BSU has officially launched her CONSCOV project which aims to establish the impact of Covid-19 on the reproductive health of the youth in northern Uganda.
The project, Consequences of the COVID Epidemic for Youth Reproductive Health in Northern Uganda (CONSCOV), will also train health workers in how to generate as well as share research knowledge.
It was launched at Gulu University on October 5, 2022, during a dialogue to mark World Teachers’ Day. The theme of the dialogue was: “Voicing the Impact of Covid-19 on the Academic Progress and Sexual Reproductive Health of the Youth in Gulu University. It was organized by the University Guild’s Ministry of Gender and Women Affairs and the Ministry of Academic Affairs.
The launch was graced by the Gulu University Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs, Prof. David Okello Owiny, the BSU Chairperson Assoc. Prof. Charles Nelson Okumu, and the two Co-investigators of the project Dr. Agatha Alidri of Gulu University and Prof. Susan Reynolds Whyte of the University of Copenhagen.
“There was a moral crisis during the time of the pandemic and the lockdown – high levels of unwanted pregnancies, high levels of gender-based violence, girls were raped, there was incest in families and that also led to abortions. As a university, we felt it was important for us to establish and document what really happened. We also feel that when health workers are given research skills it will make them serve with a difference. Today, we take this opportunity to declare and launch the CONSCOV project,” said Dr. Alidri.
Dr. Alidri addresses participants comprising mostly students of Gulu University
Present at the launch were the other project research team members from academia Assoc. Prof. Hanne Overgaard Mogensen (University of Copenhagen), Judith Awacorach (Gulu University), and Dr. Julaina Obika (Gulu University). Also in attendance were partner teams of the project from Gulu Regional Referral Hospital (led by Emily Uramba Kayeny), and Reproductive Health Uganda – Gulu Branch (led by Filda Anicia).
CONSCOV researchers listen to presentations during the event
The project, funded by DANIDA with a grant of about UGX 1bn, will involve primary and secondary schools, higher institutions of learning, health centres, the police, and the communities. It will be conducted in Gulu City and the districts of Adjumani and Gulu.