School of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Succession planning practices, organizational culture and survivability of hotels in western Uganda

2026-02-11T11:50:05Z

Succession planning practices, organizational culture and survivability of hotels in western Uganda Nansamba, Esther Hotels in Western Uganda continue to face survivability challenges arising from weak succession planning structures and informal cultural practices that undermine leadership continuity. This study examined how succession planning practices (skill development, mentorship, and internal promotion) and organizational culture affect hotel survivability. In addition the study examined the relationships between succession planning practices (skill development, mentorship, and internal promotion) and organizational culture, and further explored the moderating role of organizational culture in the relationship between succession planning practices and hotel survivability. Guided by leadership development, tournament and dynamic capability perspectives, the study adopted a pragmatic, convergent mixed-methods design involving 200 management employees and 10 key informants from forty hotels. Quantitative data were analyzed using structural equation modeling, and qualitative data were thematically analyzed. Findings revealed that organizational culture is a critical determinant of hotel survivability, as it fosters adaptability, resilience, and shared values that sustain business continuity. While skill development, mentorship and internal promotion were not statistically significant, qualitative insights emphasized that financial literacy, innovation, adaptability and leadership training enhance managerial readiness for transition. The study concludes that nurturing a strong and enabling culture and continuous learning climate strengthens leadership pipelines and improves hotel survivability. The study recommends aligning skill development, mentorship and promotion systems with strategic objectives to build sustainable leadership capacity. The findings contribute to hospitality management literature by integrating succession planning and organizational culture into a unified model of hotel survivability, offering practical guidance for managers seeking to institutionalize leadership continuity in the competitive hospitality environments.

Trends And Predictors of Maternal Health Services Utilization Among Adolescent Mothers in Uganda; A Secondary Analysis Of 2000 – 2016 Uganda Demographic Health Surveys (Udhs

2025-10-27T08:07:16Z

Trends And Predictors of Maternal Health Services Utilization Among Adolescent Mothers in Uganda; A Secondary Analysis Of 2000 – 2016 Uganda Demographic Health Surveys (Udhs Ojera, Samuel; Mulongo, Muhamed; Okia, David; Twa-Twa, Jeremiah; Amongin, Dinah; Okello, Francis; Mukunya, David; Obaa, Francis; Matovu, JKB Background: Uganda has a high teenage pregnancy rate. The risk of morbidity and mortality is high if pregnant adolescent mothers do not utilize maternal health services. This study analyzed the trends and predictors of maternal services utilization by adolescent mothers aged 15-19 years in Uganda. Methods: Secondary data were extracted from 2000/2001, 2006, 2011, and 2016 Uganda demographic and health survey datasets. The participants were selected based on a national stratified-cluster sample design. Data were analyzed using Stata/SE 14.2 software to investigate the trends and predictors of antenatal care, delivery care, and postnatal care utilization by adolescent mothers. DHS survey protocols were approved by the IRBs at Inner City Fund (ICF) and Uganda, and access to the datasets was authorized by DHS. Results: The number of pregnant adolescent women aged 15-19 in each respective survey from 2000/01 to 2016 were 376, 348, 352, and 789. Utilization of maternal health services by adolescent women increased from 2000/01 to 2016. The average percentage point (pp) increase in utlization was 23.58 with the highest in PNC (pp=32.08, p<0.0001) and the least in early ANC timing (pp=11.07, p<0.001). Not living together with a partner was negatively associated with ANC visits (aOR=0.43, 95%CI: 0.23-0.80, p=0.009); while northern region (aOR=1.87, 95% CI: 1.02-3.40; p=0.042) and those living together with their partners (aOR=2.19, 95% CI: 1.15-4.16; p=0.016) were positively associated with ANC timing. Being an urban adolescent woman positively predicted institutional delivery (aOR=3.34, 95% CI: 1.45-7.49; p=0.005). Being married (aOR=0.38, 95% CI: 0.38-0.91; p=0.019), not living together with a partner (AOR=0.46, 95% CI: 0.24-0.90; p=0.024), and primary education level (AOR=0.10, 95% CI: 0.013-0.819; p-0.032) negatively predicted PNC check before discharge. Conclusions: Maternal health services utilization by adolescent women in Uganda increased over the years, but with variations predicted by regional and rural-urban differences, education level, and living with partner. These findings show the significant roles of gender, social, cultural and economic factors in maternal health, and calls for policy and implementers to address them in order to achieve to the intended improvements in reduction of maternal and maternal and perinatal mortality among teenage mothers.

Prevalence of Cooking-Related Burns in Peri-Urban Cameroon, Ghana, and Kenya by Fuel Type

2025-09-22T07:09:28Z

Prevalence of Cooking-Related Burns in Peri-Urban Cameroon, Ghana, and Kenya by Fuel Type Abuga, Jonathan A; Arthur, Gohole; Mwitari, James; Shupler, Matthew; Simiyu, Willah Nabukwangwa; Lorenzett, Federico; Puzzolo, Elisa; Tawiah, Theresa; Asante, Kwaku Poku; Iddi, Samuel; Mangeni, Judith; Sang, Edna; Menya, Diana; Baame, Miranda; Betang, Emmanuel; Ngahane, Bertrand Hugo Mbatchou; Nix, Emily; Pope, Daniel; Quansah, Reginald BACKGROUND: Over 70% of Africans rely on polluting sources of energy for cooking. There is a paucity of epidemiological evidence on the burden of cooking fuel–related burns (CRBs) among women and children in low- and middle-income countries. OBJECTIVES: We estimated the prevalence of CRBs and association with main fuel choice among primary cooks and children 0–5 years of age in peri-urban areas in Kenya, Cameroon, and Ghana. METHODS: We conducted a multisite cross-sectional survey in Mbalmayo, Cameroon; Obuasi, Ghana; and Eldoret, Kenya. Standardized question naires were administered between April 2019 and February 2020 to primary cooks. Questions included sociodemographic characteristics, primary fuel choice, and experience of burns within the previous 12 months. Overall and site-specific prevalence of CRBs were calculated, and their associa tion with primary cooking fuel type was determined. RESULTS: Overall, 128 out of 1,240 primary cooks [10.3%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 8.7, 12.2] reported at least one CRB during the previous 12 months. Most primary cooks had been burned multiple times (mediannumber ofburns=3, interquartile range: 2–5). CRB prevalence among primary cooks in Mbalmayo (23.3%, 95% CI: 19.4, 27.5) was significantly higher than in Obuasi (3.3%, 95% CI: 1.7, 5.8) and Eldoret (3.2%, 95% CI: 1.7, 5.3). Among children, the overall prevalence of CRBs was 5.1% (95% CI: 3.7, 6.9; n=42) and was comparable across sites: Mbalmayo, 6.5% (95% CI: 4.0, 10.0); Eldoret, 4.7% (95% CI: 2.5, 7.9); and Obuasi, 3.9% (95% CI: 1.9, 7.1). Overall, there was no significant difference in CRB prevalence among liquefied petroleum gas primary users compared with exclusive biomass users considering primary cooks (11.8% vs. 9.2%, p=0:17) and chil dren (4.4% vs. 5.5%, p=0:95). Older age [adjusted odds ratio ðaORÞ=0:6; 95% CI: 0.3, 0.9; p=0:03] and higher income (aOR=0:3; 95% CI: 0.2, 0.5; p<0:01) significantly lowered odds of CRBs. CONCLUSIONS: CRB prevalence among primary cooks between communities was high but was not related to the main choice of fuel for cooking across the selected study sites. Older age and higher income significantly reduced the risk of CRBs among both primary cooks and their children.

Peer Navigation for HIV-Associated Kaposi Sarcoma in Kenya: The Power of the Survivor’s Voice

2025-09-22T06:37:07Z

Peer Navigation for HIV-Associated Kaposi Sarcoma in Kenya: The Power of the Survivor’s Voice Shiravika, Fredrick; Strahan, Alexis G; Zehtab, Morvarid; Chemtai, Linda; Lagat, Celestine; Mulanda, Emily; Collier, Sigrid M; Rotich, Elyne; Maurer, Toby; Martin, Jeff; Opakas, Jesse; Byakwaga, Helen; Semeere, Aggrey; Kiprono, Samson; Freeman, Esther E PURPOSE Sub-SaharanAfricabearsadisproportionate share ofthe global burdenof HIV associated Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS), with high morbidity and mortality rates influenced by stigma, delayed diagnosis, and limited access to care. This study examinesPeerNavigation, throughbothpersonalandclinicalperspectives, asa potential intervention to improve outcomes for those living with KS in western Kenya. PATIENTS AND METHODS ThisstudycentersonthelivedexperienceofoneKSsurvivorwhobecameaPeer Navigator in western Kenya. The narrative captures his journey from diagnosis to treatment and the subsequent impact of guiding others through their healthcare journey as a Peer Navigator. RESULTS BetweenOctober 2021 andJuly 2024, the Peer Navigator provided support to 77 patients. Theseinteractions led toimprovementsinpatientknowledge,reduced feelings ofsocialisolation,renewedhopeforrecovery,andincreasedconfidence in treatment options. CONCLUSION Peer Navigation plays a crucial role in improving outcomes for patients living with HIV- associated KS. By integrating the survivor’s voice, this model of care delivery provides invaluable emotional and social support, fostering improved patient-reported outcomes and encouraging treatment adherence, thereby offering a transformative model for care delivery.