8 research outputs found
âA Pokot Man has One or Two Wives âŠ..â: An Ethnographic Discourse of the Polygynous Pokot Family Setup at the Kenya-Uganda Border
Situating the social sciences in responsible innovation in the global south: the case of gene drive mosquitoes
This is the final version. Available on open access from Routledge via the DOI in this recordData access statement: This paper draws on secondary data analysis. Further information on the original data sets can be found in the connected published papers and workshop report referenced in the methods section.There has been growing attention in recent years on the potential reconfiguration of responsible innovation (RI) to increase its relevance for global challenges in the Global South. This reconfiguration will require a broad and empowered role for social scientists. Yet RI has been preoccupied with public and stakeholder inclusion, rather than social science inclusion. We probe this gap through a case study of the social sciences in the development of gene drive mosquitoes for malaria control in Mali and Uganda. Our data reveals potential diverse roles and future research agendas for the social sciences. We outline some challenges facing the social sciences in this space and ways to promote and support them. Lastly, we argue that RIâs predilection for reflexive and critical social science obscures a richer repertoire of social science roles that are an imperative and fundamental part of efforts to address global challenges in the Global South.British AcademyUniversity of Exete
âAs soon as they can hold a glass, they begin taking alcoholâ: a qualitative study on early childhood substance use in Mbale District, Uganda
Background
Globally, substance use is a leading contributor to the burden of disease among young people, with far reaching social, economic and health effects. Following a finding of harmful alcohol use among 5-8-year-old children in Mbale District, Uganda, this study aims to investigate community membersâ views on early childhood substance use among children below the age of 10 years.
Methods
In 2016, we conducted eight focus group discussions with 48 parents and 26 key informant interviews with teachers, health workers, alcohol distributors, traditional healers, religious leaders, community leaders and youth workers. We used thematic content analysis. Four participants and two research assistants reviewed and confirmed the findings.
Results
Alcohol in everyday life: âEven children on laps taste alcoholâ: Almost all participants confirmed the existence of and concern for substance use before age 10. They described a context where substance use was widespread in the community, especially intake of local alcoholic brews. Children would access substances in the home or buy it themselves. Those living in poor neighbourhoods or slums and children of brewers were described as particularly exposed.
Using substances to cope: âWe donât want them to drinkâ: Participants explained that some used substances to cope with a lack of food and resources for childcare, as well as traumatic experiences. This made children in deprived families and street-connected children especially vulnerable to substance use. Participants believed this was a result of seeing no alternative solution.
Conclusions
To our knowledge, this is the first study to describe the context and conditions of childhood substance use before age 10 in Mbale District, Uganda. The study shows that community members attributed early childhood substance use to a social context of widespread use in the community, which was exacerbated by conditions of material and emotional deprivation. These social determinants for this practice deserve public health attention and intervention.publishedVersio
âA Pokot Man has One or Two Wives âŠ..â: An Ethnographic Discourse of the Polygynous Pokot Family Setup at the Kenya-Uganda Border
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âThere is nowhere to take the childâ: a qualitative study of community membersâ views on managing early childhood substance use in Mbale, Uganda
Background
Harmful alcohol use by 5â8-year-old children has been identified in Mbale District, Uganda. To further examine this finding, the present study explores the experiences and perceptions of community members regarding how childhood substance use (before age 10) is managed in this area.
Methods
We conducted eight focus group discussions with 48 parents of children agedâ<â10 years and 26 key informant interviews with teachers, health workers, child protection workers, police, local stakeholders, brewers, and others. Thematic content analysis was performed.
Results
Three main themes were identified:
âWe donât talk about itâ: Despite concern, childhood substance use was not addressed in the community. Participants attributed this to three main factors related to a lack of leadership in addressing it, changing acceptability for peer parental interference, and uncertainty about repercussions related to childrenâs rights.
âThere is nowhere to take the childâ: Schools, police, and remand homes were intuitively considered appropriate arenas for managing childhood substance use but were considered inaccessible, unresponsive, and inadequate due to insufficient resources, competence, and training. Since substance use was not considered a medical problem, help from the health sector was only sought for adverse consequences, such as injury. This left the participants with the experience that there was in effect nowhere to take the child.
âThe government has not done so muchâ: The participants called for government action and clear laws that would regulate the availability of alcohol and other substances to children, but they had limited trust in the capacity and commitment of the government to act.
Conclusions
The participants were concerned about childhood alcohol and substance use, but the complexity and magnitude of the problem left them feeling incapacitated in responding. Relevant factors were identified on the community, institutional, and the government level, such as a lack of leadership in addressing it, a loss of mandate to interfere in child-rearing, inadequate services, weak legal structures, and missing government action. A strengthening of collective agency and public policy is necessary to prevent and address childhood alcohol and substance use.publishedVersio
âAs soon as they can hold a glass, they begin taking alcoholâ: a qualitative study on early childhood substance use in Mbale District, Uganda
Background
Globally, substance use is a leading contributor to the burden of disease among young people, with far reaching social, economic and health effects. Following a finding of harmful alcohol use among 5-8-year-old children in Mbale District, Uganda, this study aims to investigate community membersâ views on early childhood substance use among children below the age of 10 years.
Methods
In 2016, we conducted eight focus group discussions with 48 parents and 26 key informant interviews with teachers, health workers, alcohol distributors, traditional healers, religious leaders, community leaders and youth workers. We used thematic content analysis. Four participants and two research assistants reviewed and confirmed the findings.
Results
Alcohol in everyday life: âEven children on laps taste alcoholâ: Almost all participants confirmed the existence of and concern for substance use before age 10. They described a context where substance use was widespread in the community, especially intake of local alcoholic brews. Children would access substances in the home or buy it themselves. Those living in poor neighbourhoods or slums and children of brewers were described as particularly exposed.
Using substances to cope: âWe donât want them to drinkâ: Participants explained that some used substances to cope with a lack of food and resources for childcare, as well as traumatic experiences. This made children in deprived families and street-connected children especially vulnerable to substance use. Participants believed this was a result of seeing no alternative solution.
Conclusions
To our knowledge, this is the first study to describe the context and conditions of childhood substance use before age 10 in Mbale District, Uganda. The study shows that community members attributed early childhood substance use to a social context of widespread use in the community, which was exacerbated by conditions of material and emotional deprivation. These social determinants for this practice deserve public health attention and intervention