Browsing by Author "Geoffrey Maxwell Malinga"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Adoption of Mobile Banking Among Agri-Entrepreneurs in Northern Uganda: Do Socioeconomic Factors Matter?
    (Food and Humanity, 2025-09-24) Jackson Abandu; Benedict Oyo; Geoffrey Maxwell Malinga; Basil Mugonola
    Digital financial technologies drive agricultural value chains and food stability in developing regions. Mobile banking in particular, plays an important role in enhancing financial inclusion, improving the livelihoods and food security of rural farming communities. However, the adoption of this technology by agri-entrepreneurs in Uganda is low and under-explored. This study explored the socioeconomic factors driving mobile banking adoption among agri-entrepreneurs in northern Uganda. Utilizing the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) as a theoretical framework and a cross-sectional survey design, data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to a representative sample of 480 agri-entrepreneurs. PROCESS macro regression analysis shows that gender, age, education level, marital status, income level, mobile device category and ownership were the primary factors driving the behaviors of mobile banking adoption either directly or indirectly via perceived ease of use and usefulness, which are core variables in the TAM framework. The findings suggest that policymakers, financial institutions, and development agencies should tailor mobile banking interventions to the diverse socioeconomic profiles of agri-entrepreneurs. Targeted strategies such as gender-inclusive programs, digital skills training, and age-specific education are essential to enhance perceived ease of use and usefulness. Investments in rural digital infrastructure and affordable mobile technologies are critical to reducing access barriers. By effectively communicating the practical benefits of mobile banking, stakeholders can accelerate adoption, promote financial inclusion, and support broader goals of rural economic empowerment, food security, and poverty reduction in northern Uganda.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Liver and renal biochemical profiles of people with sickle cell disease in Africa: a systematic review and meta‑analysis of case‑control studies
    (BMC, 2024-10-15) Silvia Awor; Felix Bongomin; Mark Mohan Kaggwa; Francis Pebalo Pebolo; Jackie Epila; Geoffrey Maxwell Malinga; Christine Oryema; Proscovia Nnamuyomba; Acaye Ongwech; David Musoke
    Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic blood disorder characterized by a painful vaso-occlusive crisis due to the sickling of red blood cells in capillaries. Complications often lead to liver and renal dysfunctions, contributing to morbidity and mortality, particularly for children under 5. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evalu ate the liver and renal functions of people with SCD (HbSS) compared to those without it (HbAA) in Africa. Methods: The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022346771). We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar using the keywords “liver function”, “renal function”, “sickle cell disease”, and “Africa” on 6th May 2023 for peer-reviewed articles with abstracts in English. We included case-control studies compar ing SCD (HbSS) with controls without hemoglobinopathies (HbAA). We used the random-effect model to calculate the pooled average values for the blood tests of people with SCD in RStudio version 4.2.2. Systematic review registration PROSPERO CRD42022346771 Results: Overall, 17 articles were analyzed from five African countries involving 1312 people with SCD and 1558 controls. The pooled mean difference of liver enzymes aspartate transaminase (AST) was 8.62 (95% CI − 2.99–20.23, I2 = 97.0%, p < 0.01), alanine transaminase (ALT) 7.82 (95% CI − 0.16–15.80, I2 = 99%, p < 0.01) and alkaline phos phatase (ALP) − 2.54 (95% CI − 64.72 – 59.64, I2 = 99%, p < 0.01) compared to controls. The pooled mean difference for the renal biochemical profiles creatinine − 3.15 (95% CI − 15.02; 8.72, I2=99%, p < 0.01) with a funnel plot asym metry of t = 1.09, df = 9, p = 0.3048 and sample estimates bias of 6.0409. The pooled mean difference for serum urea was − 0.57 (95% CI − 3.49; 2.36, I2 = 99%, p < 0.01), and the estimated glomerular filtration (eGFR) rate was 19.79 (95% CI 10.89–28.68 mL/min/1.73 m2, I2 = 87%, p < 0.01) compared to controls. Conclusion: People with SCD have slightly elevated liver enzymes and estimated glomerular filtration rates com pared to controls in Africa. With all the heterogeneity (I2) > 50%, there was substantial variation in the reported articles’ results.