School of Social Sciences (SSS) Collection

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https://dissertations.mak.ac.ug/handle/20.500.12281/5617

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    Economic challenges faced by undergraduate first year social work students at Makerere University
    (Makerere University, 2026) Kusasira, Esther
    Introduction: Access to higher education is a critical driver of socioeconomic advancement, yet first-year undergraduate students in Uganda, particularly those enrolled in the Bachelor of Social Work and Social Administration program at Makerere University, face persistent economic hardships that undermine their academic success and personal well-being. Despite the existence of government sponsorship schemes, many students continue to struggle with unmet economic needs, including food, transport, accommodation and academic resources. This study aimed to explore the nature and extent of these economic challenges and assess their impact on students’ academic adjustment and daily survival. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 55 first-year Social Work students at Makerere University during the 2024/2025 academic year. Participants were selected using simple random sampling through the department’s official WhatsApp group. Data was collected using structured, self-administered questionnaires and analysed using Stata version 15.0. Descriptive statistics, including frequencies, percentages and cross-tabulations were used to summarize the findings. Additionally, qualitative insights were obtained through key informant interviews with a class coordinator and a university counsellor to contextualise the quantitative data. Results: The findings revealed that students faced significant financial constraints across multiple domains. Nearly half of the respondents (49%) reported occasionally skipping meals due to lack of money, while 34% consistently walked to campus to save on transport costs. A significant proportion (29%) lacked internet or data access for academic purposes. Academicrelated expenses were also a major concern, with 21% of students consistently struggling to pay tuition on time, 59% lacking textbooks or handouts, and an equal proportion not owning a laptop. Furthermore, 30% experienced difficulty accessing e-learning platforms. Accommodation challenges were pronounced with 56% finding hostel or rental fees unaffordable, 64% being required to pay rent in advance, and 46% incurring high transport costs due to distant housing. Quantitative data underscored the emotional toll of these challenges, including missed examinations, social isolation and in some cases, dropout due to tuition delays. Conclusion: First-year Social Work students at Makerere University face complex and interrelated economic challenges that significantly hinder their academic performance, mental health and overall university experience. These difficulties persist despite government sponsorship and highlight systemic gaps in student support. Addressing these barriers requires comprehensive institutional reforms, including flexible tuition payment policies, subsidized housing options, improved digital access, and expanded welfare services. Such interventions are essential to fostering equity, retention and academic success among vulnerable student populations.
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    Challenges faced by teenage mothers living with HIV in taking care of their children in Bwaise Kawempe Division
    (Makerere University, 2025) Nalubwama, Esther Ritah
    Background: Teenage motherhood continue to capture people’s attention as a social problem at a global scale and Africa in particular. It’s a matter of great concern for families, community leaders, educators, social workers, healthcare professionals, government and development partners. Objectives: The major objective of the study was to explore the challenges that teenage mothers living with HIV face in taking care of their children. In this study, I specifically explored the social and financial challenges that teenage mothers living with HIV face in taking care of their children in Bwaise and the coping strategies they adopt to overcome the challenges. Methodology: In this study, I adopted a case study design and a qualitative approach. Participants were selected purposively in which I selected eleven teenage mothers living with HIV and four key informants including two mentor mothers, a peer provider and community educator. I adopted two methods of data collection which included in-depth interviews and key informant interviews and data was analyzed thematically. Findings: Findings indicate that teenage mothers living with HIV in Bwaise face social challenges in taking care of their children which include; isolation, stigma, stress and rejection. They also face financial challenges including limited capacity to buy food, unstable source of income and limited support from spouses. However, they cope-up with challenges through counselling and guidance, acquiring skills and getting support from family and friends.