Muni Repository (MR)
This repository contains open access publications of Muni University Library.
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- To digitally collect, preserve and provide electronic access to scholarly works and research output of Muni University.
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Recent Submissions
Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus transmission among smallholder pig farms in Western Uganda
(Elsevier, 2025-05-30) Niwandinda, Emilly; Hasahya, Emmanuel; Bugenyi, Andrew Wange; Bogere, Paul; Byaruhanga, Joseph; Alarcón, Pablo; Kirunda, Halid; Heo, Jaeyoung; Masembe, Charles
Pig production is a rapidly growing sector in Uganda, especially among smallholder farmers to whom it provides a vital source of income. However, the burden of productivity-limiting diseases such as Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) poses a significant challenge. This is exacerbated by the paucity of information on the occurrence of these pathogens within the country, highlighting the need to study their transmission dynamics for effective control. Here, we modelled the transmission of PRRS in western Uganda and evaluated its control under strategies targeting closure of biosecurity gaps related to practices such as equipment sharing, free ranging, boar sharing, farm visits, and restocking. We used data from 398 pig-farming households to assess husbandry practices, and to estimate contact rates and distances for simulating the spread of PRRS among the 44,125 farms in the study area. Biosecurity measures were found to be low among pig farms in the region, with only 0.8% of them keeping their entire herd confined all-year round, limiting access to unauthorized persons, and using disinfectants. Under the current state of biosecurity, a PRRS outbreak would result in 17. 57% of the pig farms in the region being infected within two years, with the medium and large-scale smallholder farms being most affected. The outbreak would persist beyond 2 years (with a 67.80% likelihood), stabilizing around 700 days post-introduction; reaching a prevalence of 5.15%; and with a median of 17 farms being infected daily during this endemic phase. However, eliminating visitor traffic could entirely halt PRRS spread, while eliminating risks associated with boar sharing, restocking, and scavenging would lead to reductions of 99.85%, 99.44%, and 40.67%, respectively. Furthermore, even a moderate adoption of improved biosecurity measures related to farm visits or boar sharing, could significantly reduce the effects of PRRS in the region. For instance, reducing the frequency of farm visits or boar sharing by 25% across all pig farms could reduce PRRS transmission by 99.61% or 73.95% respectively. This outcome could also be achieved through a targeted adoption rate of 50% within large-scale smallholder farms coupled with a 25% rate for medium-scaled ones. Our results highlight the necessity of promoting enhanced on-farm biosecurity practices in smallholder pig farms, given the challenges posed by productivity-limiting diseases such as PRRS, in Uganda’s rapidly growing piggery industry.
Prevalence of malaria and associated risk factors among febrile under-five refugee children attending Panyadoli Health Centre III, Kiryandongo District, Mid-western Uganda
(Springer Nature, 2025-05-25) Acan, Dorcus; Opiro, Robert; Musinguzi, Benson; Agaba, Bosco B.; Alarakol, Simon Peter
Background: Malaria presents a big threat to the health of refugees, internally displaced persons, returnees and other such persons affected by humanitarian emergencies, with almost two thirds of these groups of persons living in malaria endemic regions. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of malaria and associated risk factors among refugee children < 5 years attending a Health Centre in Panyadoli Refugee Settlement Camp, Kiryandongo District, Uganda.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was done between February to April 2022, targeting refugee children < 5 years old seeking healthcare at Panyadoli Health Centre III in Kiryandongo District. Simple random sampling was employed to select 380 participants, who were then tested for the presence of malaria parasites using malaria rapid diagnostic tests and microscopy techniques. Data on risk factors of malaria was collected using a pre-tested and standardized semi-structured questionnaire. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses was used to identify the risk factors for malaria infections, at 95% confidence interval and p < 0.05.
Results: Malaria prevalence among the refugee children < 5 years attending Panyadoli HCIII was 12.6% [95% CI: 8.7–18.0]. The associated risk factors for malaria infection included: non-application of indoor residual spraying over the last 12 months [AOR = 4.323; 95% CI 1.231–7.212], history of malaria in children (AOR = 5.861; 95% CI 1.562—8.433], and not sleeping under insecticide-treated nets (AOR = 3.141; 95% CI 0.865—5.221).
Conclusion: Malaria remains a threat to refugee children < 5 years old at Panyadoli Refugee Settlement Camp. Sustained implementation of IRS should be pursued through expanded geographic coverage and increased application frequency, in conjunction with complementary malaria control measures such as enhanced ITN distribution and IPT for pregnant women, to support long-term malaria reduction.
Factors associated with completion of maternal health services, a cross-sectional study among women at an outpatient facility in Northern Uganda
(Springer Nature, 2025-05-15) Acirucan, Polline; Nankumbi, Joyce; Ngabirano, Tom Dennis; Muwanguzi, Patience
Teacher rewards and learner academic performance in private secondary schools in Arua City
(Uganda Management Institute, 2024-11-21) Onzia, Hellen; Edabu, Paul; Picho, Epiphany Odubuker
Declining learner academic performance has been manifested in most private secondary schools in Arua City, and teachers are facilitators of learning who need to be rewarded, necessitating this study on teacher rewards and learner academic performance. Its objective was to examine the relationship between teacher reward and learner academic performance in private secondary schools in Arua City. Informed by Abraham Maslow’s theory, the study used a cross-sectional survey design and quantitative and qualitative methods on a sample of 156 respondents. The schools were clustered into rural and urban areas and stratified according to similar characteristics. Purposive sampling was used to select administrators and a random sample to appoint teachers. Quantitative data analysis employed descriptive statistics involving frequencies and percentages and inferential statistics using Pearson correlation, while qualitative research applied group data into themes. Based on the findings, it was clear that a strong positive correlation (r = 0.6) existed between teacher reward and learner academic performance. In particular, improvement in praises and gifts to teachers improved learner academic performance. The coefficient of determination R2 =0.445. Significance of the correlation p = 0.000 that justifies the conclusion that teacher reward significantly explained learner academic performance in private secondary schools in Arua City. Reward, especially low salaries and fringe benefits, limited financial performance bonuses advanced to teachers, accounted for decrease in learner academic performance by 36.0%. The study recommends supporting teacher reward initiatives in private secondary schools, especially regarding financial performance bonuses, salaries and fringe benefits that were not catered for to improve learner academic performance.
Effects of strain, perch and nesting area inclusion or exclusion on performance, egg quality traits, and welfare in laying hens housed in enriched cage system
(eJournals, 2025-04-19) Amiri, A. N.; Şekeroğlu, A.; Tainika, Brian; Akyol, A; Şentürk, Y. E.; Duman, M.; Abacı, S. H.; Gür, F. M.
This study examined the impacts of perch and nesting area inclusion or exclusion on performance, egg quality, and welfare of two laying hen strains. In addition, the study emphasized the effect of hen age on egg quality traits, body region temperatures, and feather score. Lohmann brown (LB) and Lohmann LSL Classic (LW) strains were distributed to enriched cage units; PNO (without perch), PYES (with perch), or NNO (without nesting area), and NYES (with nesting area) at 20 weeks of age. It was identified that LB hens were heavier and had a higher comb, breast region, and footpad surface temperature than LW hens (p<0.01). Hens reared in PNO cages were heavier at 50% egg production than those reared in PYES cages (p<0.05). However, eggs with meat and blood spots in albumen were higher in PYES cages than in PNO cages (p<0.05). Additionally, hens reared in PYES cages had a higher footpad surface temperature than those in PNO cages. Hens reared in NNO cages reached 50% egg production earlier, had a higher comb and rectal temperature, and better feather scores compared to those reared in NYES cages (p<0.05; p<0.01). Eggs with a darker yolk color were obtained from NYES cages than from NNO cages (p<0.05). Furthermore, the effect of nesting area on tonic immobility (TI) approached a significant level (p=0.054), with a shorter duration of TI for hens reared in NYES cages than those in NNO cages. Blood parameters including heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio were similar between strains, and perch and nesting area treatments (p>0.05). Age effects were observed on average egg weight, and egg quality traits apart from shape index, meat-blood spots in the yolk, feather score and body region temperatures (p<0.01), and egg-laying time impacted average egg weight (p<0.01). The study suggests no substantial evidence that the exclusion of a perch or nesting area in the enriched cages compromises performance and welfare measures in hens. In addition, relatively small differences were observed between the genotypes.