Prevalence of vulnerability to depression among healthcare workers in Kiambu level 5 Hospital, Kenya

This study aimed to establish the preference of vulnerability to depression among healthcare workers in Kiambu Level 5 Hospital, Kenya. Guided by Basic Psychological Needs theory and self-determination theories, a convergent research approach was adopted, employing both ex post facto research design for quantitative data and phenomenological research design for qualitative data. A total of 146 healthcare workers participated in the study. Quantitative data were collected using questionnaires, while qualitative data were gathered through interview schedules. The results indicated a high prevalence of vulnerability to depression among the participants. Out of 144 healthcare workers who participated in this study, 1.4% reported experiencing normal ups and downs, 22.2% showed mild mood disturbances, 33.3% were classified as having borderline clinical depression, 38.2% experienced moderate depression, and 4.9% were found to be severely depressed. These findings call for immediate action to enhance mental health support for healthcare workers. It is essential to develop and implement targeted interventions that address their psychological needs and foster a healthier work environment. By recognizing and responding to the mental health challenges faced by healthcare workers, stakeholders can facilitate resilience among this crucial workforce, ultimately ensuring better care for patients and a healthier workplace culture

Nurses\u27 Role In Reproductive Planning In A City In The Interior Of Minas Gerais, Brazil

The Institute for Applied Economic Research states that reproductive planning involves various actions that will help individuals who intend to build a family, defining the most appropriate time for this and the ideal interval between pregnancies. There are currently various contraceptive methods available in Brazil\u27s Unified Health System, aimed at both men and women. Although nursing professionals play an important role in reproductive planning, there are weaknesses in their work. With this in mind, the aim of this study was to identify the role of nurses in reproductive planning within the scope of the Family Health Strategy. This is a descriptive, quantitative-qualitative study carried out with nurses working in Family Health units in a municipality in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil.  For data collection, a semi-structured interview was carried out which allowed for the collection of socio-demographic information about the participants and addressed issues related to reproductive planning. Five nurses took part in the study, most of whom were female and aged between 25 and 30. Most of the participants had a postgraduate degree, and there was a prevalence of between 1 and 3 years working in the field. Three categories emerged from this study: 1) Knowledge and health promotion activities; 2) Nursing consultations; 3) Challenges in reproductive planning. In view of this, it can be seen that in the nurses\u27 work, the main actions aimed at reproductive planning are lectures, aimed mainly at adolescents. Nurses are unaware of some of the contraceptive methods available in the Unified Health System. Furthermore, the population\u27s lack of knowledge is one of the main factors hindering nurses\u27 work on the subject. Although there are difficulties, most of the participants showed that they were prepared to carry out a nursing consultation focused on reproductive planning. In view of the above, nurses need to be trained in sexual and reproductive rights and contraceptive methods.

Relationship between relatedness satisfaction and vulnerability to depression among healthcare workers in Kiambu level 5 Hospital, Kenya

The mental health of healthcare professionals has become an increasingly pressing concern, particularly in high-stress environments where exposure to traumatic events is frequent. This study aimed to establish the relationship between relatedness satisfaction and vulnerability to depression among healthcare workers in Kiambu Level 5 Hospital, Kenya. Guided by Basic Psychological Needs theory and self-determination theories, a convergent research approach was adopted, employing both ex post facto research design for quantitative data and phenomenological research design for qualitative data. A total of 146 healthcare workers participated in the study. Quantitative data were collected using questionnaires, while qualitative data were gathered through interview schedules. The results indicated a weak positive correlation (r = 0.072, p = 0.389) between relatedness needs satisfaction and levels of depression, suggesting that as the satisfaction of relatedness needs increases, the severity of depression tends to increase slightly. The findings revealed a significant proportion of healthcare workers reported various levels of depressive symptoms, with those dissatisfied with social support being particularly vulnerable. Specifically, 73% of these individuals experienced mild mood disturbances or higher, and none of the participants lacking satisfactory social support reported normal mood fluctuations, indicating a complete absence of emotional stability. The study also highlighted strong negative emotional outcomes among those with inadequate social support and poor interpersonal connections, with higher rates of moderate (38.5%) and severe (7.7%) depression symptoms among those unhappy with their social environment. Conversely, while some participants who experienced good connectedness reported better mood outcomes, a substantial portion still faced various degrees of mood disturbances. Additionally, healthcare workers reporting work-family conflicts exhibited alarming trends in depressive symptoms, with over 80% experiencing mild to severe depressive symptoms and none reporting normal mood fluctuations. This emphasizes the stress that healthcare workers endure in balancing professional and personal responsibilities, leading to heightened emotional distress

Transformer-Based 3D Object Detection

This paper mainly studies object detection methods based on Transformer. Transformer, as a natural language processing technology, is widely used in computer vision tasks such as image classification and object detection. This paper introduces an object detection method based on scale point cloud Transformer, which provides a new research direction for object detection in the future

Factors Influencing Student Retention in a Distance University in Mexico: A Case Study from the Students\u27 Perspective

This research focuses on the analysis of the academic and socioeconomic factors involved in student retention. The study was conducted using a mixed approach that combines quantitative and qualitative methods, with a non-experimental design and exploratory scope. The aim was to identify the factors that have the most significant impact on the retention of students in the Bachelor\u27s Degree in Public Administration and Management at the Universidad Abierta y a Distancia de México. For this purpose, a questionnaire was applied to students enrolled in the educational program. The results obtained from this survey indicated that the most significant factors contributing to student retention are external to the educational institution itself. These factors include the student\u27s motivation, expectations, work, and personal context. Additionally, the emotional state of the student has been found to have a substantial impact on their academic performance. The research concludes that in order to enhance retention rates, the University must adopt a comprehensive approach that addresses not only academic factors but also psychological and personal factors that encompass the students\u27 environment. To this end, the implementation of a comprehensive student support website has been recommended, encompassing psychological guidance to enhance motivation, augment technological skills, and facilitate effective time management. This initiative is designed to assist students in achieving a healthy balance between their academic, professional, and personal endeavors

Navigating the Fake News Environment: Enhancing Media Literacy in the Digital Age

The proliferation of fake news in our time presents a major challenge to public discourse and informed decision-making. As social media platforms expose individuals to vast amounts of information, distinguishing between credible content and misinformation has become increasingly difficult. This paper examines the mechanisms that facilitate the spread of fake news, including clickbait headlines and emotional manipulation, which exploit cognitive biases and contribute to the virality of misleading narratives. Emphasizing the urgent need for enhanced media literacy, the study advocates for educational initiatives that equip individuals with critical thinking skills to assess information sources effectively. By fostering media literacy, societies can strengthen resilience against misinformation, promote trust in reliable sources, and support evidence-based decision-making in an increasingly complex information landscape

Stress and Work Performance among Administration Police Officers at Police headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya

This study investigated the relationship between stress and work performance among Administration Police Officers stationed at the Nairobi Police Headquarters in Kenya. Employing a descriptive research design, the study was underpinned by Maslow\u27s Hierarchy of Needs and the Cognitive Activation Theory of Stress theories, facilitating an analysis of psychological distress and its effects on occupational efficacy. The participants were randomly selected in a sample size of 169 respondents. Data was collected primarily using structured questionnaires. Findings reveal a significant concern regarding work-related stress, with 35.5% of officers reporting fatigue, 32.0% expressing dissatisfaction with work allocation, and 34.3% indicating inadequate time for personal activities. Notably, 39.6% attributed their diminished performance to work overload, while correlation analysis identified a weak positive relationship between work stress and performance (r = .164, p = .033), suggesting that higher levels of stress may marginally correspond with improved performance. These findings highlight an urgent need for strategic interventions within the national police force, including comprehensive wellness programs focused on stress management and enhanced communication strategies

Acquisition of experimental chemistry skills with the use of virtual laboratory simulations

The acquisition of laboratory skills is an essential aspect of any Biological Science degree.   Access to the physical laboratory has been limited in recent years and as such alternative provision was necessary to ensure students learn these essential skills.  This study focusses on the provision of virtual materials in the teaching and learning of the specific technique of acid-base titration on a Life Sciences foundation year chemistry module. To assess the efficacy of this alternative provision is in maintaining the acquisition of students’ experimental skills, worksheet outcomes were compared when students performed a titration themselves in the laboratory or virtually, using a Labster laboratory simulation. Student opinions of the virtual resources were generally positive, although perception of the utility of these virtual resources in student confidence to perform the experiment for real was lower for online only students.  This study demonstrates that the use of virtual materials successfully supported student understanding of the technique of acid-base titration, with comparable worksheet scores between online and in person cohorts. However, the reduction in confidence levels in online students should be noted, highlighting the importance of providing a range of materials to support student learning; including performing physical experiments to acquire essential scientific laboratory skills and increasing confidence.

Cognitive Development in A Creative Environment – Online Escape Rooms for Physics Classes

Our paper examines the pedagogical possibilities and methodological implications of online escape rooms created on the Genially platform for use in physics lessons. I will present the opportunities offered by Genially as an interactive presentation tool, research supporting the effectiveness of escape rooms in the classroom, and provide detailed methodological guidance for designing and implementing online escape rooms tailored to the topics of physics. My goal is to show how elements of gamification can be integrated into physics education to increase student motivation, deepen conceptual understanding, and develop problem-solving skills

Classroom-Based Action Research: Facilitating a Robust Model of Teacher Professionalism

This paper highlights facilitating a robust sustainable model of teacher professionalism in enhancing teaching practices and contributing to educational improvement through classroom-based action research. It provides a comprehensive exploration of classroom-based action research, examining its enhanced connotations and elucidating its profound significance for teacher professional development. Typical and practical examples of research conducted by teachers were used to illustrate how classroom-based action research informs and enhances teachers\u27 practices. Additionally, it delves into the various types of action research approaches typically adopted by classroom teachers, offering real-world instances to exemplify the viable methodologies. The synthesis of teacher-driven, context-driven, and data-driven research activities underscores their pivotal role in enhancing teaching practices and fostering student learning