East African School of Library and Information Science (EASLIS) Collection

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Now showing 1 - 5 of 84
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    Indigenous knowledge utilisation strategies for HIV prevention in Uganda: A study of secondary school adolescents in Kampala District
    (Makerere University, 2019-01-15) Nina, Olivia
    HIV/AIDS remains a global threat especially amongst young people in the Developing world. Several preventive options have been fronted, most especially informed by biomedical facts, but HIV prevalence still remains high. In circumstances of ethnic diversity, the use of Indigenous Knowledge (IK) generated in one’s cultural context is one of the avenues being exploited by Uganda’s Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) to guide adolescents in secondary schools on healthy information choices on HIV prevention. However, there was insufficient information on the implementation of this approach, especially IK content, how it is sought and used in the school setting. This study assessed use of IK in HIV prevention, among adolescents in ten secondary schools in Kampala District. Wilson’s model of Information Behavior and Social Network Analysis framework formed the conceptual anchors for the study. The objectives were; examining IK utilization in the existing HIV/AIDS school initiatives, identifying and documenting IK content used by adolescents for HIV prevention, analyzing adolescents’ information seeking and to propose a model for enhancing IK use in secondary schools in Uganda. Concurrent mixed methods research design was adopted with a study population of 578 respondents. Over all 399 survey respondents participated with 46.6% males and 53.4% females, while a total of 179 key informants engaged in 39 key informant interviews and 20 adolescent single sex focus group interviews. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and the chi square statistic test. Content and thematic analysis was used to analyze qualitative data. The study found out that IK is minimally used for HIV prevention in the schools, yet adolescents had high IK content awareness. Gender and school category were significantly associated with IK use at P-values<0.05. Some of the IK content identified promotes safer sexual practices, while some information was gendered and misleading on HIV prevention. At family level, mothers were most popular information source (48%) while at school, senior men teachers (65%) were identified. Multimedia was preferred by the adolescents for communication of IK including; print (78%), Electronic (74%) and IK media (68%). The study concluded that the cultural approach has not yet been fully operationalized for HIV prevention in the schools. The study recommends that a national IK school health policy be developed by the MoES to guide IK use and make it acceptable in the school setting. The level of interaction, synergies between IK sources and adolescents in the schools be strengthened and both misleading and useful indigenous information documented in this study is integrated in HIV/AIDS school information.
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    Evaluation of information systems and services in Mengo Hospital, Uganda
    (Makerere University, 2025-06-16) Kwetiza, Francis
    The rapid advancement of health information technologies has significantly transformed healthcare operations globally. This study evaluates the adoption and utilization of Health Information Systems (HIS) at Mengo Hospital, Uganda, to assess their effectiveness in improving healthcare delivery. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, integrating both quantitative and qualitative research methods. Data collection involved structured questionnaires administered to 67 system users, semi-structured interviews with 10 IT staff, and document reviews. The findings reveal that Mengo Hospital has integrated various information systems, including the Outpatient Service System, Laboratory Management System (LMS), Clinic Master, and Counselling Information System. These systems support patient records, appointment scheduling, laboratory procedures, and billing. However, some departments, such as pharmacy and radiology, have underutilized systems, indicating gaps in integration and user adoption. The study found that HIS adoption was moderate, with 54% of respondents actively using the systems, though usability challenges persist. Qualitative findings highlighted the need for system updates and user-friendly interfaces. Staff training on HIS utilization was also found to be inadequate, contributing to underutilization, especially among non-technical personnel. The study recommended comprehensive staff training programs, system integration across departments, and policy reforms to enhance system maintenance, periodic updates, and patient data security. These improvements will optimize HIS adoption, leading to better healthcare outcomes and overall system sustainability.
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    Assessment of Library and Information Services at Uganda National Roads Authority
    (Makerere University, 2025) Kamusiime, Nicholas
    The study assessed the Library and Information Services Provision at the UNRA Library with the aim of identifying the services provide challenges faced so as to improve Library and Information Services provision at the Library. The objectives of the study were to: 1) establish the range of information resources available in the UNRA Library, 2) identify library and information services provided by the UNRA Library, 3) establish challenges hindering UNRA library in delivering library and information services and 4) suggest strategies for improving Library and Information services by the UNRA Library. The study emphasized the importance of efficient library service provision for improving organizational performance. The study used a case study research design to maintain focus on identifying viable strategies for improving UNRA library services. The study adopted interviews, questionnaires, observation and document review methods to collect data from 45 participants. Participants were chosen from UNRA headquarters through random and purposive sampling. The findings of the study revealed that the UNRA Library has a range of information resources and users were found to occasionally utilize the resources offered by the UNRA library, such as standards and specifications, books and reports, policy papers, journals and periodicals, government publications and online databases, for various tasks. The key Library and Information services included orientation services, circulation services, current awareness services, indexing and knowledge management services, reference and research assistance services, selective dissemination of information, document delivery and interlibrary loans. The major challenges identified included limited resources, insufficient e-resources, limited specialized content on UNRA operations and lack of awareness among UNRA staff as well as lack of library management policy. The study concludes that while the UNRA Library provides basic services, significant gaps remain in specialized services, resource currency, accessibility and awareness. The lack of prioritization for services for persons with disabilities is a critical oversight. Addressing these shortcomings is essential for enhancing the library’s role in supporting UNRA's mission and goals. It is recommended that UNRA Library should address budget constraints to ensure regular updating and acquisition of current resources, prioritize services for persons with disabilities by ensuring the physical infrastructure is fully accessible, including ramps and elevators and invest in retooling staff with training in key subject areas relevant to UNRA, such as road construction, promoting awareness of the Library services to the staff is also critical.
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    Antenatal mental health information provision at China Uganda Friendship Hospital Naguru, Uganda
    (Makerere University, 2024-11) Kutyamukama, Alice Gitta
    Some women experience psychological distress or psychological illness when pregnant or after giving birth. Depression and anxiety are the most widely recognized psychological well-being issues during pregnancy. The study aimed to investigate antenatal mental health information provision in China Uganda Friendship Hospital Naguru in Uganda (CUFHN). Objectives were to: examine Antenatal Mental Health Information (AMHI) needs of pregnant women with mental health challenges, at CUFHN; establish antenatal mental health information services and sources through which information is provided; examine provision, access, utilization, and benefits of antenatal mental health information to the pregnant women with mental distress; determine the barriers, towards provision, access, and utilization of antenatal mental health information. This research adopted a case study research design, with a qualitative research approach. The research further used the interpretivism research paradigm to deal with in-depth variables and factors relating to AMHI. Purposive and Convenience sampling techniques were adopted as sampling strategies. The study found that the AMHI needs of pregnant women at CUFHN were stress management, emotional change, a variety of information and awareness topics, management of antenatal mental health symptoms, and myths and cultural beliefs among women indicating the importance of addressing their antenatal mental health information needs. The services provided by CUFHN to pregnant women included: counseling services, mental health services support, education and awareness through health talks, gender-based violence screening and mental assessment services, information on pregnancy-related complications services, and information dissemination services. The sources through which information is provided include: Television screens, charts, posters, notice boards, experienced peer-to-peer, and brochures. AMHI was accessed through print media posters, brochures; hospital television sets, and information through organized sessions by CUFHN and peer-to-peer support. Barriers included stigma, cultural beliefs, limited access to information, lack of adequate space, lack of awareness, follow-up challenges, and weak referral information provision systems. The study concluded that addressing antenatal mental health information provision among pregnant women is crucial. Timely intervention and support remain crucial for recovery, providing comprehensive information packages regarding these mental health issues is essential to meet xv pregnant women's antenatal mental health information needs and promote awareness. Addressing pregnant women's antenatal mental health needs is vital for enhancing maternal well-being and ensuring informed decision-making among pregnant women, providing comprehensive information packages regarding these antenatal mental health issues is essential to meet pregnant women's antenatal mental health information needs and promoting information awareness. The study recommends AMHI provision and access policy, CUFHN should adopt the proposed model, which the researcher believes should be able to address all the challenges the hospital and the pregnant women are facing. The government of Uganda through the Ministry of Health should support CUFHN to incorporate antenatal mental health information provision to be part of the work policies, CUFHN should provide a safe and private space for pregnant women to express concerns and receive information on guidance, coping strategies, and psycho-education on managing stress, anxiety, and depression