Background Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is characterized by recurrent psychological, behavioural, and/or physical symptoms occurring before menses and usually resolve by the end of or during menstruation. These symptoms usually affect the women’s quality of life and efficiency. Although over 95% of women worldwide suffer from PMS, in Uganda, little is documented about the prevalence and existence of PMS among students. This study, therefore, sought to determine the prevalence and severity of PMS among female university students in Central Uganda. Methodology A cross-sectional study was carried out using a questionnaire between November 2021 and May 2022. The sample of 238 participants was taken from female students in 4 universities who met the inclusion criteria. Sampling was done by proportionate sampling. Primary data was obtained about Premenstrual Syndrome prevalence and severity using modifications of the following tools: The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' diagnostic criteria for PMS; the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders criteria (DSM-IV) diagnostic criteria for PMDD; and the premenstrual symptoms screening tool (PSST). The data was analysed to obtain descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages. A student was considered to be suffering from PMS if they satisfied the DSM-IV criteria for the diagnosis of PMS.  Results The prevalence of PMS among female University students in central Uganda was found to be 28.3% (60). However, at least 76.9% (163) of the respondents suffered at least one or more symptoms of PMS.  Conclusion Over a quarter of female university students suffer from Premenstrual syndrome. Recommendation There is a need to create awareness as well as mobilize social support so that there is help available to the students who suffer PMS.

Background Safe complementary food is food that will not cause harm to infants and children when prepared and fed as recommended. Unfortunately, children are frequently suffering from diarrhoea which is not only preventable but is also largely attributed to complementary foods hence this study.   Methodology The study was carried out in 2015 in Adyel Division, Lira District among caregiver-child pairs. The children were between the ages of 6 – 23 months. Information collected was about the children’s diarrhoeal patterns, nutritional status, and complementary food safety. Results Analyses of food samples revealed that freshly cooked food was contaminated with fecal coliforms (4.88±1.87 log cfu/g), and the levels of fecal coliforms in stored food increased with prolonged storage period (5.49b±1.86 log cfu/g).  Drinking water too was contaminated with E.coli (2.86 logs cfu/ml). Water in storage containers had total coliform counts of up to 3.14 log cfu/ml. In over half of the households (56.7%), the microbial counts in household drinking water containers (4.48E+03cfu E.coli) were more than those found at the respective water sources (4.46E+02cfu E.coli). Water treatment accounted for 25% of the variation (p=0.005) in E.coli counts in drinking water that was found in water storage containers. About 32.5% of the frequency or recurrence of diarrhea episodes in two weeks among children was explained by the presence of fecal coliforms in freshly cooked complementary food (p=0.001). Overall, diarrheal infections (p=0.030), inappropriate child-feeding practices (p=0.048), and poor hand-washing (p=0.011) played a significant role in influencing child health.  Conclusion The food safety in this study was compromised by poor complementary food handling practices. Recommendation There is a need to study specific food combinations under more controlled conditions to compare the effect of the different handling practices on the microbial load in the various foods.

Background Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is a common disorder among females of reproductive age, which also happens to be the most productive period within the life of a woman. Unfortunately, the aetiology of PMS is still not known; although, the following theories have been proposed to explain PMS symptoms: A genetic predisposition; changes in neurotransmitter levels; or changes in different hormone levels during the menstrual cycle.  In Uganda the factors associated with PMS are hardly documented, making awareness, prevention, and management complicated. The aim of this study, was to determine the social demographic factors associated with PMS among female university students in Central Uganda. Methodology A cross-sectional study was carried out using a self-administered questionnaire between November 2021 and May 2022. 238 female students in 4 universities who consented and met the inclusion criteria participated in the study. Data which was obtained about social demographic characteristics and PMS symptoms was coded and analysed to obtain descriptive statistics and Chi-square correlations.  Results The mean age of the respondents was 22.67±5.595, with most of the respondents (188, 88.7%) being between 19 to 24 years of age, the minimum age was 19 years and the maximum was 55 years. Among this study population, menarche age group χ2(2, n=212) = 7.756, p=0.021, and several menstrual bleeding days χ2(1, n=212) = 5.188, p=0.023 were associated with PMS among the female university students. Conclusion The cause of the PMS among this study population is likely biological as respondents who reported that they started their menses started at age ≤12 years; as well as those whose bleeding days were more than or equal to 5 days were more likely to suffer PMS. Recommendation Studies need to be carried out to investigate the biological causes of PMS to guide management and prevention.

Background The WHO defines health as the complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not simply the absence of disease. Unfortunately, many are increasingly suffering from mental illness especially following the recent COVID-19 pandemic characterized by psychosis among other symptoms. According to the DSM-5, psychosis is characterized by the following: “delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, catatonia or abnormal motor behaviour, and negative symptoms” which greatly disrupt human life and relationships. Although there are conventional ways of managing psychosis, people still seek spiritual modalities due to the perceived spiritual causes. This study, therefore, sought to identify and document the perceived spiritual causes of psychosis in Central Uganda from July to December 2022. Methodology An ethnographic study design was employed for this explorative qualitative study. The sample size was 15 which was obtained through saturation. Sampling was carried out using the snowball method and the respondents were traditional healers, Christians, and Muslims who practiced spiritual management of psychosis as well as their clients (patients and caregivers). In-depth Interviews and Key informant interviews as well as observations were used for data collection. Data were analysed thematically. Results The spiritual cause of Psychosis in the study area was found to be demons (evil spirits). These were either ancestral in nature or a result of witchcraft. Witchcraft was either sent or self-inflicted.  Conclusion There is a spiritual world that can influence and inflict disease in the physical body including mental illness (psychosis).  Recommendation Research needs to be done to establish whether the disease progress and manifestations are similar in one who has psychosis as a result of spiritual causes compared to one whose psychotic symptoms are a result of purely physical causes.

Background The cyclic nature of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) affects those with severe symptoms in ways that make them incapacitated or inefficient every month impairing their quality of life. This problem in Uganda is compounded by the cultural stigma associated with menstruation making it difficult for ladies and communities to address the associated problems. Therefore, this study sought to identify how Premenstrual Syndrome affects the quality of life of female University students in Central Uganda in terms of effects and coping mechanisms.  Methodology A cross-sectional study was carried out using a questionnaire between November 2021 and May 2022. 238 participants from 4 universities who met the inclusion criteria were given self-administered questionnaires on PMS symptoms, effects and coping mechanisms. The data was analysed to obtain frequencies and percentages. Statistically significant associations between PMS and Effects of PMS as well as the Coping mechanism were determined using Chi-square correlations. Results At least 70 (33%) of the 212 respondents reported that the PMS symptoms affected either their school and/or their relationships or their daily activities plus home chores. Statistically significant effects of PMS on school efficiency were: sleeping in class χ2(1, n=212) = 4.957, p=0.026; and being late on assignments χ2(1, n=212) = 6.279, p=0.012. Coping mechanisms that were found to be statistically significantly associated with PMS at α-level of 5% were: hiding or locking self in a room χ2(1, n=212) = 4.846, p=0.028; taking alcohol χ2(1, n=212) = 5.115, p=0.024; seeing a health worker χ2(4, n=212) = 14.201, p=0.007; and taking pain killers χ2(1, n=212) = 5.202, p=0.03. Conclusion PMS was significantly affecting school efficiency of students. Recommendation There are still huge knowledge gaps about PMS that need addressing. Some students reported that they used herbal preparations for PMS symptoms which need to be investigated for potential pharmaceutical development.