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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- 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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Recent Submissions
Detection of filarial IgG and IgM antibodies among individuals with lymphedema in the Kamwenge District, Western Uganda
(Springer Nature, 2025-07-08) Mwesigye, Vicent; Tebulwa, Joanita Berytah; Musinguzi, Benson; Agaba, Bosco Bekita; Bagenda, Charlse Nkubi; Bajunirwe, Francis; Bazira, Joel; Mulogo, Edgar; Herbert, Itabangi; Byarugaba, Frederick
Filarial infections trigger a complex immune response characterized by the production of different antibodies, particularly immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM). These immunoglobulins play a key role in diagnosing the disease, with IgM typically indicating recent infection and IgG reflecting past or ongoing exposure. Assessing their presence provides valuable insight into an individual's immune response and infection history. This study examined the levels of IgG and IgM in people living with lymphedema in the Kamwenge district, Western Uganda, to better understand their immunological status in relation to filarial infection.
This cross-sectional study, conducted in the Kamwenge district, aimed to assess the presence of anti-filarial antibodies among lymphedema patients. A total of 154 participants, predominantly female (71.4%), with a mean age of 54.7 years, were selected through simple random sampling. Serological testing using the Abbexa Filariasis IgG/IgM Rapid Test revealed that 10.4% tested positive for IgG, and 1.9% for IgM antibodies. We enrolled a total of 154 participants, the majority of whom were female 110 (71.4%) while 44 (28.6%) were male. The participants had a mean age of 54.7 years, with a standard deviation of 15.6 years. Overall, 10.4% (n=16) tested positive for filarial antibodies. Specifically, 10.4% (n=16) were positive for filarial IgG, while
1.9% (n=3) tested positive for IgM antibodies. The serological findings demonstrated a low prevalence of recent filarial infections, with a higher occurrence of past or chronic exposure among participants. This suggests that while active transmission may be limited, lymphatic filariasis remains an ongoing public health concern in the Kamwenge district. These results emphasize the need for continued surveillance, early detection, and targeted interventions to effectively manage and mitigate the burden of filarial-related lymphedema in the region.
Boda-boda business activity and socioeconomic transformation in Wakiso District, Uganda
(Journal of Governance and Accountability Studies (JGAS), 2025-07-15) Mbowa, Henry Stanley; Eton, Marus; Tushabe, Sylivia Byarugaba
Purpose: This study established the effect of Boda-boda Business Activity (BBA) on socioeconomic transformation in Wakiso District, Uganda.
Methods: This study employed a descriptive design with quantitative and qualitative approaches. A total of 89 respondents were determined from 114 people at the boda-boda stage in Kitemu. Questionnaires and interviews were used to collect data. The data were analyzed using SPSS to generate descriptive statistics. SEM was employed to establish the causal effect between the variables.
Results: The results indicated that people joined BBA to earn a living to support their families (Mean=4.4; Std.D=0.756), due to a lack of jobs (Mean=4.07; Std.D=1.055), and ease of repairing motorbikes (Mean=3.85; Std.D=1.417). Furthermore, BBA had a significant effect on socioeconomic transformation (β=0.392; p˂0.000). Conclusion: The BBA has the potential to bring substantial socioeconomic transformation, including employment creation (mean=4.0), improved mobility (mean=4.12), and stimulated local commerce (mean=3.79) in Kitemu Ward. Thus, the BBA had a positive effect on socioeconomic transformation (β=0.392, p<0.001).
Limitation: The study employed a descriptive survey design on motorbike riders in Kitemu Ward, which might hinder generalization of the study findings. Thus, more studies need to be conducted using different research designs on a larger sample of boda-boda stages in Wakiso.
Contributions: This study provides information to the Ministry of Work and Transport on how the boda-boda sector can be improved to enhance socioeconomic transformation in Wakiso.
Pou2f3 modulates mosquito host-seeking behavior by regulating skin microbiota and their production of volatiles: Implications for eco-friendly pest control strategies
(ACS Publications, 2025-06-26) Wang, Hui; Ruixi, Qian; Wang, Yuxiang; Li, Lanxi; Wu, Wenxuan; Chen, Yunxuan; Li, Wenqing; Wijewardana, Chanuka Nisalanka; Zhou, Yinghui; Padde, John Roberts; Wang, Yuxiang; Hou, Min; Xu, Zhipeng; Ji, MinJun; Chen, Lu; Chen, Lin
Skin microbiota-derived volatile metabolites are critical for mosquito host-seeking and disease transmission. Similar volatile organic compounds (VOCs)-mediated mechanisms may apply to agricultural pests (e.g., aphids, whiteflies). We demonstrate that Pou2f3, a skin-enriched transcription factor, regulates β-defensin1 expression, shaping microbiota composition and volatile production. Pou2f3-deficient mice exhibited increased Staphylococcus abundance and elevated 1-methoxy-2-propanol levels, enhancing attraction in Culex and Aedes mosquitoes. This VOC, alongside other microbiota-derived compounds, could inspire targeted attractants for eco-friendly pest control via species-specific lures in integrated pest management (IPM). By bridging medical entomology and agricultural chemistry, this work advances sustainable solutions against vector-borne diseases and agricultural pests through precision chemical ecology strategies.
Effect of alcohol consumption and tobacco smoking on psychological distress: a quasi-experimental study using the 2022 Kenya demographic health survey data
(BMJ Group, 2025-06-16) Kamau, Kennedy; Andeso, Pauline; Muga, Winstoun; Karisa, Amani; Musyoki, Davis; Kuria, Joseph Mutura; Kadengye, Damazo T; Izudi, Jonathan
Methods: We analysed the 2022 Kenya Demographic Health Survey data. The primary exposure was alcohol consumption, and tobacco smoking was the secondary exposure. The outcome was psychological distress. We employed propensity score matching to achieve comparability on observed covariates between the exposed and unexposed groups. We then performed conditional logistic regression analysis, adjusting for matched pairs to establish a cause-effect relation between the exposures of interest and the outcome. We reported the OR and 95% CI. We conducted a sensitivity analysis using Mantel-Haenszel bounds to check for the robustness of the cause-effect findings to unmeasured confounders.
Results: Of the 46 609 participants included in the study, 6450 (13.8%) consumed alcohol, while 2353 (5.0%) smoked tobacco. Overall, 1091 (2.3%) participants reported psychological distress. Among alcohol consumers, 352 (32.3%) reported psychological distress, compared with 115 (10.5%) among tobacco smokers. In a 1:1 ratio, we matched 10 070 individuals based on alcohol consumption and 4270 based on tobacco smoking status. In propensity-score-matched analysis, alcohol consumption (OR 2.76, 95% CI 2.06 to 3.70) and tobacco smoking (OR 2.04, 95% CI 1.29 to 3.24) showed an effect on psychological distress.
Conclusion: This study found that alcohol consumption and tobacco smoking increase psychological distress among adults aged 15-54 years in Kenya. There is, therefore, a need to screen for psychological distress among people who drink alcohol or smoke tobacco to provide them with prompt mental health interventions.
Initiation of breastfeeding among mothers attending a regional referral hospital in central Uganda: a cross-sectional study
(Springer Nature, 2025-06-16) Nakayiza, Vivianne; Izudi, Jonathan; Nasuuna, Esther M; Atim, Fiona
Background: Breastfeeding initiation within the first hour of birth is beneficial in reducing the risk of maternal and neonatal mortality. However, a significant proportion of mothers delay initiating breastfeeding within an hour of birth, but the association with age has not been rigorously studied. We examined the association between maternal age and delayed initiation of breastfeeding in a large urban referral hospital in central Uganda.
Methods: This analytic cross-sectional study was conducted at the Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital in Central Uganda. Data were collected using a researcher-administered questionnaire between October 1, 2019, and December 20, 2019. Delayed initiation of breastfeeding was the primary outcome, defined as putting the newborn to the breast after one hour of birth. The primary exposure was maternal age categorized as 15–24, 25–34, and 35–45 years. We performed a modified Poisson regression analysis to determine the independent association between maternal age and delayed initiation of breastfeeding, adjusting for other confounders. We stated the findings as an adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR) and 95% confidence interval (CI).
Results: We studied 384 participants with a mean age of 27.5 ± 5.5 years. Of the 384 participants studied, 275 (71.6%) had delayed initiating breastfeeding, with the majority aged 15–24 years. In a multivariable analysis, delayed initiation of breastfeeding was significantly associated with maternal age groups of 15–24 years (aPR 1.28, 95% CI 1.01,1.63) and 25–34 years (aPR 1.28, 95% CI 1.01–1.60) compared to the reference group of 35–45 years. Additionally, delivery through cesarean section compared to spontaneous vaginal delivery was associated with delayed initiation of breastfeeding (aPR 1.93, 95% CI 1.49–2.49).
Conclusion: Delayed initiation of breastfeeding is common and is associated with maternal age (15–24 and 25–34 years) as well as delivery through cesarean section. Routine health education and staff mentoring are needed to enhance early initiation of breastfeeding to prevent maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality.