Gambling Prevalence and Factors Associated with Gambling Participation among University Students in Uganda

This paper examines the prevalence of gambling for gain among university students and to gain a theory-based understanding and knowledge of the influence factors of this gambling behaviour based on the University Student Psychosocial Problems Development Theory (USPPDT). Relatively little is known about the factors associated with students’ gambling for financial gain encompassing a student’s biosocial/cultural and psycho characteristics informed by a theory. Participants were recruited from two public and three private universities in Uganda. A total of 1101 randomly selected students participated in the study and 976 (88.6%) completed the survey instruments. The self-reported current prevalence of gambling participation was 281 (28.8%) among university students (≥ 19 years). In agreement with the theory and findings from the study, student demographic characteristics, study program characteristics, student-related health burden characteristics, psychosocial functioning, and antisocial behaviour items were particularly predictive of students’ participation in gambling for financial gain. These risk factors for gambling are not presumed as causation, identifying them points to important implications in terms of prevention and intervention on student gambling behaviour. This points to a considered interplay of different players in designing transversal strategies for a student at risk for gambling

Level of Satisfaction with the Learning Environment and Transition to Employment among Health Professions Graduates at a Ugandan Medical School

Background. To ensure training quality, medical training institutions must provide an adequate learning environment and prepare trainees for work but there is research paucity on the subject. We determined the level of satisfaction with the learning environment and transition to employment among graduates of a Ugandan medical school. Materials and Methods. We conducted an online cross-sectional survey among graduates of Mbarara University of Science and Technology medical school in Uganda, graduating between 1995 and 2020 between March and November 2022. We used Likert scales to measure satisfaction with the learning environment and assessed relevance of the training in transition to the job market. Participants were reached by snowballing and data were analyzed using R-Studio. Results. A total of 361 graduates responded to the survey. Majority were male (72%) and reported having formal employment (94%). Most (57.4%) of the graduates were satisfied with the quality of teaching at medical school. In contrast, fewer graduates (31.2%) were satisfied with the state of the infrastructure at the university and the opportunities available to influence medical school policy such as inclusion on key medical school governance committees. Majority (85%) utilized the knowledge and skills acquired at university in their current job and 75% were satisfied with their ability to perform well under pressure. However, only 37% and 25.4% reported that the medical school supported them in internship and employment search. Conclusion. Students were satisfied with the teaching quality at the university and their ability to perform well at their jobs. However, gaps exist in infrastructure and preparation for transition to jobs. Hence, a need to improve infrastructure

Paving the Path to Patient-Centered Healthcare in Africa: Insights From a Student Led Initiative

Patient-centered care (PCC) is a key domain of healthcare quality. Its importance is driven by evidence-based medicine, the predominance of chronic conditions requiring self-care, and the recognition of the priority of patient goals, values, priorities, and preferences in determining care plans. This article emphasizes the urgent need for Africa to develop PCC and a workforce committed to its implementation, as well as highlights an initiative by African medical students to champion PCC continent-wide. Embracing this transformative approach presents Africa with an unprecedented opportunity to improve care for each person. Through a comprehensive exploration of unique strategies and considerations in African health professions education, this viewpoint seeks to spark dialogue and inspire action towards a future where patient-centered care is the foundation of healthcare delivery in Africa

Problematic use of the internet, smartphones, and social media among medical students and relationship with depression: An exploratory study.

BackgroundStudents in sub-Saharan African countries experienced online classes for the first time during the COVID-19 pandemic. For some individuals, greater online engagement can lead to online dependency, which can be associated with depression. The present study explored the association between problematic use of the internet, social media, and smartphones with depression symptoms among Ugandan medical students.MethodsA pilot study was conducted among 269 medical students at a Ugandan public university. Using a survey, data were collected regarding socio-demographic factors, lifestyle, online use behaviors, smartphone addiction, social media addiction, and internet addiction. Hierarchical linear regression models were performed to explore the associations of different forms of online addiction with depression symptom severity.ResultsThe findings indicated that 16.73% of the medical students had moderate to severe depression symptoms. The prevalence of being at risk of (i) smartphone addiction was 45.72%, (ii) social media addiction was 74.34%, and (iii) internet addiction use was 8.55%. Online use behaviors (e.g., average hours spent online, types of social media platforms used, the purpose for internet use) and online-related addictions (to smartphones, social media, and the internet) predicted approximately 8% and 10% of the severity of depression symptoms, respectively. However, over the past two weeks, life stressors had the highest predictability for depression (35.9%). The final model predicted a total of 51.9% variance for depression symptoms. In the final model, romantic relationship problems (ß = 2.30, S.E = 0.58; pConclusionDespite life stressors being the largest predictor of depression symptom score severity, problematic online use also contributed significantly. Therefore, it is recommended that medical students' mental health care services consider digital wellbeing and its relationship with problematic online use as part of a more holistic depression prevention and resilience program