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Challenges of inclusion of primary school pupils with hearing impairment in physical activities in Tanzania
No full textPupils with hearing impairment are not adequately included in physical activities in primary school globally but more so in the global South. This study was conducted in a selected primary school in Tanzania. It is a qualitative study that employed an embedded single case design to gain in-depth understanding of the study. The study was guided by Bronfenbrenner system theory (1979). The sample comprised thirty eight purposively selected participants. Data were collected through interview, documentary review, and observation schedule methods. The data were thematically analysed. Findings revealed specific and general challenges such as lack of sign language skills used during physical activity, poor aesthetic attributes, inaccessible physical activity facilities and equipment, stigmatization, unsafe play facilities and lack of physical activity programme. The results revealed that the school was insufficiently equipped for inclusion. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that to solve the revealed challenges schools should provide a conducive environment for inclusion of pupils with hearing impairment in physical activities
Career preparation of primary school pupils in Tanzania
No full textThis study employed a survey design under quantitative research approach, to explore subject preferences, career aspirations, and sources of career information of 287 primary school pupils. A questionnaire with open-ended and closed questions was employed to collect data. The study found that out of ten taught subjects, pupils ranked Kiswahili as their most preferred subject and English as the least preferred subject. In terms of career paths, a total of nine careers were listed for pupils to select the most preferred one. It was revealed that most of the pupils aspired to become medical doctors, teachers, soldiers, and engineers. These pupils’ career aspirations emerged to be gender-stereotyped, with only a few girls showing a keen interest in science and engineering fields. Moreover, the pupils identified their parents as the most trusted sources of information on careers. Based on these findings, career preferences appear to unfold during childhood with a range of factors such as parents, teachers and the quality of career information received through socialisation nurturing and shaping these choices
A comparative analysis of item difficulty and Discrimination parameters estimation in classical test and item response theories.
No full textThe global concerns for attaining the best practices in assessment prompted the comparison of classical test theory (CTT) and item response theory (IRT) analysis in psychometrics. These frameworks provide item information needed for the development and use of test items that are capable of estimating examinee’s ability and item characteristics. The study compared psychometric properties of item difficulty and discrimination indices in classical test theory and item response theory by the use of BILOG MG3 software. Ex post facto design was adopted for the study. The population for the study consisted of 11,538 candidates’ responses of candidates who took Type L 2020 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) Mathematics paper in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The sample of 5,192 (45%) responses was randomly selected through stratified random sampling technique. Two research questions were raised to guide the study. BILOG-MG3 computer software was used to calibrate the candidates’ responses in a 2-Parameter logistic model. The results revealed that some items showed similarities and differences at the various item difficulty indices at both CTT and IRT classification range of values. Also, in CTT item discrimination estimation, point-biserial values and IRT classification range values, showed several degrees of similarities and differences in item calibrations at various indices. However, it was concluded that CTT and IRT are comparable in their classification range values, but IRT provided more reliable information about item classification range values than CTT in psychometrics
Assessment of media portrayal of women in politics In Nigeria.
No full textThis study examined how Nigerian media portray women in political leadership positions in the country. The study also ascertained whether Nigerian media promote gender stereotypes, which have been found to undermine women capability and experience in leadership positions. The study raised three research questions. A corpus of media and sociological theories were used to buttress the study. The study used both qualitative and quantitative methods of research design, and content analysis was adopted as instrument of data collection for the study. The study population were all the editions of Guardian and Daily Trust newspapers from November 2018 to March 2019. The study used purposive sampling technique to generate a sample size of 262 editions of the two newspapers that were analyzed. Findings of the study revealed to a large extent that female politicians were portrayed as insignificant because their opinions were never reported on national and international issues. Rather, their social life was given much attention. The study also recommends that journalists should do away with gender bias and familial traits when reporting women in political leadership positions
Antibiotic prescribing in pediatric health care services
No full textAlthough, antibiotics play a fundamental role in control of infectious diseases still the injudicious prescription of antibacterial agents and antibiotic resistance are a global problem. This study aims to assess prescribing pattern of antibiotics and to provide a baseline data about behaviors of physicians prescribing antibiotics during pediatric consultations. In this study, a total of 316 pediatric patients of both genders were receiving different antimicrobial therapy were evaluated during 2021 in pediatric health care services in Bayda, Libya. Data revealed that the average of drugs prescribed was 4.10 per patient while the average of antimicrobials was 2.30 per prescription. Most of the antibiotics were prescribed for the respiratory tract infections (34.0%) and followed by the urinary tract infections (29.0%). Cephalosporins and penicillins were the most common antibiotics prescribed in this study. In conclusion, these findings show the presence of polypharmacy and inappropriate prescribing pattern. To improve and minimize the unnecessary prescribing of antimicrobial agents, a continuous training program for physicians, as well as engaged pharmacists in health care services are needed
Mechanism of Ibuprofen release from chitosan granules
No full textAttempts have been made to formulate controlled release drug dosage forms using chitosan as a release controlling polymer. Granules of combination of chitosan, hydroxylpropyl cellulose, lactose, starch and Ibuprofen were prepared by wet granulation method using 1.0% lactic acid solution. The granules were physico-chemically characterized in terms of density, porosity, angle of repose, carr’s index and housner ratio and was found to be free flowing with good compressibility. FTIR spectroscopy was used and confirmed that there is no interaction between the drug and the added polymers. In vitro release of Ibuprofen, in phosphate buffer at pH 7.4, showed a steady and slow increase in the percentage of drug released over 24 hours as the percentage of chitosan was increased in the formulations compared to that from commercial tablets which released over 80.0% of their content in only two hours. The kinetic analysis using different mathematical models of the data revealed that the release kinetics of the drug form these formulations is somewhere between diffusion controlled, Fickian (anomalous) and non-Fickian which refers to a combination of diffusion and erosion controlled release. Thus, the high correlation coefficient of the data of drug release from most granules when zero order kinetics was applied revealed that there is a constant drug release with time for 24 hours
Teachers’ Use of Compliments as Linguistic Politeness Strategies during Classroom Interaction: The Case of Selected Secondary Schools in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
No full textThis article appraises teachers’ use of compliments as linguistic politeness strategies (PSs) in a non-native English-speaking community. It is guided by Brown and Levinson’s (1987) Politeness Theory and Austin’s (1962) Speech Act Theory. The paper uses materials recorded in 32 lessons by 16 teachers of different subjects which took place in selected secondary schools in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Purposive sampling was used to obtain the participants. Data was collected through classroom observation and interview. Results show that the teachers used a variety of compliments as linguistic PSs, including compliments, compliments with gratitude, and compliments with congratulatory notes. By so doing, they positively influenced various aspects of the classroom interaction, for example raising students’ feeling of being admired by their teachers, promoting students’ confidence, encouraging active participation in lessons, and promoting students’ relaxation. This study traced the use of compliments as linguistic PSs using cross-sectional data; future studies may examine longitudinal data to unearth a number of key issues with regard to compliment use. 
Tako or Takwa la Katiba? A Description of Verb-to-Noun Derivation in Bantu Languages: The Case of Kiswahili
No full textThis paper describes verb-to-noun derivation in Kiswahili, a process in which nouns are formed from verbs. It places the derivational process squarely on the question of whether it is ‘tako’ or ‘takwa’, with their plural forms ‘matako’ or ‘matakwa’. The guiding question for this description is “how come the verb ‘taka’ changes to ‘takwa’ as opposed to ‘tako’ while similar verbs change to nouns by -o suffixation?” Data were collected through observation, document review, and interviews. The findings justify the theoretical statement that derivation is less productive. Hence, applying a particular rule too broadly to other entities is relatively hard. In this view, derivation by -o suffixation, as well as by other processes, is limited to some verbs. Since derivation is less productive, Kiswahili has many verb-to-noun derivational processes as presented in this paper under four categories, namely verb-to-noun derivation Type 1 (suffixation of vowels -i, -o, -u, and -e), Type 2 (noun class prefixes), Type 3 (infinitive ku-) and Type 4 (miscellaneous nouns). Hence, the paper concludes that ‘tako la katiba’ with its plural ‘matako ya katiba’ is inappropriate, whereas ‘takwa la katiba’ with its plural ‘matakwa ya katiba’ is appropriate in Kiswahili. 
Modelling combustion characteristics of some selected Nigerian coal samples
No full textCoal is one of the most abundant fossil fuel which could be utilized for electricity production using different techniques. The pulverization technique is considered in this study which involves coal combustion to release heat which can be utilised to generate steam. Grinding and drying are prior combustion processes that increases rate of reaction during combustion. This study determines the thermodynamics characteristics of coal combustion using the pulverization technique for Five Nigerian coal samples (Odagbo, Owupka, Ezimo, Amansiodo and Inyi Coal). A process based model was developed using ASPEN PLUS for a coal power plant. The mass balance and energy balance equations for the plant components was used. Emission from coal combustion was determined at different equivalence ratios of 1, 0.7, 0.5, 0.4 and 0.3 respectively. It was observed that excess air supplied reduces emissions and there is a trade-off of combustion temperature. Also, the amount of ash released is independent of the equivalence ratio. From results obtained, at stoichiometry, Owupka coal sample has the highest combustion temperature of 2005ºC and the least ash production of 1.3kg/s while Inyi coal has the least combustion temperature of 1779ºC and the highest ash production of 18.8kg/s. Therefore, Owupka coal is recommended for use as it has the highest efficiency when used in combustion. Also, to improve the efficiency of Inyi coal sample, it is recommended to be mixed with high efficiency coals like Owupka