Search

Because of stigmatization of and discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and other sexual and gender minority (SGM) people in East Africa, there is paucity of SGM-focused sexual health research. Technology-based outreach efforts may represent a feasible way to reach and engage this population. They also may be a way to deliver important yet sensitive sexual health information in a stigma-free, anonymous atmosphere. We explored the feasibility of recruiting and surveying East African SGM adults online, and examined their interest in technology-based sexual health programming. Over a 14-month period, 2451 respondents were surveyed. They were, on average, 26.7 years of age. Fifty-four percent identified as lesbian, gay, and/or bisexual (LGB); a similar percentage (49%) reported having sex with a same-sex partner. Sixteen percent identified as gender minority (i.e. transgender or non-binary); and 29% were assigned female at birth. Almost half (48%) of SGM adults expressed interest in an SGM-focused healthy sexuality program delivered online. Enthusiasm also was noted for email (43%) and text messaging (41%). Compared to face-to-face settings, technology-based settings were more commonly appraised as the safest mode through which one could engage in sexual health programming. People who had a same sex partner and those who identified as sexual minority were especially likely to want to engage in technology-based programs. Interest in technology-based programming was similar for adults across gender identities, sex assigned at birth, and age however. Findings suggest that technology may be an underutilized opportunity to reach and engage SGM East Africans in a safe and private manner. Given levels of acceptability indicated by SGM adults across age, sex assigned at birth, and gender and sexual identities in this study, it seems possible that technology-based sexual health and HIV prevention and intervention programs could have the potential to be transformative in East Africa.Debido a la estigmatización y discriminación contra lesbianas, gays, bisexuales, transgénero y otras personas de minorías sexuales y de género en África Oriental, hay limitadas investigaciones sobre salud sexual centradas en minorías sexuales y de género. Los esfuerzos de divulgación basados en la tecnología pueden representar una forma factible de llegar e involucrar a esta población. También pueden ser una forma de entregar información importante pero sensible sobre la salud sexual en una atmósfera anónima y libre de estigma. Exploramos la viabilidad de reclutar y encuestar a adultos de minorías sexuales y de género de África Oriental en línea y examinamos su interés en la programación de salud sexual basada en tecnología. Durante un período de 14 meses, 2451 personas fueron encuestadas. Tenían, en promedio, 26.7 años. El cincuenta y cuatro por ciento se identificó como lesbiana, gay y / o bisexual (LGB); un porcentaje similar (49%) reporto haber tenido relaciones sexuales con una pareja del mismo sexo. El dieciséis por ciento se identificó como una minoría de género (es decir, transgénero o no binario); y al 29% se les asignó mujeres al nacer. Casi la mitad (48%) de los adultos de minorías sexuales y de género expresaron interés en un programa de sexualidad saludable centrado en minorías sexuales y de género que se ofrece en línea. También se notó entusiasmo por el correo electrónico (43%) y los mensajes de texto (41%). En comparación con los entornos cara a cara, los entornos basados en la tecnología se consideraban más comúnmente el modo más seguro a través del cual uno podía participar en programas de salud sexual. Las personas que tenían una pareja del mismo sexo y las que se identificaban como minorías sexuales eran especialmente propensas a querer participar en programas basados en tecnología. Sin embargo, el interés en la programación basada en tecnología fue similar para los adultos en todas las identidades de género, sexo asignado al nacer y edad. Este estudio sugiere que la tecnología podría ser una oportunidad aún subutilizada para llegar e involucrar a los africanos del este de minoría sexual y de género de una manera segura y privada. Dados los niveles de aceptabilidad indicados por los adultos de minoría sexual y de género de todas las edades, el sexo asignado al nacer, y las identidades sexuales y de género en este estudio, parece posible que los programas de prevención e intervención del VIH basados en la tecnología puedan ser transformadores en África Oriental.

The Albertine Graben in western Uganda is a Mesozoic-Cenozoic rift basin with petroleum exploration potential. A fundamental evaluation of petroleum potential of the graben is given based on field research, data processing of gravity and magnetism, analysis of graben structure, geochemistry, reservoir and composition research. The basin has a double-layered framework and a large thickness of sediments. Gravity highs shown in a residual anomaly map might indicate central uplift zones. There exist at least two sets of mature or low-maturity source rocks corresponding to a certain source rock in the Cretaceous or Paleogene and Neogene strata. The graben has basement rock with potential reservoirs and Tertiary sandstone reservoirs and thus has petroleum exploration potential.

The sexual and reproductive health needs of young people perinatally infected with HIV in Uganda remain largely unaddressed by existing HIV/AIDS programs mostly because, such programs encourage young HIV-positive clients to refrain from or postpone sexual activity. This study examines the sexual expressions and experiences as well as the preventive practices of 732 adolescent boys and girls aged 15-19 years who were born with HIV with a view to identifying the preventive service needs of these young people and the implications of these needs for HIV/AIDS programs. The data come from a project on the sexuality of young people perinatally infected with HIV conducted in 2007 in four districts of Uganda, that is, Kampala, Wakiso, Masaka, and Jinja. The analysis involves both quantitative and qualitative approaches: the quantitative approach entails cross-tabulations with chi-square tests as well as significance tests of proportions while the qualitative approach involves an analysis of individual case stories, in-depth probes and focus group discussions for content. The findings show disconnect between: (1) the information the service providers give to the young people and their actual needs and desires; (2) the fears of the adolescents and their actual preventive practices; and (3) the high level of reported condom use and the frequency of use. Programs will therefore need to recognize that young people perinatally infected with HIV are sexually active or anticipate being so in future. Thus, both sexually active and non-sexually active young people require information and services on prevention of unwanted pregnancies as well as avoiding infecting their sexual partners with HIV and re-infecting themselves. Programs will need to devise ways of responding to these needs which should include emphasizing the disclosure of HIV status to the partner as well as the need to accompany such disclosure with consistent condom use.

Counseling programs for adolescents living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) encourage abstinence from sex and relationships. This Uganda study, however, found that many of these adolescents are sexually active or desire to be in relationships but engage in poor preventive practices. Programs for HIV and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) programs therefore need to strengthen preventive services to this group.

This paper explores the ability for reproductive health (RH) non-governmental organizations (NGO) in Uganda to survive in the context of SWAp and decentralization. The authors argue that, contrary to the perceptions that this context may increase NGO's financial vulnerability, a SWAp and a decentralized system may provide an opportunity that should be embraced by NGOs to enhance their sustainability and effectiveness by reducing their current dependency on donor funding. The paper discusses the systemic weaknesses of many NGOs that currently make them vulnerable, and observes that unless these weaknesses are addressed, such NGOs will lose their space in the SWAp and decentralization arena. The authors suggest that NGOs need to recognize the opportunities that participating in public-private partnerships through a SWAp can offer them for long-term and significant funding. They need also to develop their capacity to pro-actively participate in a SWAp and decentralized context by becoming more entrepreneurial in nature, through re-orienting their organizational philosophies and strategic planning and budgeting so as to be able to partner effectively with the public sector in accessing funds made available through health sector reform.

Although Uganda has a long history of surface petroleum exploration, no commercial oilfields have yet been found there. The most prospective area in the country is the Albertine graben (Fig. 1); this is 570km long and about 45km wide, and extends into the Democratic Republic of Congo. Previous geological and geophysical studies have concluded that mature source rocks are present in the graben, and the presence of an active petroleum system is indicated by the occurrence of oil seeps. Wayland (1925) identified oil and gas shows at 52 locations within and around Lake Albert. At the present day, surface seepages of petroleum occur at Paraa, Kibiro and Kibuku (see Fig. 2). The existence of these seepages indicates that not only are effective source rocks present, but also that they have generated and expelled oil and that migration has taken place. In order to investigate the petroleum potential of the Albertine graben, CNODC geologists have recently participated in a joint research programme with PEPD Uganda. Three seepage oils, two bituminous sandstones and five shales were collected for organic geochemical analysis (Table 1). Sample locations are shown in Fig. 2.

Background and methodology Provider perspectives on the quality of family planning services have been overlooked in quality of care research and interventions. This qualitative study was carried out in four districts in Uganda, a country where lack of access to quality family planning services remains a challenge. Using four focus group discussions, 16 provider in-depth interviews and nine manager in-depth interviews, this study documented providers9 perceptions of quality of care and of barriers to quality services at the organisational and societal levels. To guide study development, analysis and interpretation, the authors relied on an ecological framework where providers9 abilities are shaped by the larger organisational and societal environments in which providers live and work. Results Providers felt that organisational factors, such as supply availability, workload and their own knowledge and skills, affected their abilities to offer quality care. At the same time, providers were challenged by societal factors such as male partner participation, financial constraints, misconceptions and leadership support. While making changes to the elements of quality care that clients experience is important, it is not sufficient in view of the organisational and social barriers. Discussion and conclusions Across the different levels of the ecological framework, providers face barriers to providing quality family planning services that are synergistic. Solutions to improve quality of care must address also limitations at the organisational and societal levels since efforts to overcome a particular constraint are less likely to be successful if this interdependence is not taken into account.

An informal public-private mix in the health sector has always existed in Uganda, and policymakers, planners and the public in general have taken this for granted. There is now renewed effort to develop a comprehensive policy on the mix, but the policy process has proved to be tortuous and the mix has been interpreted differently by different stakeholders. While significant differences in opinion on the mix still remain, it is becoming clear that the new policy should enable health institutions, whether in the public or the private sector, to play roles in which they have clear comparative advantage over others.