The social and economic conditions of many of the members of the community served by St. Peter’s Church of Uganda Ssisa are bad. An exercise is soon to be launched to come up with statistics regarding these circumstances, so that the outcome is used in designing interventions to help in addressing the conditions on ground for the benefit of the community.
William Kituuka
DEFINING A BASELINE SURVEY
What is a baseline study?
A baseline study is a descriptive cross-sectional survey that mostly provides quantitative information on the current status of a particular situation - on whatever study topic - in a given population. It aims at quantifying the distribution of certain variables in a study population at one point in time. It involves the systematic collection and presentation of data to give a clear picture of a particular situation as it relates the following: What? Who? Where? When? Why? How? A baseline normally covers only a sample of the population. If a baseline study covers the entire population it is called a census.
A baseline study generates information on the levels of awareness, knowledge, attitude and practices (AKAP) of a given population on selected topics in a specific geographic area. The baseline study is repeated at the completion of the communication programme implementation to measure changes that have occurred over time in the characteristics that were studied before the beginning of the programme.
Rationale for baseline studies
There are many good reasons to conduct a baseline study in addition to a PRCA. While PRCA collects and presents qualitative information about the community, the baseline expresses its findings in a quantitative manner. Below are some of the reasons for conducting baseline studies:
Baseline studies quantify the results of PRCA and serve as means of triangulating or verifying the appraisal results in a statistical manner.
Results of baseline studies, because of their statistical nature, can often convince and provide justification to policy-makers for the necessity of mounting a communication programme for a specific problem or project.
Results of a baseline study, if shared with the community, might galvanise the people to action. If the findings are positive, the community can be shown that they are already doing a good job and should keep it up. When the results are negative, this could also serve as a catalyst for discussions with the community on the most appropriate means of action.
Baseline studies are used to shape the communication strategy by assisting to further segment the priority interaction groups, sharpening communication objectives, and focussing content of media materials.
Baseline study results show the spread and use of various media in the community. They also provide information on the media preferences of the different groups in the community, and hence guide the selection of most appropriate traditional and modern media to be used in a communication programme.
Baseline studies serve as a reference point or benchmark for later comparison or impact studies to assess how well the original communication objectives have been achieved.
If conducted properly, results of baseline surveys can be generalised and used for communities with similar characteristics.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
THE LATE REVEREND DRAKE JITTA GIVEN A WELL DESERVED SEND OFF
The humble, dedicated servant of God, Reverend Drake Jitta breathed his last on Friday, 10th February 2012 as he was being taken to Mengo Hospital for treatment. It was realized that he was unwell as he was suffering from Pressure and Heart related problems prior to the decision to rush him to hospital. A Special Hire vehicle was got from Seguku where he had been staying at the home of his eldest daughter. Rev. Drake Jitta was born on 13th March 1930 at Ssisa Busiro where he was laid to rest on 12th February 2012. At the Funeral Service, speaker after speaker praised the Late Reverend for being a loving Church man, very humble and was preaching the message of loving one another and living in harmony. The children were praised for having bridged the gap their mother died in 2005. The Bishop of Namirembe Luwulira who arrived a bit late thanked the Late Drake for the dedicated Service to the Church. Retired Bishop of Namirembe Balagadde Ssekadde said that he had received Jitta for training when he was a mature man compared to the other students. However, even when Bishop of Namirembe the Late Reverend had good remarks made about the service he was rendering to the Church.
The Late Reverend’s parents were the Late Ernest Musoke and Helina Musoke. He got married on September 20th 1954. He went to Nateete Mackey Primary School, then Mengo Senior School. He worked in Buganda Government at Mengo , then later joined the Central Government as he joined Entebbe Grade B Hospital as Assistant Secretary. In1982 the late Drake started work with the Church as a Lay Reader (Mubulizi). In 1985 he was ordained Deacon. He was posted to Nateete Church of Uganda, then Kitegombwa Church of Uganda, Kamuli – Kireka Church of Uganda, Bubajjwe Church of Uganda and finally Kawanda before retiring in 1999 to Sekiwunga where he has been able to perform roles of Reverend whenever there was a calling to help be it at Ssisa St. Peter’s Church or other Church.
May the good Lord reward the Late Reverend Drake Jitta in eternity.
William Kituuka
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