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The Multifaceted Role of Green Libraries in Advancing Sustainable Development in Kenya
Full text linkt Sustainable development has become a global priority as societies recognize the need to address environmental degradation, social inequality, and economic challenges.The paper sought to establish the role of green libraries in Kenya in championing UN SDGs with a descriptive research design and mixed-methods case study approach. Interviews were conducted with head librarians from 12 representative green libraries in Kenya. An observation checklist was used to complement the interviews. Framework analysis was the mode of data analysis used in line with the interpretivism paradigm that formed the pillar of the research. The findings showed that green libraries in Kenya have emerged as champions of SDGs by embracing green initiatives in recent years. This paper’s focus on Kenya specifically highlights how Kenyan libraries are implementing green initiatives and contributing to SDGs. This localized approach allows for a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities unique to the Kenyan context
Impact of integrating family planning with maternal and child health on uptake of contraception: A quasi-experimental study in rural, Sindh, Pakistan
No full textThis study aimed to evaluate the impact of integrating family planning with maternal and child health (FP-MCH) on the uptake of modern contraceptive methods (MCMs) and related health outcomes in two rural districts of Sindh, Pakistan using a quasi-experimental control before-after study design. Intervention package integrated FP with MCH in the existing public sector at facility and community levels. This included capacity building of health care providers, ensuring sustained supplies of family planning commodities, and community engagement activities through Lady Health Workers (LHW). Data was collected through household surveys at baseline (1st October- 31st December 2020) and endline (1st October- 31st December 2022). Sample size was calculated as 880 married women of reproductive age (MWRA) in each district. The Difference-in-Differences (DiD) analytical method was used to assess the impact of intervention. There was an increase of 11.7% in current use of MCMs in the intervention group compared to the control group (p-value \u3c 0.003), with increases observed in uptake of injections, implants, and condoms. Furthermore, family planning counseling during ANC (DiD 9.1%, p-value 0.162), LHW visits during pregnancy (DiD 15.4%, p-value 0.018), postnatal care (PNC) visits for mothers (DiD 24.0%, p-value \u3c 0.001), LHW visits after delivery (DiD 20.6%, p-value \u3c 0.001), and counseling by LHW about family planning at PNC visit (DiD 15.3%, p-value 0.027). The study concludes that integrating FP with MCH services proved impactful in increasing contraception uptake and minimizing missed opportunities. It underscores the necessity for cohesive efforts by the government and local stakeholders to design local, regional, and national policy frameworks pertaining to health and population planning for sustainable mother and child health improvements
Malaria vector control strategies in Pakistan: A scoping review
No full textBackground: Malaria remains a significant public health concern in Pakistan due to its subtropical climate and diverse array of vectors, which contribute to periodic outbreaks and challenges in disease control. Recent outbreaks-particularly in 2022-along with the rising incidence of Plasmodium falciparum and growing resistance of Anopheles mosquito vector to existing control methods, highlight a critical gap in understanding the effectiveness of current malaria vector control strategies. This article is a scoping review of published literature on malaria prevention methods with a focus on World Health Organization (WHO) outlined interventions in the endemic region of the lower middle-income country, Pakistan. Methods: Relevant articles published in all languages before September 2023 were reviewed. All the articles were obtained from PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, Embase and Google Scholar. Four independent reviewers performed the selection and characterization of articles based on defined inclusion criteria. The data collected were extracted and analyzed by province, vector, and vector control methods according to WHO recommendations. Results: A total of 46 articles reporting surveillance findings on vector control methods in Pakistan were found. Based on WHO recommendations, the reported strategies included insecticide-treated nets (ITN) (29.79%), indoor residual spraying (IRS) (29.79%), spatial spraying (12.77%), spatial/airborne repellents (4.26%), larval source management (4.26%) and house modifications (4.26%). In contrast to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which employs ITN (55%) as the primary vector control method, Punjab was found to use IRS as the main method of vector control (50%). Conclusion: This review highlights the current strategies for controlling malaria vectors and the strategies used in the past for outbreaks in Pakistan. This review identifies a notable increase in the use of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) over time and highlights differences in the implementation of vector control strategies across provinces in Pakistan. Current practices and their contrast to WHO guidelines are illustrated. It helps us understand the need for improved research and development with precise reporting. These findings can serve as a reference for guiding policy decisions and improving malaria control efforts in endemic regions
The cognitive and psychosocial effects of online learning in medical students during and after the COVID-19 pandemic: A mixed-methods study from Karachi, Pakistan
No full textBackground: The COVID-19 pandemic precipitated a swift shift towards e-learning platforms in medical education. While research has predominantly concentrated on evaluating the efficacy and obstacles associated with online learning, the cognitive and psychosocial dimensions within medical education remain largely underexplored.Methods: A mixed-methods explanatory sequential study was conducted from July 2021 to February 2022 amongst medical students engaged in online learning for at least six months in Karachi, Pakistan. In this study, participating medical students were requested to reflect on their experiences with and perceptions of online learning during and after the pandemic. The quantitative phase of the study involved a digital questionnaire, while the qualitative phase of the study employed semi-structured focus group discussions (FGDs). Quantitative data were summarized using descriptive statistics and categorical associations were statistically tested using Pearson\u27s chi-squared (2) test. The transcribed FGDs were coded using a scissors-and-sort technique and qualitatively summarized in a narrative fashion and in descriptive memoranda.Results: A total of 262 students were included in the quantitative arm of the study (of whom 18 were included in the qualitative arm). 46.9% of the students were males, 51.1% were pre-clinical students, and 13.4% belonged to universities aside from Aga Khan University. Participating students reported that their academic screen time rose dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic, with 80.5% spending over 3 h on screens, compared to 52.3% engaging for less than 1 h pre-pandemic. Online learning showed significant gender-based impacts: male students felt less engaged (p = 0.007), while female students reported less motivation (p = 0.007) and anxiety reduction (p = 0.042). Duration of online exposure influenced outcomes; students with less screen time for learning reported better self-regulation (p = 0.019), whereas higher entertainment screen time correlated with poorer achievement of learning objectives (p = 0.019). Pre-clinical students reported that they faced more challenges with engagement (p = 0.038), but were less likely to feel exhausted (p = 0.001) or have trouble paying attention during online studies than their clinical counterparts (p = 0.007). Overall, while some students highlighted the efficiency and convenience of online learning, many observed that they experienced increased distraction and isolation, suggesting a mixed impact on educational outcomes.Conclusion: Online medical education offers opportunities and challenges, with our results suggesting clear cognitive and psychosocial effects. Balancing student needs with hybrid learning methods is necessary to implement online learning pedagogies effectively
Social media usage and the future of museum outreach: A case of the Uganda museum
Full text linkDespite its cultural significance, the Uganda Museum, the oldest museum in East Africa, faced challenges of declining visitor numbers and limited social media engagement. the Uganda Museum\u27s digital presence on platforms such as X.com and Instagram remains underutilized due to a lack of strategic alignment with its mission. This study evaluated the extent of social media use for outreach, identified associated challenges and opportunities and developed actionable recommendations for enhancing the Uganda Museum’s digital engagement. The study adopted a mixed-methods approach, which combined 381 visitor surveys with in-depth interviews with 15 museum staff members, and evaluated the Uganda Museum\u27s social media practices. Findings revealed that while the Uganda Museum utilized Instagram and X.com mainly, engagement was low, with 69% of respondents reporting no interaction with the Uganda Museum’s posts. However, 72% felt more connected to Uganda’s culture through the Uganda Museum’s social media. Key challenges included inconsistent posting, limited interactivity and insufficient digital skills among the staff members. Opportunities existed to leverage visitor-generated content, partnerships with influencers, and educational posts to align with audience preferences. The study was mainly built on the Technology Acceptance Model and Uses and Gratifications Theory which indicated that perceived usefulness and state of interactivity of social media platforms were useful in enhancing engagement with the target audience. These results underlined that those employed at the Uganda Museum should improve their skills through; capacity building for staff and collaborating with influencers to leverage social media’s potential in museum outreach. The study findings contributed to the knowledge gap by analyzing how the use of digital platforms in cultural institutions for the preservation of heritage and further provided an explanation of the importance of allocating resources in digital platforms for outreach to enable the financial viability of the Museum. Recommendations included enhancing digital literacy, creating audience-specific content strategies and leveraging partnerships to foster cultural appreciation and financial sustainability
Investigating media relations strategies used by Ugandan Universities to enhance corporate image: A study of four higher education institutions
Full text linkA strong corporate image is crucial for organization\u27s to thrive in a competitive market. Discrepancies between corporate image and corporate identity can lead to confusion among stakeholders, potentially resulting in crises that harm the institution\u27s brand. Effective media relations strategies are essential for shaping stakeholder perceptions and strengthening corporate image. This study aimed to investigate how four universities (two public and two private universities) in Uganda use media relations to enhance their corporate image, focusing on the media relations strategies used, their effectiveness, and the challenges faced. Using Grunig\u27s Excellence Theory from 1985, it employed a qualitative approach with in-depth interviews, document analysis and purposive sampling to gather and analyse data thematically. The findings revealed media relations strategies such as having good working relationships with journalists and media houses, creating an online presence for the institutions, PR teams crafting their stories rather than having external journalists do it for them, and audience analysis and strategic engagement. The findings also suggest that the effectiveness of the strategies could be assessed through increase in university enrolment, positive findings from social media analytics, and constant media monitoring. Challenges associated with the implementations of the strategies included inadequate funding, understaffing of PR teams, fake news and misinformation, media personalities incompetence, unprofessionalism and newsroom monetization. Website analysis indicated an unoptimized website and social media platforms, highlighting a disconnect between the promises made by the communication and PR personnel and the practice. The websites showed an insufficient engagement with stakeholders, lack of vibrancy, scarcity of infographics, and navigational challenges. This prompts inquiries about communication accuracy and openness to the public and university management, which are essential elements of the Excellence Theory. Universities can enhance their corporate image by employing the specified media strategies, ensuring transparency among PR practitioners, and adequate financial support from senior management
