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.
How to publish in Muni Repository
- Contact the library through email: libsupport@muni.ac.ug
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Recent Submissions
Tree-based intervention typologies and improvements in refugee displacement regions
(AccScience Publishing, 2025-11-10) Juster, Sarah H.; Munsell, John F.; Njenga, Mary; Okia, Clement A.
Concern about deforestation in contexts of refugee displacement is substantial. Tree-based interventions (TBIs) are efforts to plant trees, conserve trees, and/or facilitate tree regrowth. TBIs are implemented by non-governmental organizations in refugee displacement contexts to address landscape-level deforestation, soil erosion, and biodiversity loss while providing livelihood opportunities to participants. Although humanitarian stakeholders recommend TBIs in refugee-hosting regions, the diversity of TBI models and associated strengths and weaknesses are not well understood. This research focuses on five TBIs implemented in a northwest Uganda refugee settlement that include large-acre woodlot planting, household-level planting of trees yielding short-term products, and conservation site establishment to protect indigenous tree species. Interviews and focus-group discussions with TBI staff revealed that each intervention makes trade-offs in navigating five key challenges associated with TBI implementation in a refugee context: Obtaining access to land, providing short-term livelihood benefits to participants, gaining equitable involvement by gender, achieving environmental conservation goals, and successfully engaging community members. Significant differences were found between the strategies of TBIs implemented at home sites when compared to TBIs implemented at community sites. While TBIs implemented at home sites are intended to provide participants long-term access to tree products with clear user rights and enable women to grow trees alongside ongoing domestic activities, TBIs implemented at community sites can achieve large-scale environmental goals and provide cash-based employment opportunities to participants. An applied integrated landscape approach is recommended to maximize inter-program collaboration and collective benefits across programs, while realizing sustainable TBI impacts within complex socioecological refugee displacement context
Dyslipidemia and associated factors among people living with HIV on dolutegravir-based antiretroviral therapy in central Uganda
(SAGE Publications, 2025-10-23) Timbigamba, Flavia; Bagenda, Charles Nkubi; Sembogga, Hendry; Wasswa, Timothy; Bazibu, Faizo; Ssali, Joseph; Ssemwanga, Elastus; Mugisa, Michael Junior; Nuwagaba, Edwin; Ojuko, Samuel; Nantongo, Carol; Wafwoyo, Jesca Akoth; Musinguzi, Benson; Akiteng, Winnie; Osuwat, Lawrence Obado
Introduction
Dolutegravir (DTG)-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) use has been associated with excessive weight gain, increasing the risk of dyslipidemias such as hypercholesterolemia. We assessed the prevalence of, and associated factors with dyslipidemia among adults on DTG-based ART.
Materials and methods
We conducted a cross-sectional study among 281 systematically sampled adults on DTG-based ART for ≥ 6 months at Kira Health Centre IV, Wakiso District, Central Uganda. Data were collected through structured questionnaires, medical record reviews, anthropometric measurements, and laboratory biomarker analysis. Logistic regression was used to determine associated factors, and the predictive performance of obesity indices was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.
Results
The prevalence of dyslipidemia was 44.1% 95% CI: 38.4%–50.0%. Low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was the most common abnormality, affecting 39.9% of participants, followed by elevated total cholesterol at 5.7% [95% CI: 3.51–9.11] and elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol at 5.0%. High waist circumference (WC) was significantly associated with dyslipidemia; (aPR: 1.93, 95% CI: 1.15–3.24, p = .013), and demonstrated a significant ability to predict dyslipidemia with area under the curve (AUC) of 0.577 [95% CI: 0.511–0.644]. The AUC for WC in predicting hypercholesterolemia, elevated LDL-C, and low HDL-C were 0.702 (95% CI: 0.547–0.857), 0.729(95% CI: 0.590–0.867), and 0.548 (95% CI: 0.481–0.616) respectively.
Conclusion
Dyslipidemia is prevalent among adults on DTG-based ART, and is potentially associated with high WC.
Effect of exposure to malaria messages on insecticide-treated net use among women and under-five children in Uganda: a propensity score matched analysis
(Springer Nature, 2025-11-10) Mwebesa, Edson; Agbi, Delight Mawufemor; Iha, Daniel Thoya; Agasa, Lameck Ondieki; Mwangi, Ann
Background
Malaria remains a global public health issue, with almost 2.5 million cases and more than 0.6 million deaths each year, of which women and children remain disproportionately affected. Insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) are a cornerstone of malaria prevention in endemic malaria regions. Malaria messages (MM) are intended for positive and measurable social, attitude, and behavioural change towards malaria prevention uptake. However, their impact on insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) use has not been sufficiently investigated through rigorous statistical approaches. This study investigated the effect of MM on ITN use among women and children under five years in Uganda using Propensity Score Matched Analysis (PSMA).
Methods
The study utilized the Uganda Malaria Indicator Survey (UMIS) 2018 -19 data. Women (n = 8868) and children (n = 6915) datasets were extracted from Individual Women’s and Children’s Data, respectively. The children’s dataset included data on interviewed women (caregivers), household indicators and under-five children’s data, while the women's dataset contains records of every eligible woman in selected households. Propensity score-matched analysis (PSMA) was utilized to identify the effect of the MM (intervention) on ITN use (outcome) among women of reproductive age and children under five in Uganda.
Results
The results revealed that 69.3 [95% CI: 67.2, 71.2] of the women and 71.8 [95% CI: 69.1, 74.4] of the children under five years slept under a mosquito bed net the night preceding the survey. The results further revealed a significant and positive effect of exposure to malaria messages on ITN use among exposed women [Average Treatment Effect of the Treated (ATT) = 5.1%, 95% CI: 1.5–8.9%] and under-five children of exposed women [ATT = 4.3%, 95% CI: 1.0–7.6%].
Conclusion
Effective and relevant behavioural change communications, such as malaria messages, are an effective way of influencing the use of ITN. Such an intervention may reduce malaria endemicity, morbidity, and mortality in Uganda.
Mapping the evolution of infrastructural development studies in higher educational institutions: A Bibliometric review of publication trends and influential works (1960–2024)
(East African Nature & Science Organization, 2025-08-26) Atyayi, Noeline Prossy; Ujeyo, Margaret Stella Suubi; Atibuni, Dennis Zami
This study conducts a comprehensive bibliometric review of scholarly literature on infrastructural development in tertiary institutions from 1960 to
2024. Using data extracted from the Dimensions database and analysed with VOS viewer software, the review examines 607 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters to map the evolution, growth trajectory, geographic spread, citation impact, and thematic trends within the field. The findings reveal an exponential increase in publications over the past 15 years, reflecting rising global attention to infrastructure in higher education, particularly in the context of sustainability, digital transformation, and equity. India and Nigeria emerged as leading contributors, indicating a regional prioritisation of educational infrastructure amidst expanding student populations. Influential works by Graham-Rowe and Kumar dominate citation networks, shaping discourse on sustainable transport and smart infrastructure. Thematic analysis highlights critical topics such as hybrid learning environments, access equity, technological integration, and the environmental implications of infrastructural investments. Despite this growth, the review identifies research gaps, notably in empirical studies evaluating the impact of infrastructure on academic outcomes and the effectiveness of adaptive infrastructural models. Collaborative networks between developed and developing countries were evident, reinforcing the global relevance of this research domain. The paper emphasises the importance of sustained interdisciplinary inquiry and policy alignment to ensure resilient, inclusive, and future-oriented infrastructure in higher education. The insights derived are invaluable for researchers, institutional leaders, and policymakers aiming to optimise infrastructural investments in response to emerging educational needs.
Missed opportunities in engaging community pharmacies for integrated tuberculosis care in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Call to Action.
(American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH), 2025-11-06) Izudi, Jonathan; Sekaggya-Wiltshire, Christine; Adithya, Cattamanch
Tuberculosis (TB) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. Community pharmacies, which are often the first point of contact for people with TB, are underutilized in expanding TB care. Engaging community pharmacies in TB care could facilitate personalized adherence counseling, the timely detection and reporting of medication side effects, and the integration of TB and HIV services for individuals with both TB and HIV. Pharmacies can reduce stigma and address social and psychological barriers by offering person-centered care in convenient, accessible settings, including for working people and hard-to-reach communities. Integrating community pharmacies into national TB programs could strengthen adherence, reduce loss to follow-up, improve case detection, and help achieve End TB Strategy goals. The authors of the present study advocate for deliberate policy, training, and data linkages to realize this scalable opportunity, including implementation research.