Nile Region Research Articles

Non-native plants invasions public parks, friends or foe?

AbstractNon-native plants (NNPs) are known as alien species, which are brought outside of their natural habitats due to human activity and have an impact on the biodiversity of native plants (NPs). Because parks serve as havens for NNPs, they may pose a threat to them. The present study documented the NNPs conserved in the parks distributed in Cairo and the new settlements surrounding it. Thirty field visits were conducted from spring 2022 to Spring 2023 in 19 parks distributed in the study area. In each park NNPs were recorded. Native range, natural habitats and national geographical distribution, ethnobotanical uses, threats, and human risks were determined for NNPs. The results indicated that 37 wild NNPs belonged to 18 families were recorded in the surveyed gardens. Six species belonged to Tropical America, and other six species belonged to Mediterranean region. All recorded species were distributed in the Nile region. Thirty-six species used as medicinal plants and 31 species for human food. All recorded NNPs were exposed to one or several types of threats in their natural habitats, while 10 species were found to have a toxic effect on humans. Our results showed that the Egyptian botanic and public gardens could play an important role in the future as a source of NNPs that could be used for their contributions to ecosystem functioning and services. Also provides evidence for the essential role of public gardens in the Egyptian Nile Region for plant diversity conservation, as helps conserve wild species from other geographical regions.

Investigating danger indicators in the soil samples of the Nile Region in Babylon Governorate in Iraq

Investigating danger indicators in the soil samples of the Nile Region in Babylon Governorate in Iraq

Prevalence and Factors Associated with transfusion-transmissible infections among blood donors in Arua regional blood bank, Uganda

BackgroundBlood transfusion services play a very key role in modern health care service delivery. About 118.5 million blood donations were collected globally in 2022. However, about 1.6 million units of blood are destroyed annually due to transfusion-transmissible infections (TTIs). There is a very high risk of TTIs through donated blood to recipients if safe transfusion practices are not observed. This study determined the prevalence and factors associated with TTIs among blood donors in Arua regional blood bank, Uganda.MethodsThis study was a retrospective cross-sectional design that involved a review of a random sample of 1370 blood donors registered between January 1st, 2018 and December 31st, 2019 at Arua regional blood bank, Uganda. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the characteristics of the blood donors. The binary logistic regression was used to determine the factors associated with TTIs.ResultsThe majority of the blood donors were male (80.1%), and the median donor age was 23 years (IQR = 8 years). The overall prevalence of TTIs was found to be 13.8% (95%CI: 12.0-15.6%), with specific prevalences of 1.9% for HIV, 4.1% for HBV, 6.6% for HCV and 2.8% for treponema pallidum. Male sex (AOR = 2.10, 95%CI: 1.32–3.36, p-value = 0.002) and lapsed donor type compared to new donor type (AOR = 0.34, 95%CI: 0.13–0.87, p-value = 0.025) were found to be associated with TTIs.ConclusionThe prevalence of TTIs among blood donors of West Nile region, Uganda was found to be significantly high, which implies a high burden of TTIs in the general population. Hence, there is need to implement a more stringent donor screening process to ensure selection of risk-free donors, with extra emphasis on male and new blood donors. Additionally, sensitization of blood donors on risky behaviors and self-deferral will reduce the risk of donating infected blood to the recipients.

Integrated health services for refugee and host populations in Uganda: A qualitative study of stakeholder's perspectives.

Integration has emerged as a key strategy for promoting equitable access to health services for refugees and host populations. This study explored the perceptions and experiences of stakeholders on the integration of health services for refugees and host populations in two purposefully selected refugee-hosting districts of Adjumani and Obongi in the West Nile region, Uganda. This study used a case study design. Key informant interviews were conducted with 28 purposefully selected respondents. Data were analysed thematically. Quirkos software was used to manage and analyse data. Respondents indicated that integration is enhancing health services, providing an opportunity to strengthen them and improve coverage and access for refugees and host populations. Factors affecting integration include gaps in policy and implementation, ineffective systems and structures for service delivery, inadequate coordination and management and inadequate funding. At the service level challenges including inadequate infrastructure, shortage of health workers and stock out of medicines and essential supplies affect the integration of health services. Overall, structural and systemic issues continue to affect the integration of health services. It is important to strengthen policy implementation and build the capacity of districts to support the integration of health services.

Geopolitics of the Horn of Africa: Arab Countries’ Stance on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, with Special Focus on the GCC Position

The Horn of Africa holds a strategic position, bordering on the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Indian Ocean, and the Nile region. The Bab al-Mandab Strait, which connects three continents – Asia, Africa, and Europe-lie within its ambit. Over the past decade, external powers have begun to take a heightened interest in this region. Consequently, security issues in this strategically vital area have become increasingly salient, and local conflicts, famines, the proliferation of terrorist groups and maritime piracy have all found their way onto wider regional and international agendas. The current conflict between Ethiopia, Sudan, and Egypt regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is of particular significance in this new scenario. This paper explores the position of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and the general Arab stance on the dispute. It is worth noting that despite the considerable efforts made by Egyptian diplomacy to establish a unified Arab position on the Renaissance Dam issue, there are significant differences among Arab countries in regard to the issue. At the level of the GCC countries, the United Arab Emirates adopts a relatively flexible and neutral position, sometimes positioning itself as a mediator between the conflicting parties. Conversely, Kuwait maintains a firm stance in support of the Egyptian-Sudanese position, considering water security for Egypt and Sudan as a justifiable national security concern for the two countries. Saudi Arabia appears to be neutral in the conflict and emphasises that the African Union should play the primary role in resolving the issue. Even the two downstream countries, Egypt and Sudan, have failed to adopt cohesive stances on the issue. At the Arab Summit held in Algeria on 2 November 2022, significant differences between Sudan and Egypt emerged in the working of the final document, even though they had been intent on welding wider Arab support behind their conflict with Ethiopia. This paper explores the nature of, and the reasons behind, the differences between GCC countries and the broader Arab community regarding the Renaissance Dam issue. Furthermore, it examines the potential for developing a unified yet flexible Arab Gulf position which could help to lay the basis for a balanced and fair agreement between Ethiopia, Sudan, and Egypt on the Renaissance Dam issue.

Major and Trace Elements of Baobab Leaves in Different Habitats and Regions in Sudan: Implication for Human Dietary Needs and Overall Health.

The metabolic needs of the human body and preventing infections require a diet with sufficient amounts of essential nutrients. This study aimed to investigate the importance of Baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) dried leaves as a healthy food source by determining the content of macro and trace elements in different habitats and regions. This study was conducted in Sudan and covered three different habitats, wetland (W), plainland (P), and mountain (M), in two regions (Blue Nile and Kordofan). The dry matter (DM) of Baobab leaves was considered for analyzed menials, and the results showed that the mean values were significantly affected by habitats where Baobab trees grew. The highest contents of potassium K (1653 ± 34 mg/100 g) and sodium (Na) 7.67 ± 1.18 mg/100 g were found in the W zone, whereas the highest contents of calcium (Ca) 2903 ± 187 mg/100 g and magnesium (Mg) 529 ± 101 mg/100 g were detected in the M and P zones, respectively. In addition, the two regions showed significant differences in trace and macro elements, i.e., higher levels of iron (Fe) 17.17 ± 2.76 mg/100 g and magnesium (556 ± 55 mg/100 g) were found in the Kordofan region while higher levels of zinc (Zn) 2.548 ± 0.55 mg/100 g and calcium (2689 ± 305 mg/100) were in the Blue Nile region. These varying amounts of elements can be used in our daily diets because of their potentially healthy effects, especially in areas where access to nutrient-rich foods is limited.

Current status of tree species diversity at Abu Gadaf Natural Forest Reserve, Blue Nile Region – Sudan

Current status of tree species diversity at Abu Gadaf Natural Forest Reserve, Blue Nile Region – Sudan

Citizen Science and Public Perceptions under A Changing Climate: an Empirical Study in The Upper Blue Nile, Ethiopia

This paper presents a citizen science approach implemented in the Upper Blue Nile (UBN) region of Ethiopia to study the farmers’ perceptions towards adequacy of the quantity of the provided water and the fairness of the irrigation distribution system. The paper also includes preliminary Machine Learning (ML) based results on finding the optimal initial cultivation time in Ethiopia as a means to alleviate heat-induced crop losses in a warmer climate.

Dust and climate interactions in the Middle East: Spatio-temporal analysis of aerosol optical depth and climatic variables

The Middle East (ME) is grappling with an alarming increase in dust levels, measured as aerosol optical depth (AOD), which poses significant threats to air quality, human health, and ecological stability. This study aimed to investigate correlations between climate and non-climate driving factors and AOD in the ME over the last four-decade (1980–2020), based on analysis of three variables: actual evapotranspiration (AET), potential evapotranspiration (PET), and precipitation (P). A comprehensive analysis is conducted to discern patterns and trends, with a particular focus on regions such as Rub al-Khali, Ad-Dahna, An-Nafud Desert, and southern Iraq, where consistently high dust levels were observed. 77 % of the study area is classified as arid or semi-arid based on the aridity index. Our results indicate an upward trend in dust levels in Iraq, Iran, Yemen, and Saudi Arabia. We noted an increasing AET trend in regions such as the Euphrates and Tigris basin, northern-Iran, and the Nile region, along with rising PET levels in arid and semi-arid zones such as Iran, Iraq, and Syria. Conversely, P showed a notable decrease in northern-Iraq, Syria, southwestern Iran, and southern-Turkey. Comparison of long-term changes (10-year moving averages) of AOD and P showed a consistent increase in AOD with P levels decreasing in all climate regions. The Budyko space analysis indicates shifts in evaporation ratio across different climate classes from 1980 to 2020, with predominant movement patterns towards higher aridity indices in arid and semi-arid regions, while factors beyond long-term aridity changes influence shifts in evaporation ratio across various climatic zones. The Middle East experiences complex and intricate interactions between dust events and their drivers. To address this issue, a comprehensive and multi-system approach is necessary, which considers both climate and non-climate drivers. Moreover, an efficient dust control strategy should include soil and water conservation, advanced monitoring, and public awareness campaigns that involve regional and international collaboration.

Identification and distribution of Rhipicephalus microplus in selected high-cattle density districts in Uganda: signaling future demand for novel tick control approaches

BackgroundRhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Canestrini, 1888), the Asian blue tick, is a highly invasive and adaptable ectoparasite. This tick species has successfully established itself in most regions of the world, with movement of cattle being a major driver for its spread. In the recent past, R. microplus ticks have been reported in three districts of Uganda. Information on its spread and distribution are vital in deepening our understanding of the ecological scenarios that lead to tick persistence and in the formulation of control strategies. This is especially important in the cattle-dense districts.MethodsWe randomly collected tick specimens from 1,461cattle spread across seven cattle dense districts located in the Central, Karamoja and West Nile regions of Uganda from January to September 2020. The ticks were identified using standard morpho-taxonomic keys and the R. microplus tick species identities were confirmed by sequencing of the ITS2 region, 12S rRNA and 16S rRNA genes and phylogenetic analyses.ResultsAdult ticks (n = 13,019) were collected from 1,461 cattle. Seventeen tick species were identified based on morpho-taxonomic keys and the majority (47.4%; n=6184) of these were R. appendiculatus. In total, 257 R. microplus ticks were found infesting cattle in 18 study sites in the districts of Amudat, Kaabong, Napak (Karamoja region) and Arua (West Nile region). The identity of R. microplus was confirmed using molecular technics. No R. microplus tick was recorded in the districts of Lyantonde and Nakaseke (Central region). Arua district accounted for 82.1% (n=211) of the R. microplus ticks recorded followed by Napak district at 16.3% (n=42), while Amudat and Kaabong districts accounted for 1.5% (n=4).Rhipicephalus microplus and R. decoloratus co-existed in 6 of the 13 study sites in Arua district, while in another 6 study sites, no R. decoloratus was recorded. In the Karamoja region districts R. decoloratus co-existed with R.microplus. Of the total 618 ticks belonging to four species of the subgenus Boophilus recorded in this study, R. decoloratus accounted for 50.04% (n=334), followed by R. microplus at 41.58% (n=257), R. geigyi at 2.75% (n=17) and R. annulatus at 1.61% (n=10). In the districts of Amudat, Kaabong and Napak, R. decoloratus was more dominant (76.1%; n=179) of the three Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) tick species recorded, followed by R. microplus (19.5%; n=46) and R. geigyi (4.2%; n=10). Contrariwise, R. microplus was more dominant (84%; n=211) in Arua district followed by R. decoloratus (10.7%; n=27), R. annulatus (3.9%; n=10) and R. geigyi (1.1%; n=3). Phylogenetic analyses of the ITS2 region, 12S rRNA and 16S rRNA genes revealed subgrouping of the obtained sequences with the previously published R. microplus sequences from other parts of the world.ConclusionRhipicephalus microplus ticks were found infesting cattle in four districts of Uganda. The inability to find R. decoloratus, an indigenous tick, from six sites in the district of Arua is suggestive of its replacement by R. microplus. Rhipicephalus microplus negatively affects livestock production, and therefore, there is a need to determine its distribution and to deepen the understanding of the ecological factors that lead to its spread and persistence in an area.

Drought Dynamics in the Nile River Basin: Meteorological, Agricultural, and Groundwater Drought Propagation

The Nile River Basin (NRB) has experienced a notable rise in drought episodes in recent decades. The propagation of meteorological, agricultural, and groundwater drought dynamics in the NRB was investigated in this study. The following drought indices examined the correlation and propagation among meteorological, agricultural, and groundwater droughts. These are the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI), soil moisture index, Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment, and GRACE Follow-On (GRACE/GRACE-FO)-derived groundwater drought index (GGDI). These droughts were comprehensively evaluated in the NRB from 2003 to 2022. The cross-wavelet transform approach highlighted the links between droughts. The following are the key findings: (1) In the NRB, the cross-wavelet energy spectrum of wavelet coherence can indicate the internal connection between meteorological versus (vs.) agricultural and agricultural versus (vs.) groundwater drought. The time scale with the most significant correlation coefficient is the drought propagation time. (2) The El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) correlated with agricultural and groundwater drought much more than the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), demonstrating that ENSO has an important impact on drought advancement. (3) The R2 values were 0.68 for GGDI vs. standardized soil moisture index (SSI), 0.71 for Blue Nile Region (BNR) GGDI vs. SSI, and 0.55 for SSI vs. Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI). Similarly, in the Lake Victoria Region (LVR), GGDI vs. SSI was 0.51 and SSI vs. SPEI was 0.55, but in the Bahr-el-Ghazal Region (BER), GGDI vs. SSI was 0.61 and SSI vs. SPEI was 0.27 during the whole research period with varied lag durations ranging from 1 to 6 months. Thus, the propagation of drought (i.e., meteorological, agricultural, and groundwater drought) dynamics has the potential to reshape our understanding of drought evolution, which could lead to early drought forecasting across the NRB and similar climatic regions.

Exploring Trees Diversity and Ecological Value of Mountain Forests in the Blue Nile Region of Sudan

Exploring Trees Diversity and Ecological Value of Mountain Forests in the Blue Nile Region of Sudan

Giants of the Sands: The Giraffe and its Place in Symbolic Vocabulary in the Kingdom of Kush, Sudan

Abstract The image of a giraffe was added to both wheelmade and handmade pottery, faience plaques, temple walls and rock art in the Meroitic period of the Kingdom of Kush (c.570 BC–AD550), located in modern-day Sudan. However, giraffes do not appear in contemporary royal and elite art and architecture. This article explores the giraffe motif in Kush and compares this to its use earlier in Sudanese history as well as in neighbouring Egypt. The use of this motif on specific media suggests it was important in the symbolic language shared in the Middle Nile Region, but not in the elite canon, meaning it may be a window into understanding oral traditional practices of this time, that perhaps evolved and circulated over a long time period.

Geospatial approach in modeling linear, areal, and relief morphometric interactions in Dabus river basin ecology for sustainable water resource management

The Dabus River Basin (DRB) holds significant value within the Upper Blue Nile region yet has seen minimal exploration regarding its morphometric features. This investigation employed geospatial techniques to characterize the linear, areal, and relief morphometric properties of the DRB in the Upper Blue Nile, Ethiopia. Data sources such as the SRTM DEM, hydrological, and geological maps were utilized to comprehensively analyze the basin's morphometric aspects. In the ArcGIS environment, 26 morphometric parameters were assessed through standard statistical methodologies. The basin possesses 210,776 streams with a dendritic pattern, ranging from 1st to 9th order, reflecting lithological uniformity and structural oversight. The total stream length is 57,233 km, scattered across a basin area of 14,833.7 km2. With an average bifurcation ratio of 3, the basin displays a low degree of lithological influence and structural disturbances influencing the drainage patterns. The form factor (0.2), elongation ratio (0.5) and circulatory ratio (0.2) values suggests an elongated basin shape, resulting in poor runoff and increased erosion frequency. A high correlation can also be observed among stream frequency (14.2), drainage density (3.9), and texture ratio (54.5), which implies high basin impermeability and a heightened risk of erosion. Key relief attributes of the basin include a low to moderate relief (2641 m), an 8.8 relief ratio (erosion potential), a 10.2 ruggedness number (rugged and flood-prone terrain), and a 5.6 m/km channel gradient (steep slopes, increased runoff, erosion potential). This study aims to serve as a foundation for comprehending the DRB and facilitating the development of precise and successful land and water management strategies.

Variants of IL6, IL10, FCN2, RNASE3, IL12B and IL17B loci are associated with Schistosoma mansoni worm burden in the Albert Nile region of Uganda.

Individuals genetically susceptible to high schistosomiasis worm burden may contribute disproportionately to transmission and could be prioritized for control. Identifying genes involved may guide development of therapy. A cohort of 606 children aged 10-15 years were recruited in the Albert Nile region of Uganda and assessed for Schistosoma mansoni worm burden using the Up-Converting Particle Lateral Flow (UCP-LF) test detecting circulating anodic antigen (CAA), point-of-care Circulating Cathodic Antigen (POC-CCA) and Kato-Katz tests. Whole genome genotyping was conducted on 326 children comprising the top and bottom 25% of worm burden. Linear models were fitted to identify variants associated with worm burden in preselected candidate genes. Expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) analysis was conducted for candidate genes with UCP-LF worm burden included as a covariate. Single Nucleotide Polymorphism loci associated with UCP-LF CAA included IL6 rs2066992 (OR = 0.43, p = 0.0006) and rs7793163 (OR = 2.0, p = 0.0007); IL21 SNP kgp513476 (OR 1.79, p = 0.0025) and IL17B SNP kgp708159 (OR = 0.35, p = 0.0028). A haplotype in the IL10 locus was associated with lower worm burden (OR = 0.53, p = 0.015) and overlapped SNPs rs1800896, rs1800871 and rs1800872. Significant haplotypes (p<0.05, overlapping significant SNP) associated with worm burden were observed in IL6 and the Th17 pathway IL12B and IL17B genes. There were significant eQTL in the IL6, IL5, IL21, IL25 and IFNG regions. Variants associated with S. mansoni worm burden were in IL6, FCN2, RNASE3, IL10, IL12B and IL17B gene loci. However only eQTL associations remained significant after Bonferroni correction. In summary, immune balance, pathogen recognition and Th17 pathways may play a role in modulating Schistosoma worm burden. Individuals carrying risk variants may be targeted first in allocation of control efforts to reduce the burden of schistosomiasis in the community.

Transcriptome analysis of peripheral blood of Schistosoma mansoni infected children from the Albert Nile region in Uganda reveals genes implicated in fibrosis pathology.

Over 290 million people are infected by schistosomes worldwide. Schistosomiasis control efforts focus on mass drug treatment with praziquantel (PZQ), a drug that kills the adult worm of all Schistosoma species. Nonetheless, re-infections have continued to be detected in endemic areas with individuals living in the same area presenting with varying infection intensities. Our objective was to characterize the transcriptome profiles in peripheral blood of children between 10-15 years with varying intensities of Schistosoma mansoni infection living along the Albert Nile in Uganda. RNA extracted from peripheral blood collected from 44 S. mansoni infected (34 high and 10 low by circulating anodic antigen [CAA] level) and 20 uninfected children was sequenced using Illumina NovaSeq S4 and the reads aligned to the GRCh38 human genome. Differential gene expression analysis was done using DESeq2. Principal component analysis revealed clustering of gene expression by gender when S. mansoni infected children were compared with uninfected children. In addition, we identified 14 DEGs between S. mansoni infected and uninfected individuals, 56 DEGs between children with high infection intensity and uninfected individuals, 33 DEGs between those with high infection intensity and low infection intensity and no DEGs between those with low infection and uninfected individuals. We also observed upregulation and downregulation of some DEGs that are associated with fibrosis and its regulation. These data suggest expression of fibrosis associated genes as well as genes that regulate fibrosis in S. mansoni infection. The relatively few significant DEGS observed in children with schistosomiasis suggests that chronic S. mansoni infection is a stealth infection that does not stimulate a strong immune response.

Engagement with Traditional Healers for Early Detection of Plague in Uganda.

In rural Uganda, many people who are ill consult traditional healers prior to visiting the formal healthcare system. Traditional healers provide supportive care for common illnesses, but their care may delay diagnosis and management of illnesses that can increase morbidity and mortality, hinder early detection of epidemic-prone diseases, and increase occupational risk to traditional healers. We conducted open-ended, semi-structured interviews with a convenience sample of 11 traditional healers in the plague-endemic West Nile region of northwestern Uganda to assess their knowledge, practices, and attitudes regarding plague and the local healthcare system. Most were generally knowledgeable about plague transmission and its clinical presentation and expressed willingness to refer patients to the formal healthcare system. We initiated a public health outreach program to further improve engagement between traditional healers and local health centers to foster trust in the formal healthcare system and improve early identification and referral of patients with plaguelike symptoms, which can reflect numerous other infectious and noninfectious conditions. During 2010-2019, 65 traditional healers were involved in the outreach program; 52 traditional healers referred 788 patients to area health centers. The diagnosis was available for 775 patients; malaria (37%) and respiratory tract infections (23%) were the most common diagnoses. One patient had confirmed bubonic plague. Outreach to improve communication and trust between traditional healers and local healthcare settings may result in improved early case detection and intervention not only for plague but also for other serious conditions.

Analysis of Spatiotemporal Patterns of Undernutrition among Children below Five Years of Age in Uganda

Background: This study aimed at examining the prevalence and variations in undernutrition among children below five years of age in Uganda while considering the influence of space and time factors. Various studies conducted in Uganda analyzed the undernutrition phenomenon among children below five years of age with a focus on the risk factors and spatial variations; however, no study has ever integrated the elements of time in examining the problem of undernutrition in Uganda. The approach of spatial and spatiotemporal analysis is essential in identifying cluster patterns, hotspots, trends, and emerging hotspots, which is crucial in making timely and location-specific interventions. Methods: Data from the six Uganda Demographic and Health Surveys spanning from 1990 to 2016 were used, with the main outcome variable being undernutrition among children below five years of age. A Composite Index of Anthropometric Failure was derived from the three undernutrition outcomes and subsequently used as a proxy of undernutrition in this study. All data that were relevant to this study were retrieved from the survey datasets and combined with the 2014 shape files of Uganda to enable spatial and spatiotemporal analysis. Spatial maps with the spatial distribution of the prevalence of undernutrition, both in space and time, were generated using ArcGIS Pro version 2.8. Moran’s I, an index of spatial autocorrelation, was used to test the hypothesis of no spatial autocorrelation, while the Getis–Ord (Gi*) statistic was used to examine hot and cold spot areas. Furthermore, space-time cubes were generated to establish the trend in undernutrition as well as to mirror its variations over time and across the country. Moreover, emerging hot spot analysis was done to help in identifying the patterns of undernutrition over time. Results: The national prevalence of undernutrition among children below five years of age was 31.96 percent, with significant spatial variations both in space across Uganda and in the time since 1989. The index of spatial autocorrelation (Moran’s I) confirmed spatial clustered patterns as opposed to random distributions of undernutrition prevalence. Four hot spot areas, namely, the Karamoja, the Sebei, the West Nile, and the Toro regions, were significantly evident. Most of the central parts of Uganda were identified as cold spot clusters, while most of Western Uganda, the Acholi, and the Lango regions had no statistically significant spatial patterns by the year 2016. The spatio-temporal analysis identified the Karamoja and Sebei regions as clusters of persistent, consecutive, and intensifying hot spots, West Nile region was identified as a sporadic hotspot area, while the Toro region was identified with both sporadic and emerging hotspots. In conclusions, undernutrition is a silent pandemic that calls for immediate and stringent measures. At 31.96 percent, the prevalence is still very high and unpleasant. To reduce the prevalence of undernutrition and to achieve SDG goal 2, policymakers, as well as implementers, should consider the spatial effects and spatial and spatiotemporal variations across the country and prioritize interventions to hot spot areas. This would ensure efficient, timely, and region-specific interventions.

Perspectives of stakeholders regarding the value of maternal and newborn health interventions and practices supported by UNICEF and other partners in the West Nile region of Uganda: a qualitative study

IntroductionUganda has high maternal, neonatal, and under-five mortality rates. This study documents stakeholder perspectives on best practices in a maternal and newborn health (MNH) quality-improvement programme implemented in the West Nile region of Uganda to improve delivery and utilisation of MNH services.MethodsThis exploratory cross-sectional qualitative study, conducted at the end of 2021, captured the perspectives of stakeholders representing the different levels of the healthcare system. Data were collected in four districts through: interviews with key informants working at all levels of the health system; focus group discussions with parents and caretakers and with community health workers; and interviews with individual community members whose lives had been impacted by the MNH programme. The initial content analysis was followed by a deductive synthesis pitched according to the different levels of the health system and the health-systems building blocks.ResultsThe findings are summarised according to the health-systems building blocks and an account is given of three of the interventions most valued by participants: (1) data use for evidence-based decision making (with regard to human resources, essential reproductive health commodities, and financing); (2) establishment of special newborn care units and high-dependency maternity units at district hospitals and training of the health workforce (also with reference to other infrastructural improvements such as the provision of water, sanitation and hygiene facilities at health facilities); and (3) community referral of pregnant women through a commercial motorcycle voucher referral system.ConclusionThe MNH programme in the West Nile region adopted a holistic and system-wide approach to addressing the key bottlenecks in the planning, delivery, and monitoring of quality MNH services. There was general stakeholder appreciation across the board that the interventions had the potential to improve quality of care and newborn and maternal health outcomes. However, as the funding was largely donor-driven, questions about government ownership and sustainability in the context of limited resources remain.

A socio-hydrological investigation with groundwater models to assess farmer’s perception on water management fairness

Water management in the Upper Blue Nile (UBN) region of Ethiopia often entails fragmented efforts to supplement rainfed agriculture with surface water and reservoir-based irrigation schemes. On top of the broader climate change, drought and water food insecurity issues, the irrigation managers inability to accommodate farmer perceptions into sophisticated designs for resource utilization creates a fragile system from the root level. Driven by this, the objective of this research is to carry out a socio-hydrological investigation to highlight how hydrological models can be used to map farmers’ perception on irrigation water adequacy and water management fairness. The study uses predictions from a calibrated MODFLOW-NWT groundwater (GW) model in two irrigated communities of Ethiopia, namely, the Koga Reservoir (‘closed’ community) and the Quashni River (‘open’ community) irrigation project areas. Farmer perceptions were studied through detailed household surveys (n = 172 households), which were then statistically analyzed through logistic regression models under different sociological conjectures. The socio-hydrological investigation revealed that the local GW models were in good agreement with farmers’ raw perception on irrigation water adequacy, and the fairness of irrigation management. Findings from this research would help advance our understanding in socio-hydrological feedback of complex irrigation structures, as well as underscoring key sociological constraints of irrigation development in emerging communities.