Browsing by Author "Mwije, Solomon"

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    Does gender matter in conspiracy beliefs vaccination hesitancy? Evidence from Covid-19 vaccination in Uganda
    (Sustainable Development, Culture, Traditions (SDCT) Journal, 2026) Bacwayo, Kukunda Elizabeth; Sebaggala, Richard; Maractho, Emilly; Amaniyo, Mercy; Mwije, Solomon; Kemigisha, Evas; Kobusingye, Jacqueline; Cheremoi, Clare
    Whereas countries have made strides in getting citizens vaccinated, many still face the challenge of vaccination hesitancy. Evidence indicates that conspiracy beliefs among citizens influence hesitancy and that these beliefs are contextual; thus differing among individuals. Studies have examined the gender aspect and COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs but research is still limited on contextualizing the conspiracy beliefs among the genders and on whether such variations affect vaccination hesitancy differently. This paper examines whether gender is a significant moderating factor between conspiracy theory beliefs and vaccination hesitancy in Uganda, using COVID-19 Vaccination as a case. The study findings on which the article is based are part of a larger study on conspiracy theory and covid-19 vaccination hesitancy. This was an explanatory sequential mixed methods study that included a cross-sectional survey and in-depth interviews. To establish the relationship between conspiracy belief and vaccination hesitancy across gender, Pearson Chi-square analysis was used to explore the gender differences in intentions regarding COVID-19 vaccination and conspiracy beliefs and mentality. There were 1201 participants in the study and 53% of these were females. The findings show that women with strong beliefs in conspiracy theories were more likely to be undecided and unlikely to take up COVID-19 vaccine compared to men with similar beliefs. Men with similar beliefs were already vaccinated. Similarly, females with strong conspiracy mentality were less likely to take up COVID-19 vaccine compared to men with similar mentality. This implies that interventions to improve COVID-19 vaccination should be contextual and consider the gendered differences especially among women who are undecided and unlikely to take the vaccines due to conspiracy mentality.
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    Men and maternal health: The dilemma of shortlived male involvement strategies in Uganda
    (Routledge (Taylor and Francis), 2018) Mwije, Solomon
    This article has been written to call for further attention to the importance of involving males in efforts to reduce maternal mortality. Since the 1995 International Conference on Population and Development [ICPD], institutional and community arrangements have been implemented in developing countries to engage males in maternal and child health promotions. The government of Uganda – in partnership with other health promotion institutions such as the United Nations agencies – has in the past decade formulated and implemented national and local strategies for male involvement in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). Nevertheless, strategies are such as Male Action Groups (MAGs) have been short-lived because the strategies within cannot by themselves work without ‘genuine’ acceptance at community levels where implementation takes place. Even acceptance alone is also not enough. Majority of males have more interest in economic than social endeavors. They have less interest to engage in maternal health promotion initiatives. Cultural based perceptions and behaviors associated with patriarchal tendencies remain the greatest challenge. Therefore, relevancy, functionality, adaptability, and sustainability in relation to the effectiveness of male involvement initiatives must be assessed before these interventions are initiated in such culturally diverse communities with different informal institutional arrangements. The individual, interpersonal and institutional contexts in which interventions operate matters. The article identifies relevant stakeholders and suggests, though not discussed in detail, strategies for improving stakeholders’ interests to respond to male involvement as a core issue in maternal health.