Eric Awich Ochen

@article{Opobo2025,

title = {Engaged Scholarship through Community Social Labs},

author = {Timothy Opobo and Jannette Abalo and Agatha Kafuko and Janestic Twikirize and Eric Awich Ocen and Firminus Mugumya},

doi = {10.31265/jcsw.v20i1.730},

issn = {0809-9936},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-07-08},

journal = {JCSW},

volume = {20},

number = {1},

pages = {79--109},

publisher = {Stavanger University Library},

abstract = {The indigenisation of social work education in Africa is a response to the limitations of Western-centric approaches to addressing complex local social issues. This paper explores the role of engaged scholarship and community social labs in indigenising social work education in Uganda. The study analyses data from four focus group discussions, and student WhatsApp conversations, to examine how these approaches facilitate meaningful community engagement and the integration of local knowledge into the social work curriculum. The results show that community social labs can help with cultural sensitivity and problem-solving that is relevant to the situation. They also demonstrate that institutional constraints and power dynamics may hinder this transition.

Despite these issues, the study suggests that engaged scholarship through community social labs has significant potential to make social work education and practice in Uganda more culturally sensitive and responsive to local realities. Even with these challenges, the study suggests that engaging scholars in community social labs has a lot of potential to make social work education and practice in Uganda more sensitive to local cultures and needs.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{article_32,

title = {Engaged Scholarship through Community Social Labs: Advancing Indigenisation of Social Work Education in Uganda},

author = {Timothy Opobo and Jannette Abalo and Agatha Kafuko and Janestic Twikirize and Eric Ocen and Firminus Mugumya},

doi = {10.31265/jcsw.v20i1.730},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-01-01},

journal = {Journal of Comparative Social Work},

volume = {20},

pages = {79-109},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Debowska2023,

title = {Child abuse and neglect and associated mental health outcomes: a large, population-based survey among children and adolescents from Jamaica and Uganda},

author = {Agata Debowska and Daniel Boduszek and Christine Fray-Aiken and Eric Awich Ochen and Karyl T. Powell-Booth and Esther Nanfuka Kalule and Roxanne Harvey and Florence Turyomurugyendo and Kenisha Nelson and Dominic Willmott and Samantha Mason},

doi = {10.1108/mhsi-08-2023-0089},

issn = {2042-8308},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-01-10},

journal = {MHSI},

volume = {28},

number = {1},

pages = {42--65},

publisher = {Emerald},

abstract = {

Purpose

Few studies assess how child abuse and neglect (CAN) affects adolescents’ mental health. Further, the majority of studies conducted to date discount the individual CAN items and report overall prevalence rates for different types of abuse and neglect. The purpose of this study was to examine the levels of and gender differences in CAN subtypes, lifetime prevalence of individual CAN items and the contribution of different CAN subtypes for explaining depression, anxiety and irritability.





Design/methodology/approach

The sample included Jamaican (n = 7,182, 60.8% female) and Ugandan (n = 11,518, 52.4% female) youths. The authors used a population-based cross-sectional study design. Youths completed an anonymous survey in school settings.





Findings

The authors found gender differences in the levels of CAN subtypes. Maltreatment behaviors of lesser severity were more commonly endorsed by the youths than those of greater severity. Neglect and emotional abuse were the strongest correlates of depression (e.g. neglect: ß = 0.23, among Jamaican youths; emotional abuse outside-the-home: ß = 0.23, among Ugandan girls), anxiety (e.g. neglect: ß = 0.17, among Ugandan girls; emotional abuse outside-the-home: ß = 0.27, among Ugandan girls) and irritability (e.g. emotional abuse in-the-home: ß = 0.17, among Jamaican boys; emotional abuse outside-the-home: ß = 0.17, among Ugandan girls) in most samples.





Originality/value

These findings will inform policymakers and professionals working with youths in Jamaica and Uganda, providing comprehensive contemporary insights beyond existing research in these regions.

},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Sharratt2023,

title = {Evaluation of a serious gaming intervention to prevent child marriage in Uganda},

author = {Kathryn Sharratt and Esther Nanfuka and Samantha J. Mason and Eric A. Ochen and Florence Turyomurugyendo and Melanie Barwick and John Pearson and Hayley Royston and Nadia Wager},

doi = {10.1016/j.chb.2022.107627},

issn = {0747-5632},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-06-00},

journal = {Computers in Human Behavior},

volume = {143},

publisher = {Elsevier BV},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Nilsen2023,

title = {Re-imagining social work education in East Africa},

author = {Ann Christin E. Nilsen and Charles Kalinganire and Zena Mnasi Mabeyo and William Manyama and Eric Awich Ochen and Cecilie Revheim and Janestic Twikirize},

doi = {10.1080/02615479.2022.2161503},

issn = {1470-1227},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-02-17},

journal = {Social Work Education},

volume = {42},

number = {2},

pages = {169--184},

publisher = {Informa UK Limited},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Seruwagi2022b,

title = {Psychological distress and social support among conflict refugees in urban, semi-rural and rural settlements in Uganda: burden and associations},

author = {Gloria Seruwagi and Catherine Nakidde and Eric Lugada and Maria Ssematiko and Dunstan P. Ddamulira and Andrew Masaba and Brian Luswata and Eric A. Ochen and Betty Okot and Denis Muhangi and Stephen Lawoko},

doi = {10.1186/s13031-022-00451-3},

issn = {1752-1505},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-12-00},

journal = {Confl Health},

volume = {16},

number = {1},

publisher = {Springer Science and Business Media LLC},

abstract = {Abstract

                Background

                Recent research shows that psychological distress is on the rise globally as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions imposed on populations to manage it. We studied the association between psychological distress and social support among conflict refugees in urban, semi-rural and rural settlements in Uganda during the COVID-19 pandemic.



              

                Methods

                Cross-sectional survey data on psychological distress, social support, demographics, socio-economic and behavioral variables was gathered from 1014 adult refugees randomly sampled from urban, semi-rural and rural refugee settlements in Uganda, using two-staged cluster sampling. Data was analyzed in SPSS-version 22, and statistical significance was assumed at p < 0.05.

              

                Results

                Refugees resident in rural/semi-rural settlements exhibited higher levels of psychological distress [F(2, 1011) = 47.91; p < 0.001], higher availability of social interaction [F(2, 1011) = 82.24; p < 0.001], lower adequacy of social interaction [F(2, 1011) = 54.11; p < 0.001], higher availability of social attachment [F(2, 1011) = 47.95; p < 0.001], and lower adequacy of social attachment [F(2, 1011) = 50.54; p < 0.001] than peers in urban settlements. Adequacy of social interaction significantly explained variations in psychological distress levels overall and consistently across settlements, after controlling for plausible confounders. Additionally, adequacy of social attachment significantly explained variations in psychological distress levels among refugees in rural settlements, after controlling for plausible confounders.

              

                Conclusion

                There is a settlement-inequality (i.e. rural vs. urban) in psychological distress and social support among conflict refugees in Uganda. To address psychological distress, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services (MHPSS) should focus on strategies which strengthen the existing social networks among refugees. Variations in social support are a key predictor of distress which should guide tailored need-adapted interventions instead of duplicating similar and generic interventions across diverse refugee settlements.

              },

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Miller2022,

title = {Getting past the gatekeeper: Cultural competence, field access and researching gender-based violence – Evidence from four countries},

author = {Paul Miller and Gillian Kirkman and Susan Timmins and Rukmini Banerjee and Anne Panicker and Kenisha Nelson and Adele Jones and Eric Ochen},

doi = {10.1177/17577438221092274},

issn = {1757-7438},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-11-00},

journal = {Power and Education},

volume = {14},

number = {3},

pages = {204--217},

publisher = {SAGE Publications},

abstract = { Background: Increasingly researchers are recognising the importance of including the perspectives of children and young people in research and in the development of interventions and innovations, in order to understand children's lives on their own terms. Purpose: This article reflects on the potential risks posed to children and young people in research and the role of gatekeepers in granting access and, in direct field activities, especially where the research could be deemed as ‘sensitive’. Research Design:Using a combined descriptive and autoethnographic research design, questionnaires and reflections were gathered from the field experiences of researchers in four countries (India, Jamaica, Uganda and the UK) conducting research on children's experiences of violence victimisation as part of a gender-based violence prevention project. Data was collected retrospectively and analysed thematically with the aid of QSR NVivo. Results: Based on the five themes that emerged: accessing schools; approach to access; accessing participants; lessons learnt; and advice for other researchers, the overall findings indicate that researching sensitive topics with children and young people is necessarily problematic in order to safeguard them. This is especially the case in contexts where discrimination and stigma relating to certain topics may be a significant barrier to children's participation. Conclusion: Research planning requires attention to gatekeeper power, safeguarding children and young people, and understanding how processes and attitudes concerning the status and rights of children at national and institutional levels might influence the research process. },

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Seruwagi2021,

title = {Healthworker preparedness for COVID-19 management and implementation experiences: a mixed methods study in Uganda’s refugee-hosting districts},

author = {Gloria Seruwagi and Catherine Nakidde and Felix Otieno and Joshua Kayiwa and Brian Luswata and Eric Lugada and Eric Awich Ochen and Denis Muhangi and Betty Okot and Dunstan Ddamulira and Andrew Masaba and Stephen Lawoko},

doi = {10.1186/s13031-021-00415-z},

issn = {1752-1505},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-12-00},

journal = {Confl Health},

volume = {15},

number = {1},

publisher = {Springer Science and Business Media LLC},

abstract = {Abstract

                Background

                The negative impact of COVID-19 on population health outcomes raises critical questions on health system preparedness and resilience, especially in resource-limited settings. This study examined healthworker preparedness for COVID-19 management and implementation experiences in Uganda’s refugee-hosting districts.

              

                Methods

                A cross sectional, mixed-method descriptive study in 17 health facilities in 7 districts from 4 major regions. Total sample size was 485 including > 370 health care workers (HCWs). HCW knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) was assessed by using a pre-validated questionnaire. The quantitative data was processed and analysed using SPSS 26, and statistical significance assumed at p < 0.05 for all statistical tests. Bloom's cutoff of 80% was used to determine threshold for sufficient knowledge level and practices with scores classified as high (80.0–100.0%), average (60.0–79.0%) and low (≤ 59.0%). HCW implementation experiences and key stakeholder opinions were further explored qualitatively using interviews which were audio-recorded, coded and thematically analysed.

              

                Results

                On average 71% of HCWs were knowledgeable on the various aspects of COVID-19, although there is a wide variation in knowledge. Awareness of symptoms ranked highest among 95% (p value < 0.0001) of HCWs while awareness of the criteria for intubation for COVID-19 patients ranked lowest with only 35% (p value < 0.0001). Variations were noted on falsehoods about COVID-19 causes, prevention and treatment across Central (p value < 0.0356) and West Nile (p value < 0.0161) regions. Protective practices include adequate ventilation, virtual meetings and HCW training. Deficient practices were around psychosocial and lifestyle support, remote working and contingency plans for HCW safety. The work environment has immensely changed with increased demands on the amount of work, skills and variation in nature of work. HCWs reported moderate control over their work environment but with a high level of support from supervisors (88%) and colleagues (93%).

              

                Conclusions

                HCWs preparedness is inadequate in some aspects. Implementation of healthcare interventions is constrained by the complexity of Uganda’s health system design, top-down approach of the national response to COVID-19 and longstanding health system bottlenecks. We recommend continuous information sharing on COVID-19, a design review with capacity strengthening at all health facility levels and investing in community-facing strategies.

              },

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Lawoko2021b,

title = {COVID-19 risk behaviors in humanitarian settings: a cross-sectional study among conflict refugees in Uganda},

author = {Stephen Lawoko and Gloria Seruwagi and Denis Muhangi and Eric A. Ochen and Betty Okot and Eric Lugada and Andrew Masaba and Dunstan P. Ddamulira and Brian Luswata and Catherine L. Nakidde and Felix Kaducu},

doi = {10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20211729},

issn = {2394-6040},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-04-27},

journal = {Int J Community Med Public Health},

volume = {8},

number = {5},

publisher = {Medip Academy},

abstract = {Background: Worldwide, behavioral change interventions are at the core of prevention efforts to contain the novel Corona Virus (COVID-19). While the evidence base to inform such interventions in the general population is growing, equivocal research in humanitarian populations is lacking. The current study describes the nature, extent and predictors of COVID-19 risk behaviors among conflict refugees in Uganda in a bid to inform prevention strategies for humanitarian settings.Methods: Cross-sectional survey data on COVID-19 risk-behaviors, demographic, socio-economic, behavioral and clinical variables was gathered from 1014 adult refugees drawn from 3 refugee settlements in Uganda, using two-staged cluster sampling. Data was analyzed using t-test, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Multivariable Linear Regression.Results: Many refugees (25-70%) were involved in hygiene, congestion and nutritional/physical activity related risk behaviors likely to contribute to community transmission of COVID-19. Refugees living in rural settlements, of male sex, young age and low socio-economic status were at heightened risk of exposure to COVID-19 risk behaviors. Physical activity and healthy nutritional practices reduced the likelihood of COVID-19 risk behavior. Indulgence in COVID-19 risk behaviors increased the risk of developing COVID-19 symptoms. Conclusions: COVID-19 risk behaviors among conflict refugees in Uganda are multifaceted in nature, widespread in extent and associated with symptom development, signaling for high risk for COVID-19 transmission in humanitarian settings. The data on predictors of COVID-19 risk behaviors have unmasked underlying inequalities, holding promise for development of evidence-based interventions to meet the needs of most vulnerable clusters in the refugee community.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Boduszek2021PrevalenceCorrelates,

title = {Prevalence and Correlates of Non-Suicidal Self-Injury, Suicidal Ideation, and Suicide Attempt among Children and Adolescents: Findings from Uganda and Jamaica},

author = {Daniel Boduszek and Agata Debowska and Eric Awich Ochen and Christine Fray and Esther Nanfuka Kalule and Karyl Powell-Booth and Florence Turyomurugyendo and Kenisha Nelson and Roxanne Harvey and Dominic Willmott and Samantha J. Mason},

url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2021.01.063},

doi = {10.1016/j.jad.2021.01.063},

issn = {0165-0327},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-03-01},

journal = {Journal of Affective Disorders},

volume = {283},

pages = {172–178},

publisher = {Elsevier},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Okot2021COVID19,

title = {COVID-19 Prevention Measures: Impact Stories and Lived Experiences of Uganda-Based Refugees},

author = {Betty J. Okot and Aloysius Tenywa Malagala and Eric Awich Ochen and Denis Muhangi and Gloria K. Serwagi},

url = {https://doi.org/10.25365/phaidra.310_03},

doi = {10.25365/phaidra.310_03},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-01-01},

journal = {Stichproben: Wiener Zeitschrift für kritische Afrikastudien / Vienna Journal of African Studies},

volume = {21},

number = {41},

pages = {43–62},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Nanfuka2020,

title = {Leaving a Violent Child Marriage: Experiences of Adult Survivors in Uganda},

author = {Esther Nanfuka and Florence Turyomurugyendo and Eric Ochen and Graham Gibbs},

doi = {10.3390/socsci9100172},

issn = {2076-0760},

year  = {2020},

date = {2020-10-00},

journal = {Social Sciences},

volume = {9},

number = {10},

publisher = {MDPI AG},

abstract = {Violence against women and girls remains a major public health threat the world over. A significant amount of violence experienced by women is perpetrated by their intimate partners. Moreover, the risk of experiencing intimate partner violence is amplified for women and girls who get married before turning 18. However, there is little documented information on how they escape such violent relationships. This article provides insight into the factors that help survivors of child marriage to leave violent relationships. It is based on in-depth interviews with 26 Ugandan women who married before they were 18. Four main factors helped child marriage survivors to leave violent unions: (1) having a secure base to return to; (2) reaching a tipping point in the relationship; (3) financial independence; and (4) intervention of a significant other. The significance of some factors varied with the age of the survivor at the point of leaving. It is concluded that parental support is a key facilitative factor for leaving violent relationships in the context of child marriage within a low resource setting. Interventions to promote positive parenting may significantly contribute to minimising the proportions of girls trapped in violent unions and incidences of child marriage in the long run.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Ochen2018QuestDevelopmentTransformation,

title = {The Quest for Development Transformation in Northern Uganda: A Critical Reflection},

author = {Eric A. Ochen},

year  = {2018},

date = {2018-01-01},

journal = {Chemchemi International Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences},

volume = {10},

number = {1},

pages = {1–14},

publisher = {Kenyatta University},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Musisi2017CareSupport,

title = {The Care and Support of Vulnerable Children by Foster Care Families in Uganda: Lessons in Social Justice and Social Protection},

author = {David H. Musisi and Eric A. Ochen},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-01-01},

journal = {Childhood in Africa: An Interdisciplinary Journal},

volume = {4},

number = {1},

pages = {34–44},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Ochen2017WomenLiberalPeacebuilding,

title = {Women and Liberal Peacebuilding in Post-Conflict Northern Uganda: Community Social Work Agenda Revisited?},

author = {Eric A. Ochen},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-01-01},

journal = {African Sociological Review},

volume = {21},

number = {2},

pages = {15–35},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Ochen2015ChildrenYoungMothers,

title = {Children and Young Mothers' Agency in the Context of Conflict: A Review of the Experiences of Formerly Abducted Young People in Northern Uganda},

author = {Eric Awich Ochen},

url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2015.01.005},

doi = {10.1016/j.chiabu.2015.01.005},

year  = {2015},

date = {2015-01-01},

journal = {Child Abuse & Neglect},

volume = {42},

pages = {183–194},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Ochen2014,

title = {Traditional Acholi mechanisms for reintegrating Ugandan child abductees},

author = {Eric Awich Ochen},

doi = {10.1080/23323256.2014.993809},

issn = {2332-3264},

year  = {2014},

date = {2014-10-02},

journal = {Anthropology Southern Africa},

volume = {37},

number = {3-4},

pages = {239--251},

publisher = {Informa UK Limited},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Ochen2014b,

title = {Reflections on Mainstreaming Internship in University Curricula with specific reference to the Experience of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Makerere University},

author = {EA Ochen and E Olowo-Onyango and CM Mpyangu},

doi = {10.4314/majohe.v5i1.5},

issn = {1816-6822},

year  = {2014},

date = {2014-02-18},

journal = {Mak. J. High. Edu.},

volume = {5},

number = {1},

publisher = {African Journals Online (AJOL)},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Walakira2014ResidentialCare,

title = {Residential Care for Abandoned Children and Their Integration into a Family-Based Setting in Uganda: Lessons for Policy and Programming},

author = {Eddy J. Walakira and Eric A. Ochen and Paul Bukuluki and Sue Alllan},

url = {https://doi.org/10.1002/imhj.21432},

doi = {10.1002/imhj.21432},

year  = {2014},

date = {2014-01-01},

journal = {Infant Mental Health Journal},

volume = {35},

number = {2},

pages = {144–150},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Ochen2013EngenderingSocialRejection,

title = {Engendering Social Rejection among Young Women Affected by Armed Conflict in Northern Uganda: A Case Study of Formerly Abducted Young Women},

author = {Eric Awich Ochen},

year  = {2013},

date = {2013-01-01},

journal = {Journal of Development Studies},

volume = {3},

number = {2},

pages = {115–132},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Ochen2012ProtectingChildren,

title = {Protecting and Meeting the Rights of Children During Conflict? Reflections on the Activities of Three Indigenous Social Work Agencies in Northern Uganda},

author = {Eric Awich Ochen},

year  = {2012},

date = {2012-01-01},

journal = {British Journal of Social Work},

volume = {42},

pages = {1192–1212},

note = {Special issue: Social Work and Political Context: Engagement and Negotiations},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Ochen2011SupportingChildren,

title = {Supporting Children Affected by Armed Conflict in Northern Uganda: Muse and Reflections from the Activities of Gulu Support the Children Organization (GUSCO), 1994–2010},

author = {Eric Awich Ochen and Robert Okeny},

year  = {2011},

date = {2011-01-01},

journal = {Reflections: Narratives of Professional Helping},

volume = {17},

number = {3},

pages = {17–27},

note = {Special issue on Social Work Innovations in Africa},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}