Makerere University

About: Makerere University is a education organization based out in Kampala, Uganda. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The organization has 7220 authors who have published 12405 publications receiving 366520 citations. The organization is also known as: Makerere University Kampala & MUK.

Patterns of crop raiding by primates around the Budongo Forest Reserve, Uganda

Abstract: Crop raiding by primates in particular and wild animals in general is a significant source of people-forest conflict around the Budongo Forest Reserve, Uganda. Crop loss to wild animals undermines local support for conservation efforts in this area. Patterns of primate crop raiding were studied over a period of 14 months in six villages (five adjacent to the Budongo Forest Reserve and one that is approximately 3,500 m from the forest edge). Data were collected via a questionnaire survey. Additional information was obtained from the relevant local government offices. Chimpanzees Pan troglodytes, baboons Papio anubis, other monkeys, bush pigs Potamochoeus procus and porcupines Hystrix cristata were reported by farmers to be the major causes of crop losses by wildlife. Of farmers, 73% reported suffering crop damage caused by primates, and 79% considered baboons to be the most destructive of all crop raiding species. Drought, insect pests, poor sowing, plant diseases and accidental fires were other s...

The value of figs to chimpanzees

Abstract: Nine Ugandan figs have consistent differences in nutrient concentration between the pulp and seed fractions. Pulp has more water-soluble carbohydrates, complex carbohydrates, calories, and ash, while the seed fraction has more condensed tannins, lipids, and fiber. Because species differ, nutrient concentration in pulp could not be predicted from analysis of whole figs. Chimpanzees in Kibale Forest relied heavily on figs throughout 29 months, feeding relatively intensely at large trees. Fig size varied between species, between individuals of the same species, and between fruiting cycles of the same tree. Larger figs had higher water concentrations but still led to higher rates of nutrient intake per minute for chimpanzees, monkeys, and hornbills. Chimpanzees ate more than 40 cal/min, excluding calories derived from insoluble fiber, when harvesting large figs.

Domestic violence during pregnancy and risk of low birthweight and maternal complications: a prospective cohort study at Mulago Hospital, Uganda

Abstract: Summary Objectives To investigate whether domestic violence during pregnancy is a risk factor for antepartum hospitalization or low birthweight (LBW) delivery. Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted in Mulago hospital, Kampala, Uganda, among 612 women recruited in the second pregnancy trimester and followed up to delivery, from May 2004 through July 2005. The exposure (physical, sexual or psychological violence during pregnancy) was assessed using the Abuse Assessment Screen. The relative and attributable risks of LBW and antepartum hospitalization were estimated using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results The 169 women [27.7% 95% CI (24.3–31.5%)] who reported domestic violence during pregnancy did not differ significantly from the unexposed regarding sociodemographic characteristics, but differed significantly (P < 0.05) regarding domicile variables (had less household decision-making power, more resided in extended families and more had unplanned pregnancy). They delivered babies with a mean birthweight 2647.5 ± 604 g, on average 186 g [(95% CI 76–296); P = 0.001] lower than those unexposed. After adjusting for age, parity, number of living children, pregnancy planning, domicile and number of years in marriage, the relative risk (RR) of LBW delivery among women exposed to domestic violence was 3.78 (95% CI 2.86–5.00). Such women had a 37% higher risk of obstetric complications (such as hypertension, premature rupture of membranes and anaemia) that necessitated antepartum hospitalization [RR 1.37 (95% CI 1.01–1.84)]. Conclusion In this pregnancy cohort, domestic violence during pregnancy was a risk factor for LBW delivery and antepartum hospitalization. Objectifs Evaluer si les violences conjugales durant la grossesse sont un facteur de risque pour l'hospitalisation avant-terme et l'insuffisance ponderale a la naissance (IPN). Methodes Une etude de cohorte prospective a ete conduite, de Mai 2004 a Juillet 2005, a l'hopital Mulago (Kampala, Ouganda) parmi 612 femmes recrutees durant leur deuxieme trimestre de grossesse et suivies jusqu’a leur accouchement. L'exposition (violences physiques, sexuelles ou psychologiques durant la grossesse) etaient evaluees a l'aide de l'Echelle d'Evaluation des Abus (« Abuse Assessment Screen »). Les risques relatifs et attribuables d'insuffisance ponderale a la naissance et d'hospitalisation avant terme ont ete estimes en utilisant une analyse multivariee en regression logistique. Resultats Concernant les caracteristiques socio-demographiques, il n'y avait pas de difference significative entre les 169 femmes (27.7%; IC 95% [24.3; 31.5%]) rapportant des violences conjugales durant leur grossesse et les non exposees. Par contre elle differaient de facon significative (P < 0,05) en ce qui concernait les variables familiales (elles avaient moins de pourvoir decisionnel concernant le menage, residaient plus souvent dans des familles nombreuses et elles avaient plus de grossesse non planifiees). Elles ont donne naissance a des bebes ayant un poids moyen de naissance de 2647.5 ± 604 g, soit 186 g (IC 95% [76; 296]; P = 0.001) de moins par rapport aux non exposees. Apres ajustement sur l’âge, la parite, le nombre d'enfants vivants, les grossesses planifiees, le domicile et le nombre d'annees de mariage, le risque relatif d'IPN parmi les femmes exposees a des violences conjugales etaient de 3.78 (IC 95% [2.86; 5,00]). Ces femmes avaient un risque plus eleve de 37% de faire des complications obstetricales (hypertension, ruptures prematurees des membranes et anemies) necessitant une hospitalisation avant terme (RR 1.37; IC 95% [1.01; 1.84]). Conclusion Dans cette cohorte de femme enceintes, les violences conjugales pendant la grossesse etaient un facteur de risque pour l'IPN et l'hospitalisation avant terme. Objectivos Investigar si la violencia domestica durante la gravidez es un factor de riesgo de hospitalizacion previa al parto o bajo peso al nacer (LBW). Metodos Se realizo un estudio con una cohorte prospectiva en el hospital de Mulago, en Kampala, Uganda, entre 612 mujeres reclutadas en el segundo trimestre de gravidez, y controladas hasta el parto, desde mayo de 2004 hasta julio de 2005. La exposicion (violencia fisica, sexual o sicologica durante la gravidez) se establecio utilizando la Encuesta de Valoracion del Maltrato (Abuse Assessment Screen – ASS). El relativo y atribuible riesgo de bajo peso al nacery de hospitalizacion previa al parto se estimo utilizando un analisis de regresion logistica multivariable. Resultados Las 169 mujeres [27.7% 95% CI (24.3–31.5%)] que informaron de violencia domestica durante la gravidez no diferian significativamente de las no expuestas en relacion a las caracteristicas socio demograficas, pero difirieron significativamente (P < 0.05) en relacion a variables domesticas (tenian menor poder de decision en el hogar, muchas vivian en familias extendidas y muchas habian tenido una gravidez no planificada). Tuvieron ninos con un peso medio al nacer de 2647.5 ± 604 g, de promedio 186 g [(95% CI 76–296); P = 0.001] por debajo de las no expuestas. Luego de hacer los ajustes por edad, paridad, numero de ninos vivos, planificacion de gravidez, domicilio y numero de anos de matrimonio, el riesgo relativo de bajo peso al nacer entre las mujeres expuestas a violencia domestica fue de 3.78 (95% CI 2.86–5.00). Este tipo de mujeres tenian un 37% mayor de riesgo de complicaciones obstetricas (como por ejemplo hipertension, ruptura prematura de membranas y anemia), y de necesidad de hospitalizacion anterior al parto [RR 1.37 (95% CI 1.01–1.84)]. Conclusiones En esta cohorte de gravidez, la violencia domestica durante el embarazo fue un factor de riesgo para partos con bajo peso al nacer y hospitalizacion anterior al parto.