Factors influencing equitable distribution of water supply and sanitation services in Uganda

Inequitable distribution of water and sanitation services has received national recognition and equity has been adopted as a key theme that should be monitored and measured every year as part of the sector’s performance review. The study revealed that existing policy prescriptions, strategies and guidelines are largely inclusive of equity provisions. The problem is more of policy translations and application at the district and lower levels. The study concluded that, whereas other factor such as natural occurrence of water, hydro-geological factors and availability of funds combine to dictate the choice of technology for water service delivery, political influence seems to be decisive in actual allocation of water points to be constructed especially where there is no accurate information and uncertainty about the technical criteria to use

Social capital and resilience among people living on antiretroviral therapy in resource-poor Uganda

<div><p>Background</p><p>Despite the national roll-out of free HIV medicines in Uganda and other sub-Saharan African countries, many HIV positive patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART) are at risk of non-adherence due to poverty and other structural and health system related constraints. However, several patients exhibit resilience by attaining and sustaining high levels of adherence amid adversity. Social capital, defined as resources embedded within social networks, is key in facilitating resilience but the mechanism through which it operates remains understudied. This article provides insights into mechanisms through which social capital enables patients on ART in a resource-poor setting to overcome risk and sustain adherence to treatment.</p><p>Methodology</p><p>The article draws from an ethnographic study of 50 adult male and female HIV patients enrolled at two treatment sites in Uganda, 15 of whom were followed-up for an extended period of six months for narrative interviews and observation. The patients were selected purposively on the basis of socio-demographic and treatment related criteria.</p><p>Findings</p><p>Social capital protects patients on ART against the risk of non-adherence in three ways. 1) It facilitates access to scarce resources; 2) encourages HIV patients to continue on treatment; and 3) averts risk for non-adherence.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>Social capital is a key resource that can be harnessed to promote resilience among HIV patients in a resource-limited setting amid individual, structural and health system related barriers to ART adherence. Invigoration and maintenance of collectivist norms may however be necessary if its protective benefits are to be fully realized.</p></div