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Dietary iron intake and prevalence of iron deficiency anemia among women of childbearing age in Adjumani refugee settlement
(Gulu University, 2024-09-01) Ikomolot Caroline
Anemia is a big threat to global population of women of childbearing age (WCBA). Factors such as malnutrition, infections, and poor sanitation are identified as the main contributors to high prevalence of anemia in this age category. However, information about the contribution of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) to general anemia prevalence remains unknown especially in a refugee settlement where iron intake is compromised by many factors. This study investigated: (i) dietary iron intake; (ii) contribution of iron deficiency to anemia prevalence and (iii) socio-economic and dietary factors influencing serum iron status of 462 WCBA in Adjumani refugee settlement using cross-sectional survey. IDA was determined by analyzing serum ferritin using Human Ferritin ELISA kit (Bio-techne company, United Kingdom), following standard procedure and manual from the manufacturer. According to the results, the dietary iron intake of the study sample was not significantly different (p≤0.05) from recommended daily intake (RDI) of iron except for the intake of the study samples from Pagirinya refugee settlement which was lower than RDI (p≤0.05) and mainly from plant sources. Engagement in income generating activities (IGAs) especially farming and fishing resulted in a significant increase in iron intake (p≤0.05). The prevalence of anemia in the sample was 34.42% with mean hemoglobin concentration of 10.25g/dL but the prevalence varied among the different settlements studied. Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) accounted for 37% of anemia among those who were found to be anemic after the initial screening. Overall, there was a significant impact of IGAs, education, and monthly income on serum iron status of women (p < 0.05). This study has demonstrated that the intake of iron among refugee women was primarily from starchy plant-based food sources but was generally not significantly different from recommended intake except for inter-settlement variations. Despite meeting the recommended iron intake, iron deficiency is still persistent, and the level of anemia is high among refugee women of childbearing ages, suggesting poor quality of dietary iron sources. Therefore, consumption of a mix of animal-based and iron rich-plant food sources among women of childbearing age in Adjumani refugee settlement should be encouraged. The promotion of nutrition interventions could also consider diversifying the economic activities of women in the refugee context to improve the impact.
Influence of Agricultural Commercialization on Micronutrient Nutrition among rural households in Omoro and Otuke Districts of Northern Uganda
(Gulu University, 2023-12-30) Kisebe Lillian
Micro-nutrient deficiencies are a serious nutritional challenge among households in Otuke and Omoro districts of northern Uganda, majority of whom depend on farming for food and income. Agricultural commercialization (AC) is a strategy being promoted to address rural poverty and food and nutrition insecurity in localities such as Omoro and Otuke districts. However limited information exists on how AC influences rural household micronutrient nutrition in such localities. Making use of 400 randomly selected households, this study examined the influence of AC on micronutrient nutrition in Omoro and Otuke districts. Specifically, the study assessed the factors that influence AC and the influence of agricultural commercialization on production and consumption of vitamin A, iron and folate. Using household commercialization index as a measure of agricultural commercialization, results showed that the level of AC in the study area was 61% with Omoro having 63% while Otuke had 54%. Tobit regression analysis showed that gender of the household head (p<0.023), primary food source (p<0.01), credit availability (p<0.01), membership in farmer groups (p<0.05), and methods of land tillage (p<0.001) significantly influenced AC. Two-stage least square regression showed that AC affected the production of iron (p<0.01), folate (p<0.01), and folate consumption (p<0.01). This study has demonstrated that AC has the potential to enhance production and consumption of micro-nutrients of public health concern. Based on these findings, development of strategies and policies that promote AC to address rural household micronutrient intake should take into account the agricultural commercialization factors identified and how commercialization influences production and consumption of micronutrients.
Career Guidance and Academic Performance in Secondary Schools in Gulu City
(Gulu University, 2023-12-20) Adong G,Monica
Most secondary schools in the City have been registering a decline in the academic performance and inadequate career guidance services could have attributed. The purpose of the study was to investigate career guidance and academic performance in secondary schools in Gulu City with a view to improve on the standards of academic performance in the City. The objectives of the study were: to determine the status of career guidance in secondary schools in Gulu City; to establish the level of academic performance in Secondary Schools in Gulu City and to measure the relationship between career guidance and academic performance in secondary schools in Gulu City. The Cross sectional correlational survey research design which incorporated mixed methods of data collection involving quantitative and qualitative approaches was adopted for this study. A sample size of 113 respondents was selected from a target population of 160 respondents from five (5) accessible schools in Gulu City. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires and interview guide and analyzed using percentages and Pearson Product Moment Correlations Coefficient. The study found that the status of career guidance was moderate in the selected schools as most of the secondary schools in Gulu City had career guidance functions and the most common ones were career talks, mentorship programs and teachers helping students when making choices of subjects. The study found that the level of academic performance in most schools in Gulu City was only average (50%) as many secondary schools in Gulu City had registered improvement in the grades of students in both UACE and UCE exams in the previous years. The study findings revealed that career guidance had a positive significant influence on academic performance in secondary schools in Gulu City. The study finally concluded that, career guidance practices was paramount in enhancing academic performance in secondary schools provided it was well implemented. It was recommended that there is need for management of secondary schools to put much emphasis on career guidance in order to realize improvement in academic performance in their schools as the study indicated a positive significant relationship between career guidance and students’ academic performance. The study further recommended that more research should be done on challenges faced in conducting career guidance in secondary schools in Uganda.
Effect of maize and oyster mushroom blending ratio on nutritional, microbial, and physico-chemical quality of maize-mushroom composite
(Gulu University, 2022-11-23) Kilama, Godfrey
complementary foods made from common starchy cereals like maize have been associated with high level of micronutrient deficiencies in children 6-24 months. Combining locally nutrient-dense underutilized foods like oyster mushrooms with starch-rich maize could enhance the nutritional quality of complementary foods. This study investigated how blending oyster mushrooms to maize flour would improve its nutritional, microbial, physico-chemical, and sensory quality. Refined maize flour was combined at 0% (control), 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% (w/w) with flour derived from thoroughly cleaned blanched, and sun-dried oyster mushrooms. The nutritional, microbiological, physical-chemical, and sensory qualities of the composites were assessed using standard procedures. With all ratios of mushroom, the nutritional quality of the composites was significantly improved. For example, adding 10%, 20%, 30%, or 40% oyster mushrooms to maize flour increased the protein content from 6.67% to 8.74%, 6.67% to 11.04%, 6.67% to 14.23%, and 6.67% to 17.87%, respectively. Ash and fiber content percentage increment ranged from 0.31 to 2.48% and 0.22 to 3.04%, respectively. The composite's mineral composition had percentages increment ranging from 2.7 to 8.88% for iron, 1.9 to 6% for zinc, 26.03 to 55.33% for calcium, and 15.24 to 51.11% for magnesium. The physico-chemical quality of the composites was better, but the microbiological quality was negatively affected. Despite bioavailability limitations, theoretical nutritional calculations showed that consuming 250g/day of a blend that contains 10% mushroom contributes roughly 75% of the iron and 187% of the zinc requirement of children 6-24 months. The sensory evaluations of the composite-made porridges revealed poor ratings for the color, flavor, aftertaste, and aroma, but had no impact on the acceptability of the porridges made from blends containing 10% mushroom. The viscosity and water absorption of the composites, in particular, favorably impacted caregivers’ acceptability, whereas the capability to absorb oil decreased caregivers’ acceptability. For children 6-24 months who rely on maize porridge as a complementary food, this study suggests combining oyster mushroom with maize flour to increase the nutritional content of the flour mixture.
DETERMINANTS OF PROFIT EFFICIENCY OF SMALLHOLDER DAIRY PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN GULU CITY AND GULU DISTRICT, UGANDA
(Gulu University, 2024-01) OKELLO, OYOO PETER
Dairy production systems in Uganda are still plagued by yield gaps, post-harvest losses, inadequate coordination, and ineffective marketing strategies. This has resulted in inefficiency and low productivity, even though this sector has been strategically invested in to increase income and food security. The study estimated profit efficiency, characterized dairy production systems, and determined the factors influencing profit efficiency. The maximum likelihood process was used in conjunction with a one-step stochastic profit frontier approach to estimate the profit efficiency and causes of profit inefficiency for 191 smallholder dairy farmers. Results show that the profit efficiency of smallholder dairy production systems is driven by land size, vet cost, costs of feed, cost of equipment, and the cost of labor. Findings further indicate that the inefficiency of smallholder dairy production systems is driven by age, years of experience, family size, gender, marital status, access to extension service, access to credit, group membership, and Friesian breed type. The study thus urges the development of labor-saving technology, the provision of farmers with inexpensive local feed, and the enhancement of extension services. The disparities in profit efficiencies among dairy production systems necessitate bench marking among top performers and intervention tailored to those systems.