An Assessment of Air and Water Pollution Accrued from Stone Quarrying in Mukono District, Central Uganda

The unquenchable demand for rock materials has attracted many companies within the building and construction sector to invest in stone quarrying. However, this has brought about the environmental impacts with health threats to people. There is a paucity of information about the magnitude of pollution on air and water and how it varies with quarry sites. This study therefore investigated the physical impacts of quarrying on air and water and explored the in-situ mitigations to undesirable effects due to stone quarrying. Four active quarry sites were identified. Field measurements of dust (particulate matter) was conducted within the four quarry sites and in the nearby community. Water samples were collected from quarry pits and nearby shallow wells for laboratory analysis of water quality. Statistical Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to test for differences in pollution across the four studied sites. Results revealed that, amidst use of wet crushing and water sprinkling on bare surfaces, dust emission was higher than the recommended permissible standards levels with a significant variation across the quarry sites with ANOVA (P-value=0.003) for PM2.5 and (P-value=0.04366) for PM10. Water pollution was mainly contributed by the non-permissive levels of nitrates, chromium, and pH. Polluted air and water are associated with sparking off health threats to the users in the community. In conclusion, quarry companies should strengthen the already existing mitigation of dust suppression. The study recommends additional measures such as treating quarry pit water before discharging to the open environment

Re-validation and adaptation of the Menstrual Practice Needs Scale to measure the menstrual experiences of adult women working in Mukono District, Uganda

Objectives. The Menstrual Practice Needs Scale (MPNS) is a comprehensive measure of menstrual self-care experience including access to sufficient, comfortable absorbents, supportive spaces for managing menstruation and for disposal and laundering of used materials. It addresses a critical measurement gap to improve quantitative menstrual health research. The scale was validated in a population of adolescent schoolgirls. This study appraises its performance among adult women.Methods. Seven cognitive interviews provided insights into the interpretability and acceptability of scale items. A cross sectional survey of 525 working women who had menstruated in the past six months (including 435 working in markets, 45 in schools and 45 working in health care facilities) in Mukono District, Uganda was used to test the dimensionality, reliability, and validity of the measure. Results. The 36 scale items were well understood by the study population. Dimensionality was tested for the 28 items relevant to women disposing of menstrual materials and 32 items relevant to those washing and reusing materials. The original subscale structure fit with the data, however fell short of recommended thresholds for those disposing of materials (RMSEA=0.069; CFI=0.840; TLI=0.824). An alternative sub-scale structure was an acceptable fit for those disposing (RMSEA = 0.051; CFI=0.911; TLI=0.897) and reusing materials (RMSEA=0.053; CFI=0.915; TLI=0.904). MPNS total and sub-scale scores demonstrated acceptable internal consistency. Higher scores reflected more positive menstrual experiences and were associated with greater wellbeing (total score r=0.24, p<0.001), not missing work due to the last menstrual period (total score OR=2.47 95%CI 1.42-4.30), and confidence to manage menstruation at home and work. Conclusions. The MPNS offers a valid and reliable way to assess menstrual health needs. The revised factor structure can be used for adult samples who work. Findings also highlight challenges in assessing the variety of experiences relevant to managing menstrual bleeding.

Community satisfaction with Enhanced Community Health Workers Activities in Mukono District, Uganda

Background Although the community health workers’ (CHWs) / volunteer health teams’ (VHTs) work is widely appreciated, some households do resist their interventions, and figures of authority sometimes question their manner and ability. Despite critical shortage of health workers’ world-over, little has been done to explore whether community health workers satisfy the people they serve. To fill this VHT training and support gap, Omni Med Uganda, a local Non-Governmental Organization in Uganda, has been implementing an enhanced hybrid VHT program since 2008. This study aimed at assessing community satisfaction with the CHW activities involved the enhanced CHW program. Materials and methods A cross-sectional study was employed. Qualitative data was collected from 217 participants using semi-structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies, proportions, and means were performed for socio-demographic characteristics, Community satisfaction, and CHW activities. Prevalence Ratios (PR) were used to determine association between Community satisfaction and enhanced CHW activities. Results Majority of the respondents 81.1% (176/217) reported that the performance of the CHWs was satisfactory to maintain their health and that of their families. CHW activities such as confirming sick persons (APR:1.26 :95%CI (1.01–1.44), mobilization for cook stove building, (APR: 1.18: 95%CI (1.04–1.34), and monthly visits at participant’s homes (APR: 1.17: 95%CI (1.01–1.35) were positively associated with community satisfaction. Conclusion Enhancement of CHW activities should be considered during CHW programs. However, CHW performance should also be considered because community satisfaction does not imply high performance by CHWs and adherence to health interventions by the community.

Working Conditions and Employee Motivation in Micro Enterprises in Mukono

Employees in organizations are always contented when they feel their immediate environment is in tandem with their obligations. The rapid growth of the enterprises in Uganda is entirely dependent on the relevant working conditions and motivation of employees. The article aimed to explore the relationship between working conditions and employee motivation of microenterprises in Mukono district in Uganda. The health and safety of employees as a motivator at the work place guided this study. Both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection; the survey, interviews and desk review were used. Findings showed that good work conditions and good employee motivation can increase employee job satisfaction and employee organizational commitment. Workers may be satisfied by their jobs, but they are not motivated to stay doing the same role because they may not have the same benefits as others. Individuals with higher pre-training motivation based on their willingness to attend training have greater learning outcomes as compared to individuals having lower pre-training motivation. For organizations to accomplish their goals, there is need for health and safety awareness for every individual employee at each induction.

Community satisfaction with Enhanced Community Health Workers Activities in Mukono District, Uganda

Background Although the community health workers’ (CHWs) / volunteer health teams’ (VHTs) work is widely appreciated, some households do resist their interventions, and figures of authority sometimes question their manner and ability. Despite critical shortage of health workers’ world-over, little has been done to explore whether community health workers satisfy the people they serve. To fill this VHT training and support gap, Omni Med Uganda, a local Non-Governmental Organization in Uganda, has been implementing an enhanced hybrid VHT program since 2008. This study aimed at assessing community satisfaction with the CHW activities involved the enhanced CHW program. Materials and methods A cross-sectional study was employed. Qualitative data was collected from 217 participants using semi-structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies, proportions, and means were performed for socio-demographic characteristics, Community satisfaction, and CHW activities. Prevalence Ratios (PR) were used to determine association between Community satisfaction and enhanced CHW activities. Results Majority of the respondents 81.1% (176/217) reported that the performance of the CHWs was satisfactory to maintain their health and that of their families. CHW activities such as confirming sick persons (APR:1.26 :95%CI (1.01–1.44), mobilization for cook stove building, (APR: 1.18: 95%CI (1.04–1.34), and monthly visits at participant’s homes (APR: 1.17: 95%CI (1.01–1.35) were positively associated with community satisfaction. Conclusion Enhancement of CHW activities should be considered during CHW programs. However, CHW performance should also be considered because community satisfaction does not imply high performance by CHWs and adherence to health interventions by the community.

Gender equality and the effectiveness of primary education in Katosi town council, Mukono district in central Uganda

Purpose: This study aimed to assess ways by which Gender Equality affects primary education in Mukono District Research methodology: This study is a case study that concentrates on a single institute to provide information that can be used in similar businesses to establish the effect of gender equality on primary school. A case study as the research design was preferred because it helps to measure the relationship among variables. A random sampling technique was applied in the study to produce more reliable results. Results: Results indicate that majority of pupils said that three pupils shared one text book. Also, schools only hire highly skilled teachers that a helping in the accessibility of gender equal skilled teachers that a helping in the primary education. Limitations: The study covered only one town council in one district local government and so the results may not be generalized across the country or region. Contribution: The results of this study can be useful to educationists and policy planners. Keywords: Gender, Gender equality, Primary schools, UPE

Prevalence of HIV/AIDS Among Pregnant Mothers Aged 18 – 49 Years Attending Antenatal Clinic At Mukono Health Centre IV.

Background: The HIV/AIDS epidemic is a serious threat to social and economic development around the world. Uganda’s HIV/AIDS prevalence rate has shot up from 6.4% in 2005 to 7.3% whereas in pregnant mothers of all ages is at 6.1%. The prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Mukono district in Uganda worries leaders, and according to the local newspaper, the general prevalence in this area is said to be 9%. No study has documented the prevalence among pregnant women attending antenatal care at Mukono Health centre IV. Methods: The study took place at Mukono HCIV which is found in Mukono municipal council Mukono district on Kampala - Jinja road. The design was cross-sectional using both quantitative and qualitative methods where the pregnant mothers between the ages 18-49yrs were involved in the study at the antenatal clinic using the methods that are provided for their inclusion and exclusion study purposes. The data was summarized in form of bar graphs, pie charts, and tables using Microsoft excel program and SPSS. Results: The general prevalence of HIV/AIDS among pregnant women who sought ANC in Mukono Health Centre IV was 7 %. The research indicated that the majority of the pregnant women n=88, were in the age group of 25-31 years 49 (55.7%), 31(35.2%) had attained a secondary level of education while 30(34.1%) had attained a tertiary level of education. Conclusion and recommendation: Positive mothers should get access to psychological support hence enhancing the utilization of VCT by the mothers. Men's involvement is necessary and they need to be encouraged and sensitized from the communities to accompany their partners to the clinic and attend counselling sessions, this is to help equip them both with the necessary information on PMTCT.