Open Science Journal (OSJ)
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Magnitude and associated risk factors for low birth weight in Bentiu State Hospital in Unity State, Republic of South Sudan
Get PDFBackground: Low Birth Weight which is birth weight of less than 2500g remains a significant public health problem from short to long term consequences. It is responsible for significant neonatal morbidities, mortalities and disability in infancy and childhood which is associated with long term impact on health outcomes in later life.Methods: The study used facility based cross sectional study design that involved 285 postpartum mothers and 285 newborns in Bentiu Hospital, South Sudan. Sample size was determined using Kish Leslie’s formula of 1965. Purposive sampling technique was used to sample postpartum mothers at birth. Key Informants (10) were purposively selected from the hospital and data was collected using semi-structured questionnaire and key informant interview guide (KIIG). Data was entered into Epi-Info v3.3.1 and exported to SPSS version 20 for statistical analysis at 95% confidence interval. Chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test were used to analyze the relationship between independent and dependent variables. Statistically significant variables with probability values less than 0.05 were re-analyzed at multivariable logistic regression into odds ratios with subsequent 95% confidence intervals. Meanwhile, qualitative data were organized in ATLAS Ti and content analyzed into themes to aid triangulation.Results: There were 285 mothers studied with mean age of 25 years, most mothers were aged between 20-24 and 25-29, 84(29.5% and 83(29.1%) respectively. Majority 219(76.8%) were married. LBW prevalence of 23.5% (67) [N=285, 95% CI: 0.187-0.287] while the majority 218(76.5%) of the postpartum mothers had normal weight babies. In Multivariable logistic regression, mothers aged 25-29 (AOR=7.17, 95%CI: 1.176-43.765, p=0.033), those aged 30-34 (AOR=10.73, 95%CI: 1.629-70.743, p=0.014) and those ≥35 years (AOR=4.34 95%CI: 0.622-30.292, p=0.138) were significantly associated with LBW. Business women (AOR=0.19 95%CI: 0.055-0.682, p=0.011) and those in salaried employment (AOR=0.19 95%CI: 0.039-0.921, p=0.039) were less likely to have LBW babies. Low social support was significantly associated with LBW (AOR=3.65 95%CI: 1.77-7.525, p4 ANC attendance were 68.99 times more likely to produce LBW compared to those with less than four visits (AOR=68.99 95%CI: 1.021-4661.183, p=0.049). Mothers with no pregnancy complication experience were less likely to bear LBW was (AOR=0.42 95%CI: 0.181-0.994, p=0.048). Mothers who did not take folic acid (AOR=4.82, 95%CI: 2.233-10.392 p<0.001) and antibiotics (AOR=8.74 95%CI: 3.597-21.248 p<0.001) during pregnancy were 4.82 and 8.74 times more likely to give birth to LBW babies compared to those who were given and consumed it.Conclusion: Low Birth Weight was high at 23.5%, late reproduction, low social support, pregnancy complications, lack of social support, not taking folic acid and antibiotics increased prevalence of LBW. Reproducing at right age, providing social support, preventing pregnancy complications, ensuring access and intake of folic acid and antibiotics during ANC at health facility and during community outreaches can have valuable influence on pregnancy outcome
The community care model (CCM) for multi-drug resistant of tuberculosis (MDR-TB) patient with social engagement: A case study province located at lower northeastern part, Thailand
Get PDFThis research was aimed to develop the community care model for Multi-Drug Resistant of Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) patient and to evaluate the community care for MDR-TB patient model. Four steps of method were (1) identify the problem, (2) performance enhancement, (3) model development, and (4) implementation. The 36 sub-districts from 12 districts where found MDR-TB patient was the study areas. Target groups were consisted of MDR-TB patient, TB Clinic people from district and sub-district hospital, care giver who care on drug observe therapy (Dot) to MDR-TB patient, and community leader. Research tools were questionnaires, interview guide, and venue of participation of the stake holders. The data analysis was used descriptive statistics for quantitative data and content analysis for qualitative data.The model of Multi-drug Resistance Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) Patient Care, “Srisaket Model” was 4 phrases; (1) Early access, “Prepare the readiness of care team”, 2-7 day before registered to treatment. Care team at sub-district level was provided MDR-TB case report and communicated to care team, patient assessment, stop taking any drug in case of TB old case, and prepare the readiness for MDR-TB treatment. (2) In-hospital care, “Start treatment and care as MDR-TB patient”, 14-28 day in the hospital. The essential activities were case management; prepare team and community to care of the patient, disease investigation and screening TB contact case. (3) Intensive care, “Dot by heart”, 3-6 months, the core activities was Dot, drug injection, quality drug assurance and averse drug management (ADM), and prepare area zone for care of MDR-TB patient followed the Infectious control guideline for TB/MDR-TB. And (4) Continuum care, “Cooperation to cope the disease”, Dot care continuously, surveillance to ADM, discharge plan and continuously 5 years plan for TB contact cases surveillance by Chest X-ray and for relapse of TB/MDR-TB patient
Impact of coffee ground on ammonia concentration
Get PDFFarmers should wait one week after spreading the composts until the ammonium concentration decreases. If the base component is too high, the plants could not grow well. If the soil is too acidic, the plants also cannot grow well. This study will reveal the optimal ratio of compost and coffee ground, which are base and acid, respectively. First, I prepare nine different ratios of compost, coffee ground, and potting soil. Then, five kidney beans were grown on each of the pots. Since kidney beans are easy to grow and grow fast, experiments were done with the kidney beans. All the other variables, including humidity, temperature, and lighting, were regulated. By measuring the soil pH, and the height and area of the leaves, the coffee and compost ratio was quantified. Our results show that an optimal coffee ground, compost, and soil combination should be 30-40-30 percent by weight. Furthermore, this study improves the ease of managing farms using coffee grounds and prevents the waste of the excessive amount of coffee residues being dumped every day
Placing greater emphasis on vocational education in Kenya
Get PDFKenya, like other countries in the Sub Sahara Africa (SSA), Technical, vocational education, and training (TVET) is believed to be an obvious remedy to youth employment across the region. As we view TVET in this way, the perception in many if not all the countries across SSA is that TVET is a salvation for the intellectually incapable or those with less or no aspiration for better paying jobs. For the elite and middle class, TVET is in reality not for their children, as it seems almost ‘useless’. Interestingly, even with such perceptions, Kenya and other SSA countries have continued to ‘embrace’ TVET in their education systems but with little investment towards those TVET programmes. In 2018, there was a shift in policy in Kenya with TVET receiving more attention, and as a result attracting a larger budget allocation. The government slashed fees for students in technical and vocational education institutions, and raised public funding in its latest bid to grow the critical skills base needed to achieve the country’s economic ambitions. To support this policy, the government agreed to give an annual bursary of US$300 for every student who joins the technical institutions (University World News, 2018). The students will access the funding through the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), the agency that disburses loans to university students on behalf of the government. This policy comes as a result of the World bank warning regarding a widening disconnect between labour market skills needs and the graduates of higher education institutions. This paper provides an overview of the state of TVET in Kenya, challenges and possible recommendations to support the new TVET reforms towards making it more attractive for learners in Kenya
Critical mapping methodology as an analytical tool for the understanding of Greek archaeological production
Get PDFThe article attempts a critically mapping of the production process of Greek archaeological product, taking into account both the unexplored, so far, complexity of the process, along with the constantly important social value of the product. Our point of departure has been the challenging of current archaeological notion and practices, which we regard as scientifically suffocating and socially inadequate. In this direction, we attempted a visual panoramic synthesis of the archaeological production process through a critical prism constructed from the reflexivity of archaeological ethnography, the political engagement of militant research and the personal gaze of our autoethnographic approach. Drawing on macroscopic observations and partial comments that have derived from the map, we suggest that the archaeological product of Greece has been long detached from the process that produces it; a fact that justifies both the unchangeable features of the product, as well as the internal fragmentation of the process. We regard our interpretation as only a trigger for substantial dialogue concerning Greek archaeological reality and certainly not as an accomplished research outcome
Assessing data quality in survey with healthcare providers on COVID-19 and the measures for improving
Get PDFBackground: Social surveys have also been transformed with the advancements in research methods. However, only through appropriate methods, proper planning and procedures the data quality can be ensured.Aim: The aim of the current research is to present the measures taken up in doing survey with healthcare providers of primary health care facilities during the time of COVID-19 and to assess the data quality.Method: The survey was conducted with all 280 medical and paramedical staff in 24 primary healthcare centers of government to understand the preparedness of primary health care facilities in terms of providing a safe working environment to healthcare providers and to prevent the spread of infection while discharging duties during COVID-19. The study used mix mode of data collection by administering telephonic and self-administered questionnaire. It is a descriptive study based on review of secondary literature and the different measures adopted in the survey to ensure data quality.Result: The variation found in responses to questions related to training, personal fears, challenges and coping mechanism was low, when asked differently in telephonic and self-administered questionnaire. It shows that the measures taken in conducting survey through mix mode of data collection at the time of COVID-19 were effective in overcoming the data quality challenges of COVID-19 to conduct face-to-face study and maintaining data quality of the survey.Conclusion: It can be concluded that proper planning, preparations and precautions were effective in ascertaining the data quality
Bilateral Luxatio Erecta – Etiology, Diagnosis and Management
Get PDFLuxation erecta is a rare form of shoulder dislocation, bilateral inferior shoulder dislocation is very rare and few cases have been published in the literature. We present a case of a male, fell down the ladder, presented with bilateral luxation erecta treated with close reduction, immobilisation and rehabilitation
Middle East’s circular economy expectations for the next ten years
Get PDFThis study provides an overview of waste management through circular economy in Middle East. Waste management has become a worldwide problem since humans are wasting resources as well as raw materials. This is the biggest problem faced by the humans on Earth that is getting attention of government representatives from all over the world. Recently, Middle East has also showed concerns regarding the amount of waste produced. Thus, several government representatives of Middle East have voiced their opinions and have taken an initiative to adopt this model. This article is based on the adoption of the model of circular economy in the countries of Middle East. This article explains the challenges that Middle East needs to be aware of for successful implementation of this model
Analyzing a Net Zero Energy Building (NZEB) in the Climate Zone of Australia
Get PDFBuildings and Residential sectors are amongst the major energy consumers of Australia. But the maximum portion of the energy consumed by these buildings is lost due to construction, design, or use of appliances. A significant amount of energy can be saved through this sector, which will not only reduce energy demand, it would further remove a major load from the National Grid. This study assessed a building in the residential sector of Australia and proposed how the use of Passive, Active techniques and adoption of the NZEB concept can help save energy consumption of residential houses. Different techniques and their implementation in the building were performed through both qualitative and quantitative analysis. The results obtained from the study show the house load of the designed building, a solar system that can take up the entire load, its financial assessment, and how the use of energy-efficient appliances and the use of passive techniques can result in improvement of energy efficiency
Digital inequalities in rural schools in South Africa
Get PDFIt has been argued that advancements in digitalisation and enhancement of digital development could be beneficial for rural schools. However, digital inequalities persist and affect rural schools since little attention has been paid to the specific conditions rural schools find themselves in when facing continuous digital developments.This paper aims at revealing the facts related to the status of the digital inequalities in rural schools in South Africa. Data was collected by means of the desk research, whereby researchers reviewed existing literature pertaining to digital inequalities in rural schools in South Africa, in Namibia and in some developed countries for cross referencing and triangulation purposes. After review of data from secondary sources, the study found out that lack of digital literacy on the side of the rural teachers can lead to accessibility and knowledge differences among learners and furthermore it was found that the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) equipment and digital literacy training in rural schools are very much dependent on luck: pupils depend on the socioeconomic status of their respective rural school. Considering the prevailing circumstances, through this paper it is recommended that there is a need for the state to invest in necessary infrastructure namely the ICT sector to provide for the driving of digital transformation and facilitate skills development programmes for teachers to ensure that they have the needed skills to utilise modern technology more effectively