http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/3971 2026-08-12T05:40:32Z http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/10439 Estimating Causal Effects of Malaria Infection on Anaemia Among Children Under Five Years in Uganda: Evidence From a Cross-Sectional Malaria Indicator Survey Mwangi, Ann; Kerich, Gregory Kibet; Tum, Isaac Kipkosgei; Merveille Essetcheou, Scholastique M.; Jimmy, Abraham Isiaka; Kazonda, Herbert Tafadzwa; Awor, Susan; Mwebesa, Edson; Agbi, Delight Mawufemor; Agasa, Lameck Ondieki Background and Aims: Malaria and anemia remain major public health challenges contributing substantially to morbidity and mortality among children under 5 years in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA). Although conventional regression analyses have reported a significant association between malaria infection and anemia, these approaches often inadequately account for socioeconomic and demographic confounders, thereby limiting causal interpretation. This study aimed to estimate the causal effect of malaria infection on anemia among children under five in Uganda using a robust quasi‐experimental approach. Methods: We conducted a Propensity Score Matched (PSM) analysis using data from the 2018–2019 Uganda Malaria Indicator (Cross‐Sectional) Survey (UMIS). The study population comprised children under 5 years of age with complete data on malaria status (exposure) and anemia status (outcome). A logistic regression model was used to estimate the propensity scores, incorporating a comprehensive set of child‐level, maternal, and contextual covariates. The Average Treatment Effect on the Treated (ATT) was estimated in Stata v14.0 using survey weights to account for the UMIS complex sampling design. Result: The prevalence of malaria infection among children under five was 23.6% [95% CI: 19.8, 27.8], while the prevalence of anaemia (mild, moderate, or severe) was 51.2% [95% CI: 48.3, 54.1]. The effect of exposure to malaria infection on anaemia was positive and significant [Average Treatment Effect of the Treated (ATT) = 25.6%, 95% CI: 17.6%, 33.5%, p < 0.001]. These results indicate that malaria infection increases the likelihood of anaemia by 25.5 percentage points among infected children under five in Uganda, after adjusting for key confounders. Conclusion: Malaria infection is a major driver of anaemia among Ugandan children under five. Strengthening malaria prevention and prompt treatment could substantially reduce childhood anemia and its associated health burden. 2026-07-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/10290 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 http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/7989 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 http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/7416 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