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Predictors of Default Rate in the Outpatient Therapeutic Management of Acute Malnutrition Among Children 6-59 Months in Lamwo and Omoro Districts-Northern Uganda
(Gulu University, 2024) Amony Paska
Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) continues to be a significant threat to the wellbeing of children, contributing to at least 10% of the reported mortality of children under the age of five in northern Uganda. This could be exacerbated by limited information about Outpatient Therapeutic Care (OTC) default rates, poor perception of OTC programs, and other factors that perpetuate default rates. A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted among 244 Caregivers and hence children under five years in Omoro and Lamwo districts of Northern Uganda to examine factors leading to default rate in OTC management of acute malnutrition. Data was collected using a validated semi-structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 25. The OTC default rate was found to be 34%, and it is consistent across districts. Caregivers had a positive perception (MS =3.70) towards the effectiveness dimension of the OTC services, and a negative perception (MS=2.3) towards the accessibility and convenience dimension of OTC services. OTC default rates were influenced by marital status, the perceptions of caregivers towards accessibility and convenience of OTC services, distance to the OTC facility, and child’s age, presence of other health conditions (Malaria, HIV etc ) and the waiting time to see the health personnel. This indicates that OTC default rates in northern Uganda are high, and is driven by unfavorable sociodemographic, institutional, physiological, and environmental factors. These factors must therefore be considered in the design of targeted interventions such as educational programs, establishment of support systems which include reminder services, follow-up calls, and recruitment of community-based health workers to ensure all children receive comprehensive care in the management of SAM.
Attitude and Willingness to Consume Locally Made Soymilk by Refugees and Host Community Members in Northern Uganda
(Gulu University, 2024) Okello Emmanuel
The well-being of refugees and host community members is threatened by reliance on diminishing food aid, limited financial capacity and market access, insufficient land for farming, and overpopulation, among other challenges. This situation is exacerbated by food rations that primarily consist of starchy staples with limited or no animal protein, increasing the risk of nutritional deficiencies. The consumption of locally produced plant-based milk substitutes such as soymilk could provide a cost-effective solution to address these risks.However, the acceptance and consumption of such foods depend on consumer attitude and preferences. This study investigated the willingness to consume and the factors influencing attitude towards the consumption of locally made soymilk among refugee and host communitymembers. A cross-sectional mixed-methods study was conducted with 365 participants in Palabek Refugee Settlement, Lamwo District. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire and focus group discussions guide, and analysed using SPSS version 25 and thematic inductive analysis, respectively. The findings reveal that most respondents (75%) had not consumed soymilk prior to the study, with a higher proportion of the host community (29%) reporting prior consumption compared to the refugee group (22%). The majority of respondents (99%) exhibited a positive attitude towards locally made soymilk, with no significantdifferences between the two study groups. Participants expressed a high likelihood of consuming different soymilk flavors (Mean Score = 3.96), with lemongrass flavor being the most preferred, followed by vanilla and plain flavors. Significant differences were noted, as refugees expressed a higher likelihood of consuming these flavors compared to the host community. The willingness to consume soymilk improved significantly after participants were trained on soymilk preparation methods, with mean scores increasing from 4.12 to 4.88 among refugees and from 4.08 to 4.28 among host community members. Household size, education level, monthly income, cost of soymilk and its raw materials, sensory attributes, accessibility of soymilk, health and nutritional benefits were key factors influencing attitude towards soymilk consumption. Organizations, including Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and government agencies, should leverage these factors and the high acceptance of locally made soymilk to design inclusive, culturally sensitive, and nutritionally adequate programs. These programs should address the nutritional needs of both host and refugee communities, fostering resilience and long-term health improvements.
Hurban Development And Natural Vegetation Change: A Historical Analysis Of Gulu City From 1911 To 2021
(Gulu Uiversity, 2023-10) OJOK OBWONA MICHAEL
This was a historical study of urban development and natural vegetation change of Gulu City from 1911 to 2021. The global society has of recent been witnessing spatial expansion of urbanization which has a bearing on natural vegetation. There however, seemed to be no proper documentation of the effects urban development on natural change to guide future redirection in low resourced urbanizing societies, Gulu City being one of them. The study was therefore set to determine the historical urban development of Gulu city from 1911 to 2021 and its effect on the natural vegetation of the area. It precisely documented the trend of urban development, determined the status of the gazetted urban green spaces, and assessed the effect of the spatial extent of urbanization on natural vegetation. The study adopted a historical research design which was descriptive in nature - secondary data sources were analyzed and later triangulated with qualitative data from older persons of both gender who witnessed the changing pattern of urbanization and natural vegetation changes. The findings show that Gulu City has been witnessing an increasing population size which though declined at some point due to insecurity, generally rose at an increasing rate over the years between 1911 and 2021. The study also found that the urban built up area has been evolving over the years at an exponential rate with natural green spaces constituting of the wetlands and the planted forests alongside the forest reserves coexisting. The study concluded that the exponential spatial expansion of the built-up area of Gulu City was crucial to the characteristic decline in the natural vegetation over the years from 1911 to 2021. The study recommended among others, the need for the urban planning authority of Gulu City in collaboration with the local leadership to foster faster tracking of the preservation of the natural green spaces identified and earmarked in the urban plans. The study also recommended that the physical planners for the various residential setups, institutions, and factories for industrial development along the commercial buildings should develop plans that integrate alternative approaches to natural greening of the prospective urban setups.
COMPLIANCE OF GLOBAL GAP STANDARDS AMONG SMALLHOLDER HOT PEPPER FARMERS IN LIRA DISTRICT OF NORTHERN UGANDA
(Gulu University, 2024-12-19) NDAYISHIMIYE,GERARD
Compliance with food safety standards like Global GAP plays a vital role in farmer’s certification, ensuring that their produce is accepted at the export market which contributes to rural development through increased income. However, Global GAP requires adherence to the set standards, but several smallholder farmers struggle to consistently meet the requirements thus, failing to access lucrative export markets. Understanding why some smallholder farmers fail to comply with such
standards is important for export promotion. This study investigated Global GAP awareness, level of compliance and the key factors associated with Global GAP adherence among hot pepper smallholder farmers in Lira district of northern Uganda. Primary data were collected from a random sample of 345 hot pepper farmers using pretested structured questionnaires. Data analysis used descriptive statistics and Tobit regression models. The results on level of awareness of Global GAP standards was very low (8.02%) and significantly influenced by years of formal education, access to market information and extension services. The level of Global GAP compliance was 69.29%. This showed that farmers were doing some of good agricultural practices (GAPs) without knowing Global GAP. Among the factors associated with the level of compliance were awareness, family members in chili farming, market information, credit for farming and extension services all with p-values less than 1%. This study concluded that there was very low level of awareness and compliance to Global GAP standards. It recommends that promoters of agricultural export should emphasize the creation of awareness through accessible common channels like radios and extension agents. Further, there is a need to ease access to agricultural credit to enable smallholder farmers make the necessary investment in the inspection and certification processes.
consumer perceptions and demand factors driving consumption of pumpkin products in gulu city
(Gulu University, 2024-01-09) Rubangakene Derrick Otim
Despite nutritional values of pumpkin products, they are not widely consumed by the local population. To enhance consumption of pumpkin products, understanding the influence of consumer perceptions combined with demand factors on consumption of pumpkin product I paramount. The study was set out to examine the relationship between socio-economic factors and sources of pumpkin products, assess the influence of consumer perceptions on consumption of pumpkin products and determine the factors affecting consumer demand decisions for pumpkin products Using a cross-sectional survey 427 households in Gulu City, this study examined the influence of consumer perceptions and demand factors on consumption of pumpkin products. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics and two different models. Negative Binomial Regression Model (NBR) was used to assess the influence of consumer perceptions on consumption and Heckman Two-stage regression model was used to determine factors driving consumer decisions to demand for pumpkin products. Findings show that consumption of pumpkin products is influenced by consumer perceptions on health benefits on heart health, consumer taste and preference for aroma, hard skin, nutty taste, fibreness, perceived health benefits on eye vision, quantity consumed, income, reliance on self-production, boiled preparation, product price, household size, and sensitization on healthy foods. Consumer decision to purchase pumpkin products is driven by perceived health benefits for immunity, eyesight, heart health, and weight loss, marital status, income spent on products, proximity to supermarkets, number of men in the household and sensitization on healthy foods. Consumer decision on quantity demanded for pumpkin products depends on product prices, income price of substitutes, number of men in the household, and sensitization on healthy foods. The study recommends that sensitization programs should structure messages to emphasize the role of pumpkins in enhancing human health.