1,720,959 research outputs found
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Get PDFThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Variations on the Author
Get PDF“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
Development of mental health guidelines to be followed throughout the perinatal period in Zimbabwe
Get PDFThis study was carried out as part of efforts to analyse the maternal mental health interventions that are done by midwives on women and then develop mental health guidelines to be followed throughout the perinatal period in Zimbabwe. The objectives were to: analyse the effectiveness of the mental health interventions offered by midwives; measure and analyse the extent to which the levels of the psychosocial markers reflect effectiveness of the mental health interventions; explore and describe the experiences of women, midwives and key informants on the effectiveness of the mental health interventions and to develop mental health guidelines that will direct mental health interventions throughout the perinatal period in Zimbabwe.
The sequential explanatory mixed method design comprising both quantitative and qualitative methods was employed. The study was divided into three phases; the quantitative then qualitative and finally the development of guidelines phase. In the quantitative phase, a Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Short form (Q-LES-SF) scale was used to measure the psychosocial scores on a purposive sample of 300 women in the third trimester of pregnancy, who had attended at least three antenatal reviews. In the same phase, a document analysis checklist was also used for retrospective analysis of the recordings of the mental health interventions on women’s maternity records from the antenatal period till discharge after childbirth. The population for the document analysis comprised 499 maternity records of women who had attended antenatal reviews and had delivered normally.
Interview guides were used to conduct in-depth interviews with women, midwives and key informants. Sixteen (16) women within the age range of 22 to 38 years participated in the study. These were women who had a normal vaginal delivery and were within two months post childbirth. In-depth interviews were also conducted on 17 midwives and nine (9) key informants who participated in the study. Quantitative data for the two instruments were analysed using descriptive statistics on SPSS Version 23 package. Qualitative data were analysed through data reduction, data display and generation of categories and themes.
The Q-LES-Q-SF psychosocial scale and the document analysis revealed that women have psychosocial challenges but there was lack of mental health interventions to ameliorate these challenges. The psychosocial scores were generally poor indicating that perinatal interventions are lacking or are not making much impact on the mental and social wellbeing of women in the third trimester of pregnancy. All the demographic variables were not necessarily linked to the quality of life enjoyment and satisfaction of the expectant women. It became apparent that the need for scaling up psychosocial assessments and interventions cannot be overemphasized. Document analysis clearly revealed deficient recording of the mental health attributes of midwifery care which indicates a serious gap in implementation of mental health interventions by midwives.
Midwives and key informants concurred with women on several aspects; lack of knowledge and incompetency by midwives, varied attitudes with heavier inclination towards negative attitudes, disempowered midwives with resultant inability to empower women. Poor coverage of mental health in midwifery curricula, lack of standardized mental assessment procedures, heavy workloads were the other findings. Suggested ways of improving mental health were educating midwives, mentorship and preceptor ship, curriculum review, utilization of mental health protocols and validated screening tools.
The findings of the study led to the development of mental health guidelines to be followed throughout the perinatal period. It is recommended that the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Zimbabwe adopt the guidelines and provide an enabling environment for their effective implementation. Further research efforts could be directed towards conducting targeted research to support implementation of the mental health guidelines.D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)Health Studie
Strategies to improve utilisation of skilled birth attendance services in North West Ethiopia
Get PDFThe purpose of this study was to determine factors influencing skilled delivery service utilisation in order to develop strategies to improve utilisation of skilled birth attendance service in North West Ethiopia. The objectives were to explore and describe the perceptions and experiences of the community regarding skilled utilisation of the birth attendance service; explore reasons for non-utilisation of skilled birth attendance service; asses the health system experience of provision of skilled birth attendance service; and formulate strategies to improve utilisation of skilled birth attendance service.
The study employed a qualitative, descriptive, and explorative research design to address the research questions formulated by the researcher. The study used focus group discussion guide to obtain information from pregnant women and women who gave birth recently. Furthermore, the study used an interview guide to gather information from health extension workers, midwives, health centre heads, district health office technical experts and heads. It also employed and inductive thematic analysis approach to analyse the qualitative data. The study further used the Atlas ti version 7 for the data analysis. The steps followed for the analysis were data immersion, coding, displaying, reduction, and interpretation.
Overall, nine themes emerged from the analysis of the data. Consequently, the researcher used the findings of the study to develop strategies to improve the utilisation of skilled birth attendance service.D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)Health Studie
Development of guidelines to improve client-centred childbirth services in Ghana
Get PDFThis study was carried out as part of efforts to better understand the factors that impinge on childbirth service delivery and to develop guidelines to help improve the quality and safety of childbirth services in Ghana. The objectives were to: assess the factors that influence client-centredness; explore women’s and health professional’s views of and experiences with client-centred childbirth services; and develop guidelines to assist improve client-centred childbirth services in hospitals.
The fixed mixed methods design comprising both quantitative and qualitative methods was employed. Structured questionnaire and exit interviews were used to gather data from 754 women who delivered in the hospitals. Furthermore, in-depth interviews were used to examine the experiences of women, doctors and midwives. STATA MP Version 13 was used to analyse the data by generating frequencies, chi-square and binary logistic regression results. Qualitative data analysis was analysed through data reduction, data display and generation of themes and categories. The process of developing the guidelines comprised: drafting based on the findings of the study and additional literature review, and a number of reviews by senior health professionls to build consesnsus on the content.
With a response rate of 97.8%, the results indicated average performance. A number of the items examined under demographic characteristics, ante-natal, labour and postnatal care were significantly associated with the experience of excellent client-centred care. These included: number of weeks pregnant before delivery; health professional who assisted with delivery; mode of delivery; labour pain management; and length of stay after delivery. On the whole, the findings of the quantitative study were support by that of the structured interviews. Most of the themes from in-depth interviews with women were had to do with the relationship between health care provider and clients. Issues of support during childbirth; decision-making and informed choice; and continuity were raised. Themes deduced from the doctors’ and midwives’ interviews demonstrated a fair understanding of principles of client-centred care and delineated relational as well as client, health care worker and organisational factors that facilitate or limit effective implementation of client-centred care. The findings of the studies were used to develop guidelines to help improve services. It is recommended that the Ministry of Health, Ghana adopt the guidelines and provide the enabling environment for its effective implementation.D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)Health Studie
Knowledge, attitude and practices on cervical cancer screening and prevention methods among nurses at two Nairobi hospitals in Kenya
Get PDFBackground: Cervical cancer is the second most common cause of death from cancer among women in Kenya. Various international studies indicate that the knowledge level of cervical cancer and its predisposing and preventive measures is low among the nurses as well as general population.
This study aimed to assess knowledge, practices and attitudes of nurses with regards to cervical cancer screening and preventive measures at two Nairobi hospitals in Kenya. Across-sectional quantitative descriptive study design was used. Convenience sampling method was applied and data were collected from respondents using self-administered questionnaire. About 114 nurses aged 18 years and above participated in the study.
The study revealed that nurses have the information about cervical cancer, available screening tests and the purpose of screening. Nurses have the knowledge that cancer screening could detect this cancer at an early stage; however, uptake is low. Cervical screening services were hampered by barriers relating to health care institutions, nurses perception and fear of screening technique, embarrassment, stigma, social influence, financial costs and available sources of informationM.A. (Nursing Science)Health Studie
Appropriate Similarity Measures for Author Cocitation Analysis
Get PDFWe provide a number of new insights into the methodological discussion about author cocitation analysis. We first argue that the use of the Pearson correlation for measuring the similarity between authors’ cocitation profiles is not very satisfactory. We then discuss what kind of similarity measures may be used as an alternative to the Pearson correlation. We consider three similarity measures in particular. One is the well-known cosine. The other two similarity measures have not been used before in the bibliometric literature. Finally, we show by means of an example that our findings have a high practical relevance.information science;Pearson correlation;cosine;similarity measure;author cocitation analysis
Barriers to compliance to exclusive breastfeeding and timely introduction of complementary feeding practices in Ethiopia
Get PDFText in EnglishThis study aimed at exploring Barriers to compliance with exclusive breastfeeding and timely introduction of complementary feeding practices in Ofla District, Tigray Region in Ethiopia.
A quantitative exploratory descriptive study was conducted to explore and describe the barriers that restrict mothers /caregivers to comply with exclusive breast feeding practice until six months and with introduction of solid, semi-solid and soft foods at six months in Ofla District. Data were collected using structured questionnaire, from a total of 112 samples of which 75 mothers and care givers with children aged 0-5 months and 38 children aged 6-8 months participated. The data were entered into a computer and analysed though the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software.
The findings revealed that there are barriers related Doer mothers and Non-Doer mothers perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, perceived self-efficacy, cues for actions, perceived social acceptability and positive and negative attitudes towards exclusive breastfeeding and initiation of complementary feeding. On the other hand, the participant’s perception of both groups with regard to perception of Divine (God’s) Will on two child feeding practices was insignificantly the same. Both groups perceived that children could get sometimes malnourished because of spiritual or supernatural causes.M.A. (Public Health)Health Studie
Development of guidelines to improve the uptake and quality of postnatal care in Ethiopia
Get PDFPost-natal care is a care given to the mother and the newborn during post-natal period. This period is crucial to save the lives of the mother and the newborn. Despite its importance, the utilisation of this service is very low in Ethiopia.
This study was conducted to establish the views and experiences of women and health care workers on post-natal care services and determine the factors influencing its utilisation with the ultimate purpose of developing guidelines to improve uptake and quality of the services in South West Shoa Zone of Oromia Region, Ethiopia.
The objectives of the study were to explore and describe the women’s views and experiences on utilisation of post-natal care service. Furthermore, the study sought to explore and describe health care workers views and experiences on provision of the services and to assess the factors facilitating or hindering to the utilisation of it. Ultimately, the study had intended to develop guidelines that would contribute towards improving the uptake and quality of the post-natal care services.
The study used a qualitative descriptive and explorative research design to address the research questions. Qualitative data were collected from 19 women who gave birth in the past six months and from 24 health care workers providing post-natal care services (health care workers and health extension workers) and coordinating the overall maternal, neonatal and child health services in the study area (Zone and district health officials; primary health care units heads). The study used in-depth interview guides to collect data from the aforementioned study participants. Inductive thematic analysis was performed on the verbatim transcriptions using the Atlas ti version 8 qualitative data analysis software.D. Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)Health Studie
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