Acholi Sub-region Research Articles

Cassava Brown Streak Disease Prevalence in Smallholder Cassava Cropping Systems in Northern Uganda: The Case of Acholi Sub-region

Cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) is a devastating disease of cassava in Uganda. Limited information exists on the incidence and severity of CBSD in Northern Uganda. The prevalence of CBSD in the eight (8) districts in the Acholi sub-region is also unknown. Therefore, the current study intended to: a) determine the prevalence and severity of CBSD in the Acholi sub-region, and b) identify the drivers of CBSD epidemics in smallholder cassava cropping systems in Acholi. An assessment of 120 cassava fields was conducted in the 2018b season. CBSD field incidence was highest in Nwoya District (51.3%) and lowest in Kitgum (6.4%), with severity ranging from 2.1 to 3.4 in the sub-region. CBSD prevalence was also highest in Nwoya (76.2%) and lowest in Kitgum and Pader Districts (30.8%). The use of CBSD-susceptible varieties (TME 14, TME 204, and NASE 12) was identified as the main driver of the epidemic. The result of the current study highlights the need for a wide-scale CBSD awareness creation and community-based cassava seed multiplication and distribution system in the Acholi sub-region to promote the up-take of CBSD-tolerant cassava varieties

Prehospital Emergency Care: A Cross-Sectional Survey of First-Aid Preparedness Among Layperson First Responders in Northern Uganda.

Uganda has a high incidence of road traffic accidents and high mortality rates, yet lacks a mature prehospital emergency care system. Our study addresses this gap by assessing the experiences, training, and confidence in providing first aid (FA) among diverse layperson first responders in Northern Uganda, expanding beyond previous research, which was limited to Central Uganda and specific occupational groups. We conducted a cross-sectional survey among layperson first responders of various occupations in Gulu City, Acholi sub-region, Uganda. Data on socio-demographics, training, experiences, knowledge, and confidence in FA were collected. We included 396 participants, of whom 81.6% (n=323) were male, 47.0.6% (n=186) were aged 21-30 years, 59.3% (n=235) had obtained a secondary level of education, 23.7% (n=94) were commercial motorcyclists, and 45.7% (n=181) had work experience of >5 years. The majority (85.4%, n=338) had witnessed acute illness/trauma. Accidents/bleeding were the most commonly witnessed cases (68.6%, n=232), followed by burn injuries (10.1%, n=34). Most participants (52.3%, n=207) had attended FA training. Only 20.5% (n=81) had obtained an above-average score (≥70%). The majority (67.9%, n=269) were confident in providing FA. Lack of knowledge and skills (61.4%, n=78), fear of taking health risks (18.9%, n=24), and legal implications (7.1%, n=9) were the major reasons for not being willing to confidently give FA. Factors associated with above-average knowledge were tertiary education and being confident in providing FA, while training in FA and prior experience in giving FA were associated with confidence in giving FA. In this study, laypeople in Northern Uganda exhibited a high level of FA training. However, low confidence in providing FA is attributed to inadequate knowledge, fear of health risks, and legal concerns. Therefore, future efforts should focus on assessing FA practices in diverse regions and promoting formal FA training.

Development of micronutrient dense composite flour for routine enrichment of complementary foods for children 6–24 months old in Acholi sub-region of Uganda

BackgroundThe use of local foods has been widely recognized as a sustainable strategy to address micronutrient deficiencies among resource-constrained households in rural areas in developing countries. Acholi sub-region of Uganda has recently recorded a high prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies due to inadequate iron, zinc, and calcium contents in complementary foods. Thus the sub-region was used as a case study to examine the potential of amaranth grain-silverfish-iron rich beans micronutrient dense composite flour in improving nutritional quality of complementary foods.DesignMicrosoft Excel was used to derive ingredient combinations based on the micronutrient requirements. Laboratory analyses were used to determine (1) nutritional quality; (2) functional properties and; (3) storage stability of the micronutrient-dense composite flour. Data was analysed using a one-sample t-test and analysis of variance by Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.ResultsThe micronutrient-dense composite flour contained 19 mg/100 g, 13 mg/100 g, and 354 mg/100 g of iron, zinc, and calcium, respectively. The cost (0.037–0.058 USD) of the micronutrient-dense composite flour required to meet the RDA for iron and zinc among children 6–24 months old was found lower than the cost (4.81 USD) of a sachet of standard micronutrient powder equivalent to RDA. The product exhibited low bulk density (0.68 g/l), high water solubility index (25.56–29.16%), and short reconstitution time (40.00–45.00 s), and remained safe during the entire 70 days of storage. Theoretically, daily enrichment of complementary foods for children 6–11 and 12–24 months old with 58 and 37 g of the composite, respectively would contribute 100% of the recommended dietary allowance for iron and zinc and 50% for calcium.ConclusionThe developed micronutrient-dense composite flour has the potential to improve the micronutrient quality of complementary foods. A concerted effort is required to promote its use as a strategy to address micronutrient deficiencies among children 6–24 months in resource-constrained settings.

The misbeliefs and food taboos during pregnancy and early infancy: a pitfall to attaining adequate maternal and child nutrition outcomes among the rural Acholi communities in Northern Uganda

BackgroundIn developing countries, the practice of food taboo is pervasive. The types of foods considered as taboos and the reasons attached to taboos vary from society to society. Food taboos have been recognized as one of the factors contributing to maternal undernutrition in pregnancy, especially in rural settings. In the rural Acholi community where malnutrition is prevalent, very little is known about these food taboos and misbeliefs. This study, therefore, aims to explore various misbeliefs and food taboos in the time of pregnancy that can influence maternal and child nutrition outcomes in Acholi.MethodsA community-based qualitative cross-sectional study was conducted between April and May 2022 in five districts in the Acholi subregion. Focus group discussions (FGDs) and key informant interviews (KIIs) were used to collect data. Data transcription was done verbatim, organised into themes, assigned unique color codes, and manually analysed thematically.ResultsUpon scrutiny of the transcripts, three themes were eminent. The first theme focused on foods that are considered taboos in Acholi community and the reasons linked to them. Participants indicated offals, chicken, wild birds, smoked meat and fish, sugarcane, garden egg (‘Tula’), groundnut, bush meat, mushrooms, honey, sour fruits, or meals (oranges, mango, passion fruits, lemon, tamarind, ‘Malakwang’), goat’s meat, ‘Lalaa’ (the bitter green leafy vegetable), and ‘Lamola’ (Hyptis spicigera) as the major taboo foods. The second theme was the reasons underlying the adherence to the food taboos and misconceptions. Cultural dictates, individual characteristics, and societal context were the main reasons for the adherence to food taboos. The third theme looked at the misconceptions and other taboos during pregnancy. It was found that pregnant women are not allowed to touch grave soil, shave their hair, walk over an anthill, slaughter chicken or birds, have sex during pregnancy, sit on animal’s hide or skin, and/or touch needles.ConclusionsNutritional counseling and education should focus more on addressing food taboos. The mode of delivery of the nutrition message should be inclusive, targeting pregnant women and their spouses, school-going children, adolescent girls, and cultural leaders at their respective points of contact.

Ethnobotanical study of nutraceutical plants used to manage opportunistic infections associated with HIV/AIDS in Acholi sub-region, Northern Uganda

BackgroundNutraceutical plants play a potential role as supportive treatment with antiretroviral drugs in the management of opportunistic infections associated with HIV/AIDS. There is limited documentation of nutraceutical plants in Northern Uganda and limited literature addressing processes to be adopted for quality assurance of herbal formulations in Uganda. This study aimed to document plant species with nutritional and medicinal properties used for managing opportunistic infections associated with HIV/AIDS by traditional medicine practitioners (TMPs), who included professional herbalists, herbal farmers and herbal sellers in Acholi sub region, Northern Uganda.MethodsAn ethnobotanical study was carried out in Amuru, Gulu and Pader districts, Northern Uganda. Cross-sectional data were collected using purposive and snowball sampling techniques. A total of four hundred (378 women and 22 men) informants were selected. Data were collected using semistructured interviews, focus group discussions and direct observation. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, familiarity index (FI), fidelity level (FL) and informant consensus factor (ICF).ResultsThis study recorded a total of 84 nutraceutical plant species, which are used to manage opportunistic infections associated with HIV/AIDS. Most abundant families were Leguminoceae, Asteraceae and Solanaceae. Six nutraceutical plants that had higher fidelity level and familiarity index values included Momordica foetida Schumach, Erigeron floribundus (Kunth) Sch. Bip, Mangifera indica L, Cajanus cajan L. Millsp, Eucalyptus globulus Labill and Cucurbita pepo L. Respondents’ knowledge on nutraceutical plants had a positive significant correlation with age (R2 = 0.0524, p ≤ 0.01). The popular mode of preparation are decoctions/boiling in water (70%), while the most used route of administration is oral (76%). TMPs tried to ensure that during collection and processing, plant materials were free from contamination. TMPs reported limited knowledge on preservation techniques.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates the availability and diversity of nutraceutical plants in Uganda and reports methods of processing and administration used by TMPs. Both men and women used nutraceutical plants to manage opportunistic infections associated with HIV/AIDS and showed great extent of their traditional knowledge. Most of the nutraceutical plants in study area are wild and abundant; however, high percentage use of plant roots and bark threatens the sustainable use from the wild.

Status of food safety knowledge, attitude, and practices of caregivers of children in northern Uganda.

The safety of homemade weaning foods in low- and middle-income countries is of great concern as rural households have limited access to standardized commercial weaning foods. In the Acholi subregion of Uganda, complementary foods are locally produced. However, there is limited information on the Food safety knowledge (FSK), food safety attitude (FSA), and food hygiene practices (FHP) of the caregivers. This study examined food safety knowledge, attitude, and practices of the caregivers of children 6-23 months of age in Amuru and Nwoya districts, Northern Uganda, between March 2019 and June 2019. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 180 caregivers. Data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires and focus group discussions and analyzed using descriptive statistics, multivariate binary logistic regression, and thematic content analysis. Caregivers had sufficient FSK (74.1%) and positive FSA (68.1%). However, only 17.6% of them adhered to FHP. Frequency of food safety training (p = .041) and households with children who suffered from foodborne illness (p = .001) significantly predicted FSK. Conversely, both FSK and FSA were significantly predicted by gender roles in decision-making on household income (p = .006) and households with older children (p = .041). A significant positive correlation was observed between FSK and FSA (r = .406, p = .000). However, major barriers to adherence to FHP were inadequate sanitation facilities and caregiver's workload. The overall nontranslation of sufficient FSK and positive FSA into proper FHP calls for future intervention to harness the sociodemographic factors that influence FSK and FSA and address the barriers to FHP among caregivers.

Phytochemical composition and antioxidant activities of some wild edible plants locally consumed by rural communities in northern Uganda.

Acalypha rhomboidea, Asystacia gangetica, Crassocephalum sacrobasis, Crotalaria ochroleuca, Heterosis rotundifolia, Hibiscus cannabinus, Hibiscus sp., Hibiscus surratensis, Ipomoea eriocarpa, Maerua angolensis, Senna obtusifolia and Vigna membranacea are among the common wild edible plants in the Acholi sub-region, northern Uganda. This study evaluated the phytochemical constituents and antioxidant potential of the plants. Fresh leaves collected from each plant species were air-dried under shade. The phytochemical contents of the ethanol and petroleum ether extracts were determined using standard protocols. The antioxidant content of the methanolic extracts was assessed by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. Preliminary phytochemical analyses indicated the presence of tannins, reducing compounds, alkaloids, flavonoids, flavons aglycones, flavanosides, anthracenosides, anthocyanosides, volatile oils, coumarins, steroid glycosides, sterols and triterpenes. However, the extracts did not contain any emodols and saponins. The results of the quantitative phytochemical analysis showed that the contents of different phytochemicals detected varied significantly (p < 0.05) among the selected plants. The amount of tannins in mg/g (gallic acid equivalent) of dry weight varied from 3.90 ± 0.16 in C. ochroleuca to 10.41 ± 0.78 in I. eriocarpa, total flavonoids in RE, mg/g dry matter from 4.07 ± 0.11 in I. eriocarpa to 14.94 ± 0.08 in S. obtusifolia. Total alkaloids in mg/100 g ranged from 1.59 ± 0.30 in I. eriocarpa to 6.37 ± 0.24 in Hibiscus sp. Total phenolic content in GAE, mg/g dry matter ranged from 13.39 ± 0.26 in A. rhomboidea to 64.25 ± 0.54 in I. eriocarpa. The in vitro antioxidant assays revealed substantial free radical scavenging activity in all the plants. Antioxidant activity expressed as IC50 (ppm) ranged from 13.39 for A. rhomboidea to 64.84 for I. eriocarpa, compared to 12.82 for ascorbic acid standard. The total phenolic compounds and total tannins had significant and positive correlations with DPPH free radical scavenging activity. The findings of this study provide evidence that the species are good natural sources of phytochemicals and antioxidants, whose regular consumption could provide human health benefits by protecting against oxidative stress related diseases. Further research is needed on the structural characterization of the phytochemicals, profiling the plant extracts with high antioxidant activity and determining the antimicrobial activities.

An Exploration of Issues That Affect Mentoring and Teacher Effectiveness in Government Aided Secondary Schools in the Acholi Sub-Region

An Exploration of Issues That Affect Mentoring and Teacher Effectiveness in Government Aided Secondary Schools in the Acholi Sub-Region

Barriers to Accessing Community Based Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Management in Post Conflict Acholi Sub-region

Purpose: The study aimed at assessing barriers in accessing Community-Based Trauma- Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) management in post-conflict Acholi sub-region with interest in providing solutions to those barriers.&#x0D; Methodology: The study adopted a survey approach which was qualitative. This was done through interviews. This was supplemented by the pragmatic paradigm that concerned assessing effectiveness of community-based TF-CBT. The research design used to assess barriers and facilitators of TF-CBT was cross sectional. The use of cross-sectional survey design involved the elements of comparative, exploratory and descriptive approaches. Sample selection of participants involved organizational staff comprising of, social workers, clinical psychologists, Village Health Team (VHTs). Beneficiaries who included 120 men and 299 women. The 419 beneficiaries were interrogated using a questionnaire, 36 participants for Focused Group Discussions (FGDs), four social workers and, one clinical psychologist and 25 in-depth interviews with beneficiaries.&#x0D; Findings: Results indicated; limited mobilization, stigmatization, lack of enough human resource, alcoholism, lack of commitment and economic crisis amongst others as barriers to accessing TF-CBT for PTSD management. The study suggests that these can be handled through sensitization, radio talk shows, visiting clients in their homes and increasing number of staff. The study suggests community sensitization, recruiting more staff to handle TF-CBT, visitations by staff to clients, family support from spouses &amp; caregivers and increased infrastructure as the recommended measure to handle this problem.

Use of mobile phones for rehabilitative services among prosthetics users in rural Acholi sub-region of northern Uganda: findings from a qualitative study

BackgroundDigital technologies such as mobile phones have shown potential as vital tools for use in healthcare and related services. However, little has been done to explore its use for prosthetics rehabilitative services, especially in the Acholi sub-region of northern Uganda. We address this gap by exploring ownership of the mobile phone, knowledge of the use of mobile phone applications, use of mobile phones for prosthetics rehabilitative services and challenges faced in using the mobile phones.MethodsA case study design was used. We conducted semi-structured one-on-one interviews with 16 prosthetics users spread in the four districts of Nwoya, Amuru, Omoro, and Gulu of the Acholi sub-region of northern Uganda. We transcribed the data verbatim and explored the contents thematically to derive themes.ResultsMore prosthetics users (63%) owned mobile phones compared to those without (37%). Many who owned and use mobile phones are knowledgeable about applications for calls and messaging (47%). Some prosthetics users are knowledgeable in mobile money applications (21%), call applications only (16%) and, others were able to use the internet (16%). Many of the prosthetics users in this study use mobile phones to seek information, mainly relating to the management of prosthetics and treatment of diseases. Many participants were positive about the benefits of the use of mobile phones for prosthetics rehabilitation and related services. Common challenges affecting the use of mobile phones include the expensive price of airtime, few places for charging mobile phones, lack of electricity and inadequate skills to operate a mobile phone.ConclusionThe use of mobile phones can break down barriers created by distance and allow effective communication linkages between prosthetics users and rehabilitation services. Our results suggest that some prosthetics users owned mobile phones and used them to seek information relating to prosthetics rehabilitation services. We believe that promoting the use of the mobile phone for prosthetic rehabilitative services among prosthetics users is necessary and should be considered for practical and policy discussion relating to its use for prosthetics rehabilitation in rural areas.

Prevalence and Spatial Patterns of Major Limb Loss in the Acholi Sub-Region of Uganda

There is a widely reported yet poorly understood preponderance of major limb loss in Northern Uganda, caused in large part by prolonged civil war. Access to rehabilitation services is extremely limited, and there is no understanding of how many people have major limb loss, nor how many have had access to medical or rehabilitative services. This research represents the first prevalence study of disability and major limb loss in the Acholi sub-region of Northern Uganda, as well as a novel evaluation of spatial patterns in cases of major limb loss. We conservatively estimate that there are c. 10,117 people with major limb loss in Acholi (c. 0.5% of the population) who require long-term rehabilitation services, as well as c. 150,512 people with other disabilities (c. 8.2% of the population). We also demonstrate that people with major limb loss are spread throughout the region (as opposed to clustered in specific locations) and are disproportionately male, older, and less well educated than the general population. This research demonstrates a clear inadequacy in both the supply and service delivery models of rehabilitation services for those with major limb loss in the study area and provides much-needed insight into the challenges that must be addressed for an effective system to be put in place.

Effect of cereal based traditional malting technology on nutritional quality of iron-rich bean flour

Iron deficiency is a major public health challenge affecting the health of about 18 and 13.8% of children and women globally, respectively. About 43% children and 29% women in sub-Saharan Africa suffer from Iron Deficiency Anemia. In Uganda, recent demographic health statistics indicate that the prevalence of anaemia among children of 6-59 months stands at 53%; while that for women of child bearing age stands at 32%. Biofortified iron-rich bean varieties have been developed and adopted in Uganda to contribute to alleviation of iron deficiency challenges. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of traditional malting technology on nutritional quality of biofortified iron-rich beans (Phaseoulus vulgaris L.). The study examined the effect of the traditional malting technology on: (i) the contents of anti-nutritional factors (phytates, oxalates, polyphenols, tannins, trypsin inhibitor activity); (ii) digestibility of protein and bioavailability of iron and zinc; and (iii) retention of proximate constituents and mineral micronutrient contents in bean varieties. We used three bean varieties, namely NAROBEAN 1, hereafter referred to as NB1, NAROBEAN 2 (NB2), and NAROBEAN 3 (NB3), all of which are widely produced and consumed in Acholi sub-region. Application of paired t-test revealed that the traditional malting technology reduced only the content of oxalates by 42.3-54.8 % and trypsin inhibitor activity by 6.2-34.6 %, from the three varieties. The content of total phenols was reduced by 22.3 % only in NB 1 (P&lt; 0.05). The traditional malting technology improved protein digestibility for the three varieties by 38-43.6 % (P&lt; 0.05). Bioavailability of iron improved from in NB1 by 26.7 % and NB2 by 11.5 %; while that of zinc improved for only NB2 by 51.5 % (P&lt;0.05). The contents of micronutrients and proximate constituents were not adversely affected by the traditional malting technology, except for phosphorus in NB1 and magnesium in NB3. Overall, traditional malting technology is effective at reducing trypsin inhibitors and oxalates, and improving protein digestibility and iron bioavailability.

ROAD NETWORK AND HOUSEHOLD FOOD SECURITY IN ACHOLI SUB REGION, NORTHERN UGANDA: A PRAGMATIC PERSPECTIVE

Purpose: This study aimed at examining the relationship between road network and household food security in Acholi subregion, northern Uganda.&#x0D; Methodology: The study adopted a pragmatic paradigm, thus adopting a mixed methods approach. Quantitative data was collected from 384 respondents using a structured questionnaire while face-to-face interviews aided qualitative data collection. After data management and processing, Pearson correlation and standard regression were use for data analysis.&#x0D; Findings: It was observed that road network is positively and significantly associated with household food security. The study established that road network accounts for 10% of the variance in food security among households in Acholi subregion, northern Uganda.&#x0D; Unique contribution to practice and policy: Although there are conflicting views on the predictors of food security among households, the present study has confirmed thatroad network plays a critical role in influencing food security among households in Acholi subregion, Northern Uganda, thus serving its purpose.

The Future of Farmer organisations: Opportunities and Challenges in Achieving Household Food Security. Evidence from Acholi Sub-region, Northern Uganda.

Purpose: The study set out to determine the relationship status of farmers’ organisations in the region, examine the opportunities for farmer organisations in achieving households’ food security, and investigate the challenges farmer organisations face in achieving household food security.&#x0D; Methodology: The study used descriptive, correlational and cross-sectional research designs grounded by a mixed-methods approach. Quantitative data was collected on a sample of 370 households using a structured questionnaire, while qualitative data was collected from 16 face-to-face interviews. The study used both purposive and simple random sampling techniques. Data analysis was done using descriptive and Pearson correlation analyses, while thematic content analysis generated qualitative results.&#x0D; Findings: The Study indicated a positive albeit weak relationship between farmer organisations and household food security in the Acholi Sub-region. The results indicated that most farmer organisations are inactive and informal with low household participation. A possible explanation could be the small membership size and organisations’ inability to tap existing production and marketing opportunities.&#x0D; Unique contribution to practice and policy: The study guides the government in creating an enabling environment that supports farmer organisations in accessing external markets and market information by improving infrastructure and strengthening capacity building of farmer organisations to increase food security.

Climate change vulnerability, adaptation measures, and risk perceptions at households level in Acholi sub-region, Northern Uganda

Uganda is among the world's susceptible countries to climate extremes, such as droughts (IPCC, 2007). This study assesses the risks associated with climate change vulnerability, adaptation techniques used by young smallholder farmers to ease its adverse effects on agriculture. A dataset of 600 randomly selected respondents was collected using the household survey method from Gulu, Kitgum, Pader, Amuru, Nwoya, and Lamwo districts. Finding reveals droughts, increased temperature, pests and diseases, degradation, and poor socioeconomic conditions as the main determinants of climate change. The main adaptation measures revealed were changing crop types, planting early-maturing crops, crop rotation, mixed cropping, and livelihood diversification. Lack of knowledge and information, poverty, inadequate governmental support, limited agricultural extension, insufficient financial capital, illiteracy, and markets were the main constraints hindering access and adoption of advanced adaptation measures. This research provides useful insights and evidence for policy implementation on household farm-level climate change vulnerability, adaptation measures, and risk perceptions in absorbing, adapting, and transforming from climate shocks and threats. The analysis implies that the government should provide agricultural extension services on climate vulnerability and adaptation measures, access to market, financial credits, knowledge and information, accessible livelihoods assets, and end-to-land grabbing. Overall, our results recommend that government authorities and relevant stakeholders integrate and implement climate change adaptation policies at local government operations to ease the vulnerability of smallholder farmers and augment their climate change absorptive, adaptive, and transformative abilities.

Mentoring Feedback to Support Teaching: Changes in Teacher’s Practice in Government Aided Secondary Schools in the Acholi Sub-Region

This article presents changes in practices of teachers in government aided secondary schools in the Acholi Sub-region taking part in mentoring feedback to improve teaching processes. Data was collected using questionnaire survey, interviews and documentary analysis with teachers, Director of studies, Deputy head teachers, Head teachers. Results describe that quality mentoring feedback is a significant contributor to professional and academic success as this helps mentors share professional experiences at different stages of teachers’ career. The study concluded that mentoring feedback improves teacher practices and further helps them to learn new activities which maintain their relevance in the contemporary world. The study recommends that mentoring guidance should focus on giving feedback, social interaction, instructional practices and clarity in teaching that have direct measurable impacts on students learning.

Yield and Disease Responses of Improved Groundnut Genotypes Under Natural Disease Infection in Northern Uganda: Implication for Groundnut Disease Management

Groundnut production in Uganda is constrained by groundnut rosette disease (GRD), the main cause of yield loss experienced by farmers. We conducted the current study to assess the responses of improved groundnuts to diseases (rosette and late leaf spot) and yield under local conditions. Four released groundnut genotypes (Serenut 5R, Serenut 8R, Serenut 9T and Serenut 14R) were evaluated in four locations in northern Uganda for two seasons in 2019. We established the experiment following randomised complete block design with three replications. GRD severity (harvest) and late leaf spot (LLS) severity (harvest) on the four genotypes were not significantly (P &amp;gt; 0.05) different but positively correlated with the Area Under Disease Progress Curve (AUDPC). Genotype-by-location interaction for LLS AUDPC, GRD AUDPC and dry pod yield were significant (P &amp;lt; .001). Season-by-genotype interaction was not significant (P = 0.367). Days to 50% flowering were also not significant (P &amp;gt; 0.05). Highest and lowest yields were recorded for Serenut 9T in the Omoro district (1,291 kg/acre) and the Amuru district (609 kg/acre), respectively. Dry pod yield was significantly (P &amp;lt; 0.001) negatively correlated with GRD severity and GRD AUDPC. Yield performance of the four genotypes was not significantly (P &amp;lt; 0.05) different in the districts, except for Kitgum, where yields of Serenut 9T and Serenut 8R were significantly (P &amp;lt; 0.05) higher. These genotypes could be used to manage GRD by smallholder farmers in Northern Uganda. Special consideration should therefore be given to these four groundnut genotypes for GRD management in the Acholi sub-region.

Wild and semi-wild edible plants used by the communities of Acholi sub-region, Northern Uganda

Background: In the Acholi sub-region, consumption of wild edible plants is still an integral part of the food culture, particularly during times of food shortage. However, much of indigenous traditional knowledge has not been documented due to the history of prolonged civil war in the area. We conducted an ethnobotanical survey to document the wild plants utilized by the Acholi communities in northern Uganda.Methods: Data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires administered to 1,353 respondents between November 2017 and February 2018 and 65 focus group discussions.Results: Seventy-three edible plants from 39 families were identified to species level while three species were unidentified. Vitex doniana (0.72), Aframomum alboviolaceum. (0.70), Saba comorensis (0.45), Hibiscus surattensis (0.42), and Borassus aethiopum (0.39) had the highest relative frequencies of citation. Fabaceae (7) and Euphorbiaceae (5) had the highest number of plant species. Most of the edible plants were herbs (34%) and trees (31%). Fruits were the major parts consumed (57%), followed by leaves (37%). Only 34% of species were cooked before eating, while 60% were eaten raw. Sixty-seven percent of the species were harvested during the rainy season and 22% in the dry season.Conclusion: There is a rich diversity of wild edible plants in the Acholi sub-region. Conservation and domestication of these plants will provide a buffer crop and enhance the food security of the locals in the face of recurrent droughts and climate change.Keywords: Wild edible plants, Indigenous knowledge Ethnobotany, Food security.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practice of cervical cancer prevention among health workers in rural health centres of Northern Uganda

BackgroundCervical cancer is a leading cancer and cause of premature death among women in Uganda aged 15 to 44 years. To address the increasing burden of cervical cancer in Uganda, the Ministry of Health has adopted several strategies which include public education and advocacy. This study aims to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practice of cervical cancer prevention among health workers employed in rural health centres (HCs) III and IV in the Acholi sub-region of Northern Uganda.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional survey of nurses, midwives, and clinical officers between February and April 2019 using self-administered questionnaire. We sampled fifty-four HCs III and eight HCs IV. In Uganda, HCs are structured from HC I to HC IV and the health care package provided increases with increasing level of the HC. We used Epidata version 3.1 to create database and analysis was performed using Stata 16. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were performed. Factors with p-values ≤ 0.05 were considered as predictors of outcome.ResultsThere were 286 participants who completed the questionnaire: Majority (188, 66%) were females. Nurses were 153 (54%). 141 (75%) female participants self-reported to have been screened for cervical cancer. 171 (60%) participants had adequate knowledge of cervical cancer. 187 (66%) participants had positive attitudes. Participants who indicated not to have ever received training on cervical cancer screening were less likely to have adequate knowledge (AOR = 0.39, 95% CI 0.21–0.71). Participants who indicated not to have ever been trained on cervical cancer screening were less likely to have positive attitudes (AOR = 0.52, 95% CI 0.28–0.97).ConclusionHealth workers from rural HCs in Uganda play crucial role in cervical cancer prevention as they can reach a wider community. Their significance in the prevention of cervical cancer points to the need for Uganda and other sub-Sahara Africa (SSA) countries to establish training to improve their knowledge, attitudes, and practical skills on cervical cancer screening. Furthermore, Uganda government should develop and disseminate guidelines for cervical cancer prevention to rural health workers to promote standardised cervical cancer prevention activities.

Traditional vegetable preservation technologies practiced in Acholi subregion of Uganda improves mineral bioavailability but impacts negatively on the contribution of vegetables to household needs for micronutrients.

The impact of traditional African preservation methods on the contribution of vegetables to household micronutrient needs (Recommended Dietary Allowance: RDA) has largely remained unquantified. Using Acholi subregion of Uganda as a case area, this study examined using the predominant vegetables consumed in fresh and preserved forms (cowpeas—Vigna unguicullata, okra/lady fingers—Abelmoschus esculentus, Malakwang—Hibscus cannabinus, and eggplants—Solanum melongena), the effect of major traditional vegetable preservation methods (sun drying, boiling and sun drying, and salting and sun drying) on the contents of micronutrients (vitamin A, iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus), the levels of antinutritional factors (total polyphenols, oxalate, tannins, and phytate), bioavailability of iron and zinc, and the contribution of vegetables to the cumulative annual household RDA for micronutrients. Laboratory analysis showed that all the preservation methods, except the sun drying method reduced the contents of micronutrients by 20%–82% (p ≤ .05). The contents of antinutritional factors reduced by 1%–80% while in vitro bioavailability of iron and zinc increased by 21%–296% (p ≤ .05). Nutritional computation revealed that except for calcium, the preservation methods combined, reduced the contribution of the vegetables to cumulative annual RDA for other micronutrients by 28%–60%. These results demonstrate that improvements in bioavailability of essential nutrients (iron and zinc) by traditional preservation methods investigated are associated with significant loss of micronutrients which culminates in significant reduction in the contribution of cultivated vegetables to household RDA for micronutrients. Traditional African preservation methods should be optimized for nutrient retention.