Soroti University Digital Repository (SUDR)
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Recent Submissions
Genesis, evolution and current thrusts of Soroti University
(RUFORUM, 2023) Ikoja, O. J. R.; Okello, J. G.; Too-Okema, L.
Abstract
Elders from Teso sub region in Eastern Uganda nursed a dream that one day, they would have a University in
their area. This dream came true on 11th December 2011 when Uganda Government decided to set up a Public
University known as Soroti University, located in Teso sub-region. The University was established by Statutory
Instrument No. 34 of July 2015 as the 9th Public University under the Universities and Other Tertiary Institu
tions Act of 2001 as amended. Soroti University is governed by the University Council and Council Committees
plus Senate and its Committees as stated the act. Based on its Vision of being an institution of Professionals and
Innovators, the Niche of Soroti University is to provide knowledge, skills and innovations in applied sciences.
The University’s thematic areas are: - Health Sciences; Engineering and Technology; Renewable Energy; Ap
plied Science and Science Education; Value addition courses and Food Science and Technology and currently
has a population of 474 students.
Artificial intelligence in higher education institutions: review of innovations, opportunities and challenges
(Frontiers in Education, 2025-03-03) Samuel Ocen; Joseph Elasu; Sylvia Manjeri Aarakit; Charles Olupot
Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing industries including institutions of higher
learning as it enhances teaching and learning processes, streamline administrative
tasks and drive innovations. Despite the unprecedented opportunities, AI tools if
not used correctly, can be challenging in education institutions. The purpose of
this study was to comprehensively review the AI innovations, opportunities and
challenges associated with the use of AI in higher Education of learning. A systematic
literature review methodology was adopted and used to locate and select existing
studies, analyze and synthesize the evidence to arrive at clear conclusion about
the current debate in the area of study. Following the PRISMA, the study analyzed
a total of 54 documents that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria set for
selection of the documents. The review unveiled many opportunities including
enhanced research capabilities, automation of administrative tasks among others.
Artificial Intelligence tools are found to refine and streamline the administrative
tasks in different units in higher institutions of learning. The challenges include
ethical concerns, integrity issues and data fabrication issues. With the challenges
notwithstanding, the benefits of Artificial Intelligence cannot be over emphasized.
Artificial intelligence remains a powerful tool for research, automation of administrative
tasked, personalized learning, inclusivity and accessibility of educational content
for all. Emphasis should be put in regulatory frameworks detailing how such tools
can be used while maintaining the level of ethical standards required.
KEYWORDS
artificial, intelligence, innovations, opportunities, challenges, literature
Maternal satisfaction with intrapartum care services and its associated factors among mothers who delivered from health facilities within a city in Uganda. A descriptive cross-sectional community study
(IGM Publications, 2025-03-03) Ssekabira Abudu Rahuman; Okusa John Michael; Eperu Jacob; Akello Safina; Kateregga James; Okello Samuel; Alice Colette Alum
Abstract
Background: keeping an eye on and assessing maternal satisfaction enhances the effectiveness and
quality of care during the intrapartum period and if not regularly accessed, could lead to detrimental
effects on maternal and newborn outcomes following intrapartum. Therefore this study aimed at assessing
maternal satisfaction with intrapartum care services and its associated factors among mothers who
delivered from health facilities within Soroti City
Methods: Background characteristics of participants were collected using an interviewer-administered
questionnaire was used. Data entry and analysis were performed using Statistical Package for the Social
Sciences (SPSS) version 27.0 software. A crude and adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval
(CI) was computed to identify associated factors.
Results: 86.5% gave birth from government facilities while 13.5 % delivered from private facilities.
Overall 70.4% of mothers were satisfied with the intrapartum care services received from health facilities
in Soroti City. Mothers who gave birth in private facilities were more satisfied (95.2%) compared to those
in public facilities (66.5%). Type of the healthcare facility AOR(95%CI) 7.504(1.573-35.787),duration of
hospital stay before delivery AOR(95% CI)2.674(1.300-5.502),periodic updates AOR (95% CI)
0.247(0.116-0.530),plan to have the pregnancy AOR(95%CI),2.483(1.280-4.814)overall cleanness
AOR(95%CI) 0.07(0.013-0.378),delivery position of patient choice AOR(95% CI) 0.228(0.069
0.754),privacy AOR(95% CI) 0.102(0.050-0.209), and Pain management AOR (95% CI) 0.334(0.152
0.738) were significantly associated with satisfaction.
Conclusion: The overall satisfaction of mothers with intrapartum care services provided was relatively
high. Majority of the mothers gave birth from government facilities however a higher percentage of
satisfaction was reported in private facilities. Therefore, all stakeholders have to emphatically work on
those identified factors to improve maternal satisfaction with intrapartum care services
Keywords: Intrapartum care services, maternal outcome, satisfaction.
Factors associated with uptake and acceptability of cervical cancer screening among female sex workers in Northeastern Uganda: A cross-sectional study
(PLOS One, 2025-01-24) Ronald Opito; Emmanuel Tiyo Ayikobua; Hellen Akurut; Susan Alwedo; Saadick Mugerwa Ssentongo; Walter Drake Erabu; Lazarus Oucul; Musa Kirya; Lameck Lumu Bukenya; Elly Ekwamu; Abraham Ignatius Oluka; Samuel Kabwigu; Emmanuel Othieno; Amos Deogratius Mwaka
Background
Cervical cancer screening program in Uganda is opportunistic and focuses mainly on women
aged 25–49 years. Female sex workers (FSWs) are at increased risk of developing invasive
cervical cancer. There is limited data regarding the uptake and acceptability of cervical cancer
screening among FSWs in Uganda. This study aimed at identifying factors associated with
uptake and acceptability of cervical cancer screening among FSWs in Eastern Uganda.
Methods
This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 423 FSWs aged 18–49 years attending
care at six health facilities serving Key Populations (FSWs, Men who have sex with men,
transgender people, people who inject drugs and people in prisons) in the Teso sub-region.
Data was collected using structured investigator administered questionnaire and analyzed
using Stata statistical software version 15.0 (Stata Corp, Texas, USA). The primary outcome
was uptake of cervical cancer screening measured as the proportion of female sex workers
who have ever been screened for cervical cancer. Chi-square test was used to compare the
differences in uptake of cervical cancer screening by HIV status. Modified Poisson regres
sion model with a robust variance estimator was used to determine association between
the outcome variables and selected independent variables including demographic charac
teristics. Prevalence ratios (PR) with accompanying 95% confidence intervals have been
reported. Statistical significance was considered at two-sided p-values ≤ 0.05.
Results
The mean age of the participants was 28.1 (±SD = 6.6) years. The self-reported HIV
prevalence was 21.5% (n = 91). There were 138 (32.6%) participants who had ever been
screened for cervical cancer (uptake), while 397 (93.9%) were willing to be screened
(acceptability). There was a significant difference in cervical cancer screening uptake
between women living with HIV (WLHIV) and those who were HIV negative, 59.3% vs
26.9% respectively (P < 0.001). The significant factors associated with uptake of cervical
cancer screening included living with HIV, adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR) = 1.53 (95%CI:
1.15–2.07), increasing number of biological children, aPR = 1.14 (1.06–1.24) living near
a private not for profit (PNFP) facility, aPR = 2.84 (95% CI; 1.68–4.80) and availability of
screening services at the nearest health facility, aPR = 1.83 (95% CI, 1.30–2.57). Factors
significantly associated with acceptability of cervical cancer screening included being 40
years or older, aPR = 1.22 (95%CI: 1.01–1.47), having a family history of cervical cancer,
aPR = 1.05 (1.01–1.10), and living near a PNFP facility, aPR = 1.17 (95% CI, 1.09–1.27)
and having ever screened before, aPR = 0.92 (0.86–0.98).
Conclusion
Female sex workers living with HIV are more likely to screen for cervical cancer than the
HIV negative clients. Cervical cancer screening uptake is relatively low among the female
sex workers. However, majority of the FSWs are willing to be screened for cervical cancer
if the services are provided in the nearby healthcare facilities. There is need to make cer
vical cancer screening services available to all eligible women especially the female sex
workers and integrate the services with sexual reproductive health services in general and
not just HIV/ART clinics services
Uptake and Completion of Human Papilloma Virus Vaccination by Adolescent Girls Attending Primary Healthcare Facilities in Soroti City, Northeastern Uganda; A Cross Sectional Study
(Journal of Nursing & Healthcare, 2025-02-03) Lydia Dora Nagudi; James Kateregga; Clement Munguiko; Hellen Akurut; Josephine Namujju; Moses Esabu; Ronald Opito
Introduction: Uganda adopted and implemented Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination since 2015 for adolescent girls aged
9-13 years for primary prevention of cervical cancer. However, the vaccine uptake and dose completion have remained relatively
low national wide. Therefore, this study aimed at determining the uptake and dose completion of HPV vaccination and associated
factors in Soroti city, Northeastern Uganda.
Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study that employed quantitative methods of data collection and analysis. A sample
of 287 adolescent girls aged 10-19 years were selected consecutively from four health centers in Soroti City between March
and April 2024. Data was analyzed using Stata statistical software, version 15.0. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed
to determine the level of HPV vaccine uptake and dose completion. Bivariate and multivariate analyzes were performed using
modified Poisson regression with robust error estimates to determine association between independent factors and uptake and
dose completion. Results were reported with a 95% confidence interval (CI) and factors whose P-Values were less than 0.05 were
considered statistically significant.
Results: Of the 287 adolescent girls, their mean age was 14 years (SD=2.9). Most of the participants were in school, 231(80.5%).
Majority, 79 % (n=228) had never heard about HPV Vaccination. HPV Vaccination uptake among the study participants was
suboptimal as only 58.8% (n=166) had received at least one dose whereas only 30% (n=86) had completed the two doses of the
vaccine. The factors that were significantly associated with vaccination uptake were school enrollment status (P=0.022), religion
(P=0.010), and awareness about HPV vaccine (P<0.001), while factors that were significantly associated with completion of HPV
vaccination were: School enrollment status (P=0.046) and awareness about HPV vaccine (P=0.007).
Conclusion: The uptake and completion of HPV vaccination in Soroti was suboptimal compared to WHO target of 90%. School
enrollment status and awareness about HPV vaccine were factors significantly associated with HPV uptake and dose completion.
Strengthening the school-based HPV vaccination program and creating awareness about HPV vaccination, in schools, at the
health facilities and in the community may significantly improve the HPV vaccination and dose completion in the region.