Muni Repository (MR)
This repository contains open access publications of Muni University Library.
Objectives:
- To digitally collect, preserve and provide electronic access to scholarly works and research output of Muni University.
- Increase the visibility and impact of our research, making it easy for researchers, students, policymakers and journalists to reference, replicate, and re-use the work.
- Issue permanent, unique and trustworthy identifiers when creating URLs to access the resource without concern that the location of the resource may change.
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- Contact the library through email: libsupport@muni.ac.ug
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Recent Submissions
Organochlorine pesticides in placenta, blood and breast milk of mothers in Uganda: Concentrations and health risks to breast fed infants
(Elsevier, 2025-12-03) Omoding, Daniel; Nantumea, Teddy; Wasswaa, John; Odongo, Silver; Kyarimpa, Christine; Karumea, Ibrahim; Matovu, Henry; Sillanp, Mika; Kato, Charles Drago; Nabuumaa, Josephine; Miiroa, Ashirafu; Ssebugerea, Patrick
Exposure to organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) remains a major public health concern in low-income countries, where historical usage and poor regulation continue to result in maternal and early-life exposures. This study assessed concentration profiles of selected OCPs, namely; p,p′-DDT, p,p′-DDE, o,p′-DDE, p,p′-DDD, o,p′-DDD, aldrin, dieldrin, lindane, α-endosulfan, β-endosulfan, and endosulfan-sulfate in maternal blood, breast milk, and placenta samples collected from 52 healthy mothers residing in the rural Kanungu District and urban Kampala District in Uganda. Analytical quantification was performed using gas chromatography-electron capture detection (GC-ECD), and compound identity was confirmed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Concentrations of total DDTs (∑DDTs) were 63.0, 27.1, and 35.0 ng g-1 lipid weight (l.w) in blood, breast milk, and placenta, respectively. o,p′-DDE was the predominant metabolite in blood (67% of ∑DDTs), while p,p′-DDE dominated in placenta and milk (34% and 70%, respectively), possibly due to degradation of technical DDT applied in past decades. Other OCPs were generally low (
Determinants of wasting among children aged 6-59 months in Palabek refugee settlement Lamwo district Uganda
(Muni University, 2025-11-21) Yumati, Alfred
Background
Millions of young children under-five years are in jeopardy due to wasting as it stands at 6.6% globally Feckan (2011) and 75% of these live in lower middle-income countries. WHO (2017). With East Africa at 5.2% Hossain et al., (2022) and Uganda at 2.6% UBOS (2023). Palabek refugee settlement has experienced a repeated surge in wasting more than 5% WHO threshold in the past three years notably 9.7% in 2021, 7.7% in 2022 and highest of all the refugee settlements at 13.9% in 2023(IPC 2023). Despite interventions determinants of wasting in Palabek is little known about and explored. These study aimed to identify determinants of child wasting and provide recommendations to inform policy and programing.
Methodology
A mixed method cross-sectional study design was used where data was collected, cleaned and analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. A simple systematic random sampling strategy was used to select study households after obtaining list of households with children aged 6-59m from village health team (VHT) members. In the quantitative analysis, modified Poisson regression was used to get the explanatory variables which explained Wasting. In the qualitative method 5 FGD interviews were conducted to get the insights of the community about nutrition programs.
Result
Prevalence of wasting among children was 9.1% and associated factors such as late start of complementary feeding, healthcare access point >5 km, child’s age, more than two children under five years in single household were key in explaining wasting status of children, the community expressed challenges such as environmental shocks, economic shocks and negative cultural beliefs as determinants of wasting although perception on nutrition program is positive.
Conclusion
It is this combination of biological, behavioral, economic and geographic elements that risked children in a cycle of infection and undernutrition, shaping how severe wasting is endangering lives, these findings call for a comprehensive, integrated approach in response, inclusive of addressing cultural perceptions on child wasting while considering efforts to restore family livelihood, access to healthcare and community socio behaviour change communication strategies.
Understanding the reasons for delayed antenatal care initiation among pregnant women in Adumi HC IV Ayivu west division, Arua city: a qualitative phenomenological study
(Muni University, 2025-11-25) Dramile, Daniel
Background: Timely initiation of antenatal care (ANC) within the first trimester is a cornerstone of improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes. Despite its established benefits and being a key target of the Ugandan Ministry of Health and world health organization (WHO,) a significant proportion of pregnant women in Uganda, particularly in the West Nile sub-region initiate ANC late. At Adumi Health Center IV in Arua City, 71.8% of pregnant women begin care after 12 weeks of gestation, hence hindering early risk detection and management. The specific reasons for this persistent delay in this local context remained unclear, thus necessitating this investigation.
Methods: This qualitative phenomenological study was conducted at Adumi HC IV, Ayivu West Division, and Arua City. Data were collected through 20 in-depth interviews with purposively selected pregnant women who initiated ANC after 12 weeks, one key informant interview with senior midwife, and three focus group discussions with spouses and Village Health Team members. Semi-structured guides were used, interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and translated. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis with QDA miner lite software.
Findings: The findings revealed several key themes influencing ANC attendance. First, the journey to seeking care was initiated by cues to action, which were supported by comprehensive knowledge of ANC, including its timing, purpose, activities, and benefits, as well as self-efficacy and confidence in acting on this knowledge. However, this journey was often hindered by significant barriers and challenges. These obstacles appeared at multiple levels, including individual and motivational barriers such as personal attitudes and lack of motivation for early initiation; systemic and practical barriers related to healthcare facilities and community health workers; and socio cultural and interpersonal barriers like prevailing cultural norms and the critical role of partner support.
Conclusion and Recommendations: The delay in starting ANC at Adumi HC IV was not mainly due to a lack of knowledge, but rather a way to cope with serious structural, economic, and social challenges. Simply providing health education won't be enough. A variety of strategies are suggested, such as offering specific incentives for registering in the first trimester, setting up community outreach clinics, promoting male involvement, and integrating programs to reduce poverty and address economic difficulties.
Prevalence and factors associated with Epstein - Barr virus infection among children in northern Uganda
(Muni University, 2025-11-14) Chara, Charles
Background: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is implicated in infection-related cancers such as Burkitt lymphoma (BL). However, the epidemiology of EBV in children in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) remains poorly understood. This study examined EBV seropositivity and genome prevalence in children from Northern Uganda.
Method: A nested cross-sectional study was conducted between May 2024 and March 2025, enrolling 101 participants. Plasma samples from apparently healthy children were analysed using a dual-testing strategy involving Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for EBV infection. Socio-demographic data were collected and analysed using bivariate and multivariable Poisson regression with robust variances and analysis of covariance, with significance at P < 0.05.
Results: EBV seroprevalence was 36.7% (95% CI: 26– 48), and genome prevalence by PCR was 27.8% (95% CI: 18.9 – 39.0). EBV viral load results had negligible effect sizes (group means: 0.977 in PCR positive vs 0.805 in PCR negative) and not significantly associated with EBV serology results (95% CI 0.81– 1.153). PCR positivity was associated with sex, tribe, malaria exposure, and household structure. Male children had lower PCR positivity than females (aPR = 0.4, 95% CI 0.16–0.99). Acholi (aPR = 0.13, 95% CI 0.04–0.45) and Lugbara (aPR = 0.16, 95% CI 0.04–0.7) tribes showed lower PCR positivity rates than the Alur. Children with no malaria exposure (aPR = 5.9, 95% CI 1.29–26.98) and living with one parent (aPR = 4.6, 95% CI 1.31–16.13) were linked to higher PCR positivity. By EBV serology, tribe and guardian education were key factors. Acholi (aPR = 0.27, 95% CI 0.11–0.68), Lugbara (aPR = 0.19, 95% CI 0.04–0.80), and Aringa (aPR = 0.35, 95% CI 0.13–0.93) tribes exhibited lower seropositivity rates. Guardians with no formal education were associated with higher seropositivity (aPR = 3.3, 95% CI 1.18–9.18).
Conclusion: These results highlight the burden of EBV infection in Northern Uganda and also shed light on the dynamic transmission patterns influenced by sociocultural, environmental, and possibly genetic factors. Future longitudinal studies may be necessary to evaluate the mechanisms driving the observed associations.
Financial accountability and budgetary control in Uganda’s Parliamentary Commission: Evidence from a mixed methods study
(Scientific Research Publishing, 2026-01-23) Kalembe, Justine; Rukanyangira, Nazarious; Zombeire, Regis
This study investigates the relationship between financial accountability and budgetary control within Uganda’s Parliamentary Commission, a pivotal institution in democratic governance and fiscal oversight. Anchored in Public Financial Management (PFM) and Agency Theories, the study employed a mixed methods design, integrating quantitative surveys (n = 180) with qualitative key informant interviews (n = 12). Findings revealed a strong and statistically significant positive correlation (r = 0.612, p < 0.01), between financial accountability nd budgetary control. Descriptive results indicated that most respondents agreed that the Commission upholds timely financial reporting, effective audit follow up, transparent procurement processes, and accurate disclosures. However, challenges persisted, including delayed reporting, inconsistent implementation of audit recommendations, and incomplete documentation. Qualitative insights revealed that while formal accountability frameworks exist, political interference and capacity gaps hinder consistent application across departments. The study concludes that strengthening financial accountability through timely reporting, comprehensive audit follow up, and transparent procurement is essential for enhancing budgetary control and restoring public confidence. The research contributes to the growing body of literature on public financial management in Sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting the interplay between institutional mechanisms and political realities, and advocates for adaptive accountability models that balance formal systems with contextual realities.