Background: The level of gender inequality in this study was established at 78.4% implying that out of 10(ten) nurses, at least 8(eight) have experienced unfair treatment because of their gender as a student or a staff. Both male and female nurses face gender disparity among patients/attendants, colleagues, other health professionals, their community, and even family members. Male nurses have remained the minority in the profession bringing a striking numerical gender inequality in the nursing profession. The objective of this study is to determine factors influencing Gender inequality in the Nursing Profession among nurses and student nurses from selected hospitals and nurses training institutions in the Northern Cities of Uganda. Methodology:  A cross-sectional study design was used. Quantitative data were obtained from nurses and nursing students in selected study sites in Gulu, Lira, and Arua cities. The raw data was single -entered and analyzed using statistical software version 26 for analysis. Bivariate and univariate analysis methods were used to identify factors associated with gender inequality. Variables with a P-value of <0.05 with a 95% confidence interval were used to declare statistical significance. Results: 383 participants were interviewed. The level of gender inequality was established at 78.4%. Among the socio-demographic factors, gender (x 2=10.294, p-0.001), level of education attained (x 2=6.293, p-0.043), marital status (x 2=8.296, p-0.004) were significantly associated to gender inequality in the nursing profession. Conclusion: The prevalence of gender inequality in this study was 78.4%. Men remain the minority in the profession at 26.4%. Recommendations:  The study recommends that quick comprehensive combined action is needed from government Ministries, nurses councils; NGOs, and international bodies fighting for gender equality to save the nursing profession from inequality. This action will contribute to the achievement of gender equality for all in all spheres of life.

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.

Objective:  This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of female condom use among adolescents and young adults attending Naguru Teenage Information and Health Centre, Kampala district in July 2021. Methodology:  A cross-sectional study was used among 384 participants. The inclusion criteria considered adolescents and young adults.  Results:  Analyses revealed that less than a quarter of the participants (24.7%) had ever used a female condom. Indeed, this is confirmed by the interval of use which was reported to be common “sometimes” (83.1%). Regarding knowledge of condom use among the participants surveyed; more-than half (86.2%) had ever heard of female condoms. The commonest sources of information on female condom use included parents, health facilities, and media outlets. Most participants didn’t know how to fit a female condom (64.1%) and most reported that they didn’t know how to introduce a female condom by self. Most participants (51.3%) strongly disagreed that female condom use reduces sexual pleasure. Conclusion:  Estimates from reports from this survey reflect that few adolescents and young adults use female condoms. More efforts are required to promote the use of female condoms among these age groups. The provision of information and open discussion about female contraception could influence their knowledge, attitude, and female condom use. Recommendations: For the service providers, adolescents, and young adults: the provision of information and open discussion about female contraception could influence their knowledge, attitude, and female condom use. Culture, religion, and approval of the female condom approach are still strong in the national context; this is reflected in the reports from the surveyed participants in this study thus interfering with the decision to use female condoms. The inclusion of partners and religious leaders in reproductive strategies hence constitutes a positive turning point in promoting female condom knowledge, attitude, and practice.

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.

The striking level of gender inequality (GI) in the nursing profession (NP), is partially influenced by some individual related factors. The 26.4% male, mostly suffers psychological abuse and discrimination for being academic failures but some nurses appreciates them. It's confirmed that all nurses are academically qualified though graduate nurses are only 6% and Muslims, 3.7%. 9.1% of respondents revealed that patients/attendants mistreatment by some nurses triggered their nursing choice. The main study objectives was to established the factors influencing GI in the NP among nurses and student nurses from the selected hospital and nurses training institution in the Northern Cities of Uganda. Methodology:A cross-sectional study design was used to obtained quantitative data from the respondents. Trained research assistants used a pretested structured English questionnaire to obtain raw data which were single entered and analyzed using statistical software version 26. Frequency tables and graphs were used to describe the study variables. Univaraite and bivariate analysis methods were used to identify factors associated with GI. Variables with P-value of <0.05 with 95% confidence interval were used to declare statistical significance.Results: 383 interviewed participants generated 95.6% responses. Perpetuator of gender discrimination in the NP are mainly patients/attendants and nurses/students. 35.5% of the respondents believed that male nurses are using nursing as a stepping stone to other medical courses. Gender, education level, religious affiliation, training level, experience of discrimination and recommended gender for NP were the individual related factors that were significantly associated to GI in the NP Conclusion:Gender inequality in the NP is greatly influenced by individual related factors despite other factors. The stigmatised male nurses avoids the professional uniform to probably meet the public expectation of them being doctors.Recommendation: Swift multidisciplinary action is needed for a comprehensive and collaborative mind set change of the public about NP.