Research and Conferences
 

Recognizing the significant gap in cancer research within rural Sub-Saharan Africa, RHHJ remains deeply committed to advancing knowledge and evidence in this field. We actively collaborate with leading institutions—including Makerere School of Public Health, the African Palliative Care Association, the RAND Institute (USA), and the University of Aarhus (Denmark)—to conduct essential studies on cervical and breast cancer. These efforts focus on understanding the profound impact of these diseases on women, their families, and their communities. Our partnerships reflect the urgent need for data-driven solutions to some of the most pressing health challenges facing the region.

 

In addition to these major research collaborations, RHHJ carries out ongoing operational research throughout the year. These projects strengthen programme development and assess the effectiveness of our palliative care initiatives, helping us continually improve service delivery.

 

RHHJ also plays an active role in national knowledge-sharing platforms. We maintain a strong presence at the Palliative Care Association of Uganda (PCAU) / Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) bi-annual conference. At the 5th PCAU/UCI Conference in September, RHHJ was proudly represented by a team of 12 participants—both staff and community volunteers—perfectly reflecting the conference theme, “Embracing Uniqueness and Empowering Communities.” Our team showcased our work through five oral presentations and two poster presentations, highlighting the breadth and impact of RHHJ’s efforts in palliative care and community empowerment.

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​​​​Collaboration with Universiy of Aarhus, Denmark  - Published Papers

 

Risk of child undernutrition in households with life-limiting illness: A cross-sectional study

https://phcfm.org/index.php/phcfm/article/view/4773/7976

 

Human papillomavirus awareness, vaccination rate, and sociodemographic covariates of vaccination status in a low-income country: A cross-sectional study in the rural Busoga region of Uganda

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40209627/ 

 

Fighting cervical cancer in Africa: a cross-sectional study on prevalence and risk factors for precancerous lesions in rural Uganda

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37922591/ 

 

Breast cancer survival in a rural setting in the Busoga Region of Uganda

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40826179/ 

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Collaboration with School of Public Health, Makerere University, African Palliative Care Association, and Rand Institute (USA) : 

 

Papers published and/or submitted for peer review

 

1. Protocol paper

 

Wanyenze RK, Matovu JKB, Bouskill K, Juncker M, Namisango E, Nakami S, Beyeza-Kashesya J, Luyirika E, Wagner GJ. Social network-based group intervention to promote uptake of cervical cancer screening in Uganda: study protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial. Pilot Feasibility Stud. 2022 Dec 7;8(1):247. doi: 10.1186/s40814-022-01211-z. 

 

2. Baseline analysis of correlates of CC prevention advocacy and CC screening. 

 

Wagner GJ, Matovu JKB, Juncker M, Namisango E, Bouskill K, Nakami S, Beyeza-Kashesya J, Luyirika E, Wanyenze RK. Correlates of cervical cancer prevention advocacy and cervical cancer screening in Uganda: cross-sectional evaluation of a conceptual model. Medicine (Baltimore). 2023 Aug 25;102(34):e34888. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000034888. 

 

3. Primary outcome results of intervention effect on alter CC screening. 

 

Wagner GJ, Matovu JKB, Juncker M, Namisango E, Bouskill K, Nakami S, Beyeza-Kashesya J, Luyirika E, Bogart LM, Green HD, Wanyenze RK. Effects of a group advocacy intervention on cervical cancer screening among social network members: results of a randomized controlled trial in Uganda. J Behav Med. 2023 Sep 13. doi: 10.1007/s10865-023-00418-6. 

 

4. Mediators and moderators of intervention effect on alter CC screening. 

 

Matovu, JKB, Wagner GJ, Juncker M, Namisango E, Bouskill K, Nakami S, Beyeza-Kashesya J, Luyirika E, Wanyenze RK. Mediators and moderators of the effect of the Game Changers for Cervical Cancer Prevention intervention on cervical cancer screening among previously unscreened social network members in Uganda. BMC Cancer. 2023; 23:428. doi: 10.1186/s12885-023-10924-0.

 

5. Mediators and moderators of intervention effect on index CC prevention advocacy

 

Wagner GJ, Matovu, JKB, Juncker M, Namisango E, Bouskill K, Nakami S, Beyeza-Kashesya J, Luyirika E, Wanyenze RK. Cervical cancer knowledge mediates the effects of Game Changers for Cervical Cancer Prevention (GC-CCP) intervention on increased prevention advocacy in Uganda. Cancer Prev Res (Phila). 2023 Dec 1;16(12):689-697. doi: 10.1158/1940-6207.CAPR-23-0262.

 

6. Mediators and moderators of intervention effect on alter CC prevention advocacy. 

 

Ghai I, Wagner GJ, Matovu JKB, Juncker M, Namisango E, Bouskill K, Nakami S, Beyeza-Kashesya J, Luyirika E, Wanyenze RK. Increased Knowledge Mediates the Effect of Game Changers for Cervical Cancer Prevention on Diffusion of Cervical Cancer Screening Advocacy Among Social Network Members in a Pilot Trial. Int J Behav Med. 2023 Sep 1. doi: 10.1007/s12529-023-10217-7.

 

7. Qualitative findings

 

Bouskill K, Wagner GJ, Matovu, JKB, Juncker M, Namisango E, , Nakami S, Beyeza-Kashesya J, Luyirika E, Wanyenze RK. Understanding Women’s and Men’s Perspectives on Cervical Cancer Screening and Stigma in Uganda. BMC Cancer. 2024 Aug 1;24(1):933. doi: 10.1186/s12885-024-12671-2.

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