernard; Namaalwa, Jjumba Justine
    Phenological properties are critical in understanding global environmental change patterns. This study analyzed phenological dynamics in a savannah dominated semi-arid environment of Uganda. We used moderate-resolution imaging spectroradiometer normalized difference vegetation index (MODIS NDVI) imagery. TIMESAT program was used to analyse the imagery to determine key phenological metrics; onset of greenness (OGT), onset of greenness value, end of greenness time (EGT), end of greenness value, maximum NDVI, time of maximum NDVI, duration of greenup (DOG) and range of normalized difference vegetation index (RNDVI). Results showed that thicket and shrubs had the earliest OGT on day 85 ± 14, EGT on day 244 ± 32 and a DOG of 158 ± 25 days. Woodland had the highest NDVI value for maximum NDVI, OGT, EGT, and RNDVI. In the bushland, OGT occurs on average around day 90 ± 11, EGT on day 255 ± 33 with a DOG of 163 ± 36 days. The grassland showed that OGT occurs on day 96 ± 13, EGT on day 252 ± 36 with a total DOG of 156 ± 33 days. Early photosynthesis activity was observed in central to eastern Karamoja in the districts of Moroto and Kotido. There was a positive relationship between rainfall and NDVI across all vegetation cover types as well as between phenological parameters and season dynamics. Vegetation senescence in the sub-region occurs around August to mid-September (day 244–253). The varied phenophases observed in the sub-region reveal an inherent landscape heterogeneity that is beneficial to extensive pastoral livestock production. Continuous monitoring of savannah phenological patterns in the sub-region is required to decipher landscape ecosystem processes and functioning.
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    Short report on implications of Covid-19 and emerging zoonotic infectious diseases for pastoralists and Africa
    (Pastoralism, 2020) Egeru, Anthony; Dejene, Sintayehu W.; Siya, Aggrey
    Many emerging and re-emerging zoonotic infectious diseases occur in Africa. These are projected to increase as human–animal host contact increases owing to increasing environmental degradation that shrinks nature habitats for wildlife over the continent. The current outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV- 2) responsible for causing coronavirus disease in 2019 (COVID-19) has reinvigorated discourse on the disruptiveness of the zoonotic emerging infectious diseases, owing to their transboundary character. Even as the world focuses on the COVID-19 sweeping pandemic, the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS)-CoV re-emerged in Saudi Arabia infecting 18 people with five deaths; this has barely received any attention. This outbreak is particularly of concern to the pastoralists in the Horn of Africa, a region that has in recent past seen an increase in camel trade with the Gulf States, especially Yemen and Saudi Arabia. Emerging and re-emerging zoonotic infectious diseases are complex, depend on human–animal–environment interaction and pose a strain on public health systems. There is a need to address these diseases dynamically through a synergistic approach, drawing on expertise from diverse sectors. One Health approach has distinguished itself as an integrative action able to bring together multiple actors on a global, national and local scale to advance the attainment of optimal health outcomes for people, animals and the environment. One Health works by strengthening the preparedness, response, mitigation and monitoring of zoonotic infectious disease risks collaboratively. We opine that as zoonotic emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases continue to rise over pastoral Africa, comprehensive implementation of the One Health approach will be urgently required.
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    Tsetse Invasion as an Emerging Threat to Socioecological Resilience of Pastoral Communities in Karamoja, Uganda
    (Sustainability, 2020) Egeru, Anthony; Opio, Joseph; Siya, Aggrey; Barasa, Bernard; Magaya, John Paul; Namaalwa, Justine J.
    Over 70% of Uganda is infested by the tsetse fly, which has negative e ects on human and livestock health. From colonial to post-independent Uganda, the Government of Uganda has worked to eradicate the tsetse menace. Despite these e orts, recent veterinary reports from the Karamoja sub-region have indicated widespread tsetse invasion. This study investigated the potential impact of tsetse invasion on the socioecological resilience of pastoral communities in the Karamoja sub-region. Results indicated that tsetse invasion is spreading from north to south of Karamoja. The tsetse transmission route emerging from southern Karamoja is perceived to be a continuation of the tsetse belt from West Pokot, Kenya. Cases of livestock deaths, livestock abortions, decreased milk yields, restricted access to prime grazing lands, heightened human-wildlife conflicts and disruption on crop cultivation have been reported. A computed socioecological resilience index in the study area was positive but low. Owing to the transboundary characteristics of tsetse invasions and sources and the associated documented e ects, an urgent, strategic and system-wide intervention should be undertaken to control the tsetse invasion in this sub-region.
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    Uganda Mountain Community Health System—Perspectives and Capacities towards Emerging Infectious Disease Surveillance
    (MDPI AG, 2021-08-13) Siya, Aggrey; Mafigiri, Richardson; Migisha, Richard; Kading, Rebekah C.
    Abstract In mountain communities like Sebei, Uganda, which are highly vulnerable to emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, community-based surveillance plays an important role in the monitoring of public health hazards. In this survey, we explored capacities of village health teams (VHTs) in Sebei communities of Mount Elgon in undertaking surveillance tasks for emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases in the context of a changing climate. We used participatory epidemiology techniques to elucidate VHTs’ perceptions on climate change and public health and assessed their capacities to conduct surveillance for emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. Overall, VHTs perceived climate change to be occurring with wider impacts on public health. However, they had inadequate capacities in collecting surveillance data. The VHTs lacked transport to navigate through their communities and had insufficient capacities in using mobile phones for sending alerts. They did not engage in reporting other hazards related to the environment, wildlife, and domestic livestock that would accelerate infectious disease outbreaks. Records were not maintained for disease surveillance activities and the abilities of VHTs to analyze data were also limited. However, VHTs had access to platforms that could enable them to disseminate public health information. The VHTs thus need to be retooled to conduct their work effectively and efficiently through equipping them with adequate logistics and knowledge on collecting, storing, analyzing, and relaying data, which will improve infectious disease response and mitigation efforts.