Browsing by Author "Ronald Bahati"

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A cross-sectional study on the effect of physical disability on self-esteem among adolescents in Kabale municipality.
(Student’s Journal of Health Research Africa, 2025-09) Nickolas Ndamira; Ronald Bahati; Anne Otwine
Introduction Physical disability significantly affects adolescents’ self-esteem, especially in low-resource settings . Globally, adolescents with disabilities experience social exclusion, stigma, and limited access to education and healthcare, negatively influencing their psychological well-being. This study examined the effect of physical disability on self- esteem among adolescents in Kabale Municipality. The objectives were to: (1) determine forms of physical disability, (2) assess levels of self-esteem, (3) evaluate the relationship between disability and self-esteem, and (4) establish the effect of disability on daily functioning. Methods A cross-sectional quantitative design was employed, using standardized tools including the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and the Barthel Index to assess self-esteem and daily functioning. A total of 94 adolescents with physical disabilities, aged 13–18 years, were selected through snowball sampling. Data were gathered using structured questionnaires translated into Rukiga and analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics, including ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD test, to examine associations between disability type and self-esteem. Results Amputations (45.7%) and paralysis (33%) were the most common disabilities. A majority (80.9%) of respondents exhibited low self-esteem, with mean scores differing by disability: monocular vision (12.45), paralysis (11.67), amputations (10.23), and congenital amputations (9.56). ANOVA confirmed a significant relationship between disability type and self-esteem (F = 4.76, p = 0.004). Post-hoc analysis indicated adolescents with monocular vision had significantly higher self-esteem compared to amputees (p = 0.012) and congenital amputees (p = 0.008). Daily functioning was severely limited, with 60.6% needing major assistance for mobility and 24.5% immobile, impairments strongly linked to lower self-esteem. Conclusion Physical disability negatively impacts self-esteem and daily functioning among adolescents in Kabale Municipality, with amputations and paralysis exerting the greatest effects. Recommendations Targeted psychosocial interventions, improved access to mobility aids, and inclusive education policies to enhance independence. Further research should investigate longitudinal outcomes and localized strategies for adolescent well- being.
A cross-sectional study on the effect of physical disability on self-esteem among adolescents in Kabale municipality.
(Student’s Journal of Health Research Africa, 2025-09) Nickolas Ndamira; Ronald Bahati; Anne Otwine
Introduction Physical disability significantly affects adolescents’ self-esteem, especially in low-resource settings . Globally, adolescents with disabilities experience social exclusion, stigma, and limited access to education and healthcare, negatively influencing their psychological well-being. This study examined the effect of physical disability on self- esteem among adolescents in Kabale Municipality. The objectives were to: (1) determine forms of physical disability, (2) assess levels of self-esteem, (3) evaluate the relationship between disability and self-esteem, and (4) establish the effect of disability on daily functioning. Methods A cross-sectional quantitative design was employed, using standardized tools including the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and the Barthel Index to assess self-esteem and daily functioning. A total of 94 adolescents with physical disabilities, aged 13–18 years, were selected through snowball sampling. Data were gathered using structured questionnaires translated into Rukiga and analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics, including ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD test, to examine associations between disability type and self-esteem. Results Amputations (45.7%) and paralysis (33%) were the most common disabilities. A majority (80.9%) of respondents exhibited low self-esteem, with mean scores differing by disability: monocular vision (12.45), paralysis (11.67), amputations (10.23), and congenital amputations (9.56). ANOVA confirmed a significant relationship between disability type and self-esteem (F = 4.76, p = 0.004). Post-hoc analysis indicated adolescents with monocular vision had significantly higher self-esteem compared to amputees (p = 0.012) and congenital amputees (p = 0.008). Daily functioning was severely limited, with 60.6% needing major assistance for mobility and 24.5% immobile, impairments strongly linked to lower self-esteem. Conclusion Physical disability negatively impacts self-esteem and daily functioning among adolescents in Kabale Municipality, with amputations and paralysis exerting the greatest effects. Recommendations Targeted psychosocial interventions, improved access to mobility aids, and inclusive education policies to enhance independence. Further research should investigate longitudinal outcomes and localized strategies for adolescent well- being
Depression Predicts Substance Use among Forcibly Displaced Migrants :
(Scientific Research Publishing, 2025-05-20) Florence Tutaryebwa; Jacquiline Kyomuhendo3; Henry Kibedi; Joseph Namanya; Ronald Bahati
Background: Depression has been recorded among forcibly displaced populations especially refugees. Conditions in which refugees find themselves make them predominantly susceptible to substance use as a coping mechanism. Our study aimed to determine the prevalence of depression, substance use and the association between depression and substance use among refugees living in Mbarara city, southwestern Uganda. Methods: African refugees who had settled in Mbarara city for at least twelve months before the study totaling 343 were assessed on the prevalence of depression and substance use. Depression was measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) while Substance use was measured using The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT-10) for alcohol and The Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST-20) was used to measure the prevalence of other substances other than alcohol. Using SPSS-V26, descriptive statistics were calculated to determine the prevalence of refugee depression and substance use. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the associations between the predictor and outcome variables in step1. Results: The prevalence of depression in the current study was 81% (n = 276). There were no gender differences in the prevalence of depression (χ2 = 0.745, p = 0.389). The prevalence of alcohol use was 43% (n = 146). The prevalence of other substance use other than alcohol was 42% (n = 143). Results showed (χ2 = 8.227, p = 0.042). However, there were no significant differences in alcohol use categories across gender (χ2 = 1.348, p = 0.718). Results indicated that participants who experienced depression were significantly associated with a higher likelihood of alcohol use (p < 0.001; OR = 1.24; 95% CI; 1.17 to 1.31) and use of other substances (p < 0.001; OR = 1.32; 95% CI; 1.23 to 1.41). Conclusion: The study results revealed that participants who had depression were significantly associated with a higher likelihood of substance use irrespective of the demographic characteristics. We also recommended that clinical interventions focused on the treatment of depression among refugee communities should focus on substance use as well.
Salary Disparity and Effectiveness of Teachers in Government Aided Secondary Schools of Bukanga County, Isingiro District
(Bishop Stuart University, 2024) Benon, Baraire; Enock Barigye; Ronald Bahati
The study assessed the effect of salary disparity on the effectiveness of science teachers compared to arts teachers of government aided Secondary Schools in Bukanga County, Isingiro district. Objectives of the study were; i) examine the effect of salary disparity on the effectiveness of Science teachers in government aided secondary schools of Bukanga County, Isingiro District. ii)examine the effect of salary disparity on the effectiveness of Art teachers in government aided secondary schools of Bukanga County, Isingiro District.iii) establish the difference in the effectiveness of science teachers compared to arts teachers in government aided secondary schools of Bukanga County, Isingiro District. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The study population included head teachers, deputy head teachers, directors of studies, science and arts teachers of government aided secondary schools. The appropriate sample size of this study was 126 respondents. The study adopted two sampling techniques namely purposive sampling and stratified random sampling. The study employed questionnaires, focused group discussions and documentary review. Qualitative and quantitative data were analysed. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS where T-Test for independent samples was computed to establish if difference in the effectiveness of science and arts teachers was statistically significant. The results from field indicate no statistical significant difference in the effectiveness between science and arts teachers. The T-Test for Independent Samples reveals that when equal variances are not assumed, the results remain consistent (t (81.986) = 1.175, p = 0.244). Overall, these findings suggest that there is no statistically significant difference in the effectiveness of the science teachers compared to arts teachers, regardless of whether equal variances are assumed or not. The group statistics for teacher effectiveness ratings in science and arts subjects with science mean effectiveness rating of 3.36 and arts mean effectiveness rating is slightly higher at 3.84, with a similar standard deviation of 0.45 and standard error of 0.07. This indicates that, on average, arts teachers were rated slightly higher in effectiveness compared to their counterparts teaching science subjects. The study recommends to implement a comprehensive review of the salary structure for teachers in government-aided secondary schools, develop specialized training programs for science teachers to enhance their effectiveness in various teaching aspects, explore opportunities for cross training between science and arts teachers and implement targeted performance improvement plans for science teachers based on the identified areas of lower effectiveness
Social Support Moderates the Stigma of Being a Refugee
(Scientific Research Publishing, 2024) Ronald Bahati; Florence Tutaryebwa; Eriah Kambere; Noel Kansiime; Annah Assiimwe Tibazindwa; Gershom Atukunda
Background: Social support has been documented as playing an important and positive role in the health and well-being of refugees right from escape from their country of origin to their final new settlement. It relates to the experience of being valued, respected, cared about, and loved by others who are present in one’s life. Our study aimed to determine the prevalence of stigma and the association between social support and stigma among African refugees living in Mbarara city, southwestern Uganda. Methods: African refugees who had settled in Mbarara city for at least twelve months before the study totaling 343 were assessed on the prevalence of stigma and the role perceived social support in their daily functioning. Stigma was measured by the Discrimination and Stigma Scale-12 while social support was measured using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MDSPSS). Using SPSSV26, descriptive statistics were calculated to determine the prevalence of refugee stigma. Linear regression analysis was used to examine the associations between the predictor and outcome variables. Results: Most of the participants 84% (n = 288) reported to have experienced stigma. Of these, 122 (36%) were females and 166 (48%) were males. Results revealed that 56% (n = 193) of the participants reported to have experienced enacted stigma whereas 70% refugees living in urban areas in Uganda. However, a unit increase in the level of social support reduces the level of stigma experienced. We recommend that interventions that improve social support networks of refugees in urban areas to be designed. (n = 239) experienced internalized stigma. There were no significant differences across gender in the experience of stigma (χ2 = 4.006, p = 0.940). Results of the hierarchical linear model showed that social support had a statisically significant negative association with stigma (b = −0.44; 95% CI −0.51 to −0.36). Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of stigma among African