IYCF practices among children determine their nutritional status. It is important to practice the recommended feeding practices to prevent malnutrition and improve survival of children. The aim of this study was to identify the IYCF practices among adolescent mothers and nutritional status of their children aged 6-23 months in Iganga district. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 150 adolescent mothers aged 10-19 years with children aged 6-23 months from the different constituencies in Iganga district. A questionnaire was used to collect information on socio-demographic characteristics, nutritional status and IYCF practices. This study reported that most of the adolescent mothers (72%) were aged 18-19 years and 52.7% had attained primary level of education. Of the children born to adolescent mothers, 41% were stunted, 59.5% were underweight and 91.9% were wasted. Only 48.7% of the adolescent mothers initiated breastfeeding within one hour of birth and 42.7% exclusively breastfed for the first six months of the child’s life. The minimum meal frequency was met by 58% of the children. Very few children (19.3%) met the minimum dietary diversity score of ≥ 4 and half of the children (53.3%) did not eat any Vitamin A rich fruits and vegetables. Majority of the respondents (72%) drunk unboiled water and only 18% washed their children’s hands with clean water and soap before meals. The IYCF practices that were significantly associated with the nutritional status of children included breastfeeding practices (p=0.032), meal frequency (p=0.029), dietary diversity (p=0.008), and safety of drinking water (p=0.047). In conclusion, under nutrition is the prevalent form of malnutrition among children born to adolescent mothers and this is because of the poor IYCF practices among the adolescent mothers in Iganga district. This suggests that nutrition education should be given to adolescent mothers to improve their awareness about the IYCF practices and their importance. Key words: Adolescent mothers, IYCF practices, nutritional status, Iganga, Uganda

A significantly high loss in agricultural yield of bananas, worldwide, is attributed to the plant parasitic nematodes. Radopholus similis is one of the key pests of banana worldwide, causing reduction in plant growth of banana by more than 50% and decreases productive life of banana fields. The most effective remedy against these plant pests pauses a great environmental concern since nematicides are some of the most highly toxic chemical pesticides on market. In this study, aqueous leaf extracts of Lantana camara and Datura stramonium were tested for their nematicidal potential against Radopholus similis. The nematicidal effect of these aqueous leaf extracts was evaluated after different hours of exposure. All the aqueous leaf extracts of Lantana camara and Datura stramonium demonstrated significant in-vitro nematicidal activity against Radopholus similis, the burrowing nematode of banana compared to the control treatment which was sterile distilled water. Insignificant mortality of the nematodes was also observed in the control treatment. The percentage mortality (nematicidal effect) increased with increase in the hours of exposure. Datura stramonium aqueous leaf extract demonstrated a high nematicidal effect against Radopholus similis compared to Lantana camara aqueous leaf extract. The two plant extracts did not have a synergistic effect against Radopholus similis. The results obtained in the study demonstrate the potential of using Lantana camara and Datura stramonium aqueous leaf extracts as potential substitutes of chemical nematicides in the control of Radopholus similis, a key pest affecting banana production.

The project aimed at designing and developing an online resource ordering and acquisition for Uganda National Council for Science and Technology. This was achieved by the project objectives which were to examine the current system of resource ordering and acquisition, determine the challenges associated with the current ordering and acquisition system, determine the requirement for developing a library ordering and acquisition system, design and develop a library acquisition system for UNCST. It began with an extensive search for information concerning stakeholders’ attitudes towards the automation function in the library. The automation of the circulation and cataloguing function led to the acquisition too. The project cast-off a case study project design and a qualitative research approach. Data was extracted from both secondary and primary sources. Primary source involved the application of face to face interviews with respondents whereas secondary data was obtained through reviewing existing documents in the library. The data collection tool explored the participates’ experiences and opinions of resource ordering and acquisition patterns in the library. Respondents were overwhelmingly in favor of automating the acquisition function as a trend. The project had a sample size of twelve (12) respondents which was reached through the application of the data saturation principle. This project applied the qualitative content analysis as a (text) interpretation method for the qualitative interviews and other data materials given. Findings obtained from the project that made the system design and development viable were the major challenges encountered in the resource ordering and acquisition process in UNCST Library. These included bureaucracy, lack of a CDP, unnecessary delays, fraud and embezzlement and the scattered nature of book publishers which laid a basis for requirement elicitation, design and implementation of an online resource ordering and acquisition system for UNCST library. The project however, concluded that purchase prevails as the major mode of resource acquisition and other methods are neither alternatives nor supplements but rather complements and it recommended that UNCST should improve its library budget to meet its housekeeping functions and maintenance of the automated systems, train library staff to equip the with modern skills and should make use of the developed ordering and acquisition system as a solution to all the challenges encountered with the manual resource ordering and acquisition system in UNCST library as well as formulation of a collection development policy to guide resource acquisition.

Background The study was carried out to identify the reasons for low levels of adherence to occupational safety and health measures among the restaurant workers. The study was done because despite the availability of effective interventions to prevent occupational hazards and to protect and promote health at work place, there are still noticeable accidents among employees in restaurants due to gaps in adherence to OSH measures. Objective The main objective under study was to assess the factors influencing the adherence to occupational safety and health measures by employees in selected restaurants in Kampala District. Methodology The study followed quantitative and qualitative research methods using a cross-sectional survey design. The target population comprised of restaurant kitchen workers including; chefs, waiters, waitresses, managers and cleaners in the selected restaurants and 230 workers were interviewed. Purposive sampling procedure was employed to provide the data relevant to the study. Research administered questionnaires and key informant interviews were used to collect data. With the quantitative tools, the analysis was done using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS 16.0) programme, Microsoft excel, absolute figures, tables, percentages and statistical tools such as graphs, charts were used. Whereas for qualitative, analysis of feedback from interviews was done manually. Results The major findings in this study were as follows; Out of the 230 interviewed respondents, 54.40% of them adhered to OSH measures and the use of gloves was least adhered to with only 12 (5.2%) adherence. The study revealed that the restaurant population is also dominated by males with 124(53.9%) than females 106 (46.1%). At the bivariate analysis, under the sociodemographic factors, gender (p-value <0.001) and monthly income (p-value <0.001) were found to have a significant influence on the restaurant worker’s adherence to OSH measures. Awareness of precautionary measures against risks (p-value 0.035) and awareness of the importance of personal protective gears (p-value 0.023) were found to have some statistically significant influence on the restaurant worker’s adherence to OSH measures. Distance to work (p-value<0.048), cleaning schedule prepared (p-value<0.001) and company providing personal protective equipment (p-value <0.001) under the institutional factors were found to have a significant influence on the workers adherence to OSH measures. At multivariate analysis, under gender the males were 2.4 times more likely to adhere to OSH measures than the female workers (OR=2.4, 95% C.I 1.1-5.3, P-value=0.029). The restaurant workers who said were aware of the precautionary measures were 17 times more likely to adhere to safety measures than workers who were not aware (OR=16.9, 95% C.I6.7-42.7, P-value= <0.001). The workers who said that the management provided safety equipments were 3 times more likely to adhere to safety measures than those who claimed that management did not provide anything (OR=3.2, 95% C.I 1.5-6.8, P-value= 0.003). Conclusion and Recommendations In conclusion, the restaurant worker’s gender, knowledge of precautionary measures and their acknowledgement of management providing safety equipment significantly influenced their adherence to OSH measures at work. The study recommends emphasis be put on the female restaurant workers to adhere to safety measures, workers focusing on precautionary measures against risks at work and management of restaurants insisting on the availability of safety equipments.

Introduction: Malnutrition is still highly prevalent among pregnant women in Uganda with 12% of them being undernourished 64% of pregnant women and 53% of lactating women being anemic and 18.6% of pregnant women and 17.3% of lactating mothers having Vitamin A deficiency. Many of the 200 million women who become pregnant each year, most of them in developing countries suffer from ongoing nutritional deficiencies, repeated infections and the long term cumulative consequences of under nutrition during their own childhood.(UNICEF, 2009) General objective: The study assessed the factors contributing to malnutrition among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Mityana hospital, Mityana district. Research methodology: The study employed a cross-sectional research design to collect data on factors contributing to malnutrition in pregnant mothers. A Convenient sampling method was adopted to recruit 325 mothers into this study. Structured questionnaire was used to collect data and data was analyzed using SPSS16 version. Results: The study revealed that, of the 325 pregnant mothers interviewed, 45.38% (147/325) were found to be malnourished. Lack of balanced diet [OR=3.2 (CI=1.54-6.88) P=0.002 ], Parity more than 4 [OR=2.22 (CI=1.06-4.64) P=0.035 ], Having food taboos [OR=0.17 (CI=0.05-0.52) P=0.002], Age more than 30 years [OR=26.4(CI=6.07-114.9) P=0.001],Christians [OR=0.29 (CI=0.13- 0.66) P=0.003]and monthly income more than Ush.100,000 [OR=2.72(CI=1.04-7.08)P=0.04], we found to the contributing factors to malnutrition among pregnant mothers in Mityana district. Conclusion: The study found out that the prevalence of malnutrition was moderately high. Age more than 30 years, Christian faith religion, monthly income of more than Ush. 100,000, lack of a balanced diet, parity more than 4 and having food taboos were found to be the major independent variables contributing to malnutrition among pregnant women attending ANC in Mityana hospital, Mityana district. Recommendation: Therefore, Community based nutrition and maternal health programs should be established to tackle the problem of malnutrition and poor knowledge and attitudes on maternal health in the community.

Background: Complementary feeding is defined as the process starting when breast milk alone is no longer sufficient to meet the nutritional requirements of infants, and therefore other foods and liquids are needed, along with breast milk. The transition from exclusive breastfeeding to family foods – referred to as complementary feeding typically covers the period from 6 - 24 months of age, even though breastfeeding may continue up to two years of age and beyond. Objective: The purpose of the study was to determine knowledge, attitude and practices of lactating mothers towards complementary feeding in order to reduce the morbidity and mortality among the under-five children. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study and descriptive in nature, employing quantitative methods of data collection which was used to assess knowledge, attitude and practices of lactating mothers towards complementary feeding among 108 lactating mothers at Kateete health center II who were selected using systematic sampling method, data was analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results: From the data analyzed, all 100% of the respondents knew that the baby should be breastfed on demand and most of them 88.9% exclusively breastfed their babes for six months, 70.4% of the respondents knew that fruits and vegetables are suitable complementary foods, 75.9% had knowledge that a child should be assisted to eat until 2 years of age, 82.4% of the respondents knew that breastfeeding should be initiated within an hour after birth. Three quarter of the respondents strongly disagreed that it is not possible for baby to survive on breastfeeding for six months while 65.7% of them also strongly agreed that exclusive breastfeeding is enough for the child before six months. 58.3% of the respondents initiated complementary feeding before six months. Half 50.9% of the respondents fed their children three times a day, and 64.8% washed their hands with soap before feeding the baby Conclusions and Recommendations: In conclusion, this study revealed that knowledge of the mothers towards CF was good, the attitude was moderate and the practices of CF was poor as majority introduced CF before six months. Therefore, the study recommends accurate information and education to be given to mothers and caregivers about appropriate timing of initiating CF, CF foods, preparation and practices to prevent malnutrition and improve the health status of the children. Emphasize the need of teaching mothers the importance of infant feeding.

Background Adolescence signifies the transition from girlhood to womanhood and is marked with the onset of menarche. There is a significant gap in the knowledge on menstruation among the adolescent girls. Menstrual hygiene management is an important contention that is inadequately acknowledged and has not gotten sufficient attention. The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls between S1- S4 at St Aloysius Bwanda Secondary School Kalungu so as to adopt interventions to promote adequate menstrual hygiene. Methodology: The study was cross sectional quantitative data involving 188 adolescent girls who were sampled randomly. Data was collected through questionnaires. Results: Only 36(19.1%) girls correctly defined menstrual hygiene. The important source of information on menstrual hygiene for the girls was found to be their mothers. More than three quarters of the girls in the study were not aware of the source of menstrual bleeding. Sanitary pads were used by 59.0% of the girls in the study. The practice of the changing absorbent was reported in 29.3% of the girls. Satisfactory cleaning of the external genitalia was practiced by 51.6% of the study girls. 34% of the girls had various different restrictions attached to them during menstruation periods. Conclusion: The study established that the overall level of knowledge of the adolescent girls on menstrual hygiene was generally low. This study reveals that adolescent girls had generally negative attitudes towards menstrual hygiene and practices of the adolescent girls towards menstrual hygiene was generally poor. Recommendations: Therefore, school authorities should take up at least weekly sessions on the issues related to menstrual hygiene, invite various experts at times to address the important issues and teachers should address some issues in class and also inform the students about good and reputable sources which they should access for correct information. Matters concerning menstrual hygiene should be discussed with parents and their children an solutions thought to improvise on disposal bins and incinerators. The government and the Ministry of Education and Sports should revise policies concerning school construction and settings to suit girl child education for example constructing classrooms that have private sanitary facilities.

My internship according to my placement in the hospital was to acquire skills (practical) as related to the course of public health I was pursuing or undertaking. I was to acquire skills as according to the different activities in the hospital, how to handle several people who are of different cultures, backgrounds, origins and how to handle life issues outside school. The public health activities that I carried out included voluntary testing and counseling for anyone who came for the service especially the expectant mothers with their husbands. health education for the teenagers and also OPD patients, immunization, taking BP and weights for the patients and lastly giving patients form 5 after their details have been written on it, opening files for the new l-IIV patients and updating the old positively living patients in the HMIS register book supplied by ministry of health, condom distribution and sensitization on how they are used, booking of expectant mothers for antenatal care while recording on the antenatal cards, genuine health education of mothers on the proper breast feeding and nutrition, family planning and proper sanitation, RDT for malaria and HIV, administering of drugs, updating of the stock cards and filling of tally sheets for the store, advising of males to opt for safe male circumcision and also community health education on disease prevention. Through all the above mentioned activities, I was able to learn skills like counseling, management and also interpersonal, associating with different cultural backgrounds, drug administration, keeping confidentiality and also respect of autonomy of the patients. Not only did I gain from my internship placement but also were some challenges like the internship time was not enough in order to gain experience in the several activities I was involved in at Kisugu health centre iii, limited work space and resources and few staff at the health centre.

Introduction: Private Health Insurance is viewed across the world as an important health financing mechanisms that serves to protect households from the direct financial consequences that comes with out-of-pocket expenditure for health care. This research investigates patients' willingness to join and pay for private health insurance scheme in Mukwaya General Hospital, Makindye Division, Kampala City. Methods: A cross sectional non‐interventionist exploratory study design was used. The study involved both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. Proportionate probability sampling was done to select 150 out patients to participate in the study and Pearson’s Chi square (X2) test of association was performed to find the association between sets of categorical variables. Results: There is low level of knowledge and understanding of PHI with women (71.4%), Catholics (62.3%) and those not in formal employments (32.6%) less knowledgeable. Seventy eight (78%) of the respondents were not insured and they mentioned lack of knowledge and high premium as barriers to enrollment for PHI. Eighty three percent (83.8%) of the respondents were willing to join PHI and most of them were willing to pay less Ugshs 100,000 ($38.5) per person annually. Conclusion and recommendation: Level of knowledge and coverage of PHI s still low. Most patients were willing to join private health insurance. PHI companies and HMOs need to intensify public awareness campaigns especially in the informal sector. Varied and flexible forms of payment and improved quality services should be encouraged in order to attract and retain new subscribers.

Globally only 35% of infants are breast feed within first hour after delivery and only 37% of newborn are exclusively breast feed up to 6 months (WHO, 2006). Sub- optimal breast feeding particularly non- exclusive breast feeding for the first six month after birth, leads to 1.4 million mortality and 10% of morbidity in children less than five years of age (WHO, 2010). The broad objective the study is to investigate factors influencing status exclusive breast feeding among mothers in kisenyi village – Rubaga division Kampala. The research is descriptive study cross-sectional design that employs both qualitative and quantitative method of data collection. All mothers of infants (0– 24 months) who consent to participate in the study and who were mentally sound were the primary target respondents. A sample size of 393 mothers was determined using Kish and Leslie formula and systematic sample method was used to enroll participants in to the study The proportion of mothers who breast feed their babies is high at 89% although, those who exclusively breast feed their babies in Kisenyi is very low at 22% which is much lower than the national prevalence of 60%. Most Majority of the study participants were youths between 15-35 years (86%). 63.6% of them reported to be married living with their partners or engaged in some form of relationship. There were more Christians (61.1%) than Muslims (38.9%). Majority were Ugandans and Somalis although there were also Kenyan, Congolese and Sudanese. The study concludes that prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding is generally low among mothers in Kisenyi. The most noteworthy factors that significantly associated with exclusive breastfeeding practice found in this study were socio- demographic factors; age of mother, marital status and occupation. The health service factors among breastfeeding education and place of delivery also influence breastfeeding. Likewise the other health factors like illnesses of the mother’s side and baby and nutritional factors. These findings suggest a need for a more extensive and comprehensive approach of breastfeeding education and especially of exclusive breastfeeding. The important issues that are related to infant feeding , that are brought up by this study, needs to be taken into account by implementers and policy makers for the purpose of accelerating exclusive breastfeeding practice mothers. However, since health workers are the sole supporters of infant feeding practices, in particular exclusive breastfeeding, capacity building should be done to ensure that they have current information and positive attitude towards EBF.