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
Knowledge, attitudes and practices towards tuberculosis: results of a community-based survey in the Karamoja subregion, North Eastern Uganda
(Springer Nature, 2024-09-12) Kasozi, William; Mwebesa, Edson; Zawedde-Muyanja, Stella; Nsubuga, Tadeo; Musaazi, Joseph; Etwom, Alfred; Lemukol, James; Sagaki, Patrick; Tino, Salome; Achar, Cerino; Stavia, Turyahabwe; Murungi, Miriam; Rutta, Edmund; Nabukenya-Mudiope, Mary G.
Background: The Karamoja subregion in north-eastern Uganda has very high Tuberculosis (TB)case notification rates and, until recently, had suboptimal treatment completion rates among patients diagnosed with TB. We evaluated community knowledge, attitudes and practices towards Tuberculosis in order to identify barriers to TB control in this region.
Methods: From September to October 2022, we conducted a community-based survey in four districts in the Karamoja subregion. We collected data on TB knowledge, attitudes, and practices using a structured electronic questionnaire. We generated knowledge, attitude and practice scores. We used a survey-weighted zero-truncated modified Poisson model to assess the association between knowledge/attitude scores and respondents’ characteristics and a complementary log-log model to assess the association between practice scores and respondents’ characteristics. Data analysis was carried out using STATA version 14.
Results: A total of 1927 respondents were interviewed. Of these, 55.5% were female, and 1320 (68.6%) had no formal education. Overall, 68.5% 95% CI (59.6–76.7%) had knowledge scores of ≥ 60%. Higher TB knowledge scores were associated with being employed (adjusted prevalence ratio, aPR = 1.22, 95% CI 1.04–1.42, p = 0.01) while being a wife in a household was associated with lower TB knowledge (aPR = 0.90, 95% CI 0.82–0.99, p = 0.03). Being 25–34 years old was associated with a positive attitude towards TB (PR = 1.06, 1.01–1.11, p = 0.01). Over 85% of respondents would go to the health facility immediately if they had TB signs and symptoms. Almost all respondents (98.6%) would start TB treatment immediately if diagnosed with the disease.
Conclusion: More than two thirds of patients had good knowledge and practices towards TB which can be leveraged to improve uptake of TB control interventions in the region. Additional interventions to improve TB knowledge and practice should focus on specific segments within the communities e.g., older women in the households.
An ethnobotanical survey of plant species used for medicinal purposes in Amuru district, northern Uganda
(Ilia State University, 2024-09-12) Gum, Bornfree; Opoke, Robert; Akwongo, Betty; Oloya, Benson; Omony, John Bosco; Opiro, Robert; Andama, Morgan; Anywar, Godwin; Malinga, Geoffrey Maxwell
Background: Medicinal plants provide health care to rural communities that have limited access to modern medicine in Uganda. Thus, documenting medicinal plants is important for their sustainable utilisation and conservation of medicinal plants and associated indigenous knowledge.
Methods: A cross-sectional ethnobotanical survey was conducted in August 2021 to assess the knowledge and use of medicinal plants in Lamogi Sub-County, Amuru district. We randomly sampled and interviewed 334 household heads using semi-structured questionnaires. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics, familiarity index (FI), fidelity level (FL) and informant consensus factor (ICF).
Results: Most of the respondents (90%) had knowledge of medicinal plants used for treating ailments in their community (high ICF values above 0.9). Plant with the highest FI value was Gymnanthemum amygdalinum (Delile) Sch.Bip. indicating its wide use in the community. Chi-square tests showed significant associations between the knowledge of medicinal plants and education level, occupation, age, marital status and monthly income of respondents (p < 0.05). Forty-nine medicinal plants from 30 families were documented, with Fabaceae and Asteraceae having the most species. Leaves were the most frequently used plant parts (65.4%), followed by roots (13.6%). Herbal remedies were mostly prepared by crushing and smearing on the body, infusion, decoction and administered orally.
Conclusion: The people of Amuru district have rich indigenous knowledge of diverse medicinal plants used for treating ailments. Most medicinal plants are harvested from the wild, threatening their survival and this requires putting in place practical conservation measures.
Draft genome sequence of Acinetobacter haemolyticus strain MUWRP1017 isolated from the pus of a female inpatient at Bwera General Hospital in Uganda
(American Society for Microbiology, 2024-08-20) Wokorach, Godfrey; Erima, Bernard; Alafi, Stephen; Kabatesi, Hope O.; Muhindo, Julius T.; Najjuka, Florence; Kiyengo, James; Kibuuka, Hannah; Musinguzi, Ambrose K.; Wabwire-Mangen, Fred; Byarugaba, Denis K.
The bacterium Acinetobacter haemolyticus, with a genome size of 3.4 Mb, was isolated from a pus swab of a wound on the left lower limb above the ankle joint of a female patient. This strain carries the antimicrobial resistance genes cephalosporinase blaADC-25, oxallinase blaOXA-264, floR, and sul2 and other resistance and virulence genes.
Impact of mass media campaigns on knowledge of malaria prevention measures among pregnant mothers in Uganda: a propensity score‑matched analysis
(Springer Nature, 2024-08-24) Mwebesa, Edson; Awor, Susan; Natuhamya, Charles; Dricile, Ratib; Legason, Ismail D.; Okimait, David; Mangwi, Richard Ayiasi; Tumwesigye, Nazarius M.
Background: Uganda grapples with a considerable malaria burden, reporting prevalence rates of over 33% in some regions. To address this, the Uganda Ministry of Health employs audiovisual platforms for disseminating malaria prevention messages. However, the impact of these messages on pregnant women’s knowledge of malaria prevention remains insufficiently explored. This paper therefore emphasizes the influence of audiovisual messages on the knowledge of malaria prevention measures among pregnant women in Uganda. Methods: Secondary data obtained from the Uganda Malaria Indicator Survey (MIS) 2018–2019 was used for this analysis. Women aged 15–49 were included in the study. A total of 8868 women were selected using a two-stage sample design. The two stages of selection included clusters and households. Women who were currently pregnant were included in the study, resulting in a weighted sample of 721 women. Propensity score-matched analysis was used to evaluate the impact of access to malaria messages on knowledge of prevention measures. Results: The study revealed that 39% [95% CI 34.0–44.2] of pregnant women were exposed to malaria messages before the survey. Those exposed had a 17.2% higher knowledge [ATT = 0.172; 95% CI 0.035–0.310] of using mosquito nets for prevention compared to those unexposed. Among women exposed, radios accounted for most form of access to mass media campaigns [64.8, 95% CI 57.0–71.8] followed by interpersonal communication [45.0, 95% CI 37.6–52.6], community health workers [38.8, 95% CI 29.6–48.8], community events [21.4, 95% CI 15.8–28.3], and social mobilization [18.3, 95% CI 12.7–25.8]. Conclusion: Results highlight the importance of radios in spreading important malaria prevention messages to pregnant women. Being exposed to these messages is linked to increased awareness and knowledge about the proper use of insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) for preventing malaria. This finding underscores the importance of evaluating different channels for mass media campaigns to ensure the effective delivery of information about malaria prevention to the intended audiences.
Modeling and implementation of a hybrid solar-wind renewable energy system for constant power supply
(Journal of Engineering, Technology & Applied Science, 2024-08-10) Conceptar, Mubeezi; Kalyankolo, Umaru; Eze, Val Hyginus Udoka; Migisha, Jim; Asikuru, Salama; Nassaga, Musa; Ochima, Noah; Okafor, Wisdom
In recent years, Uganda has significantly increased the use of renewable energy sources, particularly solar and wind power. These energy sources are especially crucial in rural and remote areas where connecting to the national grid is challenging. Renewable Energy Sources (RES) have proven to be cost-effective alternatives to traditional energy sources, which often require substantial investments in transmission and distribution networks. This study focuses on designing and implementing a hybrid renewable energy system that integrates both solar and wind power. The research successfully established a reliable and continuous power supply for the community through the combination of wind and solar energy. The hybrid power generation system operates by simultaneously monitoring solar and wind energy using an ACS712 current and voltage sensor. Controlled by a microcontroller, the system employs dual-channel relay switches to activate the power source with sufficient energy to charge the battery. The programming for this system was conducted using C++ and Arduino software. This study highlights the vast potential within the field of sustainable energy. With rapid and economical electricity production, this hybrid system paves the way toward a greener future, where our energy needs can be met in an environmentally friendly manner.