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Setting: A comparison of routine Namibia National Malaria Programme data (reported) vs. household survey data (administrative) on indoor residual spraying (IRS) in western Zambezi region, Namibia, for the 2014-2015 malaria season. Objectives: To determine 1) IRS coverage (administrative and reported), 2) its effect on malaria incidence, and 3) reasons for non-uptake of IRS in western Zambezi region, Namibia, for the 2014-2015 malaria season. Design: This was a descriptive study. Results: IRS coverage in western Zambezi region was low, ranging from 42.3% to 52.2% for administrative coverage vs. 45.9-66.7% for reported coverage. There was no significant correlation between IRS coverage and malaria incidence for this region (r = -0.45, P = 0.22). The main reasons for households not being sprayed were that residents were not at home during spraying times or that spray operators did not visit the households. Conclusions: IRS coverage in western Zambezi region, Namibia, was low during the 2014-2015 malaria season because of poor community engagement and awareness of times for spray operations within communities. Higher IRS coverage could be achieved through improved community engagement. Better targeting of the highest risk areas by the use of malaria surveillance will be required to mitigate malaria transmission. Contexte : Une comparaison des donnees de routine du programme national de lutte centre le paludisme de Namibie (rapportees) et des donnees d'enquete dans les foyers (administratives) relatives a la pulverisation d'insecticide a effet remanent (IRS) dans la region ouest du Zambeze, en Namibie, pour la saison 2014–2015 du paludisme.Objectifs : Determiner 1) la couverture de l'IRS (administrative et rapportee), 2) son effet sur l'incidence du paludisme, et 3) les raisons de la non couverture de l'IRS dans la region ouest du Zambeze, Namibie, pendant la saison 2014–2015 du paludisme.Schema : Une etude descriptive.Resultats : La couverture de l'IRS dans la region ouest du Zambeze a ete faible, allant de 42,3% a 52,2% pour la couverture administrative contre 45,9% a 66,7% pour la couverture rapportee. Il n'y a pas eu de correlation significative entre couverture de l'IRS et incidence du paludisme dans cette region (r = −0,45 ; P = 0,22). Les raisons majeures pour lesquelles les foyers n'ont pas beneficie de pulverisations ont ete l'absence des residents a leur domicile lors de la pulverisation ou, inversement, la non-venue des operateurs de pulverisation dans les foyers.Conclusions : La couverture de l'IRS dans la region ouest du Zambeze, Namibie, a ete faible pendant la saison 2014–2015 du paludisme en raison de l'engagement mediocre de la communaute et de la meconnaissance des dates d'operations de pulverisation dans les communautes. Une couverture plus elevee de l'IRS pourrait etre obtenue avec une meilleur engagement de la communaute. Un meilleur ciblage des zones a risque les plus eleves en utilisant la surveillance du paludisme sera requis pour attenuer la transmission du paludisme. Marco de referencia: Una comparacion de los datos corrientes del Programa Nacional contra el Paludismo de Namibia (notificados), con los datos de una encuesta domiciliaria (administrativos) sobre la fumigacion de interiores con insecticidas de efecto residual (IRS) en la region occidental de Zambezi en Namibia, durante la temporada de paludismo del 2014–2015.Objetivos: Determinar 1) la cobertura de la IRS (administrativa y notificada), 2) su efecto sobre la incidencia de paludismo, y 3) las razones de la falta de IRS en la region occidental de Zambezi, en Namibia, durante la temporada de paludismo del 2014–2015.Metodo: Un estudio descriptivo.Resultados: La cobertura de la IRS en la region occidental de Zambezi fue baja, del 42,3% al 52,2% segun la cobertura administrativa, en comparacion con el 45,9% al 66,7% segun la cobertura notificada. paludismo en la region (r = −0,45; P = 0,22). Las principales razones por las cuales no se fumigaron los domicilios fueron que los residentes no se encontraban presentes en el momento de la fumigacion o que los operadores de fumigacion no visitaron los hogares.Conclusiones: La cobertura de la fumigacion de interiores con insecticidas de efecto residual en la region occidental de Zambezi, en Namibia, fue baja durante la temporada de paludismo del 2014–2015 por falta de participacion comunitaria y de conocimiento de los horarios de fumigacion en las comunidades. La cobertura se puede ampliar si se fomenta el compromiso comunitario y es necesario dirigir mejor las campanas a las zonas de mayor riesgo, segun lo indiquen los datos de la vigilancia del paludismo, con el proposito de disminuir la transmision de la enfermedad.

Experience from countries that have achieved low maternal mortality suggests that access to good-quality maternity services is critical to improve maternal health. In this article we appraise the quality of antenatal care (ANC) services in a rural district of Uganda. We used a mixed methods approach, relying on a combination of semistructured interviews with both clients and providers, structured observations of provider–patient interactions, and infrastructure assessment of selected health facilities. We found several bottlenecks in health service delivery, including ineffective organization of educational sessions; selective omission of certain services; lack of explanation of important clinical and laboratory procedures; failure to link the performed procedures with preventive information; and occasional lack of respect for clients. The policy implications of these findings are discussed in relation to the need to (a) ensure an adequate supply of medical equipment and drugs, (b) enhance health workers’ compliance with ANC guidelines, and (c) combine medical procedures with educational messages.

Abstract Energy poverty measurement has taken various approaches with the most preferred being Multidimensional in nature. This paper augments the multidimensional energy poverty measurement to estimate a national multidimensional energy poverty index for Uganda. It applies the M-Gamma method on data from the 2018 National Electrification Survey (NES) which captures various aspects of energy poverty. Results show that, 66% of Ugandans are multidimensionally energy poor, 33% are severely energy poor and the average deprivation score is 51%. The multidimensional energy poverty index for Uganda (MEPI-U) is estimated at 0.33. Implying that, the proportion of the population that is multidimensionally energy poor is deprived in five or more indicators at the same time. This paper's computed MEPI-U suggests that, exclusion of context specific indicators over estimates multidimensional energy poverty. Further, results show that energy poverty does not follow a uniform distribution, the M-Gamma approach reveals high inequality distribution by residence, gender and regional location. Policies that seek to alleviate the energy deficit in Uganda should be multidimensional, comprehensive and should take into account energy poverty differences across subgroups. Affirmative action interventions targeting the rural areas should continue to be prioritised.

Abstract Despite long-standing efforts in terracing, limited field-based evidence of its effectiveness as implemented within rural farming systems of humid tropical regions, such as Rwanda, is available. This study aimed to reveal regional differences in effectiveness of two widely used terracing techniques. Traditional slope farming (NP) was compared to bench (BT) and farmers’ based progressive terraces (PT) in terms of runoff, soil losses, and topsoil fertility in two contrasting agro-ecological zones, the Eastern Plateau (Murehe) and Buberuka Highlands (Tangata). During four consecutive rainy seasons, event-based data were collected using erosion plots (5 m width x 22.2 m length). Effectiveness indices of both terracing systems, as well as (R)USLE P-factor values, were calculated. The annual average soil losses under NP ranged from 4.71 ± 5.02 ton ha−1 to 46.01 ± 7.28 ton ha−1 in Murehe (14% slope gradient) and Tangata (43% slope gradient), respectively. Bench terracing clearly outperformed the farmer-based progressive terrace at both locations, leading to negligible soil losses. In terms of runoff reduction, an effectiveness of 70 and 85% respectively, was observed at Murehe and Tangata. The effectiveness of PT reached 52% for runoff control and 93% for soil loss control at Tangata, thereby confirming its huge potential as erosion control measure, even in mountainous areas. In the hilly landscape of Murehe, the runoff generated by PT – in some years - can exceed that under traditional farming, while the measure reduced soil losses by half on average. Associated USLE P-factors varied between seasons with an annual average values of 0.001–0.02 for BT, and 0.07 to 0.55 for PT at Tangata and Murehe, respectively. These variations in performance by site and terracing system also resulted in differences in topsoil chemical fertility, with BT generally outperforming both PT and NP at Tangata. At Murehe, PT showed a significantly lower chemical fertility compared to BT and NP. Poor quality risers explained the overall lower performance of PT at Murehe. The study thus confirmed the huge potential of (bench) terraces to sustainably reduce soil erosion rates when established within an integrated approach, paying attention to correct installation and fertility-supporting agronomic practices. More attention should be given to riser installation (e.g. distance) and maintenance of PT. Adoption of these erosion control measures can be recommended to similar agro-ecological zones for sustainably protecting the lands while mitigating or adapting the effects of climate change.

Summary A trial involving 21 provenances form Indonesia and 7 “local” seed sources of Casuarina junghuhniana was established at Lushoto, Tanzania in March 1997. At 22 and 48 months of age, the following characteristics were assessed: survival, root collar diameter (RCD ), breast height diameter (DBH) and height. The following were only assessed at 48 months of age: stem volume, biomass production and foliar nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) nutrient concentration and content. At all assessment occasions except for height (22 months of age), Nand P concentration and P content ( 48 months of age), significant provenance/land race variation was observed for the rest of the characteristics studied. At 48 months of age, the four best performing seed sources were: Mt. Bromo, East Java; Mt. Pohen, Bali; KARl, Muguga, Kenya andMt. Brumo, EastJ ava while the four worst performing ones were: Kapan, Kumpang, Timor; 25 km S.W.Soe, Timor; Noelmina River, Timor and Buat, Soe, Timor. Although these results are based on ea...

Temporal patterns of crop raiding by elephants were studied for 13 months in 1996/1997 at Kibale Forest National Park, Uganda. To determine the influence of environmental factors on the timing of raiding, we tested for correlations between crop raiding patterns and the quality of natural forage within the forest as well as crop availability beyond park boundaries. Crop raiding occurred throughout the year with peaks in dry seasons when crop availability was high. Bananas and maize were the main crops raided. Variations in forage quality were moderate with small seasonal fluctuations and peaks in dry seasons. Monthly crop raiding incidences were not influenced by forage quality but by ripening of maize. Comparison of forage quality and temporal distribution of crop raiding between savanna and forest habitats suggests that crop availability is more important in forest habitats, whereas in savanna habitats large seasonal fluctuations in forage quality have a greater influence on temporal patterns of crop raiding. Resume Les modeles temporels de l'incursion des cultures par elephants etaient etudies pendant 13 mois en 1996/97 au parc national de Kibale Forest au Uganda. Afin de determiner l'influence d’elements liea l'environnement sur le timing des incursions, nous avons essaye de trouver les correlations entre les modeles d'incursion et la qualite du fourrage naturel dans la foret ainsi que la disponibilite de cultures au-dela des frontieres du parc. L'incursion des cultures s'est produite a travers l'annee et culminait pendant les periodes seches quand la disponibilite des cultures etaient au plus eleve. Les cultures ciblees le plus souvent etaient les bananes et le mais. Des variations dans la qualite de fourrage etait moderees, avec les petites fluctuations saisonnieres et les points culminants pendant les periodes seches. Les survenances mensuelles d'incursion des cultures n’etaient pas influencees par la qualite de fourrage mais par le murissement du mais. Une comparaison de qualite de fourrage et la distribution temporale des incursions entre les habitats forestiers et savanes suggere que la question de disponibilite est plus important dans les habitats forestiers, tandis que dans les habitats savanes des grandes fluctuations saisonnieres au niveau de la qualite de fourrage exercent un influence plus marquee sur les modeles temporels de l'incursion des cultures.

With more than half of new infections occurring among youth, HIV/AIDS remains a major contributor to morbidity and mortality in Uganda. Semi-structured interviews were performed with 48 adolescents and 15 adult key informants in a rural Ugandan community to identify influences on adolescent sexual decision-making. Inductive data analytic methods revealed five thematic influences: (1) social pressure, (2) decline of the Senga (a familial figure who traditionally taught female adolescents about how to run a household), (3) cultural barriers to condom use, (4) knowledge of HIV transmission and modes of prevention, and (5) a moral injunction against sex before marriage. Influences were classified as HIV/AIDS risk and protective factors and organized to form an explanatory framework of adolescent sexual risk-taking. Risk factors pull youth toward risky behavior, while protective factors push them away. Predominance of risk over protective influences explains persistent sexual risk-taking by Ugandan youth. HIV prevention programs designed for Ugandan adolescents should take competing factors and sociocultural and economic influences into account.

Societal Impact Statement: Large areas of tropical forest are degraded. While global tree cover is being mapped with increasing accuracy from space, much less is known about the quality of that tree cover. Here we present a field protocol for rapid assessments of forest condition. Using extensive field data from Tanzania, we show that a focus on remotely‐sensed deforestation would not detect significant reductions in forest quality. Radar‐based remote sensing of degradation had good agreement with the ground data, but the ground surveys provided more insights into the nature and drivers of degradation. We recommend the combined use of rapid field assessments and remote sensing to provide an early warning, and to allow timely and appropriately targeted conservation and policy responses. Summary: Tropical forest degradation is widely recognised as a driver of biodiversity loss and a major source of carbon emissions. However, in contrast to deforestation, more gradual changes from degradation are challenging to detect, quantify and monitor. Here, we present a field protocol for rapid, area‐standardised quantifications of forest condition, which can also be implemented by non‐specialists. Using the example of threatened high‐biodiversity forests in Tanzania, we analyse and predict degradation based on this method. We also compare the field data to optical and radar remote‐sensing datasets, thereby conducting a large‐scale, independent test of the ability of these products to map degradation in East Africa from space. Our field data consist of 551 ‘degradation’ transects collected between 1996 and 2010, covering >600 ha across 86 forests in the Eastern Arc Mountains and coastal forests. Degradation was widespread, with over one‐third of the study forests—mostly protected areas—having more than 10% of their trees cut. Commonly used optical remote‐sensing maps of complete tree cover loss only detected severe impacts (≥25% of trees cut), that is, a focus on remotely‐sensed deforestation would have significantly underestimated carbon emissions and declines in forest quality. Radar‐based maps detected even low impacts (<5% of trees cut) in ~90% of cases. The field data additionally differentiated types and drivers of harvesting, with spatial patterns suggesting that logging and charcoal production were mainly driven by demand from major cities. Rapid degradation surveys and radar remote sensing can provide an early warning and guide appropriate conservation and policy responses. This is particularly important in areas where forest degradation is more widespread than deforestation, such as in eastern and southern Africa. Funder: Scottish Government’s Rural and Environment Science and Analytical Services Division Funder: Danish International Development Agency; Id: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100011054 Funder: Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund; Id: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100013724 Funder: Global Environment Facility; Id: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100011150 Funder: Leverhulme Trust; Id: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000275 Funder: Finnish International Development Agency