Lira University Institutional Repository

Preserving and sharing the scholarly, academic, research, and institutional output of Lira University for local and global access.

About the Repository

The Lira University Institutional Repository is a digital platform for collecting, preserving, and disseminating the intellectual and scholarly output of the University.

It provides access to theses, dissertations, journal articles, conference papers, learning materials, reports, university publications, and other research outputs produced by the Lira University community.

Through this repository, Lira University strengthens visibility, knowledge sharing, long-term preservation, and worldwide access to its academic contributions.

Recent Submissions

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    Association of person-centred maternity care during childbirth and future reproductive and health-seeking intentions among adolescents in Lira, Northern Uganda: a cross-sectional survey.
    (Taylor & Francis Group., 2026) Udho, Samson; Clow, Elizabeth Sheila
    Background: Person-centred maternity care (PCMC) is essential for delivering respectful, responsive, and high-quality care during childbirth. However, limited evidence exists on the association between PCMC during childbirth and adolescents’ future reproductive and health- seeking intentions. Objective: To examine the association between PCMC during childbirth and future reproductive and health-seeking intentions among adolescents in Lira, Northern Uganda. Methods: We conducted a community-based cross-sectional study among 560 adolescents aged 14–19 years who had given birth in public primary health facilities between March 2023 and July 2024. PCMC was measured using the validated PCMC scale, while future reproductive and health-seeking intentions were assessed using items adapted from the Community Survey Tool. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression, adjusting for socio-demographic and obstetric factors. Results: The median age of participants was 18 years (IQR: 18–19). Most adolescents intended to have another child (82%), return to the same facility for future childbirth (83%), and recommend the facility to others (85%). Overall, 77.7% reported moderate levels of PCMC. Adolescents reporting moderate and high PCMC were more likely to intend to return to the same facility for future childbirth (AOR = 2.84, 95% CI: 1.61–5.00; AOR = 5.60, 95% CI: 1.19– 26.43, respectively). Adolescents reporting moderate PCMC were also more likely to recommend the facility to others (AOR = 4.31, 95% CI: 2.46–7.54). Conclusions: Higher levels of PCMC were associated with positive future health-seeking intentions among adolescents. Strengthening adolescent-responsive PCMC may enhance future engagement with skilled childbirth services and contribute to improved maternal health outcomes in low-resource settings.
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    From Access to Impact: Lessons from African Academic Libraries in Driving Digital Transformation and Knowledge Equity
    (East African Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, 2026) Ojulong, Andrew; Namugera, Lydia; Kutyamukama, Alice Gitta
    African academic libraries are undergoing a profound structural transformation from traditional repositories of information into digitally enabled knowledge ecosystems that actively support research, innovation, and inclusive development. This paper examines how collaborative library consortia, continental coordination frameworks, and digital infrastructure systems are reshaping scholarly communication and advancing knowledge equity across African higher education institutions. Using a qualitative desk-review methodology, the study synthesises evidence from peer-reviewed literature, institutional reports, policy frameworks, and technical documents published between 2021 and 2026. The analysis focuses on key actors and systems, including the Consortium of Uganda University Libraries, the Kenya Library and Information Services Consortium, the Association of African Universities, Electronic Information for Libraries, Research4Life, and National Research and Education Networks such as the Research and Education Network for Uganda. Findings indicate that African academic library consortia have evolved beyond traditional resource procurement models into complex socio-technical ecosystems integrating digital infrastructure development, capacity building, policy advocacy, open science implementation, and institutional innovation. These transformations are strengthening research visibility, improving access to scholarly resources, and enhancing the resilience of higher education systems. The paper concludes that African academic libraries are increasingly functioning as strategic drivers of epistemic equity and digital transformation, offering a scalable model for Global South institutions seeking to align knowledge systems with sustainable development priorities and the evolving digital knowledge economy.
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    Harnessing Mothers’ Union Activities as a Means to Enhance Church Marriages
    (East African Journal of Traditions, Culture and Religion, 2026) Ayang, James; Mwesigwa, David
    Church marriage plays a central role in spiritual, social, and family life, offering moral guidance, relational mentorship, and community support. The Mothers’ Union (MU) emerged in this historical context as a movement to strengthen Christian marriage and family life. While economic factors such as the high cost of church weddings are often cited, deep-rooted cultural beliefs surrounding clan rituals, ancestral approval, and customary obligations continue to shape marital legitimacy, making traditional marriage more socially authoritative in many communities. The Mothers’ Union represents one of the most enduring faith-based women’s movements within Christian institutions, particularly within Anglican traditions, where it functions as both a spiritual fellowship and a structured social support system. Church marriage is a Christian marital union solemnised within a church setting according to established religious rites and formally sanctioned by denominational authority. Counselling wedded couples is the most important and most tricky challenge affecting mothers’ unions in Uganda and possibly beyond because of several factors, namely masterminded by the social media and modernisation. Sensitisation programs should be organised from time to time among members of the mothers’ union on how to cope with modernisation and the robust expansion of the social media among wedded couples.
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    A global scoping review of interventions to increase participation in screening programmes for breast, cervical and colorectal cancer between 2016 and 2025
    (BMC Public Health, 2026) Kigongo, Eustes; Heaney, Carmel; McBride, Louise; Gliga, Gabriela; Burns, Richéal M.
    Background: Implementation of timely and targeted health screening programmes is strongly aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in promoting prevention, early detection, and timely intervention across populations. However, participation in breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening remains suboptimal and inequitable, and is increasingly challenged. This review synthesised global evidence on implementation interventions aimed at increasing screening participation and reducing disparities, to identify gaps that must be addressed to achieve screening targets. Methods: This scoping review was conducted and reported in accordance with PRISMA-ScR and the Joanna Briggs Institute methodological guidance. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) was used to extract and synthesise barriers and facilitators, while the RE-AIM framework for the performance of interventions. We used descriptive quantitative methods and a hybrid (deductive–inductive) thematic analysis to summarise and interpret the evidence. Results: One hundred ten studies were included and identified ten intervention categories: educational, reminders, self-sampling, outreach, peer education and counselling, quality improvement, promotional messages, patient navigation and tracking, mass media, and multicomponent interventions. Barriers and facilitators to screening participation were assessed using the CFIR framework, while intervention performance was synthesised using RE-AIM components. Although most interventions demonstrated promising effectiveness, multicomponent interventions showed the greatest impact. However, most interventions were implemented in highly controlled settings, limiting their real-world applicability and scalability. Conclusion: Findings revealed important gaps in culturally responsiveness and real-world intervention approaches for cancer screening. Future research should prioritise pragmatic, culturally appropriate, and multiple component interventions, supported by sufficiently long follow-up periods to assess sustainability and real-world effectiveness.
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    HSD104 Strengthening Routine Childhood Immunization Post-COVID: Global Strategies to Improve Coverage and Equity
    (Value in Health, 2025) Kigongo, Eustes; Burns, Richeal Maria
    Objectives: Global progress in immunisation has stalled, with many countries falling short of coverage targets. Measles outbreaks have resurfaced even in high income countries such as England, Ireland and the United States. Political instability and conflict have further disrupted immunisation efforts in several regions. The COVID-19 pandemic further amplified vaccine hesitancy and disrupted service delivery. This scoping review aimed to identify strategies that have been employed globally to sustain and improve routine childhood immunisation coverage, with a particular focus on equitable access. Methods: A scoping review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Comprehensive searches were performed in Medline, Elsevier, Scopus, and Web of Science. The Population, Concept, Context (PCC) framework guided the development of the question and eligibility criteria. Studies reporting strategies to enhance equitable access to and coverage of routine childhood immunisation were included. Screening and data extraction were performed independently by two reviewers. Data were synthesised using descriptive and thematic analysis. Results: The database search, conducted in April 2025, identified 17,692 articles. Following a two-stage screening process, 58 studies were included for data extraction and synthesis. Most studies originated from high-income countries. Interventions were categorised both by nature and by the immunisation outcomes they targeted. Thematic categories included educational interventions, community engagement strategies, pro-equity approaches, health system strengthening, and communication strategies. With respect to outcomes, interventions were classified as addressing equity, access, or adaptability of immunisation services. Conclusions: The review highlights the global emphasis on multi-modal, targeted communication strategies to address vaccine hesitancy and improve coverage. However, significant gaps remain regarding the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of these interventions, particularly in low and middle-income countries. Further research is needed to evaluate the economic viability and real-world impact of these strategies to inform sustainable, equitable immunisation policies.