Solomon Mwije | Uganda Christian University, mukono (original) (raw)
Papers by Solomon Mwije
Health Care for Women International
Interventions for Improving Male Involvement in Maternal and Child Healthcare in Uganda: A Realist Synthesis, Feb 2021
This study aimed at understanding how, when, and under what circumstances interventions succeed (... more This study aimed at understanding how, when, and under what circumstances interventions succeed (or fail) to improve male involvement in maternal and child healthcare in Uganda. A realist synthesis approach was used to unpack the complexity of these health interventions to explain their theories and applications in specific circumstances. Our review of 19 studies revealed that men were specifically approached as clients, partners or agents for behavioural change. Broadly, mechanisms of education, training, restriction, environmental restructuring, modeling, enablement, persuasion, incentivization and coercion were used to involve men in maternal and child healthcare. Education, training, modeling, enablement and environmental restructuring mechanisms were more effective in 'cultivating' a sustained will of men to get involved as couples. However, unintended outcomes were inevitable in circumstances where mechanisms did not match specific contexts. Using coercion, restriction or incentivization is more likely to result in short-term and negative outcomes because of context heterogeneities. (Afr J Reprod Health 2021; 25[1]: 138-160).
Résumé Cette étude visait à comprendre comment, quand et dans quelles circonstances les interventions réussissent (ou échouent) à améliorer la participation des hommes aux soins de santé maternelle et infantile en Ouganda. Une approche de synthèse réaliste a été utilisée pour décortiquer la complexité de ces interventions sanitaires afin d'expliquer leurs théories et leurs applications dans des circonstances spécifiques. Notre examen de 19 études a révélé que les hommes étaient spécifiquement approchés en tant que clients, partenaires ou agents de changement de comportement. De manière générale, des mécanismes d'éducation, de formation, de restriction, de restructuration de l'environnement, de modélisation, d'habilitation, de persuasion, d'incitation et de coercition ont été utilisés pour impliquer les hommes dans les soins de santé maternelle et infantile. Les mécanismes d'éducation, de formation, de modélisation, d'habilitation et de restructuration de l'environnement ont été plus efficaces pour «cultiver» une volonté soutenue des hommes de s'impliquer en couple. Cependant, des résultats imprévus étaient inévitables dans des circonstances où les mécanismes ne correspondaient pas à des contextes spécifiques. Le recours à la coercition, à la restriction ou à l'incitation est plus susceptible d'entraîner des résultats négatifs à court terme en raison des hétérogénéités du contexte. (Afr J Reprod Health 2021; 25[1]: 138-160).
The Demand for Maternal and Child Health Care Services in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Review of Latest Available Data for Selected Countries, 2019
It is evident that maternal and under-five child deaths have gradually reduced in Sub-Saharan Afr... more It is evident that maternal and under-five child deaths have gradually reduced in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) in the last three decades. In a bid to improve access and utilization of maternal and child health care services in the region, actors in public, private and civil society arenas at all levels have engaged in familiar circles towards service provisioning. Nevertheless, evidence from several SSA countries shows less utilization of some maternal and child health care services. The demand remains low for some services such as attendance of four antenatal visits as recommended by World Health Organization, delivery skilled birth attendants, postnatal care especially for newborns, child immunization, and use of modern contraceptives. The concern remains whether the less demand is influenced by supply-side or demand-side factors. The personal, socio-cultural, economic, health systems related factors may condition a person’s demand choices regardless of the need for a particular health service. Improved access may not necessarily translate into utilization because of these interrelated determinants of demand. Therefore, policy-makers might need to turn to Sen’s capability approach viewpoint to gaze at how expanding people’s choices-especially poor women might help to improve the demand for maternal and child health services in SSA. Policy interventions may include pro-poor healthcare service provisioning through public financing, improving women’s education, improving women’s access to information, etc. However, a multi-sectoral approach is necessary for addressing all demand determinants at all levels and the interventions should be context-specific.
No Short-Term Benefits: Participatory Development Opportunities and Dilemmas of Power Relations, 2019
Over the last three decades, ‘participation of local people’ has become a necessary practice for ... more Over the last three decades, ‘participation of local people’ has become a necessary practice for most development actors as an alternative to conventional development practices. The epistemological point of departure in participatory development lies in the subjective processes of knowledge acquisition and people’s engagement in development actions. Participatory development recognizes local people as stakeholders with capabilities of defining their own lives and determining their own development trajectories. Simply put, participation is the focal mechanism of participatory development. However simple it may seem to be in theory, participation is a complex concept in practice. Its complexity and dynamism are deeply entrenched in aspects such as power relations, interventional benefits, interests and motives all of which influence the degree of engagements of actors in development processes. It is undeniable that participatory development enhances efficiency and effectiveness of development interventions, promotes empowerment with an outcome of better management of resources and services, and in a long-run ensures development sustainability. Nevertheless, the dilemmas of power relations in an overly simplified concept of community present a great challenge to such subjective development processes. Critics of participatory development do not completely negate the usefulness of participatory approaches but instead, provide an informative scrutiny of theoretical and applicability limitations. If participatory development must create sustainable impact then time, flexibility, geography, and contextual relevance matter. Good enough, in the end, participation is not just a means to development but an end in itself.
Why there was a Paradigm Shift from Women in Development (WID) to Gender and Development (GAD) in... more Why there was a Paradigm Shift from Women in Development (WID) to Gender and Development (GAD) in an Effort to Address Gender Inequalities
Human Development and Gender Equality - Why Change from 'Economic Growth' to 'Human Development' ... more Human Development and Gender Equality - Why Change from 'Economic Growth' to 'Human Development' and How is Gender Equality a Development Issue
1 Empowerment includes an emphasis on local decision making, local self-reliance, participatory d... more 1 Empowerment includes an emphasis on local decision making, local self-reliance, participatory democracy, and social learning (Friedman, 1992; Myers, 1999:99).
The paper discusses how Gender Based Violence (GBV) is a Development Issue and presents strategie... more The paper discusses how Gender Based Violence (GBV) is a Development Issue and presents strategies used by Civil Society Organizations and the State in trying to address GBV in Uganda
Religious Based Gender Equality - The Role of Christianity in Enhancing Gender Equality in Africa... more Religious Based Gender Equality - The Role of Christianity in Enhancing Gender Equality in African Society
Inequality, Poverty, Development in Uganda (Based on Todaro & Smith's 2012 - Economic Development... more Inequality, Poverty, Development in Uganda (Based on Todaro & Smith's 2012 - Economic Development Book)
Cognitive Processes and Environmental Management - Influence of people’s ‘internal’ environments ... more Cognitive Processes and Environmental Management - Influence of people’s ‘internal’ environments on the modification of ‘external’ environment [Solomon Mwije]
Climate Change and Sustainable Development - Causes of Global Climate and the Linkages between Cl... more Climate Change and Sustainable Development - Causes of Global Climate and the Linkages between Climate Change and Sustainable Development
This paper presents review of The 2007 Uganda Gender Policy pointing out some the the overlooked ... more This paper presents review of The 2007 Uganda Gender Policy pointing out some the the overlooked leaps and actors. The policy recognizes gender inequalities in Uganda, lays strategies on how to address and eliminate them, and states the guiding principles in the implementation process.
Health Care for Women International
Interventions for Improving Male Involvement in Maternal and Child Healthcare in Uganda: A Realist Synthesis, Feb 2021
This study aimed at understanding how, when, and under what circumstances interventions succeed (... more This study aimed at understanding how, when, and under what circumstances interventions succeed (or fail) to improve male involvement in maternal and child healthcare in Uganda. A realist synthesis approach was used to unpack the complexity of these health interventions to explain their theories and applications in specific circumstances. Our review of 19 studies revealed that men were specifically approached as clients, partners or agents for behavioural change. Broadly, mechanisms of education, training, restriction, environmental restructuring, modeling, enablement, persuasion, incentivization and coercion were used to involve men in maternal and child healthcare. Education, training, modeling, enablement and environmental restructuring mechanisms were more effective in 'cultivating' a sustained will of men to get involved as couples. However, unintended outcomes were inevitable in circumstances where mechanisms did not match specific contexts. Using coercion, restriction or incentivization is more likely to result in short-term and negative outcomes because of context heterogeneities. (Afr J Reprod Health 2021; 25[1]: 138-160).
Résumé Cette étude visait à comprendre comment, quand et dans quelles circonstances les interventions réussissent (ou échouent) à améliorer la participation des hommes aux soins de santé maternelle et infantile en Ouganda. Une approche de synthèse réaliste a été utilisée pour décortiquer la complexité de ces interventions sanitaires afin d'expliquer leurs théories et leurs applications dans des circonstances spécifiques. Notre examen de 19 études a révélé que les hommes étaient spécifiquement approchés en tant que clients, partenaires ou agents de changement de comportement. De manière générale, des mécanismes d'éducation, de formation, de restriction, de restructuration de l'environnement, de modélisation, d'habilitation, de persuasion, d'incitation et de coercition ont été utilisés pour impliquer les hommes dans les soins de santé maternelle et infantile. Les mécanismes d'éducation, de formation, de modélisation, d'habilitation et de restructuration de l'environnement ont été plus efficaces pour «cultiver» une volonté soutenue des hommes de s'impliquer en couple. Cependant, des résultats imprévus étaient inévitables dans des circonstances où les mécanismes ne correspondaient pas à des contextes spécifiques. Le recours à la coercition, à la restriction ou à l'incitation est plus susceptible d'entraîner des résultats négatifs à court terme en raison des hétérogénéités du contexte. (Afr J Reprod Health 2021; 25[1]: 138-160).
The Demand for Maternal and Child Health Care Services in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Review of Latest Available Data for Selected Countries, 2019
It is evident that maternal and under-five child deaths have gradually reduced in Sub-Saharan Afr... more It is evident that maternal and under-five child deaths have gradually reduced in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) in the last three decades. In a bid to improve access and utilization of maternal and child health care services in the region, actors in public, private and civil society arenas at all levels have engaged in familiar circles towards service provisioning. Nevertheless, evidence from several SSA countries shows less utilization of some maternal and child health care services. The demand remains low for some services such as attendance of four antenatal visits as recommended by World Health Organization, delivery skilled birth attendants, postnatal care especially for newborns, child immunization, and use of modern contraceptives. The concern remains whether the less demand is influenced by supply-side or demand-side factors. The personal, socio-cultural, economic, health systems related factors may condition a person’s demand choices regardless of the need for a particular health service. Improved access may not necessarily translate into utilization because of these interrelated determinants of demand. Therefore, policy-makers might need to turn to Sen’s capability approach viewpoint to gaze at how expanding people’s choices-especially poor women might help to improve the demand for maternal and child health services in SSA. Policy interventions may include pro-poor healthcare service provisioning through public financing, improving women’s education, improving women’s access to information, etc. However, a multi-sectoral approach is necessary for addressing all demand determinants at all levels and the interventions should be context-specific.
No Short-Term Benefits: Participatory Development Opportunities and Dilemmas of Power Relations, 2019
Over the last three decades, ‘participation of local people’ has become a necessary practice for ... more Over the last three decades, ‘participation of local people’ has become a necessary practice for most development actors as an alternative to conventional development practices. The epistemological point of departure in participatory development lies in the subjective processes of knowledge acquisition and people’s engagement in development actions. Participatory development recognizes local people as stakeholders with capabilities of defining their own lives and determining their own development trajectories. Simply put, participation is the focal mechanism of participatory development. However simple it may seem to be in theory, participation is a complex concept in practice. Its complexity and dynamism are deeply entrenched in aspects such as power relations, interventional benefits, interests and motives all of which influence the degree of engagements of actors in development processes. It is undeniable that participatory development enhances efficiency and effectiveness of development interventions, promotes empowerment with an outcome of better management of resources and services, and in a long-run ensures development sustainability. Nevertheless, the dilemmas of power relations in an overly simplified concept of community present a great challenge to such subjective development processes. Critics of participatory development do not completely negate the usefulness of participatory approaches but instead, provide an informative scrutiny of theoretical and applicability limitations. If participatory development must create sustainable impact then time, flexibility, geography, and contextual relevance matter. Good enough, in the end, participation is not just a means to development but an end in itself.
Why there was a Paradigm Shift from Women in Development (WID) to Gender and Development (GAD) in... more Why there was a Paradigm Shift from Women in Development (WID) to Gender and Development (GAD) in an Effort to Address Gender Inequalities
Human Development and Gender Equality - Why Change from 'Economic Growth' to 'Human Development' ... more Human Development and Gender Equality - Why Change from 'Economic Growth' to 'Human Development' and How is Gender Equality a Development Issue
1 Empowerment includes an emphasis on local decision making, local self-reliance, participatory d... more 1 Empowerment includes an emphasis on local decision making, local self-reliance, participatory democracy, and social learning (Friedman, 1992; Myers, 1999:99).
The paper discusses how Gender Based Violence (GBV) is a Development Issue and presents strategie... more The paper discusses how Gender Based Violence (GBV) is a Development Issue and presents strategies used by Civil Society Organizations and the State in trying to address GBV in Uganda
Religious Based Gender Equality - The Role of Christianity in Enhancing Gender Equality in Africa... more Religious Based Gender Equality - The Role of Christianity in Enhancing Gender Equality in African Society
Inequality, Poverty, Development in Uganda (Based on Todaro & Smith's 2012 - Economic Development... more Inequality, Poverty, Development in Uganda (Based on Todaro & Smith's 2012 - Economic Development Book)
Cognitive Processes and Environmental Management - Influence of people’s ‘internal’ environments ... more Cognitive Processes and Environmental Management - Influence of people’s ‘internal’ environments on the modification of ‘external’ environment [Solomon Mwije]
Climate Change and Sustainable Development - Causes of Global Climate and the Linkages between Cl... more Climate Change and Sustainable Development - Causes of Global Climate and the Linkages between Climate Change and Sustainable Development
This paper presents review of The 2007 Uganda Gender Policy pointing out some the the overlooked ... more This paper presents review of The 2007 Uganda Gender Policy pointing out some the the overlooked leaps and actors. The policy recognizes gender inequalities in Uganda, lays strategies on how to address and eliminate them, and states the guiding principles in the implementation process.