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Drought Severity and it's implications on water resources in the Aswa River Basin
(Gulu University, 2026) Abalo Solome
This study aimed to determine drought severity for the historical period using the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) ; to predict drought severity for the future periods up to the year 2100 using climate models and downscaled data for the River Aswa Basin ; and to establish a quantitative relationship between drought severity and water resources in the basin using hydrological modeling and statistical analysis. The study area was the Aswa River Basin, covering 15 districts in Central North Eastern Uganda. The catchment , spanning approximately 25,443km², is situated between 32.2° E to 34.25 ° E and 2.05° N to 3.8° N.The study revealed frequent and spatially variable drought occurrences, with Abim and Kotido having the highest severe drought frequency at 35% and 30% respectively.Gulu (73%) ,Amuria (72%) and Kitgum (66%) experienced mainly moderate droughts while extreme drought events were most frequent in Lira (18%) ,followed by Amuria 12% ,kitgum (12%) and Kotido (7%). The findings underscore persistent water stress in semi- arid northeastern areas, threatening agricultural productivity and the reliability of water resources. The study further established a significant relationship between short-term to medium- term precipitation anomalies ( SPI-3 and SPI- 6) and streamflow in the basin is highly sensitive to seasonal rainfall, emphasizing the need for sub-annual monitoring of water resource variability and drought forcasting.Future projections under RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 scenarios indicate increasing drought severity, frequency, and duration, particularly in Kitgum and Lira.Gulu and Abim showed relatively lower vulnerability. These projections highlight the urgency for localized climate adaptation, strategies to mitigate the escalating impacts of climate change on water security and livelihoods in northern Uganda's River Aswa Basin. The study recommends that authorities integrate SPI-3 and SPI -6 into early warning systems,invest in in- situ water resources monitoring infrastructure, and adopt location-specific adaptation strategies.Promote drought- resilient agriculture, small- scale water storage, abd enforce sustainable water use.Climate risk assessments must guide planning.Strengthen institutional and technical capacities, improve monitoring and collection of local climate data, and engage in regional cooperation to manage shared water resources and reduce the risk of lower water resources - related conflicts.
Comparative analysis of pregnancy outcomes between teenage and adult women at Anaka General Hospital, Northern Uganda.
(BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 2026-05-04) Lapat J.J
Abstract
Background
Teenage pregnancy is a global health concern associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. In Uganda, while teenage pregnancy rates are high, knowledge about their specific risks compared to those of adult pregnancy remains limited.
Objective
We determined the proportion of pregnant teenagers and compared the maternal and neonatal outcomes between pregnant teenagers and pregnant adults at a general hospital in northern Uganda.
Methods
We conducted a comparative, retrospective cohort study involving chart reviews of deliveries at the maternity ward of Anaka General Hospital, Nwoya, Uganda between July 2020 and June 2023. We performed systematic random sampling to include patient charts. All the data were analyzed using STATA software 17 SE. Binary logistic regression was performed to compare adverse pregnancy outcomes between teenage mothers and adult
mothers.
Results
Over the 3-year period, 27.6% (n = 1,842) of the 6,662 deliveries were by teenage mothers. The outcomes of 457 teenage and 457 adult mothers were compared. Compared to adult mothers, teenage mothers had a significantly lower prevalence of HIV (2.2% versus 6.1%, p = 0.003). Teenage mothers had higher odds of having an episiotomy performed (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 5.66, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.48–12.90, p < 0.001), low birth weight (aOR = 4.66, 95% CI: 2.66–6.37, p < 0.001) or perineal tear (aOR = 2.61, 95% CI: 1.69–4.02, p < 0.001). However, adult mothers had greater odds of developing pre-eclampsia (aOR = 4.0, 95% CI: 1.59–11.1, p = 0.004).
Conclusions
In this study, approximately 1 in every 4 deliveries were by teenage mothers, with increased risks of maternal and neonatal complications, except for pre-eclampsia which was more common among adult mothers. Therefore, it is crucial to implement targeted interventions and comprehensive education programs aimed at reducing teenage pregnancies and providing adequate antenatal care and support for teenage mothers.
Keywords
Teenage pregnancy, Maternal outcome, Neonatal outcomes
Prevalence and factors associated with neonatal mortality at the neonatal intensive care unit at St. Mary’s Hospital Lacor, Northern Uganda.
(2025-05-19) Aguma Nicholas
Background
Worldwide, neonatal mortality is a major public health burden especially in the developing countries.
Several factors are associated with neonatal mortality at the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The aim of this
study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with neonatal mortality among neonates admitted
to the NICU at St. Mary’s Hospital Lacor in Northern Uganda.
Method
The study collected quantitative data through retrospective descriptive review of records of 423 systematically
sampled neonates admitted to the NICU between January 1st 2023 and December 31st 2023. Socio demographics,
pregnancy related and neonatal variables of mothers and the neonates admitted to the NICU were entered
in a pre-tested data abstraction tool adapted and modified from a similar study. Neonatal mortality was described
as a proportion of the total number of neonates who were admitted. Logistic regression analyses using odds ratios
with 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to assess the association between possible factors associated with neonatal
mortality. An adjusted odds ratio (aOR), namely an odds ratio (OR) that has been adjusted to account for other
predictor variables, is provided. Data was analysed using SPSS 27.0 statistical software (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL, USA).
Results There were 74 (17.49%) neonatal deaths. 70.27% of the neonatal deaths were early neonatal deaths. Preterm
deaths contributed over 81.10% to the overall mortality.
Preterm birth (aOR = 3.81, 95% CI 1.14 − 12.78), low APGAR at 5 min (aOR = 4.52, 95% CI 2.04 − 10.01), and late initiation
of breastfeeding (OR = 2.79, 95% CI 1.50 − 5.18) were significant factors associated with neonatal death.
Conclusion
The neonatal mortality rate in NICU observed in this study was high. The majority of the deaths occurred
in the early neonatal period. More than 80% of deaths recorded were due to prematurity. Preterm birth, low birth
weight, low 5th minute APGAR score and late initiation of breastfeeding were significant risk factors for neonatal
death. Efforts to address preterm birth, quality neonatal resuscitation and early initiation of breastfeeding are critical
to achieving survival goals in newborns.
Keywords Associated factors, Mortality, Neonate, Neonatal intensive care
Oral health status and factors associated with oral health of primary school children in Gulu district, northern Uganda.
(BMC Oral health, 2024-10-04) Akera Peter
Background
Globally, oral diseases remain a major public health problem. However, there is limited information
about the oral health status and factors associated with oral disease among children in Uganda. The aim of this study
was to examine the oral health status and factors associated with oral health of primary school children in urban and
rural areas of the Gulu district of northern Uganda.
Methods
A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among 356 school children aged 11–13 years
attending six schools located in urban and rural areas. The children received a clinical oral examination and
participated in a questionnaire survey that collected information on sociodemographic and oral health knowledge,
attitude, and practices. All data were entered and analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 26.0.
Armonk, NY: IBM Corp statistical software. Logistic regression analyses examined factors associated with dental caries
and gingival bleeding.
Results
Of the 356 children (11–13 years) included, the mean age was 12.2 years, 140 (39.3%) were male and 176
(49.4%) were from urban areas. The proportion of school children with dental caries was 33.6% (n = 119), with the
mean decayed, missing due to caries, and filled teeth (DMFT) index of 0.81 (25th percentile = 0; 75th percentile = 1.00).
There was no significant difference in caries prevalence between rural and urban children (31.6% versus 35.6%,
p = 0.33). Of the children involved in the study, 141(39.8%) had gum bleeding. The mean oral knowledge score was
2.85 ± 1.53 (range, 0–7), while the mean attitude, hygiene practice, frequency of sweets consumption, and oral health
related impact scores were 4.25 ± 1.23 (range, 1–6), 5.40 ± 1.81 (range, 0–9), 25.66 ± 4.29 (range 9–54) and 2.1 ± 1.65
(range, 0–6), respectively. Using logistic regression analyses, as oral health knowledge score increased the odds of not
having dental caries increased (aOR = 1.19, 95% CI 1.02–1.39).
Conclusion
The prevalence of dental caries and gum bleeding of primary school children in Gulu district is high.
Children lacked knowledge on causes of oral disease, and behaviour towards oral disease prevention. In addition, oral
health knowledge scores were significantly associated with dental caries. Oral health education programs in schools
should emphasise providing skills-based education.
Keywords Associated factors, Child, Dental caries, Gingivitis, Oral health, Primary school
Teaching methods and pupils' literacy achievement in primary schools in Laroo pece Division Gulu City
(Gulu University, 2026-10) Dorcas Tulina
The study investigated the influence of teaching methods on pupils’ literacy achievement in primary schools in Laroo-Pece division. The study was guided by the following specific objectives namely, to assess the status of teaching methods in primary schools in Laroo-Pece division, to assess the level of pupils’ literacy achievement in primary schools in Laroo-Pece division and to establish the relationship between teaching methods and pupil’s literacy achievement in primary schools in Laroo-Pece division. The study adopted a mixed methods approach and convergent mixed methods research design. Quantitative and qualitative data was collected using questionnaires and interviews from 479 respondents and participants. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0 and qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings for research question one showed that the status of teaching methods was high while findings for research
question two showed that the level of pupils’ literacy achievement was very high in primary schools in Laroo-Pece division and findings for Hypothesis showed that there was a strong positive statistically significant relationship between Teaching methods and Pupils’ literacy Achievement in primary schools in Laroo-Pece Division. It was concluded that teaching methods fundamentally influence Pupils’ literacy achievements in primary schools in Laroo-Pece Division. The study recommended that Ministry of Education and Sports should invest significantly in CPD to improve teaching methods in order to improve literacy achievement in primary schools.