This paper examines women’s participation in post-conflict peacebuilding activities within the ne... more This paper examines women’s participation in post-conflict peacebuilding activities within the neo-liberal peace theory and framework. Using qualitative approach, the study gathered information from 40 women and several key informants working and living in post-conflict northern Uganda. The paper utilizes this information in reflecting on how women live in and engage with their communities in post-conflict settings, and also assess the actual actions and initiatives that women develop in post-conflict situation, the space available to them and the emergent context. The paper also analyses the extent to which these factors shape community post-conflict adjustments. Key challenges affecting women’s participation in the peacebuilding processes, mainly at grassroots and community levels are examined. The major conclusion of the paper is that liberal peacebuilding approach does not fully espouse, embrace or explain issues of critical consciousness, social and strategic agency nor does it...
International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health, 2021
Background: Worldwide, behavioral change interventions are at the core of prevention efforts to c... more Background: Worldwide, behavioral change interventions are at the core of prevention efforts to contain the novel Corona Virus (COVID-19). While the evidence base to inform such interventions in the general population is growing, equivocal research in humanitarian populations is lacking. The current study describes the nature, extent and predictors of COVID-19 risk behaviors among conflict refugees in Uganda in a bid to inform prevention strategies for humanitarian settings.Methods: Cross-sectional survey data on COVID-19 risk-behaviors, demographic, socio-economic, behavioral and clinical variables was gathered from 1014 adult refugees drawn from 3 refugee settlements in Uganda, using two-staged cluster sampling. Data was analyzed using t-test, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Multivariable Linear Regression.Results: Many refugees (25-70%) were involved in hygiene, congestion and nutritional/physical activity related risk behaviors likely to contribute to community transmission of ...
Background: Recent research shows that psychological distress is on the rise globally as a result... more Background: Recent research shows that psychological distress is on the rise globally as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions imposed on populations to manage it. We estimated the burden of psychological distress and scrutinized the role that social support may play in moderating psychological distress among conflict refugees in urban, semi-rural and rural settlements in Uganda during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: Cross-sectional survey data on psychological distress, social support, demographics, socio-economic and behavioral variables was gathered from 1014 adult refugees randomly sampled from urban, semi-rural and rural refugee settlementsin Uganda, using two-staged cluster sampling. Research instruments were checked for reliability using Cronbach’s Alpha. T-test, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Multivariable Linear Regression were applied to analyse the data in SPSS-version 22. Statistical significance was assumed at p<0.05.Results: Refugees resident in rural/...
Introduction F ood and nutritional insecurity coexists with high HIV prevalence rates in war-affe... more Introduction F ood and nutritional insecurity coexists with high HIV prevalence rates in war-affected communities in the north and northeastern regions of Uganda. Women and especially female children are disproportionately affected. Gender relations underpin the interaction between AIDS and food insecurity, though there is limited documentation on the influence of conflict and displacement on gender relations and how they may exacerbate household food insecurity and risk of HIV infection. There is also limited understanding of the extent to which Uganda’s current policies and programs address the complex issues involved in gender, HIV, and food insecurity in IDP camps. This study aims to fill these gaps by contributing to the understanding of the interactions between gender relations, HIV and AIDS, and food security in Uganda. First, a systematic review of relevant policies was undertaken. Then, using a various survey methods, the study was carried out in conflict-affected districts...
The protracted war in Northern Uganda has had devastating consequences on the communities within ... more The protracted war in Northern Uganda has had devastating consequences on the communities within the region. This ranges from social disruptions, internal displacement of communities, socio-economic regression and virtual lack of government services in large areas of the affected region. However, one of the most significant effects of the war has been on the psychosocial and socio-cultural well-being of children. Since the beginning of the war, an estimated 30,000 children have been abducted by the rebels to be used as flghters, sex slaves, laborers, porters and human shields. Thousands more have also been affected through disruptions in their education, sociocultural socialization and accessibility to social services. In this narrative, the authors reflect on their activities as social workers within GUSCO in receiving formerly abducted children, supporting their recovery and rehabilitation, and reinserting them within the conflict-affected community. "Children^ are the angels...
Background The negative impact of COVID-19 on population health outcomes raises critical question... more Background The negative impact of COVID-19 on population health outcomes raises critical questions on health system preparedness and resilience, especially in resource-limited settings. This study examined healthworker preparedness for COVID-19 management and implementation experiences in Uganda’s refugee-hosting districts. Methods A cross sectional, mixed-method descriptive study in 17 health facilities in 7 districts from 4 major regions. Total sample size was 485 including > 370 health care workers (HCWs). HCW knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) was assessed by using a pre-validated questionnaire. The quantitative data was processed and analysed using SPSS 26, and statistical significance assumed at p < 0.05 for all statistical tests. Bloom's cutoff of 80% was used to determine threshold for sufficient knowledge level and practices with scores classified as high (80.0–100.0%), average (60.0–79.0%) and low (≤ 59.0%). HCW implementation experiences and key stakeholder...
The Palgrave Handbook of Prison and the Family, 2019
Although there is some literature in relation to grandmothers who care for their children full ti... more Although there is some literature in relation to grandmothers who care for their children full time, there is little that has been written specifically about grandmothers caring for children when the children’s parents are in prison. It was for this reason that this small pilot project was conducted to start to understand and compare the situation of grandmothers caring for children in a diverse range of countries when their parents are in prison. The aim was to begin to draw out the commonalities and differences and to understand what policymakers need to take into account when considering the needs of children and grandmothers in this situation.
Background: Increasingly researchers are recognising the importance of including the perspectives... more Background: Increasingly researchers are recognising the importance of including the perspectives of children and young people in research and in the development of interventions and innovations, in order to understand children's lives on their own terms. Purpose: This article reflects on the potential risks posed to children and young people in research and the role of gatekeepers in granting access and, in direct field activities, especially where the research could be deemed as ‘sensitive’. Research Design:Using a combined descriptive and autoethnographic research design, questionnaires and reflections were gathered from the field experiences of researchers in four countries (India, Jamaica, Uganda and the UK) conducting research on children's experiences of violence victimisation as part of a gender-based violence prevention project. Data was collected retrospectively and analysed thematically with the aid of QSR NVivo. Results: Based on the five themes that emerged: acc...
Violence against women and girls remains a major public health threat the world over. A significa... more Violence against women and girls remains a major public health threat the world over. A significant amount of violence experienced by women is perpetrated by their intimate partners. Moreover, the risk of experiencing intimate partner violence is amplified for women and girls who get married before turning 18. However, there is little documented information on how they escape such violent relationships. This article provides insight into the factors that help survivors of child marriage to leave violent relationships. It is based on in-depth interviews with 26 Ugandan women who married before they were 18. Four main factors helped child marriage survivors to leave violent unions: (1) having a secure base to return to; (2) reaching a tipping point in the relationship; (3) financial independence; and (4) intervention of a significant other. The significance of some factors varied with the age of the survivor at the point of leaving. It is concluded that parental support is a key facil...
This paper examines women’s participation in post-conflict peacebuilding activities within the ne... more This paper examines women’s participation in post-conflict peacebuilding activities within the neo-liberal peace theory and framework. Using qualitative approach, the study gathered information from 40 women and several key informants working and living in post-conflict northern Uganda. The paper utilizes this information in reflecting on how women live in and engage with their communities in post-conflict settings, and also assess the actual actions and initiatives that women develop in post-conflict situation, the space available to them and the emergent context. The paper also analyses the extent to which these factors shape community post-conflict adjustments. Key challenges affecting women’s participation in the peacebuilding processes, mainly at grassroots and community levels are examined. The major conclusion of the paper is that liberal peacebuilding approach does not fully espouse, embrace or explain issues of critical consciousness, social and strategic agency nor does it...
International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health, 2021
Background: Worldwide, behavioral change interventions are at the core of prevention efforts to c... more Background: Worldwide, behavioral change interventions are at the core of prevention efforts to contain the novel Corona Virus (COVID-19). While the evidence base to inform such interventions in the general population is growing, equivocal research in humanitarian populations is lacking. The current study describes the nature, extent and predictors of COVID-19 risk behaviors among conflict refugees in Uganda in a bid to inform prevention strategies for humanitarian settings.Methods: Cross-sectional survey data on COVID-19 risk-behaviors, demographic, socio-economic, behavioral and clinical variables was gathered from 1014 adult refugees drawn from 3 refugee settlements in Uganda, using two-staged cluster sampling. Data was analyzed using t-test, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Multivariable Linear Regression.Results: Many refugees (25-70%) were involved in hygiene, congestion and nutritional/physical activity related risk behaviors likely to contribute to community transmission of ...
Background: Recent research shows that psychological distress is on the rise globally as a result... more Background: Recent research shows that psychological distress is on the rise globally as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions imposed on populations to manage it. We estimated the burden of psychological distress and scrutinized the role that social support may play in moderating psychological distress among conflict refugees in urban, semi-rural and rural settlements in Uganda during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: Cross-sectional survey data on psychological distress, social support, demographics, socio-economic and behavioral variables was gathered from 1014 adult refugees randomly sampled from urban, semi-rural and rural refugee settlementsin Uganda, using two-staged cluster sampling. Research instruments were checked for reliability using Cronbach’s Alpha. T-test, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Multivariable Linear Regression were applied to analyse the data in SPSS-version 22. Statistical significance was assumed at p<0.05.Results: Refugees resident in rural/...
Introduction F ood and nutritional insecurity coexists with high HIV prevalence rates in war-affe... more Introduction F ood and nutritional insecurity coexists with high HIV prevalence rates in war-affected communities in the north and northeastern regions of Uganda. Women and especially female children are disproportionately affected. Gender relations underpin the interaction between AIDS and food insecurity, though there is limited documentation on the influence of conflict and displacement on gender relations and how they may exacerbate household food insecurity and risk of HIV infection. There is also limited understanding of the extent to which Uganda’s current policies and programs address the complex issues involved in gender, HIV, and food insecurity in IDP camps. This study aims to fill these gaps by contributing to the understanding of the interactions between gender relations, HIV and AIDS, and food security in Uganda. First, a systematic review of relevant policies was undertaken. Then, using a various survey methods, the study was carried out in conflict-affected districts...
The protracted war in Northern Uganda has had devastating consequences on the communities within ... more The protracted war in Northern Uganda has had devastating consequences on the communities within the region. This ranges from social disruptions, internal displacement of communities, socio-economic regression and virtual lack of government services in large areas of the affected region. However, one of the most significant effects of the war has been on the psychosocial and socio-cultural well-being of children. Since the beginning of the war, an estimated 30,000 children have been abducted by the rebels to be used as flghters, sex slaves, laborers, porters and human shields. Thousands more have also been affected through disruptions in their education, sociocultural socialization and accessibility to social services. In this narrative, the authors reflect on their activities as social workers within GUSCO in receiving formerly abducted children, supporting their recovery and rehabilitation, and reinserting them within the conflict-affected community. "Children^ are the angels...
Background The negative impact of COVID-19 on population health outcomes raises critical question... more Background The negative impact of COVID-19 on population health outcomes raises critical questions on health system preparedness and resilience, especially in resource-limited settings. This study examined healthworker preparedness for COVID-19 management and implementation experiences in Uganda’s refugee-hosting districts. Methods A cross sectional, mixed-method descriptive study in 17 health facilities in 7 districts from 4 major regions. Total sample size was 485 including > 370 health care workers (HCWs). HCW knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) was assessed by using a pre-validated questionnaire. The quantitative data was processed and analysed using SPSS 26, and statistical significance assumed at p < 0.05 for all statistical tests. Bloom's cutoff of 80% was used to determine threshold for sufficient knowledge level and practices with scores classified as high (80.0–100.0%), average (60.0–79.0%) and low (≤ 59.0%). HCW implementation experiences and key stakeholder...
The Palgrave Handbook of Prison and the Family, 2019
Although there is some literature in relation to grandmothers who care for their children full ti... more Although there is some literature in relation to grandmothers who care for their children full time, there is little that has been written specifically about grandmothers caring for children when the children’s parents are in prison. It was for this reason that this small pilot project was conducted to start to understand and compare the situation of grandmothers caring for children in a diverse range of countries when their parents are in prison. The aim was to begin to draw out the commonalities and differences and to understand what policymakers need to take into account when considering the needs of children and grandmothers in this situation.
Background: Increasingly researchers are recognising the importance of including the perspectives... more Background: Increasingly researchers are recognising the importance of including the perspectives of children and young people in research and in the development of interventions and innovations, in order to understand children's lives on their own terms. Purpose: This article reflects on the potential risks posed to children and young people in research and the role of gatekeepers in granting access and, in direct field activities, especially where the research could be deemed as ‘sensitive’. Research Design:Using a combined descriptive and autoethnographic research design, questionnaires and reflections were gathered from the field experiences of researchers in four countries (India, Jamaica, Uganda and the UK) conducting research on children's experiences of violence victimisation as part of a gender-based violence prevention project. Data was collected retrospectively and analysed thematically with the aid of QSR NVivo. Results: Based on the five themes that emerged: acc...
Violence against women and girls remains a major public health threat the world over. A significa... more Violence against women and girls remains a major public health threat the world over. A significant amount of violence experienced by women is perpetrated by their intimate partners. Moreover, the risk of experiencing intimate partner violence is amplified for women and girls who get married before turning 18. However, there is little documented information on how they escape such violent relationships. This article provides insight into the factors that help survivors of child marriage to leave violent relationships. It is based on in-depth interviews with 26 Ugandan women who married before they were 18. Four main factors helped child marriage survivors to leave violent unions: (1) having a secure base to return to; (2) reaching a tipping point in the relationship; (3) financial independence; and (4) intervention of a significant other. The significance of some factors varied with the age of the survivor at the point of leaving. It is concluded that parental support is a key facil...
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Papers by Eric Ochen