Experiences of Parents with Senior School Children Engaged in Online Learning During the COVID-19 Related Lockdown in Zimbabwe

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic sparked a considerable shift in commonplace life worldwide. Since the government of Zimbabwe declared a twenty-one day lockdown on the 30th March 2020, schools have only been allowed to open intermittently until March 2021. This has resulted in many schools adopting an online curriculum to enable children to continue with their syllabus uninterrupted. This study sought to explore the positive and negative experiences of families with children engaged in online learning, in an effort to equip parents with coping mechanisms for future lockdowns. A qualitative approach was conducted for this study, specifically making use of the document analysis design. Data was collected using interviews carried out over Zoom and WhatsApp social media platforms. Online learning presented challenges as well as opportunities for growth. The prime challenges were the inordinate amount of time children spent on their screens, the lack of social interaction with peers, lack of exercise and a tendency to snack on food throughout the day. The main positive experiences were family bonding time, parents’ newfound respect and appreciation for the role of teachers, the opportunity to engage in new hobbies, and learning to appreciate each day. This study highlights the need for practices such as mindfulness, a healthy diet, physical activity and understanding the tenets of resilience and positive psychology to aid with the challenges of online learning during a pandemic

The Impact of School Head and Teacher Relations: How Relationships Shape Teachers’ Attitudes towards Work in Schools

This qualitative study used a purposefully selected sample and some interviews to generate data. The data revealed strategic instructional leadership and classroom practices used by school heads to influence teachers to use relationships that facilitate effective instruction to implement the competence-based school curriculum. The zone of proximal development (ZPD) theory formed the framework for understanding management of curriculum implementation. Throughout data generation, I asked participants to describe best practices appropriate for implementing the competency-based curriculum. Participants revealed best practices applicable to the Zimbabwean context. Key findings revealed that project-based learning best promotes student-to-student relations that guarantee safe social conditions for learners to share ideas. I concluded that implementing competency based instruction requires instructional leadership modelled around project-based learning (child-centred) as opposed to teaching (teacher-centred) instruction. Facilitation includes developing trust, active listening skills, leaner-grouping and relationships among teachers and learners. Sustained school-based professional development is critical for the success in implementing the competency-based curriculum

The Role of Support Services for Children (0-5 Years) Growing up in Rural Zimbabwe

The study aimed at identifying forms of support services and service providers for children 0-5 years obtaining in rural Zimbabwe. The study was carried out in the context of the Convention on the Rights of Children (CRC). Both qualitative and quantitative methodologies were employed. Participants included children, parents, teachers and district level administrators. The rural Zimbabwean communities were Hwange, Binga, Zaka, Bulilima and Mangwe. The study found that support services for children 0-5 years included health, hygiene, education, nutrition and protection. According to parents, teachers and administrators; support was satisfactory in health, nutrition and protection. This was through efforts by government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Support was relatively limited in hygiene and ECD education services. This was due to lack of resources, limited parental knowledge and negative cultural practices. Consequently, parents required to be conscientised on the practices detrimental to child development and activities that strengthen their capacity to draw upon resources for the well-being of their families. There was need for government to offer holistic ECD programmes that provide high quality integrated care, building on parenting skills and advocacy for children. Such programmes cater for the children’s school readiness skills, nutrition, health and psycho-social development

Assessment of the Knowledge, Perception and Practice of Voluntary Blood Donation among Physicians in a Tertiary Health Facility, Uyo, South-South Nigeria.

Background: Provision of safe, affordable and adequate supply of blood and blood products is a daunting public health issue in developing countries. In Nigeria, there is an inadmissibly high dependence on family surrogate and remunerated blood donors which carries an attendant increased risk of transfusion transmissible infections. Physicians represent a potential, stable and sustainable safe donor pool. Assessment of the blood donation practices of these health professionals is essential in engendering effective strategy for sustaining adequate and safe blood supply in the hospitals. This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of voluntary blood donation among physicians, to identify, recruit and retain potential voluntary blood donors among them and to determine the associations between blood donation and gender, marital status, duration of practice and professional cadre of the physicians. Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo. Pre-tested questionnaire were administered to 110 physicians in the tertiary hospital. Results: Majority of the respondents (95.1%) had a good knowledge of the risk of transmission of infections by blood transfusion. The risk of transmission of HIV, HBV, HCV and Syphilis was affirmed by 99.8%, 95.6%, 80.1% and 48.2% respectively. Forty-five(40.9%) physicians had donated blood in the past, with 32 (71.1%) donating less than once a year, 10(22.2%) between 1-3 times a year and 3(6.7%) more than thrice a year. Most (56.9%) donated voluntarily, 34.3% donated for friends and relatives, 5.7% donated in order to know their HIV, HBV and HCV status and 3.1% for financial gratification. There was significant association between blood donation practice and gender but not with marital status, duration of practice and professional cadre of the physicians as P values were 0.002, 0.767, 0.135 and 0.625 respectively. Conclusion: Physicians in the study expressed good knowledge of voluntary blood donation and had a positive attitude towards donation but there were inconsistencies in their practice of blood donation. Thus, regular and rigorous motivational and educational campaign should be intensified among physicians to improve their overall blood donation practice.  &nbsp

Achieving Universal Health Coverage for Oral Health in Nigeria: Prospects, Barriers and Strategies

The United Nations instituted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to solve health problems by integrating the social determinants of health in the  management of diseases. However, oral health is not one of the issues addressed by the Sustainable Development Goals despite the facts that orodental  diseases are on the rise in Nigeria and the diseases are related to neglected lifestyles and socio-economic health determinant factors. The objective of  the paper is to provide evidence based facts for the expansion of the scope of dental services in the National Health Insurance Scheme. The barriers to  and the strategies to achieving Universal Oral Health Coverage in Nigeria are also discussed

Natural compounds from endophytes with anti-plasmodial potential: a meta-analysis

Malaria is still the world-leading cause of death despite the massive arsenal of available drugs. Endophytes, well-established as sources of bioactive molecules have also demonstrated their ability to produce new anti-plasmodial compounds. This review aimed at highlighting the great potential of endophyte as a source of drugs and drugs tools against Plasmodium falciparum.Material and method :All paper working on endophyte for their antiplasmodial effect were considered. But, those failing to describe the plant collection, isolation, extract preparation, compounds isolation, clear antiplasmodial testing protocols were not included in this review. Besides, it will put side by side in vitro anti-plasmodial effect and the in-silico drug-like properties, pharmacokinetic and toxicity predictions.Results :From the above analysis, the compounds from bacterial endophytes were less analyzed in comparison to that from fungi. 117 compounds were reported in the literature. 39, 53, and 54 were the most efficient with IC50 of 0.079 μM, 0.146 μM, and 0.43 μM respectively. They effect were better than that of artemisinin (Compounds 118; IC50=0.8 μM). Regarding the predicted pharmacokinetic and toxicology, compounds 39 is as druggable as Artemisin.Conclusion:The review set endophytes are a non-negligible source of novel drug and drugs tools against Plasmodium falciparum

Biochemical responses of selected trees to air pollution in Akure and Oluwa forest reserves in Ondo State

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Etude du broutage et du filtrage de la microflore algale par Heterotis niloticus (Cuvier, 1829) et biocontrôle de la qualité de l’eau du lac de barrage hydroagricole de Samendeni au Burkina Faso

Dans les écosystèmes aquatiques, la prédation des microalgues contribue à contrôler leur prolifération, susceptible de dégrader la qualité de l’eau. Cette  étude détermine le rôle de Heterotis niloticus dans le biocontrôle de la qualité de l’eau. Les microalgues ont été collectées de novembre 2020 à janvier  2021 dans le lac de barrage de Samendeni au Burkina Faso. La longueur standard (Ls) de 100 individus de Heterotis niloticus a été mesurée et les bols  alimentaires de 35 d’entre eux ont été échantillonnés. Dans le plan d’eau, 14 genres de phytoplanctons et 24 genres de périphytons ont été identifiés,  avec des concentrations respectives de 616,67 à 38233,33 cellules/ml et 0,19 à 38,48 cellules/cm2 . L’analyse des bols alimentaires a permis d’identifier 25  genres de microalgues avec des concentrations de 24350,65 à 1485389,61 cellules/ml. Parmi ces microalgues, 20 genres ont été recensés dans le plan  d’eau. Elles constituent selon l’Organisation Mondiale de la Santé, des bioagresseurs de la qualité de l’eau. La comparaison des biomasses algales  consommées par les individus des classes 260≤Ls1≤575 mm et 575≤Ls2≤950 mm, n’a pas montré de différence significative (p=0,12). Heterotis niloticus a  un large spectre d’action sur les microalgues et contribue à contrôler leur prolifération dans les retenues d’eau à multiples usages.    English title: Study of the grazing and filtering of the algal microflora by Heterotis niloticus (Cuvier, 1829) and biocontrol of the water quality of the  hydro-agricultural dam lake of Samendeni in Burkina Faso In aquatic ecosystems, predation of microalgae helps to control their proliferation that could jeopardize the water quality. This study aimed at  determining the role of Heterotis niloticus in the biocontrol of water quality. The microalgae were collected from November 2020 to January 2021 in the  Samendeni dam lake. The standard length (Ls) of 100 individuals of H. niloticus was measured and the food bowl of 35 of them were sampled. In the  water body, 14 genera of phytoplankton and 24 genera of periphyton were identified, with respective concentrations of 616.67 to 38,233.33 cells/ml and  0.19 to 38.48 cells/cm2 . The food bowl of Heterotis niloticus made it possible to identify 25 genera of microalgae with concentrations between 24,350.65  and 1,485,389.61 cells/ml. Among these microalgae, 20 genera have been identified in the watershed. These microalgae are, according to the World  Health Organization, bioaggressors of water quality. The comparison of the diet according to the classes 260≤Ls1≤575 mm and 575≤Ls2≤950 mm,  showed that there is no significant difference (p-value=0.12) between algal biomasses consumed by the individuals. Heterotis niloticus has a broad  spectrum of action on microalgae and therefore can contribute to limit their proliferation in multipurpose water reservoirs

The presence of adhesion factors NOX, α-enolase, TrmFO, P27, and VpmaX in Mycoplasma bovis wild isolates in Japan

Background: Mycoplasma bovis causes various diseases such as bronchopneumonia, otitis media, arthritis, and mastitis in cattle. Mycoplasma bovis is  often isolated from the deep pharynges of healthy cattle and is generally considered not to cause clinical symptoms while in the upper respiratory tract.  In mycoplasma infections, adhesion to the host cells is a crucial step. In recent years, five new adhesins, NOX, α-enolase, TrmFO, P27, and VpmaX, have  been reported in M. bovis strains from pneumonia cases. However, the presence of these adhesins in wild isolates has not been established. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the presence of these adhesin genes in wild isolates isolated from cattle nasal cavities and lesion sites (pneumonia,  otitis media, arthritis, and mastitis) in various regions in Japan and clarify the relationship between adhesion and the symptoms caused by M. bovis  infection. Methods: A total of 141 M. bovis wild isolates isolated from nasal cavities (healthy or sick cattle), lungs with pneumonia, ears with otitis media, joint fluids  of arthritic animals, and milk of mastitic animals. Mycoplasma bovis type strain PG45 was also used. Specific polymerase chain reaction reactions  were performed to detect nox, α-enolase, trmFO, P27, and vpmaX, which are adhesins of M. bovis. Results: This study reports 139 M. bovis wild isolates were positive for nox, α-enolase, trmFO, P27, and vpmaX, while two isolates each lacked α-enolase or  P27 genes. Mycoplasma bovis PG45 also had all five adherens genes. Conclusion: Almost all M. bovis wild isolates possessed all nox, α-enolase,  trmFO, P27, and vpmaX genes regardless of the lesion site or region of origin. This means no relationship was found between the presence of the five  adhesins and lesion sites in M. bovis and M. bovis isolated from the nasal cavities of asymptomatic cattle have the same numbers and types of adhesins as  isolates from symptomatic lesion sites (pneumonia, otitis media, arthritis, and mastitis). This suggests that not only M. bovis isolates from pulmonary  lesions, but also M. bovis existing in the nasal cavity has the potential to causes symptoms in the host

Enquête ethnobotanique sur la diversité paysanne et l’utilisation du faux sésame (Ceratotheca sesamoides Endl.) au Burkina Faso

Le but de cette étude est de promouvoir le faux sésame qui est en voie d’extinction. A cet effet, des enquêtes ethnobotaniques sur le faux sésame ont été  réalisées en novembre 2019 au Burkina Faso. L’objectif de l’étude était de connaitre les variétés paysannes de faux sésame et leurs usages, ainsi que  leur mode de gestion au Burkina Faso. Ainsi, 240 exploitants agricoles ont été interviewés dans deux zones agro-climatiques à savoir la zone soudano-  sahélienne et la zone soudanienne du Burkina Faso. Les questions portaient sur les noms vernaculaires, la gestion paysanne, le mode d'obtention et de  conservation des semences et des feuilles, l'importance socio-économique et culturelle de la plante. Les résultats de l’étude ont montré qu’il existe 15  noms vernaculaires. La dénomination de l’espèce est liée soit à la couleur de la tige, soit à la couleur des feuilles, soit à la présence du mucilage. Les  feuilles conservées de l’espèce constituent une source de revenus pour les paysans. Les feuilles sont utilisées dans les mets locaux, dans les astuces  médicales traditionnelles et dans les rituels. En somme, l’étude a montré que le faux sésame est bénéfique pour les populations locales tant au plan  économique, nutritif, médicinal qu’au plan artisanal.   English title: Ethnobotanical survey on farmer diversity and use of false sesame (<i>Ceratotheca sesamoides</i> Endl.) in Burkina Faso This study aimed to promote the endangered false sesame. To this end, ethnobotanical surveys on false sesame were conducted in November 2019 in  Burkina Faso. The objective of the study was to know the farmers' varieties of false sesame and their uses, as well as their management mode in Burkina  Faso. To this end, 240 farmers were interviewed in two agro-climatic zones, namely the Sudano-Sahelian zone and the Sudanian zone of Burkina Faso.  Questions were asked about vernacular names, farmer management, the method of obtaining and conserving seeds and leaves, and the socio-economic  and cultural importance of the plant. The results of the study showed that there are 15 vernacular names. The name of the species is related either to the  color of the stem, the color of the leaves, or the presence of mucilage. The preserved leaves of the species are a source of income for the farmers. The  leaves are used in local dishes, in traditional medicinal tricks, and rituals. In sum, the study showed that false sesame is beneficial to the local population  in terms of economy, nutrition, and medicine as well as in terms craftsmanship.   &nbsp