http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/3971 2026-07-16T19:59:24Z 2026-07-16T19:59:24Z Nizeyimana, Ildephonse Ario, Alex Riolexus Mwangi, Thumbi Muthiru, Ann Ofori, Michael Arthur Adedokun, Olufemi Mwangi, Ann http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/10290 2026-07-06T07:11:16Z 2026-07-01T00:00:00Z

Strengthening data systems and use for infectious outbreak preparedness in Uganda Nizeyimana, Ildephonse; Ario, Alex Riolexus; Mwangi, Thumbi; Muthiru, Ann; Ofori, Michael Arthur; Adedokun, Olufemi; Mwangi, Ann Background: The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted a critical lesson for global health systems: effective preparedness depends on timely access to reliable and interconnected health data. Across many countries, fragmented information systems limited the rapid exchange and use of data needed for outbreak detection, response, and decision-making. In Uganda, the recurrent emergence of infectious disease outbreaks, including Ebola, Marburg virus disease, and cholera, has reinforced the importance of resilient and interoperable health information systems. Although substantial progress has been made in strengthening disease surveillance and response mechanisms, persistent challenges continue to affect the country’s capacity to generate and utilize high-quality data during public health emergencies. Methods: This study combined a review of published and grey literature with qualitative inquiry to explore existing challenges in Uganda’s health data ecosystem. Six key informants with expertise in health information systems, disease surveillance, and outbreak response participated in in-depth interviews to provide insights into current gaps and potential solutions. Results: The findings revealed several interconnected challenges, including fragmented and poorly integrated information systems, limited access to critical digital infrastructures, incomplete digitalization of data collection processes, and weaknesses in data quality and accessibility. These challenges often result in delays in data sharing and evidence-based decision-making during outbreaks. Participants noted that many of these barriers are well recognized and can be addressed through targeted and relatively modest investments. Key recommendations included accelerating the integration of existing health information platforms, expanding end-to-end digital data collection, increasing investments in health information systems, and strengthening coordination among government agencies and development partners. Conclusions: Strengthening Uganda’s preparedness for future epidemics requires sustained commitment to interoperable health information systems and high-quality data management. Building on the strong foundations already established through collaboration with partners such as World Health Organization and Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, targeted investments and enhanced governance mechanisms could address the most pressing system gaps. Advancing these efforts will improve the availability and use of quality health data, enabling more effective surveillance, faster outbreak response, and greater resilience against future public health threats.

2026-07-01T00:00:00Z Baguma, Gabson Musasizi, Andrew Twinomuhwezi, Hannington Gonzaga, Allan Nakiguli, Caroline K. Onen, Patrick Angiro, Christopher Okwir, Augastine Opio, Boniface Otema, Thomas Ocira, Daniel Byaruhanga, Ivan Nirigiyimana, Eric Omara, Timothy http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/7989 2023-08-22T08:33:08Z 2022-09-01T00:00:00Z

Heavy metal contamination of sediments from an exoreic African great lakes’ shores (port Bell, lake Victoria) Uganda Baguma, Gabson; Musasizi, Andrew; Twinomuhwezi, Hannington; Gonzaga, Allan; Nakiguli, Caroline K.; Onen, Patrick; Angiro, Christopher; Okwir, Augastine; Opio, Boniface; Otema, Thomas; Ocira, Daniel; Byaruhanga, Ivan; Nirigiyimana, Eric; Omara, Timothy Lake Victoria (L. Victoria) is the largest African tropical and freshwater lake, with one of the highest pollution levels, globally. It is shared among Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, but it is drained only by the river Nile, the longest river in Africa. Though environmental studies have been conducted in the lake, investigations of the heavy metals (HMs) contamination of sediments from fish landing sites and ports on the Ugandan portion of L. Victoria are limited. In this study, sediments of an urban, industrial and fish landing site (Port Bell) on L. Victoria, Uganda was investigated to establish its HMs pollution levels and potential health risks to humans and ecosystems. Sediment samples were collected in triplicate (n = 9) from three different points of Port Bell, digested and analyzed using atomic absorption spectrometry for the presence of these HMs: copper (Cu), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and chromium (Cr). The average daily dose through dermal contact and hazard quotient (HQ) were calculated to assess the health risk that is associated with dredging works (lake sand mining). Four geochemical enrichment indices: contamination factor (CF), geo-accumulation index (Igeo), pollution load index (PLI) and potential ecological risk (PERI) were used to quantify the contamination of the HMs in the sediments. The results showed that the mean HM content of the samples ranged from: 6.111 ± 0.01 to 7.111 ± 0.002 mg/kg for Cu; from 40.222 ± 0.003 to 44.212 ± 0.002 mg/kg for Pb; from 0.352 ± 0.007 to 0.522 ± 0.010 mg/kg for Cr; from 3.002 ± 0.002 to 3.453 ± 0.003 mg/kg for Cd. Health risk assessments indicated that there are no discernible non-carcinogenic health risks that could arise from the dredging works that are conducted in the study area as the indices were all below one. The contamination factors that were obtained suggest that Cd has reached a state of severe enrichment in the sediments (CF > 6). An assessment using Igeo established that the sediments were not contaminated with regards to Cu and Cr, but they exhibited low-to-median and median contamination with respect to Pb and Cd, respectively. Though the pollution load indices show that the contamination levels raise no serious concerns, the potential ecological risk indices show that there is considerable pollution of the Port Bell sediments, particularly with regard to Cd

2022-09-01T00:00:00Z Nderitu, Kathryn Wanjiku Mwenda, Njagi Shadrack Macharia, Ndegwa John Barasa, Stephen Super Ngugi, Mathew Piero http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/7416 2023-03-21T07:16:24Z 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z

Antiobesity activities of methanolic extracts of amaranthus dubius, cucurbita pepo, and vigna unguiculata in progesterone-induced obese mice Nderitu, Kathryn Wanjiku; Mwenda, Njagi Shadrack; Macharia, Ndegwa John; Barasa, Stephen Super; Ngugi, Mathew Piero Amaranthus dubius, Vigna unguiculata, and Cucurbita pepo are traditionally used to manage obesity in Kenya but lack scientific validation to support their use. The aim of this study was to determine the antiobesity activity of methanolic leaf extracts of these plants in progesterone-induced obese mice. The activity of the methanolic leaf extracts was orally bioscreened in progesterone-induced obese mice at 200 mg/kg/bw and 400 mg/kg/bw. Body mass index was calculated once per week for four weeks and blood samples were obtained at the end of the experiment for lipid profile analysis. Antiobesity activities of the extracts were compared with the controls. Leaf extracts of A. dubius, C. pepo, and V. unguiculata, at dose concentrations of 200 mg/kgbw and 400 mg/kgbw, showed significant effects on body mass index (). There was no significant difference between the three extracts on lipid parameter profiles (). The present study showed high food intake in the negative control group as compared with normal control, positive control, and treatment groups. These extracts contained various phytochemicals such as saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, and steroids and therefore validate use of aforementioned plants in the suppression of obesity and their use for management of obesity is recommended.

2017-01-01T00:00:00Z Mwenda, Ngugi Nduati, Ruth Kosgey, Mathew Kerich, Gregory K. http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/7415 2023-03-21T07:07:38Z 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z

Time effects of bacterial vaginosis on infant morbidities in Kenya assessed using modified skewed generalized estimating equations Mwenda, Ngugi; Nduati, Ruth; Kosgey, Mathew; Kerich, Gregory K. Infant morbidity and mortality are indicators used globally as measures of a country’s health status. Among the 8 millennium development goals (MDGs), this study aimed to address goal four (MDG 4) on the reduction of child mortality and six (MDG 6) on combating HIV and other diseases. We assessed different health conditions caused by bacterial vaginosis (BV) that could have life-long effects among infants. We aimed to address the time effects of BV on the long-term cause of infants' morbidities when asymmetry is assumed. We analyzed infant data from HIV-positive mothers with known BV status from a randomized controlled trial study conducted in Nairobi, Kenya. We aimed to investigate the effect of BV on infant morbidity with time from birth up to the age of 6 months. We derived a score for morbidity incidences depending on illnesses reported in the register during scheduled visits only. By adjusting for the mother’s BV status, child’s HIV status, sex, feeding status, and weight for age, we used two approaches for analysis. We considered and fitted the traditional generalized estimating (GEE) equations and our proposed skewed generalized estimating equations (SGEE). Overall, we included information on 327 infants. One thousand nine hundred sixty-two repeated measurements were available for analysis. Among the 327 mothers, 148 (45%) tested positive for BV, while 179 (55%) tested negative. We found that BV, gender, and time were associated with multiple health conditions in infants. Infants of women who tested positive for BV, at month 1, had 4.46 higher odds of various health conditions compared to infants of mothers who tested negative. The effects of BV tended to decrease with time, and at 5 months of age, children in the BV group had 1.10 times the odds of experiencing morbidity incidence. In the SGEE model, BV was statistically significant at the 0.05 level with a positive coefficient, indicating that children in the BV group had a higher probability of experiencing multiple morbidities. BV is a significant predictor of infant morbidity because its effects on exposed infants could persist over time. In contrast, the traditional GEE results showed an insignificant positive coefficient. The results indicate the need to factor in the skewness during analysis in case of data transformation, especially when converting from continuous to binary data for parsimony and straightforward interpretation of the effects of covariates. Maternal BV status was positively associated with morbidity incidences, which highlights the need for early intervention for infected women. Accelerated programs promoting access to BV treatment with proper infant handling practices that better deal with emerging multiple health conditions in infants may prove useful in reducing the incidence of infant morbidity in Kenya. Emphasis on care to promote better health for infants during growth is necessary to achieve the MDGs.

2020-01-01T00:00:00Z