Masters of Science in Environmental Management

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https://testir.kiu.ac.ug/handle/20.500.12306/316

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Poor Hygiene and Its Associated Factors: A Case Study of Selected Healthcare Facilities in South Sudan
(2024) Tap John Puol
The increasing negative risks and effects of poor hygiene on the people's heath have called for investigation. This study aimed at assessing poor hygiene and its associated factors in selected healthcare facilities in South Sudan. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design using a mixed-methods approach. The questionnaire and interview guide were used to collect data from 384 respondents. The findings indicated several individual factors responsible for poor hygiene, including improper waste disposal, failure to follow infection prevention protocols by patients and visitors, a lack of awareness about hygiene practices, and issues with contaminated water leading to foodborne illnesses. Most respondents agreed that these factors significantly impact the selected healthcare facilities' hygiene standards. Majority of respondents acknowledged that unsafe and unsanitary surroundings contribute to disease spread (34.93% agreed, 28.76% strongly agreed). However, opinions were divided on the impact of improper waste management (49.31% were unsure). Absignificant number of respondents strongly agreed that inadequate waste disposal bins contribute to poor hygiene (45.20%), with additional agreement from others (34.24%). Overcrowding was noted to strain water and sanitation infrastructure, with varying levels of agreement among respondents. Insufficient waste bins were cited as attracting pests, with a majority agreeing that this contributes to poor hygiene. These findings imply that addressing individual behaviour, such as improving awareness and compliance with hygiene protocols could significantly enhance hygiene practices in South Sudanese healthcare facilities furthermore, the study suggests that improving infrastructure, increasing staffing levels, and enhancing operational practices are crucial for addressing hygiene challenges in South Sudanese healthcare facilities.
Social Strata among Captive Chimpanzees’ Community and their Rehabilitation Process at Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Center
(2024) Mirembe Dan
Chimpanzees in the wild live in cohesive social units known as communities, where kinship and social strata significantly influence group dynamics. However, threats such as habitat destruction, illegal wildlife trade, poaching, the bush meat crisis, climate change, and diseases disrupt this social structure, especially for rescued chimpanzees, leading to longterm behavioral changes in captivity. This study aimed to evaluate the social and intergroup dynamics of the chimpanzee community at UWEC and how these factors affect their rehabilitation process. Using experimental and observational research designs—including focal, scan, ad-libitum, and all-occurrence sampling techniques—the study found a moderate positive correlation between aggression and mating behavior (r = 0.3) and a strong negative correlation between grooming behavior and both aggression and mating (r = -0.7). The chimpanzee community was categorized into four social strata, with Stratum 2 having the highest number of individuals, appearing 91 times between a lower bound of 17.6 and an upper bound of 40.7 at a 0.05 significance level. The findings highlight the importance of understanding social strata when rehabilitating rescued chimpanzees, as these dynamics influence group behavior and cohesion. By considering individual social positions, caretakers can better manage rehabilitation and release strategies, minimizing conflicts and enhancing the chimpanzees’ long-term well-being. Early intervention during juvenile or infant stages is crucial for successful rehabilitation, and promoting grooming behavior may help reduce aggression in captivity. The study recommends training more caretakers in ethology and expanding research collaborations with academic and conservation organizations to improve chimpanzees’ rehabilitation practices and their conservation efforts globally.
Plastic Waste and Its Management in Urban Uganda: A Case Study of Makindye Division, Kampala Capital City
(2024) Joshua Ainebyoona
This study examined plastic waste and its management in urban Uganda, using a case of Makindye Division, Kampala City. The objectives of the study were: (i) To identify the types of plastic waste produced in Makindye Division, (ii) To examine the environmental effects of plastic waste in Makindye Division, (iii) To analyze how plastic waste is managed in Makindye Division, and (iv) To suggest better methods of managing plastic waste in Makindye Division. The study employed a case study design with Makindye division being the case study of an urban local government with challenges of managing plastic wastes. The study also employed mixed methods, utilizing both quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques - a survey and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs). The survey covered 158 households and businesses from three parishes that is Katwe 1, Wabigalo, and Bukasa, while the key informants were 8 including local leaders, a civil society organisation and division technical officers. The major findings indicate that in Makindye division, there’s widespread usage of plastic items and polythene products such as plastic buckets, bins, barrels, storage containers, plastic bottles and plastic shoes. Most of the plastic items and polythene materials used are not made or manufactured in homes or anywhere in Makindye division. On why they cherish using plastic and polythene products, 40% of the responses were for plastics being cheap; 22% the relative ease with which plastics and polythene can be obtained; and 11% of mentioned plastics materials’ being durable. 92% of the respondents were aware that littered plastics and polythene materials pollute the soil are non-biodegradable and block drainage systems leading to flooding. 68% of the respondents stated that they manage plastics through re-purposing plastic bags (e.g., as trash liners or pet waste bags); using reusable bags or polythenes or containers when shopping; having collection points; recycling the plastics/polythene; and that there is company that buys plastic from the community. On disposal of plastic waste, 46.3% of the responses were for handing over waste to collectors, while others pile the waste in household-based bins; burn it or recycle it. Most of the respondents mentioned waste reduction as the best method that for sustainably addressing the problem of plastic waste and the study recommends restricting the use of plastics, separating plastics from other waste, encouraging people to adopt alternative packaging materials such as paper bags and cloth bags and strictly enforcing plastic waste policies and regulations which has succeeded in countries like Rwanda.
Assessment of Bush Burning On Savanna in Ruzizi Plain South-Kivu Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
(2024) Cijoli Cigoli Lourdes
Bush burning is rampant in many rural communities of the world. It has led to loss of valuable flora and fauna. Loss of habitat is one of the major threats to the existence of wildlife anywhere in the world. This problem is exacerbated by activities of burn farmers, hunters and poachers. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, deforestation and forest degradation are mainly the result of the expansion of slash-and-burn agriculture (the main form of agriculture in that part of the country). The purpose of this study was to assess the impacts of bush burnings on savanna in Ruzizi plain, South-Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. A number of tools were used during collection of data and these included: questionnaire, interviews and documentary review. Data from questionnaire were collected from 400 respondents. Descriptive statistical analyses such as frequency and percentage were used to analyze the data obtained. Reasons for bush burning include hunting and poaching (35%), agriculture (30%), low management of pasture (15%), ill intentions (13%), weak policies (5%) and cigarettes butts left on the land (2%). The effects of bush burning on biodiversity and human health in Ruzizi Plain are destruction of vegetation cover, destruction of soil texture and its organisms, extinction of some wild species, burns and injuries, respiration issues and skin problems. People living in Ruzizi plain are of the view that bush-burning activity should be arrested. The study recommended agro-forestry practices, education and aggressive campaign against bush burning, strengthen savannas surveillance during dry season, reforestation, community outreach, management of pastures, installation of firebreaks, law enforcement and setting up of an alert system
Assessment of Water Shortage in Agro-Pastoral Communities in Guriel District, Somalia
(2024) Ali Abdukadir Yusuf
The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of water scarcity on agro-pastoral communities of Guriel district, Somalia. The study explores the effects of water shortages from historical, theoretical, conceptual, and contextual perspectives. Specifically, it aims to assess the effects of water shortages on crop production, domestic animal keeping, and revenue-generating activities within these communities. Employing a cross-sectional survey design, data were collected using questionnaires and interviews with 318 and 12 respondents, respectively. The findings reveal that water scarcity significantly impacts agricultural productivity, resulting in reduced crop yields. There was a negative and significant connection between domestic animal husbandry and water scarcity, indicating that as water shortages increase, domestic animal keeping declines. The study suggests that regions prone to water shortages should implement water conservation programmes to provide irrigation during times of scarcity. Introducing water-efficient crops and water shortage-resistant cultivars is recommended to enhance resilience against water scarcity and reduce crop failure during dry spells. To improve range management and reduce pastoralists' vulnerability to drought, significant investments in infrastructure, human resources, and range management techniques are essential.

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