75 research outputs found
EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION, HYGIENE PRACTICES, AND WATERBORNE DISEASE PREVENTION ON THE HEALTH OF CHILDREN IN MAIHA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, ADAMAWA STATE
No full textResearch problem: Poor sanitation, unsafe water, and inadequate hygiene practices remain leading causes of waterborne diseases that affect children’s health in rural communities. In Maiha Local Government Area of Adamawa State, these challenges persist despite the introduction of the Sanitation, Hygiene and Water (SHAWN) Programme, which aims to curb open defecation, promote handwashing, improve hygiene knowledge, and safeguard child health. Concerns, however, remain regarding the programme’s effectiveness in reducing sanitation and hygiene-related health risks among children.
Methods/theory: The study was guided by Neo-functionalism Theory, emphasizing the interdependence of institutions in tackling developmental issues. A mixed research approach was employed, combining quantitative and descriptive methods. Data were collected using structured questionnaires administered to households on sanitation and hygiene practices.
Results: Findings indicated that access to improved sanitation, hygiene awareness, and clean water significantly reduced the incidence of waterborne diseases among children in Maiha LGA. The SHAWN Programme was effective in eliminating open defecation and promoting behavioural change toward proper hygiene practices, contributing to better child health outcomes.
Conclusion: Sanitation and hygiene interventions are essential for reducing child morbidity caused by waterborne diseases. Strengthening and sustaining such interventions remain critical for long-term health improvements.
Key Contribution to Knowledge: The study provides empirical evidence on the impact of community-based sanitation and hygiene programmes in improving child health outcomes in rural contexts.
Recommendation: Government should expand access to improved toilet facilities and safe water sources across households and public areas in Maiha LGA
ENHANCING RESILIENCE TO ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE IN THE CHAD BASIN OF NORTH EAST-NIGERIA: CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION STRATEGIES
No full textAs the 21st century began, it became clear that environmental changes were occurring with unprecedented speed and severity. These changes, which differ by time and location, have generally led to deterioration in environmental quality, affecting aspects like forestry and soil health. It is against this background that this study examines climate change adaptation strategies to environmental change in Chad Basin of North East, Nigeria. The data for this study were obtained from a socio-economic survey carried out between 2022 and 2023. The survey targeted two major project areas within the Lake Chad basin: the Baga Polder Project (BPP) located in the western part and the Southern Chad Irrigation Project (SCIP) situated near New Marte in the southern part of the basin. A notable portion, around 70%, utilize both rain and lake water. Only a small percentage, under 2%, use wells for their water supply. The reliance of about 25% of respondents on rainfall alone is significant, as a total failure of rainfall would leave a quarter of the population unable to farm effectively. Since dams also depend on rainfall, the number of individuals affected by insufficient rainfall is likely even greater. It is apparent that the residents have developed various survival strategies to adapt to the arid conditions of the study area. However, these strategies do not address the core issue of declining water supply. The study recommends that effective adaptation in this environment likely surpasses the capabilities of individuals, underscoring the importance of continued government efforts in environmental restoration and the development of underground water sources through boreholes for the region\u27s population centres
In search for the hero: A study of the possible causes that make or break the hero in children's literature
No full textThis study investigates the possible causes that make or break the hero character in children’s literature. It looks into if these causes could be seen as universal, or if they change due to variations of outer influence. To achieve this, the study will examine these causes from three different perspectives; the hero's effect, the child reader's choice and the influence of the author. Out of these, the prime influence and main causes are found in connection with the hero’s effect, and therefore this study will have its main focus on the hero. To demonstrate all the effect the hero has, I have first shortly redefined the structure of the core of the hero, and then shown how the hero character manifests as three specific hero-types that underline all existing hero characters, these I have named: the 'Traditional Hero', the 'True Hero' and the 'Ultimate Hero'. These hero-types are then further examined in connection to change, rules regarding right and wrong and possible impairments to determine their inner models of behaviour, which manifest in their respective social realities. These models define those specific causes that contribute to the making or breaking the hero. The secondary focus is divided between the child reader and the author out of which the study will first investigate the child reader’s affect on the hero. This is accomplished through determining what affects the child reader’s perceptions and preferences regarding the hero as well as demonstrating how the child reader' s choice of hero is a process consisting of individual factors such as rejection, choice and abandonment. These factors determine whether or not the hero is accepted or remains as, a hero, and thus contribute to those possible causes that can make or break the hero's character. Finally, this study will examine the author’s influence on the hero by mainly how the author's covert and overt choices affect the hero's character. This will demonstrate that the author's main contribution to the hero's character is connected to the inert choice of the hero-type, which in turn contributes to the hero's failure or success. This point is further demonstrated through a children’s book I wrote in which I purposefully attempted to write a hero which would be chosen by the child reader. My failure to do so concurred with my findings
Effects of Climate Change Adaptation Strategies on Food Crop Production in North East Nigeria
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The study examines the impact of climate change adaptation strategies on the efficiency of food crop production in northeastern Nigeria. Adaptation strategies, including changes in agricultural practices and systems, are acknowledged as crucial for farmers to cope with climate variability. These strategies aim to boost productivity, efficiency, and economic returns from farming. The research utilized a multi-stage sampling method to select 120 respondents, with data gathered via a structured questionnaire and analysed through both descriptive and inferential statistics. The sampling techniques included purposive sampling across the six states of Northeast Nigeria Adamawa, Borno, Yobe, Taraba, Bauchi, and Gombe. Descriptive statistics, such as percentages and frequencies, were employed, and a Multinomial Logit model was used to estimate the likelihood of achieving the study's objectives. Regression analysis indicated that factors such as marital status, age, education level, farming experience, farm size, access to extension services, and extension visits had positive and statistically significant effects (P<0.01) on adaptation. Major barriers to adopting climate change adaptation strategies among food crop farmers included high input costs, insufficient financial resources, labour costs, and inadequate climate information. The study concludes that farmers' socio-economic characteristics significantly influence their perceptions and adaptation to climate change. The study recommends the government and policymakers should broaden service coverage and improve service quality to address climate change-related risks, with special attention to disadvantaged groups such as poor farmers in remote areas, and extension agents should intensify efforts to raise awareness and educate farmers about climate change
Learning the hard way – How a narrative structure can bring out the positive power of failure
No full textTämä taiteen maisterin opinnäyte käsittelee tarinankerrontaa ja epäonnistumista selvittääkseen, onko epäonnistumisella positiivinen puoli, ja jos mahdollista, miten sen voi löytaa. Voiko epäonnistumisesta tulla pohja henkilokohtaiselle kasvulle ja myönteiselle voimalle?
Työn taiteellinen osuus koostuu tietokirjasta nimeltä Kantapään kautta, jonka olen kirjoittanut Miika Peltolan kanssa. Kirjaa varten haastattelimme 15 suomalaista eri alojen ammattilaista, jotka ovat tunnettuja niin menestyksestään kuin epäonnistumisistaan, heidän epäonnistumisen kokemuksistaan ja niistä yli pääsemisestä. Kantapään kautta -kirja julkaistiin Tammen kautta Suomessa tammikuussa 2012.
Tyon teoreettisessa osassa sukellan syvemmälle siihen, miten tarinat ja narratiivit liittyvät epäonnistumisen positiivisen puolen loytämiseen. Tämän osan ydin on epäonnistumistarinan kertominen sankarin arkkityypin kautta. Arkkityyppiä sovelletaan kirjan haastateltaviin. Sankaritarinan raamina olen käyttänyt Joseph Campbellin Monomyyttiä (Hero's Journey). Käsittelen epäonnistumisen kokemusta liittämällä sen suurempaan narratiiviseen rakenteeseen, jolloin sen myönteiset puolet voidaan huomata paremmin.This Master’s thesis studies storytelling and failure to find out if there is a positive side to failure and other negative experiences, and if possible, how it can be found. Can failure become a foundation for personal growth and positive vigor?
The production part of the thesis consists of a non-fiction book by the author and Miika Peltola, Kantapään kautta (rough translation: The Hard Way). For the book we interviewed 15 Finnish professionals from different fields, who are well known for their success as well as failure, about their experiences of failure and getting over it. Kantapään kautta was published in Finland by Tammi in January 2012.
In the theoretical part of the thesis I dive deeper into how narratives, stories, tie into finding the positive side of failure. Telling a failure story through the role of one archetype, the hero, is the core of this part. The archetype of the hero is applied to the characters of the book, the Finnish interviewees. As a frame of the hero story I use the Monomyth (Hero’s Journey) by Joseph Campbell. With the pattern, I treat the experience of failure by fitting it in a larger perspective from which its possible positive outcomes can be perceived
GOVERNANCE AND THE EFFECTS OF URBAN SPRAWL ON LIVELIHOODS IN THE FRINGE AREAS OF MUBI METROPOLIS, ADAMAWA STATE
No full textResearch problem: Rapid urban growth in Mubi Metropolis, driven by population increase and proximity to markets, has led to unregulated expansion into fringe areas. This urban sprawl creates economic opportunities but also threatens livelihoods, environmental sustainability, and social cohesion. Examining its effects on livelihood capitals in Mubi’s fringe areas is therefore essential for sustainable development and governance.
Methods/theory: The study applied a survey research design under the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework, focusing on human, natural, financial, physical, and social capital. Primary data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to 391 households in fringe communities. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to evaluate the impacts of urban expansion on livelihoods.
Results: The study found mixed effects of urban sprawl. Positive outcomes included enhanced human capital through better access to education and skills, financial capital via improved income opportunities, and physical capital through expanded infrastructure. Conversely, negative impacts were noted on natural capital due to farmland loss and environmental degradation, and on social capital from weakened communal ties and declining cohesion.
Conclusion: Urban sprawl enhances infrastructure and economic opportunities but undermines natural resources and social systems, posing risks to long-term sustainability in fringe areas of Mubi.
Key Contribution to Knowledge: This research contributes empirical evidence on how unregulated urban expansion simultaneously strengthens and weakens livelihood capitals, offering policy insights for governance in developing contexts.
Recommendation: The study recommends implementing comprehensive land-use and zoning policies to regulate expansion and protect ecological zones, alongside community-based initiatives to reinforce social integration
Integrating Interprofessional Education Curriculum Into A Vascular Sonography Course
No full textThis capstone addresses interprofessional and collaborative learning and aids in answering the following question: What are the benefits and challenges of integrating Interprofessional Education into vascular sonography coursework? Teaching team-based care can be accomplished by integrating Interprofessional Education (IPE), a complementary curriculum that teaches students to collaborate with other health science students, into an already existing health science specific curriculum. The author addresses the need for finding new ways to teach IPE. IPE is typically taught in a half-day or full- day event with students from multiple health disciplines working together in one large room. The author weaves Interprofessional Education curriculum into current vascular sonography lesson plans in a private university setting. By using a backward design approach to curriculum development and case study assignments, this new curriculum cultivates collaborative learning skills while concurrently mastering vascular anatomy, physiology, and pathology. The author examines project limitations in developing IPE curriculum and creates collaborative opportunities between Sonography students and Radiography students, fostering advanced problem-solving and patient care skills. This can improve patient health outcomes when entering the clinical healthcare setting
Designing strategic and transformative tourism education programmes and education strategies
No full textThis chapter brings together the disciplines of transformative education, tourism strategy development and performance, and role of tourism education to enrich and embed sustainability in our future tourism leaders. With a focus on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG) 4 (Quality Education) and 13 (Climate Action) the author uses the PPP framework of strategic portfolios, programmes, and project management to present propositions of how to develop a framework to design strategic and transformative tourism futures. The 3Ps, namely, portfolios of work (strategies), programmes of work (Tertiary education), and individual projects (modules), enable us to develop and deliver strategies with a focus on sustainability, developing transformative curriculum, using good practice to enable ‘flow’, and developing governance themes to enable informed tourism strategy development. Bringing in the dimensions of transformative tourism education will ensure that all we leave behind as travellers/tourists ‘are footprints’. Treading lightly on the earth is a formula for tourism, tourism education, and transformative tourism education
The Interpretations by Women Who Have Left Intimate Partner Violence Regarding Their Future Life
No full textLõputöö eesmärk on uurida, kuidas lähisuhtevägivallast väljunud naised tõlgendavad toimunut, milliseid takistusi nad lahkumise käigus kogesid ning millist mõju jättis vägivald nende endi ja peres kasvavate laste edasisele elule. Uurimus lähtus neljast kesksest küsimusest: millised on naiste enda kogemused vägivallast ja selle mõtestamisest, milliseid probleeme nad lahkumise hetkeks pidid ületama ning millised on vägivalla tagajärjed nii täiskasvanute kui laste tervisele ja elukvaliteedile. Töö autor loeb eesmärgi täidetuks ning uurimisküsimused, mis toetasid eemärgi täitmist, said vastatud.
Lõputöö algab ülevaatega lähisuhtevägivalla laiaulatuslikust olemusest, rõhutades, et kuigi enamasti kannatavad naised, on selle nähtuse tegelik ulatus varjatud ning sageli märgatakse seda alles siis, kui vaimne vägivald on eskaleerunud füüsiliseks. Autor toob välja, et intiimsuhetes esinev agressioon ei piirdu vaid löökide või sõnadega, vaid hõlmab ka kontrollivat ja majanduslikku vägivallakäitumist, millel võivad olla tõsised ja püsivad tagajärjed nii ohvrite kui ka nende laste heaolule.
Teoreetiliselt toetub autor sotsiaalkonstruktsionismile, millest lähtudes nähakse vägivalla tähendust ühiskonna ja indiviidi dialoogis üles ehitatud konstruktsioonina, ning vägivalla tsükliteooriale, mis kirjeldab korduvaid faase konflikti eskaleerumisest vabanduste ja lubaduste perioodini. See mudel aitab mõista, miks ohvrid sageli loodavad muutustele ja naasevad pärast lahkumiskatset taas vägivallatseja juurde.
Metoodiliselt tugineb töö kvalitatiivsele uurimisviisile ja poolstruktureeritud intervjuudele, kus autor kohtus seitse korda seitsme erineva taustaga naisega vanuses 29–46, kellel oli vägivallatsejaga vähemalt üks ühine laps ja kes olid lähisuhtevägivallast lahkunud. Intervjuude kogumaht oli kokku 7,5 tundi, toimudes nii näost näkku kui veebikeskkonnas vastavalt intervjueeritavate soovile ja ohutuse kaalutlustele. Andmete analüüsimiseks kasutati temaatilist lähenemist, kus tekste kodeeriti, et tuvastada korduvaid motiive ja narratiive.
Uuringu tulemused näitasid, et kuigi mõnel naisel oli vaimne vägivald märgata juba suhte alguses, tunnistati suhte vägivallalisust tihti alles füüsiliste väärkohtlemise episoodide ilmnemisel, sageli lapseootuse või väikese lapse hooldamise ajal, kui vägivald muutus kiirgavamaks ja valusamaks. Lahkumine kujunes keeruliseks mitmete katkematute takistuste tõttu: partneri manipuleerivad vabandused ja lubadused muutumiseks, majanduslik sõltuvus, emotsionaalne ja sotsiaalne isolatsioon ning hirm üksinda hakkama saamise ees. Mitmed naised kirjeldasid, et väärkohtleja püüdis lõhkuda nende suhteid sugulaste ja sõpradega, jättes nad ilma igasuguste tugivõrgustiketa.
Vägivald oli jätnud sügavaid jälgi nii füüsilisele kui vaimsele tervisele. Kõik intervjueeritavad olid kogenud mingil moel kehalisi vigastusi – verevalumid, luumurrud, kuulmislangust ja närvikahjustusi, mis mõnel juhul nõudsid erakorralist meditsiiniabi. Psühholoogiliselt kannatasid nad ärevuse, depressiooni ja posttraumaatiliste stressihäirete all, paljud püsisid hirmurežiimil ka pärast lahkumist. Mõnel naisel tekkisid sõltuvushäired, kus alkoholi või ravimite tarvitamine aitas ajutiselt leevendada sisemist pinget.
Lastele avaldas lähisuhtevägivald samuti valusat mõju. Ka tunnistajaks olnud lapsed said sageli kokku emotsionaalsete ja käitumuslike probleemidega: kõhu- ja peavalud, õpiraskused, ärevus, depressioon, madal enesehinnang ning agressiivsed või tõmbunud käitumismustrid. Mitmed vanemad tõid esile, et lapsi piinas pidev ebastabiilne õhkkond ja hirmutavad olukorrad kodus, mis kujundas noortes ebausaldust ja kontrollikogemust, mida oli hiljem keeruline murda.
Autor järeldab, et edasine areng eeldab terviklikke tugisüsteeme: psühholoogilist nõustamist, majanduslikku abi ja turvalist ajutist eluaset üheskoos, nii et naised saaksid ehitada üles usaldussuhteid ning taastada kontrolli oma elu üle. Samuti on väärtuslikud ennetuskampaaniad ja teavitustöö, mis toovad esiplaanile vaimse ja varjatud vägivalla tunnused. Koolitatud spetsialistid politseis, sotsiaaltöös ja tervishoius saavad omakorda varakult märgata märkamatult kogunevaid signaale ning pakkuda kiiret ja adekvaatset sekkumist. Lastele on vaja tugigruppe ja traumapsühholoogilist abi, mis toetaks nende tervist ja arengut. Kõik need sammud aitavad murda vägivalla korduvat ringi ning vähendada pikaajalisi kannatusi nii naistele kui nende lastele. Vägivallaringi murdmine on raske, kuid eluliselt oluline ning selle murdmine on võimalik.The topic of this thesis is “The interpretations by women who have left intimate partner violence regarding their future life”.
The aim of this thesis is to understand how women who have left abusive relationships interpret their experiences, what obstacles they faced during the process of leaving, and how the violence affected their lives and the lives of their children.
The study was guided by four central research questions: what are the women’s personal experiences and interpretations of the violence, what problems did they need to overcome at the moment of leaving, and what are the consequences of the violence for both adults’ and children’s health and quality of life. The author considers the aim to be fulfilled, and the research questions that supported this goal have been answered.
The thesis begins with an overview of the broad nature of intimate partner violence, emphasizing that although women are most often the victims, the true extent of the phenomenon is often hidden and only noticed when psychological abuse escalates into physical violence. The author points out that aggression in intimate relationships is not limited to physical blows or verbal insults, but also includes controlling and economic abuse, which can have serious and lasting effects on the well-being of both the victims and their children.
Theoretically, the author draws on social constructionism, which views the meaning of violence as a construct built through the dialogue between society and the individual, and on the cycle theory of violence, which describes the recurring phases from conflict escalation to periods of apology and promises. This model helps to explain why victims often hope for change and return to the abuser after attempts to leave.
Methodologically, this research employs a qualitative design, and semi-structured interviews are used as the primary data collection method. The author conducted seven interviews with women aged 29–46 from diverse backgrounds, all of whom had at least one child and had exited abusive relationships. The total interview time amounted to 7.5 hours and was conducted both face-to-face and online, depending on the interviewees’ preferences and safety considerations. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data, coding the texts to identify recurring themes and narratives.
The findings revealed that although some women recognized signs of psychological abuse early in the relationship, the acknowledgment of the abusive nature of the relationship often only came with the onset of physical violence—frequently during pregnancy or while caring for a small child—when the abuse became more severe and traumatic. Leaving the relationship proved difficult due to a continuous set of obstacles: manipulative apologies and promises of change from the partner, financial dependency, emotional and social isolation, and fear of coping alone. Several women described how the abuser tried to sever their relationships with family and friends, leaving them without any support networks.
The violence left deep physical and psychological scars. All participants had experienced physical injuries—bruises, fractures, hearing loss, and nerve damage—some of which required emergency medical care. Psychologically, they suffered from anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder, with many remaining in a state of fear even after leaving. Some developed substance abuse problems, using alcohol or medication to temporarily relieve inner tension.
Children were also deeply affected by the domestic violence. Those who witnessed the abuse frequently developed emotional and behavioral issues: stomach and headaches, learning difficulties, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and either aggressive or withdrawn behaviors. Several parents highlighted that the constant atmosphere of instability and fear at home created a sense of distrust and need for control in the children, which was difficult to break later on.
The author concludes that further progress requires comprehensive support systems: psychological counseling, financial aid, and safe temporary housing must be provided together to enable women to rebuild trust and regain control over their lives. Awareness campaigns and education about the signs of emotional and hidden violence are also vital. Trained professionals in police, social work, and healthcare can play a key role in detecting subtle warning signs early and offering timely and appropriate intervention. Children need support groups and trauma-focused psychological help to promote their health and development. All these steps are essential for breaking the cycle of violence and reducing the long-term suffering experienced by women and their children
Violence against elderly women
No full textTöö autor valis eakate naiste vastase vägivalla, kuna see teema on aktuaalne, kuid siiski pole sellest piisavalt räägitud. Eakad naised on üldiselt ühiskonnast üsna eemaldunud, kelle ainsateks tuttavateks võivadki olla vaid nende väärkohtlejad. Väärkohtlejateks võivad olla ka kõige lähedasemad: lapsed, lapselapsed, sõbrad, hooldajad, abikaasa. Tuues teemaks erinevaid vägivalla liike ja ka mitte nii räägitud ohvrigruppi, soovib autor tõsta ühiskonna teadlikkust vägivalla ilmnemise tundemärkidest ja leida viise, kuidas ohver oma halvast olukorrast välja tulla ja kuidas edasi minna.
Töö eesmärgi saavutamiseks viis autor läbi intervjuud, mis olid poolstruktureeritud kuna ühest küljest kasutatakse seal varem koostatud intervjuukava, teisest küljest saab intervjuu läbiviimisel muuta küsimuste järjekorda ja küsida täpsustavaid küsimusi. Autor peab tõdema, et intervjueeritavate leidmine oli oodatust palju pikem ja keerulisem protsess. Kuna lõputöö teema on äärmiselt isiklik, siis ka intervjuus küsitavad küsimused on vägagi personaalsed, ning mitmed ohvrid polnud veel valmis oma kogemustest rääkima.
Kuna eakad naised on üldiselt üsna võõrad tehnoloogiaga, siis see tähendab, et abi otsimine vägivalla vastu on raskendatud. Ka majanduslikult kui ka füüsiliselt võidakse olla sõltuvad oma vägivallatsejast ning seetõttu tundub justkui vägivalla vabale elule pole võimalustki. Aastaks 2024 on peremudelid ja suhted paljustki muutunud. Sellest ajast kui hetkel olevad 65+ vanused naised olid lapsed või noored ja seetõttu võivad nad elavada ka oma mentaliteediga selles ajas, kus oligi tavapärane võimutsev mees ja kõike kannatav naine.
Uurimustöö järeldused:
• Eakatel naistel on puudulik turvavõrgustik.
• Eakatel naistel pole piisavalt võimalusi/tahet/teadmisi eemalduda vägivallast.
• Eakatel naistel on probleeme enesekehtestamisega.
• Eakate naiste väärkohtlemine jääb üldiselt tema ja väärkohtleja vahele.
• Eakad naised õigustavad väärkohtleja tegusid.
Olukorra parandamise viisid:
• Pidev suhtlus eakate naistega.
• Tehnoloogia kättesaadavus ja selle kasutamise õpetamine.
• Vägivalla olemuse ja selle võimalike tagajärgede selgitamine.The author of the paper chose to write about violence against elderly women because this topic is relevant, but still not talked about enough. Elderly women are generally quite withdrawn from society, whose only acquaintances may only be their abusers. Abusers can be people they are closest to: children, grandchildren, friends, caregivers, spouses. Bringing different types of violence as a topic, as well as a victim group that has not been talked about enough, the author wants to raise society's awareness of the symptoms of violence and find ways to get out of violence filled situations, and how to move on.
As older women are generally quite unfamiliar with technology, this means that seeking help against violence is more difficult. Both economically and physically, they may be dependent on their abuser, and therefore it seems as if there is no possibility of a life free of violence. By 2024, family models and relationships have been changed in many ways. Since the women aged 65+ were children or young adults, time has passed, and therefore they can also live with their mentality in the time where dominant man and woman who suffered everything, was the norm.
Research conclusions:
• Elderly women have an incomplete safety net.
• Elderly women do not have enough opportunities/will/knowledge to move away from violence.
• Elderly women have problems with assertiveness.
• Abuse of elderly women generally remains between her and the abuser.
• Elderly women justify the abuser's actions.
Ways to improve the situation:
• Constant interaction with elderly women.
• Availability of technology and teaching them how to use it.
• Explaining the nature of violence and its possible consequences
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