Open Science Journal (OSJ)
Not a member yet
297 research outputs found
Sort by
COVID-19 in Ghana: Knowledge, perception and practice among health trainees
Get PDFObjective: This study assessed the knowledge, perceptions and practices among health trainees in Ghana regarding COVID-19. Understanding the knowledge, perception and practices among health trainees can provide important information for policy formulations and proper planning.Method: The survey was conducted through a Google form link shared on students’ social media networks mainly through Facebook, and WhatsApp platforms. Responses received were imported to SPSS version 24 for cleaning and analysis. Output measures were demonstrated in simple frequency and percentages, using tables and charts. Fisher’s exact test was used to assess the effect of potential covariate on practice of preventive measures with their corresponding p-values. Results: Twenty-five percent (25%) of respondents had good knowledge, 69% had moderate knowledge and 6% had poor knowledge on COVID-19. Regarding perception of health students on COVID-19, 8.47% indicated that drinking alcohol could protect them from the virus. More than 90% of participants’ practice the general preventive measures. Gender and level of program of study was found to be significantly associated with practice of preventive measure. Male students (54.64%) were engaged in good preventive practices compared to female students (43.75%).Conclusion: Majority of the health trainees had basic information and proactive practice towards COVID-19. Most trainees had good perception on the disease, however, a few still believe that drinking alcohol will prevent them from being infected with the disease. Gender and level of trainees are significant predictors of proactive practices towards COVID-19
Capacity development for urban water senior staff members, stakeholders and influencers in Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) and Sekondi- Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) in Ghana
Get PDF It is expected that adequate quantity and quality of service delivery is one of the preconditions that contributes to safe water and sanitation delivery. Yet the human resource gap in WATSAN sector is relatively unknown (S. Cavill & D. Saywell, 2009). This paper outlines a piece of research that was conducted to provide a reliable skill gap assessment and building solution in Ghana to national water utility provider staff members, stakeholders and influencers.The Purpose of the Research is to undertake Training Needs Analysis that will be followed up with Capacity Gap Assessment and Enhancement in urban water management and service delivery in Accra and Sekondi- Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly, GhanaThe research found significant relationship between staff, stakeholders and influences service quality delivery and customer satisfaction. Therefore, the study was followed up with staff, stakeholders and influencer’s capacity building initiatives and motivation techniques, communication skills, cost reduction strategies, assets maintenance, billing cycles, monitoring and evaluation as panacea to quality service delivery. Furthermore, the study recommended that the management, influencers and stakeholders should reexamine and re programme the organization’s conceptual framework, vision, mission and operations such as their customer data base system to capture their customer’s profiles and needs so as to deliver customer focused services.Key Words: WATSAN, Utility, Influencers, Service Delivery, Customer, Staff, Stakeholders, Capacity, Ghan
Democracy in Engineering Organisations. A Case Study of Kenya.
Get PDFIn December 2019, the world was engulfed in coronavirus/COVID19 pandemic that spread like wildfire after emerging from Wuhan City, China. Naturally, this disrupted world's order and how organizations, including workplaces, are managed. In this short communication, we present what and how the Institution of Engineers of Kenya conducted their election campaigns and the election itself. The elections were held electronically. Number of voters' turnout shows some discrepancies as the total votes for the presidential post do not match that of the ordinary council member positions. It is therefore important to improve on transparency at the institution. We recomend that election should be handled by independent scrutineers. Any sitting council should not directly handle any election material. This will enhance accountability and service delivery to members.
A classical delphi study to identify the barriers of green information technologies
Get PDFThis qualitative, classical Delphi study explored the apparent lack of corporate commitment to prioritized Green Information Technologies (GITs), which could delay the economic benefits for maximizing the use of energy resources. The purpose of this study was to examine the leadership barriers impeding the adoption of GITs. A panel of nineteen Information Technology and Sustainability experts participated in this study. The panels' members were from industry, government, and academia. The NVivo 9 software was used for the qualitative data analysis and reports the results. The leadership barriers identified in this study as impeding were the lack of understating of GIT and the benefits it can yield for organizations. To gain energy cost reductions, and to meet future environmental regulations, a paradigm change is needed to integrate GIT into organizational strategies, processes, and culture. The results of this study give useful recommendations to rationalize the adoption of GIT to overcome implementation barriers.
Entrepreneurship Education in Nigeria Tertiary Institutions and its Impact on Students’ Entrepreneurial Career Intentions. A Study of Students at Federal Polytechnic Ekowe
No full text Purpose: Entrepreneurship education as an influencer of graduate entrepreneurial intention is gaining massive attention amongst practitioners, policy makers and academics across the globe. The proliferation of entrepreneurship courses in universities around the world is evident of this wide acceptance of entrepreneurship education as a strategy for graduate entrepreneurship. The purpose of this research paper is to ascertain the impact entrepreneurship education has on students’ entrepreneurial career intentions.Methodology: The article includes a review of literature in entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial intention to gain background knowledge. This research is a qualitative, interpretive phenomenological study and relies on narrative as a means of knowing, and as a form of communication. The scope of the study is year one students at the Federal Polytechnic of Oil & Gas Ekowe in the departments of Computer Science, Science Laboratory Technology and Statistics. The questionnaire was designed in a semi-structured way and distributed to students to return after 7 days to allow for proper articulation of narratives.Findings: A total of 42 students participated in the interview and 42 returned. 28.57% representing 12 students showed intention to start a business, 40.48% (17 students) desire to get a job after graduation while 13 students (30.95%) are unsure what they want to do after graduation. The results indicate that entrepreneurship education has a positive impact on students’ entrepreneurial career intention but other than EE, it was also revealed from participants’ narratives that age, prior experience and parents’ status have positive influence on graduate entrepreneurial decisions.Implication of Findings: Findings will aid curriculum designers and educational policy makers to scrutinize and re-examine EE programmes and how they are taught to enhance practice.Originality: Narratives and storytelling methods are not the common methods adopted in entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial intention research. More research should be carried out using this method to validate results from this approach
Classical quantum mechanics – particle is the pulse of matter waves
Get PDFSince the very first development of Quantum Mechanics there are many scientists who, despite the fact that everything seems to work perfectly and the experimental results verify the theoretical predictions, do not understand what is really going on. That is why there are many different interpretations of this subject nowadays. This paper provides a new interpretation, aiming to illustrate the fact that Quantum Mechanics is actually an extension of Classical Physics, and in contrast to other interpretations we illustrate a possible experimental verification of theoretical wording
Empirical analysis of crude oil consumption and price on Ghana’s economic growth
Get PDFAbstractThe objective of this paper was to investigate the impact of crude oil consumption and oil price on the growth of the Ghanaian economy. It proceeded with annual time series data (1980-2016) sourced from World Development Indicator (WDI) and Energy Information Administration (EIA). All variables used in the study were integrated of order one as suggested by the Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) test. Further, the Johansen Cointegration test suggested the existence of cointegration among the variables. The study used the OLS estimation procedure.The study found a positive and statistically significant relationship between oil price and economic growth in the long run. On the other hand, an inverse relationship was found between crude oil consumption and economic growth in the long run.Based on the findings the study recommends that the government diversify the economy to reduce the shock the economy might experience in times of oil price shocks. Further, risk management instruments like physical reserves and hedging against oil prices should also be employed.Also, the study recommends policies that encourage efficient consumption of crude oil, especially in the productive sectors like industry in order to trigger growth. This notwithstanding, the study recommends effective measures to mitigate the externalities associated with increased production and consumption of crude oil, such as the carbon tax
Synthesis characterization and electrochemical performance of chromium doped tin oxide
Get PDFChromium doped Tin oxide nanoparticles with chromium concentrations ranging from 1 to 5 wt% were synthesized by microwave irradiation technique. Standard characterization techniques were used to understand the characteristics of the nanoparticles obtained. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) pattern depicted the tetragonal crystal structure for Cr doped SnO2 nanoparticles. From the results of crystallite sizes for various doping concentrations, it was observed that doping inhibits the growth of crystalline grains of SnO2. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images confirmed the surface morphology modifications due to varying doping concentration of Cr, nanocrystallite showed extra agglomerated status with mesoporous structures. Energy dispersive spectrometer (EDAX) observations confirmed the doping of chromium ions in SnO2 lattice. Other standard characterization techniques such as FESEM, TEM, HRTEM, FTIR, UV-Vis spectroscopic analysis were also carried out for the samples prepared. The electrochemical behavior of the sample was determined using Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) by scanning the potential at a rate of 50 mV s‾¹ and for a maximum current of 600 mA carried out on undoped SnO2 and Cr doped SnO2. It was observed that as the wt% of Cr in Cr doped SnO2 increases, the electrochemical performance increases as compared to undoped SnO2. A fairly larger peak current of 15 μA and a larger oxidation peak potential of 0.76 V were observed for 5 wt% Cr doped SnO2
Peruvian health system: Proposal for a new model
Get PDFABSTRACTThis present study is carried out with the general objective of Proposing a New Health System Model based on the Praxeology of the actors that participate in the Health System Model of Peru, and as specific objectives (i) Analyze the Peruvian health system model from the subjectivities of its actors; (ii) Contrast jointly with the actors the models of Latin American health systems with the Peruvian health system model; (iii) Design the health system model for Peru from the perspective of the actors; (iv) Validate the proposed health system model for Peru; with reference to the bases of pragmatic paradigms, of complementarity, systemic, humanist and complexity. A mixed Derivative Sequential Exploratory study was conducted, contemplating the scope of transdisciplinary, projective research and multiple triangulation was applied. The study was presented in two successive phases, in the first, the theory based on the research method was chosen, 40 key participants were interviewed using the semi-structured in-depth interview; in the second, the exploratory research method, applying a questionnaire to 1308 participants nationwide. The results on the analysis, a negative rating was determined: degree of user satisfaction of 10.7%, and it was determined that 89.3% agree with what a reform to the current model. Regarding the comparison with other models, it is was found that 89.3% believe that reforms applied in other countries must be implemented in our country. About the design of the model, it was found that 89.3% of the participants prefer a combination between public and private; the 91.6% that should be emphasized the implementation of health determinants; the 37.2%, of the models presented, prefer the Bismarck Model. Accordingly, a praxeological model for the Peruvian health system is proposed, that relegates the dilemma of preferences between public and private, that considers a comprehensive approach to health determinants; and progressively towards a Bismarck model
Management models of tourism industry: The case of Greece
Get PDFManagement has been the focus of studies in the field of tourism and hospitality and other related sectors. However, recently, investigators began examining the role of a management model in improving the competitiveness of a country both at the firm and state level. The literature reviewed in the current study has shown that management models affect the success, productivity, and effectiveness of firms in the sector. More researchers have noted that the management model should focus on the sustainability of the ecosystem and economy. The management model adopted by Greece has not been effective in improving its level of competitiveness compared to other European nations. Although various studies have examined the phenomenon, there is yet a need for more explorations to exploit how various antecedents of management models affect the tourism sector in the long-run. The current study has established that the management model supported by positive government policies affects the tourism industry and attracts more visitors, growth, and competitiveness