Browsing by Author "Ocaya, Jimmy"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Organic Explosive Residues from Demining Sites in Amuru District, Northern Uganda
    (Scientific Research Publishing, 2025) Ocaya, Jimmy; Arwenyo,Beatrice; Ongwech , Acaye; Nnamuyomba , Proscovia; Opio , Alfonse; Angwech ,Harriet; Kisitu , Jaffar
    The study investigated the occurrence of explosive compounds at four demining sites in Amuru District, Northern Uganda. The concentrations of explosive compounds octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX), 2,4,6-Trinitrophenyl-n-methylnitramine (tetryl), 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), 2,6-dinitrotoluene (2,6-DNT),cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (RDX), nitroglycerin (NG) and Pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) in soil samples collected from the demining sites were determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (LC-MSMS-APCI). The LC-MSMS-APCI method was optimized and validated. The validation parameters included were accuracy, precision, recovery, linearity, selectivity, limits of detection, and limits of quantification. The limit of detection and quantification of the target analytes ranged from 4.5 - 32.1 ng·mL−1 and 17 - 102.9 ng·mL−1, respectively. Recovery of the target analytes from the soil samples ranged from 76% - 96%. The intra- and inter-day accuracy and precision values of below 15% indicated that the target analytes could be determined with reasonable accuracy and precision using the optimized method. The target analyte concentrations in soil samples ranged from 24.6 to 551.8 μg·g−1 with RDX and TNT being dominant. All the soil samples analyzed had explosive residue concentrations higher than the set chemical contamination values set by the US EPA PRGs Region 9 for Soil Screening Levels.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    “We Cure Sickle Cell Disease with Herbs”: Perspectives of Herbal Medicine Practitioners Treating Sickle Cell Disease in the Acholi SubRegion
    (DovePress, Taylor & Francis Group, 2025-07-28) Awor, Silvia; Opee, Jimmyy; Denis Ocaya,; Ocaya, Jimmy; Abola, Benard; Malinga, Geoffrey Maxwell; Oryema, Christine; Arwenyo, Beatrice; Ongwech, Acaye; Musoke, David; Nnamuyomba, Proscovia; Epila, Jackie
    Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic blood disorder that results in the deformation of red blood cells under low oxygen conditions, causing vaso-occlusive crises and severe complications. While hydroxyurea has been introduced as a treatment for SCD, herbal medicines remain widely used across Africa. Northern Uganda has a high SCD prevalence of 20.5%, yet limited research exists on alternative treatment options within local communities. This study aimed to explore the perspectives of herbal medicine practitioners in the Acholi sub-region. Methods: We conducted in-depth interviews between October and December 2024 involving 24 herbal medicine practitioners in the Acholi sub-region, selected through referrals and non-probability snowball sampling. All data collected were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic content analysis, and emerging themes were presented. Results: All participants believed herbal medicine could cure SCD, and the majority reported successfully treating patients. However, some practitioners remembered some patients who reported being sick with sickle cell crises many years after the “cure”. “When they report improvement, I stop medication after some time…” thereafter, “I encourage them to go to the hospital, but they do not. They can stay without falling sick for a long time and declare themselves healed”. Findings suggest herbal medicines are commonly used for SCD management in the Acholi sub-region. Most herbal medicine practitioners rely on the hospital diagnoses, although a few can tell who has sickle cell disease by looking at or touching them. A lot of mistrust exists between herbal medicine practitioners, the government, and researchers. This hinders efforts to integrate traditional medicine into mainstream healthcare and limits opportunities for scientific validation. Conclusion: Herbal medicine practitioners believe herbs can treat sickle cell disease; however, further research is needed to investigate the nature of these herbs and their mechanisms of action, thereby facilitating the integration of herbal medicine into conventional care. We discuss some implications of the study for practice and policy