Abstract A comparison of HIV/AIDS policies in Botswana and Uganda is revealing. It helps to highlight the kinds that are necessary come terms with pandemic Africa, where it already a public health disaster. argued promotion condoms at an early stage proved be counter‐productive Botswana, whereas lack condom during 1980s 1990s contributed relative success behaviour change strategies Uganda. Other important factors included national local‐level leadership, engagement (or alienation) religious...

Less is known about mass drug administration [MDA] for neglected tropical diseases [NTDs] than suggested by those so vigorously promoting expansion of the approach. This paper fills an important gap: it draws upon local level research to examine roll out treatment two NTDs, schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths, in Uganda.Ethnographic was undertaken over a period four years between 2005-2009 north-west south-east Uganda. In addition participant observation, survey data recording...

This article examines the Holy Spirit movement of Alice Lakwena, which emerged i n Uganda between 1987 and 1989. The popular account Alice, as told in Western media especially, ignored die social historical contexts are essential to understanding forces gave rise her following. spirit possession revealed by Lakwena took forms were familiar t o people this part Uganda, aldiough political dislocations late 1980s significant shaping actions determining full range issues with spiritualism came...

A strong case has recently been made by academics and policymakers to develop national programmes for the integrated control of Africa's 'neglected tropical diseases'. Uganda was first country a programme two these diseases: schistosomiasis soil-transmitted helminths. This paper discusses social responses in Panyimur, north-west Uganda. It shows that adults are increasingly rejecting free treatment. Resistance is attributed subjective fear side-effects; divergence between biomedical local...

Large amounts of funding are being allocated to the control neglected tropical diseases. Strategies primarily rely on mass distribution drugs adults and children living in endemic areas. The approach is presented as morally appropriate, technically effective, context-free. Drawing research undertaken East Africa, we discuss ways which normative ideas about global health programs used set aside social biological evidence. In particular, there a tendency ignore local details, including...

It is unclear how public authorities shaped responses to Ebola in Sierra Leone. Focusing on one village, we analyze what happened when "staff, stuff, space, and systems" were absent. Mutuality between neighbors, linked secret societies, necessitated collective care for infected loved ones, irrespective of the risks. Practical learning was quick. Numbers recovering reported be higher among people treated hidden locations, compared those taken Treatment Centres. Our findings challenge positive...

Abstract The sixth MDG aims 'to combat HIV/AIDS, TB, malaria and other diseases'. residual category of 'other diseases' has become the focus intense interest, partly because it provided an opportunity to increase resources for control mostly parasitic 'neglected tropical (NTDs). Intense lobbying secured large amounts funding from donors, as well generous donations medicines major drug companies. A massive programme is now underway treat parasites poor in Africa via integrated vertical...

Recent debates about deworming school-aged children in East Africa have been described as the 'Worm Wars'. The stakes are high. Deworming has become one of top priorities fight against infectious diseases. Staff at World Health Organization, Gates Foundation and Bank (among other institutions) endorsed approach, school-based treatments a key component large-scale mass drug administration programmes. Drawing on field research Uganda Tanzania, engaging with both biological social evidence,...

Uganda is invoked as a metaphor for host of arguments and insights about HIV/AIDS. However, much what has been asserted the country not based on available evidence. This paper reviews findings by epidemiologists anthropologists, draws author’s experiences researching in since early 1980s. It comments various myths HIV/AIDS Uganda, including origin dissemination disease, links between war, declining rates infection. shows that less known than commonly supposed, it offers some alternative...

Summary This article documents understandings and responses to mass drug administration (MDA) for the treatment prevention of lymphatic filariasis among adults children in northern coastal Tanzania from 2004 2011. Assessment village-level distribution registers, combined with self-reported uptake surveys adults, participant observation interviews, revealed that at study sites Pangani Muheza districts drugs was persistently low. The majority people living these highly endemic locations either...

Strange murders have occurred in northern Uganda. Blood is said to been removed from the victims, and there are tales about child sacrifice terrifying witchcraft. An ‘election’ was organised select culprit, known as ‘Mr Red’, vigilante mobs destroyed his property. This article places these events context, shows how understandings of spirit world, religion, wealth accumulation relate local notions egregious acts. No conventional evidence has found show that man accused responsible for any...

The term 'neglected tropical diseases' (NTDs) points to the need for a biosocial perspective. Although 'diseases' are widely understood as biological phenomena, 'neglect' is inherently social. Social priorities, social relations and behaviour profoundly influence design, implementation evaluation of control programmes. Yet, these dimensions neglect are, themselves, neglected. Instead, emphasis being placed on preventive chemotherapy - technical, context-free approach which relies almost...

Abstract It is recognized that the control of schistosomisais in Uganda requires a focus on fisherfolk. Large numbers suffer from this water-borne parasitic disease; notably along shores lakes Albert and Victoria River Nile. Since 2004, policy has been adopted providing drugs, free charge, to all those at risk. The strategy reported be successful, but closer investigation reveals serious problems. This paper draws upon long-term research undertaken three locations northwestern southeastern...

Abstract In northern Uganda, more than 50,000 people were recruited by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) between late 1980s and 2004, mostly force. Around half of those taken children (under 18 years old). A large number never seen their families again, but 20,000 returned through aid-financed reception centres. Endeavours made to reunite them with relatives, who living in insecure displacement camps. Relatively few subsequently visited, even after fighting ended 2006. Thousands vulnerable...