A television study on the influence of media ownership on news content in Uganda: a comparison of Wavah Broadcasting Services (WBS) and Nation Television (NTV).

Doctor of Philosophy in the Centre for Communication, Media and Society University of KwaZulu-Natal. Durban, 2018.The media play an important role of entertaining, educating and informing society (Herman and Chomsky, 1988:1). The education and information offered by the media consequently helps citizens to make informed decisions. However, a number of factors including media ownership have over time stifled the functions of the media limiting its ability to advance issues of public interest (Mcchesney, 2008:37; Nyarko, 2015: ii). This study therefore sought to investigate how media ownership has influenced news content in Ugandan television stations. The study compared two television stations (WBS and NTV) representing different ownership structures. WBS is an independently owned station while NTV is owned by a regional media conglomerate called Nation Media Group (NMG). A study on television was necessary given that the existing literature on media ownership in Uganda does not adequately address television. Most studies on this subject have focused on newspapers and radio stations. Yet, television is increasingly becoming a major source of information for many Ugandans. Quantitative content analysis and in-depth interviews were the main methods used in this investigation. Content analysis was used to examine news bulletins on the two stations to establish how the differences in ownership structures affected news content. In total, twenty news bulletins were examined. The in-depth interviews were employed to collect respondents‘ views on the influence of media ownership on editorial independence as well as the effect of external factors on news. The data from the interviews was also used to complement the results from quantitative content analysis. The study found out that media ownership influenced news content on the two television stations during the period under study. It however contradicted the view in the political economy of the media that media concentration diminishes the performance of television stations. The findings demonstrated that NTV (which is owned by a media concentration) had more diverse news bulletins than WBS which is independently owned. It was further discovered that NTV journalists exercised more editorial independence than their counterparts at WBS. However, it was observed that news content in all television stations in Uganda, regardless of the structure of ownership, was affected by political interference and advertisement. Both politicians and advertisers influenced news content directly and indirectly

Factors influencing the spread and selection of drug resistance in Human African Trypanosomiasis

A growing problem with drug resistance in Human African Trypanosomiasis has necessitated the implementation of screening programmes to monitor for its spread. This thesis describes the study of several factors that can influence the selection and propagation of drug resistance in T. brucei. Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) is caused by T. brucei gambiense and T. brucei rhodesiense. The few drugs used for the treatment of the disease are either toxic, cause severe side effects or suffer from parasite resistance. The T. brucei P2 transporter, which is encoded by the gene TbAT1, mediates uptake of melaminophenyl arsenicals and diamidines. Reduced P2 uptake is associated with drug resistance. A number of point mutations found in a laboratory derived melarsoprol resistant T. brucei stock (STIB 777R) allowed development of a PCR/RFLP based molecular method to identify resistance alleles. By 1999, 20-30% of patients treated in Omugo, NW Uganda were failing to respond to melarsoprol. PCR/RFLP analysis indicated that mutant alleles accounted for 58.5% of those in circulation. Melarsoprol was withdrawn in 2001 and by 2003 mutant TbAT1 alleles accounted for only 14% of those in circulation in NW Uganda. The current study aimed to determine the incidence of the PCR/Sfa NI TbAT1 mutant alleles in 2006, some five years after melarsoprol had been withdrawn as first-line treatment. Successful molecular analysis of 91 of 132 (68.9%) T. b. gambiense field isolates from Omugo and Moyo in NW Uganda indicated the presence of only TbAT1 wild type alleles. Mutant alleles thus appear to have disappeared. This may be the result of parasite fitness cost following the withdrawal of melarsoprol as a stage II first-line drug from Omugo health centre, Arua, since 2001. This apparent instability of TbAT1 mutants in the field may be exploited for rational or alternating use of melarsoprol and eflornithine (DFMO) to ensure a longer life for eflornithine, delaying the onset of resistance. Insight into the overall population structure of the T. b. gambiense from Omugo, Arua (N=54) and Moyo (N=17) was obtained using mini/microsatellite marker analysis. Genetic diversity was observed to be more intra than inter regional. Multilocus genotype data analysis revealed the Omugo, Arua, population was genetically distinct from the Moyo population (Nei’s genetic distance=0.176). The evidence indicated surprisingly little genetic exchange with an excess in homozygosity (Fis >0) and alleles in linkage disequilibrium (P<0.05) within the Omugo, trypanosome population. This excess in homozygosity may be due to population sub-structuring, trypanosome inbreeding, or migration of patients. The latter is likely occurring from the neighbouring T. b. gambiense endemic disease focus in Southern Sudan. The findings suggested that the T. b. gambiense from Arua is not panmictic, clonal or epidemic but there is some level of genetic exchange. The possibility that T. b. gambiense can infect animals raises the prospect that wild or domestic animals may act as a reservoir and that a veterinary link to gambiense Human African Trypanosomiasis exists. Treatment of animals for babesiosis and trypanosomes with diminazene, uptake of which is mediated through TbAT1/P2 could select for P2-defective drug resistant trypanosomes, thereby threatening control of the human disease as well. Species detection by PCR for animal and human trypanosomes in dog isolates (N=190) from the tsetse fly endemic Jos Plataeu, Nigeria did not reveal T. b. gambiense, but multiple infections with T. brucei (95%), T. vivax (89%), and subspecies T. congolense forest (54%) and savannah (50%) were detected. The dogs were also infected with other parasites, including Babesia canis (22%) and Hepatozoon canis (16%). Multiple infections can make correct diagnosis difficult and the infections are likely to be missed by the less sensitive microscopy method. The trypanocidal action of the diamidine group of trypanocides, diminazene, pentamidine and furamidine (DB75) are principally mediated through the TbAT1/P2. In addition, pentamidine is taken up by two additional T. brucei transporters called High Affinity Pentamidine Transporter (HAPT1) and the Low Affinity Pentamidine Transporter (LAPT1). DB75 also has a secondary unknown route. Loss of TbAT1/P2 leads to significant resistance to DB75 and diminazene but not pentamidine. Identification of other markers of resistance is necessary to determine if other routes of drug entry do exist apart from P2 and whether these can be exploited for the delivery of new trypanocides into the trypanosomes. Adaptation of the T. brucei tbat1 knock-out cell line to higher concentrations of diminazene by in vitro selection for resistance led to loss of HAPT1. The resultant phenotype was similar to the previously characterised pentamidine resistant clone B48, but more resistant to diminazene and DB75. The adapted line was still capable of accumulating 1 µM radiolabelled diminazene suggesting both HAPT1 and LAPT1 as possible routes for diminazene uptake. Adaptation of the T. brucei tbat1 knock-out cell line to a high concentration of DB75 over the same 6 months period did not lead to increased resistance. Overall the project has confirmed an important role for tbat1/P2 in development of resistance to melarsoprol in the field. Importantly, it appears that removal of the selection pressure of melarsoprol leads to a loss of tbat1 alleles associated with resistance in a population of trypanosomes capable of genetic exchange in NW Uganda. Although evidence for a dog reservoir for T. b. gambiense in Nigeria was lacking in this study, a risk of selecting resistance in animals must remain high on any list of consideration. I have further shown that the diamidine drug, diminazene, used in veterinary medicine also appears to enter T. brucei via the HAPT1 transporter, as well as the P2 transporter. Loss of HAPT1 through selection with diminazene leads to high level pentamidine resistance, which could indicate a further risk in selection of human infectious trypanosomes also resistant to drugs like pentamidine

Genotypic status of the TbAT1/P2 adenosine transporter of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense isolates from northwestern Uganda following melarsoprol withdrawal

Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) manifests as a chronic infection caused by &lt;i&gt;Trypanosoma brucei gambiense&lt;/i&gt;, or as a more acute form due to &lt;i&gt;T. b. rhodesiense&lt;/i&gt;. Both manifestations occur in Uganda and melarsoprol use against the former was jeopardised in the 1990s as reports of reduced efficacy increased to the point where it was dismissed as first-line treatment at some treatment centers. Previous work to elucidate possible mechanisms leading to melarsoprol resistance pointed to a P2 type adenosine transporter known to mediate melarsoprol uptake and previously shown to be mutated in significant numbers of patients not responding to the drug. Our present findings indicate that there is a low prevalence of mutants in foci where melarsoprol relapses are infrequent. In addition we observe that at the Omugo focus where the drug was withdrawn as first line over 6 years ago, the mutant alleles have disappeared, suggesting that drug pressure is responsible for fuelling their spread. Thus constant monitoring for mutants could play a key role in cost-effective HAT management by identifying which foci can still use the less logistically demanding melarsoprol as opposed to the alternative drug eflornithine. What is required now is a simple method for identifying such mutants at the point of care, enabling practitioners to make informed prescriptions at first diagnosis

Early life economic shocks and child health outcomes

This paper examines the relationship between commodity price shocks experienced in the early period of life and child health outcomes. The study uses a nationally representative household survey data from the Demographic and Health Surveys in Kenya matched with a time series of real producer prices of tea in estimating the effect of price shock on child health outcomes. The identification strategy of the paper relies on exogenous variations in the real producer price of tea and timing of child birth. The findings show that household income shocks induced by variations in tea prices are key drivers of child health outcomes. A one percentage increase in tea price in the early life stage improves child nutrition with a 32.67 standard deviation increase in height-for-age Z scores and reduces under-five mortality rate by 1.74 percentage points among children born in tea producing zones relative to those born in non-tea growing zones in Kenya. These study findings have much policy relevance to African economies where a considerable share of the population depends on the agriculture sector as a source of livelihood, and directly suffers from export commodity price fluctuations. Changes in the commodity price of exports are a constraint that weigh on agricultural households’ ability to make necessary investment in children thus impacting health and human capital formation

Hepatic schistosomiasis, upper gastrointestinal bleeding, and health related quality of life measurements from the Albert Nile Basin

Background: Health related quality of life measurements are vital elements of public health surveillance that uncover unmet health needs and predict the success of health interventions. We described health related quality of life measurements using the EuroQoL 5-dimension (EQ-VAS/EQ-5D) instrument and associated factors among patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) and hepatic schistosomiasis at a rural health facility in the Albert Nile Basin, Uganda. Methods and materials: This was a cross-sectional study at Pakwach Health Centre IV. Participants included adult inpatients and outpatients with a history of UGIB and ultrasound evidence of hepatic schistosomiasis. We evaluated and recorded each participant’s medical history, physical examination, laboratory tests results, ultrasound results, and endoscopy fndings. We also recorded health related quality of life measurements using the EuroQoL 5-dimension instrument and derived disability weights from EQ-VAS and EQ-5D measurements. These were our dependent variables. Descriptive and inferential statistics were generated summarizing our fndings. Results: We found 103 participants had a history of upper gastrointestinal bleeding and hepatosplenic schistosomiasis. Sixty percent were between the ages of 30–49 years, 59% were females, 74% were farmers, 92% had splenomegaly, 88% had varices at endoscopy, 22% were medical emergencies with acute variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding, and 62% had anemia. Measures of the diferent dimensions of health from 101 participants with patient reported outcomes revealed 77 (76%) participants experienced problems in self-care, 89 (88%) participants reported anxiety or depression, and 89 (88%) participants experienced pain or discomfort. The median EQ-VAS derived disability weights and median EQ-5D index-derived disability weights were 0.3 and 0.34, respectively. Acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding, praziquantel drug treatment, and age by decade predicted higher EQ-VAS derived disability weights (p value\u3c0.05). Under weight (Body mass index≤18.5), acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding, ascites, age by decade, female gender, and praziquantel drug treatment predicted higher EQ-5D index- derived disability weights (p value\u3c0.05). Conclusion: Adult patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding and hepatic schistosomiasis from this primary health facility experience poor health and considerable health loss. Several factors predicted increased health loss

Effect Of Seasonal Rainfall And Other Environmental Changes, On Snail Density And Infection Rates With Schistosoma mansoni Fifteen Years After The Last Snails\' Study In Kigungu, Entebbe, Uganda

Background: The last study on snail population density in relation to rainfall pattern in Kigungu canoe landing and recreational sites on Lake Victoria shore was earlier carried out about fifteen years ago. This study also reviewed the influence of other environmental factors on the snails\' infection rate. Objective: To reassess the density dynamic of Biomphalaria (B) choanomphala and Biomphalaria (B) pfeifferi, which act as the intermediate host for S. mansoni and Bulinus (B) globosus, and Bulinus (B) tropicus, which act as intermediate host for S. haematobium. Design: Retrospective study. Setting: Busy canoe landing sites along Lake Victoria in Kigungu fishing village were selected for the snail sampling. Results: Nine thousand one hundred and ninety four B. choanomphala were collected over the study period. The numbers of B. choanomphala collected in each year was 4742 (51.6%) and 4452 (48.4%) in 2004 and 2005 respectively. Of the 4742 B.Choanomphala collected in 2004, 82 (1.7%) shed human cercariae and 329 (6.7%) shed non-human cercariae. Whereas in 2005, out of 4452 B. choanomphala collected 302 (6.85%) shed non-human cercariae and 82 (1.8%) shed human cercariae. Similarly, 4173 B. pfeifferi were also collected in the same period. Out of which 2224 (53.3%) were collected in 2004 and 1949 (46.7%) in 2005. For B. pfeifferi, 42 (1.9%) out of 2224 snails collected in 2004 shed human cercariae and 246 (11.1%) shed non-human cercariae. While in 2005, 33 out of 1949 snails (1.7%) shed human cercariae and 159 (8.2%) shed non-human cercariae. Other snails of medical importance collected included 292 B. globosus and 3094 B. tropicus. None of the Bulinus spp. collected shed any human cercariae but 37 (2.1%) and 30 (2.3%) B. tropicus shed non-human cercariae in 2004 and 2005 respectively. In 2004 and 2005, the area received, 1729mm and 1959mm of rainfall respectively. The mean rainfall during the year was 144.05 mm and 163.3 mm in 2004 and 2005 respectively. There was a negative correlation between rainfalls and snail density dynamic. Conclusion: We have found in this study that in spite of the bush clearing of the papyrus swamps which originally was the major habitats for B. choanomphala, B. pfeifferi and the Bulinus spp the intermediate host for schistosome at all canoe landing sites at Kigungu, these snails are still present. Moreover, that their population density dynamic and infection rate are inversely proportional to the rainfall pattern. East African Medical Journal Vol. 85 (11) 2008: pp. 556-56

Timing of treatment failure and mutations in Plasmodium falciparum dihydrofolate reductase in Uganda

The spread of drug resistant strains of malaria parasites has made prophylaxis and treatment of the disease increasingly difficult. The resistance of Plasmodium falciparum to chloroquine and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (Fansidar) has been reported in various parts of Uganda. A study was carried out in Tororo, Uganda, in order to investigate by polymerase chain reaction/dot-blot hybridisation the association of mutations in the DHFR gene in Plasmodium falciparum parasite isolates with clinical and parasitological treatment failure following sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine or a combination of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine and chloroquine treatment in Uganda. The study was also done to determine if the number of mutations in DHFR is correlated with the time to recrudescence following sulfadoxine- pyrimethamine and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine plus chloroquine treatment. In collaboration with the Ministry of Health, blood samples were collected on filter paper on the first day of treatment-Day 0 (D0) and on any other day symptoms developed after administering Fansidar alone and a combination of chloroquine and Fansidar to children with uncomplicated malaria aged between 6 months and 5 years old who were followed up on days 1, 2, 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28. Forty seven paired chloroquine plus Fansidar D0 and R (day of recrudescence) patient DNA samples in the RI-RIII group, were genotyped at position 76 of the Pfcrt locus. Following genotyping at the MSP1 and MSP2 loci, 22 of these patient samples showing evidence of recrudescence were genotyped at the 3 DHFR codons: 108, 51 and 59. For Pfcrt codon 76, all (100%) of the pre- and post-treatment isolates possessed the Pfcrt T76 allele. Only 6 (13%) pre- and 3 (7%) post-treatment isolates possessed both Pfcrt K76 and T76 alleles simultaneously. No isolate possessed only the Pfcrt K76 allele alone. For codon 108, of the 22 (pre-treatment) patient DNA samples successfully typed, all (100%) had only the DHFR Asnl08 allele. The same trend was observed in the post-treatment isolates. No isolate pre- /or post-treatment possessed the DHFR Ser108 allele alone. No isolate pre- /or post-treatment possessed both DHFR Ser108 and Asn 108 alleles simultaneously. At codon 51, there was a high prevalence (96%) of the 51Ile allele alone in the pre-treatment isolates and of the 51Ile allele alone in the post-treatment isolates (100%). No isolate both pre- and post-treatment possessed the DHFR 51Asn allele alone. Only one pre-treatment isolate possessed both DHFR 51Asn and 51Ile alleles simultaneously. At codon 59 there was a low prevalence (14%) of the 59Arg allele alone in the pre- treatment isolates and 38% of the isolates had the 59Arg allele alone in the post-treatment isolates. Seventeen (77%) patient samples possessed both DHFR 59Cys and 59Arg alleles present simultaneously in their pre-treatment isolates. This dropped to 38% in the post-treatment isolates. Only 2 (9%) patient samples pre-treatment had only the 59Cys allele while this increased to 24% in the post- treatment isolates. Thirty three out of 48 paired Fansidar DO and R (day of recrudescence) patient DNA samples in the RI-RIII group, showing evidence of recrudescence were genotyped for the 3 DHFR codons 108, 51 and 59. For codon 108, of the 33 (pretreatment) patient DNA samples successfully typed, all (100%) had only the DHFR Asnl08 allele. Thirty samples, representing 100% of the successfully typed post-treatment isolates, had only the DHFR Asn108 allele. No isolate pre- or post-treatment possessed the DHFR Serl08 allele alone. No patient pre- or post-treatment possessed both DHFR Seri 08 and Asn 108 alleles simultaneously. For codon 51, 100% of samples had only the DHFR 51Ile allele in the pre-treatment isolates and 85% had only the DHFR 51 He allele in the post-treatment isolates. No patient pre-treatment possessed the DHFR 51 Asn allele alone. Only one patient isolate post-treatment possessed the DHFR 51 Asn allele alone. One patient pre- and post-treatment possessed both DHFR 51 Asn and 51Ile alleles present simultaneously. At codon 59, there was a low prevalence (18%) of the 59Arg allele alone in the pre-treatment isolates and a high prevalence (77%>) for 59Arg allele alone in the post-treatment isolates. Nineteen (58%) patient samples possessed both the DHFR 59Cys and 59Arg alleles present simultaneously in their pre-treatment isolates. This dropped to 17% in the post-treatment isolates. Only 8 (24%>) patient samples pre-treatment had only the 59Cys allele while this reduced to 1% in the post-treatment isolates. In conclusion, the findings showed there was no correlation between the presence of Pfcrt alleles encoding T76 and time to recrudescence following treatment with a combination of chloroquine and Fansidar. There was no correlation between the DHFR alleles encoding Asn108 and/ or Ile51 and time to recrudescence following treatment with chloroquine plus Fansidar as a combination and also with Fansidar treatment alone. There was however a correlation between the presence of the DHFR double mutant allele Asn 108/ Arg 59, and a stronger correlation between the triple mutant allele Asn 108/ He 51/ Arg 59, and time to recrudescence following Fansidar treatment in Tororo, Uganda. There was no correlation of theses alleles in the chloroquine plus Fansidar treatment group

The Ins and Outs of Autophagic Ribosome Turnover

Ribosomes are essential for protein synthesis in all organisms and their biogenesis and number are tightly controlled to maintain homeostasis in changing environmental conditions. While ribosome assembly and quality control mechanisms have been extensively studied, our understanding of ribosome degradation is limited. In yeast or animal cells, ribosomes are degraded after transfer into the vacuole or lysosome by ribophagy or nonselective autophagy, and ribosomal RNA can also be transferred directly across the lysosomal membrane by RNautophagy. In plants, ribosomal RNA is degraded by the vacuolar T2 ribonuclease RNS2 after transport by autophagy-related mechanisms, although it is unknown if a selective ribophagy pathway exists in plants. In this review, we describe mechanisms of turnover of ribosomal components in animals and yeast, and, then, discuss potential pathways for degradation of ribosomal RNA and protein within the vacuole in plants

Factors associated with the uptake of Covid-19 vaccines: A cross-sectional study among the students of Bishop Stuart University in South-western Uganda.

Background:  Numerous vaccines against coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were approved and distributed globally. However, little information was available on the factors that affect the uptake of COVID-19 vaccines in Uganda. The aim of this study is to find out the Factors associated with the uptake of COVID-19 vaccines among the Students of Bishop Stuart University, Mbarara City. Methodology:  A cross-sectional study design using qualitative and quantitative approaches was employed. Data was collected from a sample of randomly selected 370 respondents from Bishop Stuart University. Qualitative and Quantitative data collection methods were employed. Data was collected between 11th July and 3rd October 2022. Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 26 was used during the analysis. Chi-square and logistic regressions were used to assess factors associated with the uptake of COVID-19 vaccines. Factors with p-values &lt;0.2 at bivariate analysis were entered into multivariate analysis. Factors with p&lt;0.05 were considered significant. Results:  Respondents that reported always being busy with domestic work indicated a lower likelihood for the uptake of Covid-19 vaccines (AOR = 0.6, 95%CI: 0.40-0.99, p = 0.045). Respondents who perceived that the costs in the hospital were too high to manage Covid-19 illness indicated a higher likelihood for uptake of Covid-19 vaccines (AOR = 3.4, 95%CI: 1.93-6.12, p &lt;0.001). Conclusion:  Domestic work has been found to hinder the majority of the respondents from vaccinating against Covid-19. High rates of the uptake of Covid-19 vaccines were registered among those who feared the high costs of Covid-19 illness management in hospitals. The cultural norms associated with being a male or female had impacted the decision to take Covid-19 vaccines.  Recommendation:  Community outreaches should be organized to sensitize communities about the dangers of domestic work and how to strike a balance when it comes to daily activities

Prevalence of the uptake of Covid-19 vaccines: A cross-sectional study among the students of Bishop Stuart University in South-western Uganda.

Background:  Different studies have been carried out on acceptance of Covid-19 vaccines, willingness to be vaccinated against Covid-19, and factors associated with the uptake of Covid-19 vaccines but very few studies have been carried out to find out the prevalence of the uptake of Covid-19 vaccines, especially among university students. The aim of this study, therefore, is to find out the prevalence of the uptake of Covid-19 vaccines among the students of Bishop Stuart University.   Methodology: A cross-sectional study design using qualitative and quantitative approaches was employed. Data was collected from a sample of randomly selected 370 respondents between 11th July and 3rd October 2022 from Bishop Stuart University. Qualitative and Quantitative data collection methods were employed. Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 26 was used during the analysis. Results: The prevalence of uptake of Covid-19 Vaccines among the students of BSU was 57.0% where the majority of the respondents were females, 52.2% (n=193), students aged ≤30 years, 59.2% (n=215), those from middle-income, 57.3% (n=212), Christians, 60.8% (n = 225) and undergraduates, 89.2% (n = 330). Conclusion: More than half of the students of Bishop Stuart University were vaccinated with at least one of the vaccines against COVID-19 vaccine; the general uptake of Covid-19 vaccines among these students with a full dose was low as shown by the results of those who took a full dose of AstraZeneca, Johnson &amp; Johnson or any other Covid-19 vaccine. Recommendation:  The study recommended that effective sensitization and psycho-education should be carried out to educate the general public about the effectiveness of the uptake of Covid-19 vaccines.