Mbale District Research Articles

Legume Cover Crops are More Beneficial than Natural Fallows in Minimally Tilled Ugandan Soils

It is important to establish the various effects of legume cover crops on soil physicochemical properties because they have been considered for use as improved fallows (with shorter rest periods) to enhance development and maintenance of soil productivity. Our objectives were to assess: (i) aboveground dry matter yields of legume cover crops; and (ii) cover crop effects on weed infestation and soil physicochemical properties in a minimum tillage management system. Trials were conducted for 2 yr at Kawanda Agricultural Research Institute and on farmers' fields in Mbale and Pallisa districts, eastern Uganda. The experiment layout was a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in a split‐plot arrangement with four replications. Natural and improved fallows were established in the second cropping season of 2004. Cover crops used in the improved fallows included mucuna [Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC.var. utiliz], Dolichos lablab (Lablab vulgaris Savi cv. Rongai), canavalia [Canavalia ensiformis (L.) DC.], and crotalaria (Crotalaria paulina Schrank). The fallows were reestablished in the same plots in the second cropping season of 2005 after maize (Zea mays L.). Canavalia yielded significantly more dry matter than the other fallows regardless of year or site. With an average yield of 169 kg N ha−1 canavalia accumulated significantly more N than the other fallows; all improved fallows produced significantly more N than the natural fallow. Canavalia also accumulated significantly more P than the other fallows; all improved fallows, with the exception of crotalaria, accumulated more P than the natural fallow. There was no significant change in soil physicochemical properties by the improved fallows. All effects considered, improved fallows were more beneficial than natural fallow. A significant improvement in soil physicochemical properties using legume cover crops might be possible, though it may require more than the two cropping cycles used in this study of degraded soils.

The Effect of Land Tenure System on Women's Knowledge-Base and Resource Management in Manjiya County, Uganda.

This study examines the status of women in relationship to land ownership, the resources they are exposed to and management practices, consequently its effect on the environment of Manjiya County, Mbale District in (now Manafwa since 2008) Uganda. It was found out that low levels of education limit women’s abilities of creativity and innovativeness to work on the land sustainably. They lack access to land and family property making it difficult for them to hire casual labour, to make long term investment in land conservation, such as terracing the hillsides and other good farming practices on the hill slopes. This has resulted in high rate of land degradation as a result of soil erosion and landslides. There is need to empower women through education to enable them accept and use family planning practices to reduce the high fertility (7.1), adopt modern farming practices, as well as improving their opportunity to get formal employment. Key word: Land tenure system, women’s access to household property, women’s resource base knowledge, resource management

Determinants of infant growth in Eastern Uganda: a community-based cross-sectional study.

BackgroundChild under-nutrition is a leading factor underlying child mortality and morbidity in Sub-Saharan Africa. Several studies from Uganda have reported impaired growth, but there have been few if any community-based infant anthropometric studies from Eastern Uganda. The aim of this study was to describe current infant growth patterns using WHO Child Growth Standards and to determine the extent to which these patterns are associated with infant feeding practices, equity dimensions, morbidity and use of primary health care for the infants.MethodsA cross-sectional survey of infant feeding practices, socio-economic characteristics and anthropometric measurements was conducted in Mbale District, Eastern Uganda in 2003; 723 mother-infant (0–11 months) pairs were analysed. Infant anthropometric status was assessed using z-scores for weight-for-length (WLZ), length-for-age (LAZ) and weight-for-age (WAZ). Dependent dichotomous variables were constructed using WLZ < -2 (wasting) and LAZ < -2 (stunting) as cut-off values. A conceptual hierarchical framework was used as the basis for controlling for the explanatory factors in multivariate analysis. Household wealth was assessed using principal components analysis.ResultsThe prevalences of wasting and stunting were 4.2% and 16.7%, respectively. Diarrhoea during the previous 14 days was associated with wasting in the crude analysis, but no factors were significantly associated with wasting in the adjusted analysis. The adjusted analysis for stunting showed associations with age and gender. Stunting was more prevalent among boys than girls, 58.7% versus 41.3%. Having brothers and/or sisters was a protective factor against stunting (OR 0.4, 95% CI 0.2–0.8), but replacement or mixed feeding was not (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.0–7.1). Lowest household wealth was the most prominent factor associated with stunting with a more than three-fold increase in odds ratio (OR 3.5, 95% CI 1.6–7.8). This pattern was also seen when the mean LAZ was investigated across household wealth categories: the adjusted mean difference between the top and the bottom wealth categories was 0.58 z-scores, p < 0.001. Those who had received pre-lacteal feeds had lower adjusted mean WLZ than those who had not: difference 0.20 z-scores, p = 0.023.ConclusionSub-optimal infant feeding practices after birth, poor household wealth, age, gender and family size were associated with growth among Ugandan infants.

Analyzing the Dynamics in a Local Self-help Group’s Initiative to Improve Rural Livelihoods in Mbale District, Uganda

Analyzing the Dynamics in a Local Self-help Group’s Initiative to Improve Rural Livelihoods in Mbale District, Uganda

Components of Health Promoting Schools in Ugandan primary schools: a pilot study

Health Promoting Schools (HPSs) represent key settings through which health can be improved. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has provided component indicators but data on the degree of coverage of these key components of HPSs in many countries are limited. The aim of this pilot study was to determine whether and to what extent information on the components of HPSs in Ugandan primary schools could be generated using focus group discussions (FGD) as well as through observational data. Four schools (two rural and two urban) were randomly selected from the sampling frame of 18 rural and 76 urban government-aided primary schools in Mbale District, Uganda. Focus group discussions (FGDs) involving teachers, parents and pupils were held at each school. Indicators of HPSs were also observed and recorded at each of the selected schools. A scoring system was devised based on the number of positive attributes derived from the WHO list of component indicators. Descriptive analysis from FGDs and observational data was also undertaken. Overall, the urban schools had a higher number of positive observations than rural schools for HPS indicators with some marked variation between urban and rural schools for specific indicators. This pilot study provided data to show that coverage of HPS components by different schools could be successfully evaluated using FGD and observational findings. Those strengths and shortcomings identified within and between the four schools necessitate further exploration with a larger scale study.

Low adherence to exclusive breastfeeding in Eastern Uganda: A community-based cross-sectional study comparing dietary recall since birth with 24-hour recall

BackgroundExclusive breastfeeding is recommended as the best feeding alternative for infants up to six months and has a protective effect against mortality and morbidity. It also seems to lower HIV-1 transmission compared to mixed feeding. We studied infant feeding practices comparing dietary recall since birth with 24-hour dietary recall.MethodsA cross-sectional survey on infant feeding practices was performed in Mbale District, Eastern Uganda in 2003 and 727 mother-infant (0–11 months) pairs were analysed. Four feeding categories were made based on WHO's definitions: 1) exclusive breastfeeding, 2) predominant breastfeeding, 3) complementary feeding and 4) replacement feeding. We analyzed when the infant fell into another feeding category for the first time. This was based on the recall since birth. Life-table analysis was made for the different feeding categories and Cox regression analysis was done to control for potential associated factors with the different practices. Prelacteal feeding practices were also addressed.ResultsBreastfeeding was practiced by 99% of the mothers. Dietary recall since birth showed that 7% and 0% practiced exclusive breastfeeding by 3 and 6 months, respectively, while 30% and 3% practiced predominant breastfeeding and had not started complementary feeding at the same points in time. The difference between the 24-hour recall and the recall since birth for the introduction of complementary feeds was 46 percentage points at two months and 59 percentage points at four months. Prelacteal feeding was given to 57% of the children. High education and formal marriage were protective factors against prelacteal feeding (adjusted OR 0.5, 0.2 – 1.0 and 0.5, 0.3 – 0.8, respectively).ConclusionEven if breastfeeding is practiced at a very high rate, the use of prelacteal feeding and early introduction of other food items is the norm. The 24-hour recall gives a higher estimate of exclusive breastfeeding and predominant breastfeeding than the recall since birth. The 24-hour recall also detected improper infant feeding practices especially in the second half year of life. The dietary recall since birth might be a feasible alternative to monitor infant feeding practices in resource-poor settings. Our study reemphasizes the need for improving infant feeding practices in Eastern Uganda.

Increasing quantity of water: perspectives from rural households in Uganda

Community involvement, low-technology and affordability are some of the important concepts in increasing water access to the rural poor. This study examines water-collection behavior of households in a rural area without piped-water in the Mbale district, Uganda. It tests for the determinants of water quantity available at the household level and suggests measures to increase water quantity. The results of multiple regression analysis showed that the amount of water per capita per day increased by 0.86 liters (L) (11% of the current average water quantity of 7.87 l) with the addition of one 20-L jerry can to a household. If a household has a sheet-metal roof (facilitating rainwater collection) and also uses a bicycle to carry water, the amount of water per capita increased by 2.08 L (26%), compared to not having both factors or having only one. This result implies that the amount of water at the household level can be increased by means other than constructing new water sources.

Intimate partner violence against women in eastern Uganda: implications for HIV prevention

BackgroundWe were interested in finding out if the very low antenatal VCT acceptance rate reported in Mbale Hospital was linked to intimate partner violence against women. We therefore set out to i) determine the prevalence of intimate partner violence, ii) identify risk factors for intimate partner violence and iii) look for association between intimate partner violence and HIV prevention particularly in the context of the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV programme (PMTCT).MethodsThe study consisted of a household survey of rural and urban women with infants in Mbale district, complemented with focus group discussions with women and men. Women were interviewed on socio-demographic characteristics of the woman and her husband, antenatal and postnatal experience related to the youngest child, antenatal HIV testing, perceptions regarding the marital relationship, and intimate partner violence. We obtained ethical approval from Makerere University and informed consent from all participants in the study.ResultsDuring November and December 2003, we interviewed 457 women in Mbale District. A further 96 women and men participated in the focus group discussions. The prevalence of lifetime intimate partner violence was 54% and physical violence in the past year was 14%. Higher education of women (OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.1–0.7) and marriage satisfaction (OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.1–0.7) were associated with lower risk of intimate partner violence, while rural residence (OR 4.4, 95% CI 1.2–16.2) and the husband having another partner (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.02–5.7) were associated with higher risk of intimate partner violence. There was a strong association between sexual coercion and lifetime physical violence (OR 3.8, 95% CI 2.5–5.7). Multiple partners and consumption of alcohol were major reasons for intimate partner violence. According to the focus group discussions, women fear to test for HIV, disclose HIV results, and request to use condoms because of fear of intimate partner violence.ConclusionIntimate partner violence is common in eastern Uganda and is related to gender inequality, multiple partners, alcohol, and poverty. Accordingly, programmes for the prevention of intimate partner violence need to target these underlying factors. The suggested link between intimate partner violence and HIV risky behaviours or prevention strategies calls for further studies to clearly establish this relationship.

Effect of agro-ecological zone and grazing system on incidence of East Coast Fever in calves in Mbale and Sironko Districts of Eastern Uganda

Between May 2002 and February 2003 a longitudinal survey was carried out in Mbale and Sironko Districts of Eastern Uganda to determine the influence of agro-ecological zones (AEZ) and grazing systems on tick infestation patterns and incidence of East Coast Fever (ECF) in bovine calves. The study area was stratified into AEZ (lowland, midland and upland) and grazing systems {zero grazing (ZG), restricted-outdoor grazing (ROG) and communal grazing (CG)}, whose strata had previously been shown to influence the prevalence of ECF, babesiosis and anaplasmosis. One hundred and eighty-five smallholder dairy farms with a total of 198 calves of both sexes, between the ages of 1 day and 6 weeks, were purposively selected from the AEZ–grazing system strata. Nine dynamic cohorts (11–51 calves in each) of these calves were examined and sampled monthly. Ticks infesting the calves were counted from one side of the animal body and categorized into the different species, sex and feeding status. Sera were collected at recruitment and monthly thereafter and antibodies against Theileria parva, T. mutans, Babesia bigemina, B. bovis and Anaplasma marginale were measured using ELISA. Tick challenge (total and specific) varied with AEZ and grazing system. The risk of infection with T. parva was higher in the lowland zone compared to the upland zone (hazard ratio (HR) = 2.59; 95% CI: 1.00–6.34). The risk of infection with T. parva was higher in the CG system than the ZG system (HR = 10.00; 95% CI: 3.61–27.92). The incidence risk for sero-conversion, over the 10 months study period, was 62, 16 and 9% in the lowland, midland and upland zones, respectively. Ninety-eight percent of the calves in lowland-CG stratum sero-converted by the age of 6 months, while 56 and 8% did so in the lowland-ROG and the lowland-ZG stratum, respectively. The results of this study show the need to consider farm circumstances and the variation in ECF risk, both spatially and temporally when designing control strategies for ECF.

Antenatal HIV testing in rural eastern Uganda in 2003: incomplete rollout of the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV programme?

BackgroundUganda began to implement the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV programme in 2000, and by the end of 2003 it had expanded to cover 38 of the 56 districts including Mbale District. However, reports from Mbale Hospital showed that less than 10% of pregnant women accepted antenatal HIV testing. We therefore conducted a study to determine the proportion of pregnant women who tested for HIV and the gaps and barriers in PMTCT implementation.MethodsThe study was a cross sectional household survey of women aged 18 years or more, with children aged one year or less, who resided in Mbale Town or in the surrounding Bungokho County. We also conducted in-depth interviews with six health workers in Mbale Hospital.ResultsIn 2003, we interviewed 457 women with a median age of 24 years. The prevalence of antenatal HIV testing was 10 percent. The barriers to antenatal HIV testing were unavailability of voluntary counselling and testing services (44%), lack of HIV counselling (42%) and perceived lack of benefits for HIV infected women and their infants. Primipara (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.2–5.8), urban dwellers (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.3–5.8), women having been counselled on HIV (OR 6.2, 95% CI 2.9–13.2), and women with husbands being their primary confidant (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.0–5.5) were independently associated with HIV testing.ConclusionThe major barriers to PMTCT implementation were unavailability of PMTCT services, particularly in rural clinics, and poor antenatal counselling and HIV testing services. We recommend that the focus of the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV programme should shift to the district and sub-district levels, strengthen community mobilization, improve the quality of antenatal voluntary counselling and HIV testing services, use professional and peer counsellors to augment HIV counselling, and ensure follow-up care and support for HIV positive women and their infants.

Prevalence of oral diseases/conditions in Uganda.

The aim was to report the prevalence of oral diseases/conditions among a Ugandan population. Subjects aged 12 (n=696) and 35-44 years (n=396) were chosen from randomly selected urban and peri-urban areas of Arua, Mbale, Kampala and Mbarara districts. They were clinically examined by 4 trained and calibrated dentists for oral diseases/conditions using criteria described by World Health Organisation. Dental caries (DMFT >or=1) was recorded in 40% and 62.5% of the children and adults, respectively. The overall mean DMFT score was 0.9 for children and 3.4 for adults. Caries was significantly more severe in females as compared to males in children (p<0.05), whereas in adults, there was no significant gender difference. Kampala had a significantly higher mean DMFT score compared to other districts in all age groups (p>0.05). Culculus deposits were generally, more prevalent in adults as compare to children except in Mbarara district. Gum bleeding was also significantly more prevalent among children as compared to adults (p<0.05). Significantly higher prevalence of gum bleeding in both children and adults was recorded in Arua district as compared to other areas (p<0.05). Each of the age groups had a prevalence of malocclusion of 61%. However, the severity of malocclusion varied between age groups and districts. The prevalence of dental fluorosis was 3% and 4% for children and adults, respectively. All subjects in Arua district were fluorosis-free. Tetracycline enamel staining was less than 1% in both age groups. Enamel attrition was more prevalent in adults as compared to children: 19% versus 1%. The prevalence of oral diseases/conditions was generally low among the study population. Caries experience was significantly higher in the Kampala (urban) district as compared to rural districts in all age groups; the D - component being the major contributor.

The prevalence of serum antibodies to tick-borne infections in Mbale District, Uganda: The effect of agro-ecological zone, grazing management and age of cattle

Between August and October 2000, a cross-sectional study was conducted in smallholder dairy farms in Mbale District, Uganda to assess the prevalence of ticks and tick-borne diseases under different grazing systems and agro-ecological zones and understand the circumstances under which farmers operated. A questionnaire was administered to obtain information on dairy farm circumstances and practices. A total of 102 farms were visited and sera and ticks were collected from 478 animals. Sero-prevalence of tick-borne diseases was determined using an enzyme-linked immunoassay. Acaricides were used indiscriminately but the intensity of their use varied with the grazing system and zone. Cattle from different farms mixed for various reasons. During the dry seasons farmers have to get additional fodder from outside their farms that can result in importation of ticks. The prevalence of ticks and serum antibodies to tick-borne infections differed across the grazing systems and zones. The highest serum antibody prevalence (>60%) was recorded in the lowland zone under the free range and tethering grazing systems. The lowest tick challenge and serum antibody levels (<50%) were recorded in the midland and upland zones under a zero-grazing system. These findings suggest that endemic stability to East Coast Fever, babesiosis and anaplasmosis is most likely to have existed in the lowland zone, particularly, under the tethering and free-range grazing systems. Also, endemic stability for babesiosis existed in the upland zones. Endemic instability for East Coast Fever existed in the midland and upland zones. These structured observational studies are instrumental in planning of control strategies for ticks and tick borne diseases since production systems and the cattle population at high risk of the diseases in the district have been identified.zone agro-ecological zone

The prevalence of serum antibodies to tick-borne infections in Mbale District, Uganda: The effect of agro-ecological zone, grazing management and age of cattle

Between August and October 2000, a cross-sectional study was conducted in smallholder dairy farms in Mbale District, Uganda to assess the prevalence of ticks and tick-borne diseases under different grazing systems and agro-ecological zones and understand the circumstances under which farmers operated. A questionnaire was administered to obtain information on dairy farm circumstances and practices. A total of 102 farms were visited and sera and ticks were collected from 478 animals. Sero-prevalence of tick-borne diseases was determined using an enzyme-linked immunoassay. Acaricides were used indiscriminately but the intensity of their use varied with the grazing system and zone. Cattle from different farms mixed for various reasons. During the dry seasons farmers have to get additional fodder from outside their farms that can result in importation of ticks. The prevalence of ticks and serum antibodies to tick-borne infections differed across the grazing systems and zones. The highest serum antibody prevalence (>60%) was recorded in the lowland zone under the free range and tethering grazing systems. The lowest tick challenge and serum antibody levels (<50%) were recorded in the midland and upland zones under a zero-grazing system. These findings suggest that endemic stability to East Coast Fever, babesiosis and anaplasmosis is most likely to have existed in the lowland zone, particularly, under the tethering and free-range grazing systems. Also, endemic stability for babesiosis existed in the upland zones. Endemic instability for East Coast Fever existed in the midland and upland zones. These structured observational studies are instrumental in planning of control strategies for ticks and tick borne diseases since production systems and the cattle population at high risk of the diseases in the district have been identified.

Baseline survey of oral health of primary and secondary school pupils in Uganda.

Among the issues that determine the performance of a child at school is health. In recognition of this, the Uganda government has embarked on a school health program for the success of universal primary education. Although dental health is an important component of school health there is little information on it. This study aimed at collecting information on dental health of pupils in school for evaluation and planning. A cross-sectional study using a multistage cluster sampling technique was used to select 685 children attending schools in 5 districts. Children were clinically examined for common illnesses/conditions. The oral examinations were done using simplified versions of Decayed, Missing, and Filled teeth (DMFT) index and Community Periodontal Index (CPI). Oral examinations also assessed presence of fluorosis. The pupils attending school were aged from 5 to 22 years. Sixty six percent (456) were found to be caries free with a group DMFT of 0.7. The D-component (decay) accounted for approximately 70% of the cases. Fifty nine percent of the pupils were found to have a healthy periodontium. Sixteen percent of the pupils were found to have some degree of fluorosis of whom the majority were from the highland districts of Kabale and Mbale. Urban school pupils were more likely to have caries (OR 1,69; 95% CI 1.21-2.37) than the rural. There is an upward trend in the caries prevalence when compared to studies done earlier. This study revealed a need to develop preventive programs alongside improvement of dental health services.

Genetic Diversity of Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary in the Eastern and Western Highlands of Uganda

Eight isolates of Phytophthora infestans were recovered from late blight infected samples collected from the districts of Mbale and Mbarara in the Eastern and Western highlands of Uganda in 2001 and analysed using mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) haplotype and Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) markers. Polymerase chain reaction amplification with the P2 primer followed by digestion with MspI yielded a three-fragment pattern characteristic of isolates belonging to the US-1 clonal lineage; the polymorphism was confirmed by DNA sequencing. AFLP analysis yielded 60 markers, analysis of which clustered the Ugandan isolates with reference to US-1 isolates (US930258 and US940501). These results suggest that the examined Ugandan isolates belong to the US-1 clonage lineage.

Insect herbivores and pathogens of Alnus species in Uganda.

Published documentation of insect pests and pathogens associated with Alnus species in Africa is very scarce. We surveyed damaging insects and pathogens, and arthropod natural enemies on Alnus acuminata and A. nepalensis in Kabale and Mbale districts, Uganda between March 1999 and August 2000 in order to identify the range and relative abundance of arthropods and pathogens associated with the Alnus species. Frequently encountered damaging insects on the Alnus species included Apis mellifera, Apion globulipenne, a Systates sp. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), Phymateus viridipes, a Lobotrachelus sp. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), Coloborrtics corticina and some Chrysomelidae. Some species such as Aphis fabae, Parastictococcus multispinosus and a Cacopsylla sp. (Homoptera: Psyllidae) were observed feeding on other agroforestry tree species and/or crops although they generally occurred at low population intensities. Spiders and parasitic Hymenoptera were the most common natural enemies. Diseases were more severe in nurseries than in the field. Damping-off caused by Fusarium oxysporum, Septoria brown leaf spot and stem canker were the most serious diseases of Alnus. The array of damaging insects and pathogens indicates a potential danger to the cultivation of Alnus species in Uganda as adoption of the species for agroforestry continues to expand in the country. In view of the increasing demand for Alnus species for agroforestry in Uganda, regular pest monitoring and appropriate control strategies are necessary.

Perceptions of the risks of sexual activity and their consequences among Ugandan adolescents.

The principal aim of this study of adolescents in Mbale District, Uganda, is to provide program-related information about their behavior, motivations, and perceptions of risk with regard to pregnancy and HIV transmission. Twelve single-sex focus-group discussions were conducted, six with young people aged 17-18 who were still attending school, and six with people of the same age who were not. The most important findings to emerge are that knowledge of safe-sex behavior and reported behavior have little in common and that the fundamental barriers to behavioral change lie within the economic and sociocultural context that molds the sexual politics of youth. Young males' lack of responsibility for the outcomes of their behavior is identified as an important barrier to improved sexual health. The imperative to explore ways by which young women might achieve status and identity and acquire material resources by means not related to their sexuality is highlighted.

Knowledge, beliefs and behavior related to oral health among Tanzanian and Ugandan teacher trainees

This study was designed to assess levels of oral health knowledge, beliefs and self-reported behavior among teacher trainees in Uganda and Tanzania. Anonymous questionnaire data were collected from trainees attending the final year at teacher training colleges in Rungwe district, Tanzania, in 1997, and in Mbale and Kampala districts of Uganda, in 1998. A total of 195 trainees from Tanzania and 225 trainees from Uganda participated. Results from Pearson's χ2 test and independent sample t tests indicated that Tanzanian students had less experience with oral impairments, were more resolutely prepared to teach about the importance of personal habits for oral health maintenance, and had higher levels of oral health knowledge than Ugandan students. Ugandan students endorsed frequent consumption of sugar products more often than their Tanzanian counterparts, but they were more diligent in visiting dentists. Most of the Tanzanian (97.4%) and Ugandan (95.6%) students reported daily toothbrushing. In both countries, beliefs about the importance of preventive behaviors for oral health were closely related to the frequency with which such habits occurred. This cross-cultural consistency highlights the importance of cognitive factors. The implications for oral health educational programs among teacher trainees across East African countries are discussed.KeywordsAdult behavior; cross-cultural; East Africa; oral health

Haemorrhagic Trypanosoma vivax Outbreak in Cattle in Mbale and Tororo Districts in Eastern Uganda

Haemorrhagic <i>Trypanosoma vivax</i> Outbreak in Cattle in Mbale and Tororo Districts in Eastern Uganda

Contraception and prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases among adolescents and young adults in Uganda.

The study is aimed at (i) exploring the knowledge and attitudes of adolescents (15-19 years old) and young adults (20-24 years old) towards sex and contraception (condoms) and (ii) determining their level of knowledge and attitudes towards sexually transmitted diseases (STD) as well as the prevalence of the latter among the sexually active adolescents and young adults. A sample of 4510 respondents (1545 males and 2965 females) aged 15-24 years from urban and rural areas were interviewed. The majority of adolescents and young adults surveyed have a negative attitude towards the use of condoms although most of them agreed that they prevent STD. Over 95% of the respondents have heard about STD and their level of knowledge is relatively high; slightly higher for urban residents and for young males. Approximately 21% of the male and 8% of the female respondents admitted having ever contracted STD. The gap between contraceptive knowledge and practice is rather wide. Only a small proportion of the respondents were using condoms at the time of the survey.