Factors Affecting Employability of Women Graduates in Engineering and Technology Education: Evidence from Ethiopia

Employment opportunities for graduates are an important issue. This study has two objectives: analyzing female graduates’ employment participation and investigating the factors affecting women graduates’ employability in engineering and technology education in Ethiopia. Secondary data have been analyzed to establish women graduates’ involvement in STEM employment using graduation and employment data. Primary data were collected from 384 women graduates of engineering and technology education. The Probit model results reveal that the unemployment of engineering and technology graduated women are negatively influenced by communication skills, Academic performance (cumulative GPA), willingness to migrate from one place to another for searching jobs, and non-technical skills. While job preference and marriage impact women’s unemployment positively. Hence, graduated women themselves, the government, and other stakeholders should enhance women graduates’ employment opportunities. Such as graduates must improve their communication skills and non-technical skills, record better grade points, and be ready to go everywhere to find jobs. They must also be prepared to do available work, become an entrepreneur, and decide for late marriage until they have a job. The government must create a channel between universities and firms through teaching with a work placement curriculum, more concern on practical works, approve the peace and security of citizens, and expand infrastructure

Towards Building Resilience within and beyond the Health Systems

The phrase Health Systems Resilience has become a buzz word, especially within the past year following the COVID-19 pandemic. The term resilience is used in different forms and meanings. It in general refers to reinstating back quickly to the before-the -crisis state, by tirelessly combating the crisis at present. The concept has its origins in the fields of engineering, environmental sciences, and ecology, developed to suggest that systems respond to shocks in a variety of ways: by absorbing them and returning to their original equilibrium or reaching a new equilibrium which makes them more resilient (1). In clinical psychology and mental health, resilience is manifested as the ability of the individual to adapt to adverse conditions such as trauma, or stress (2)

A mixed-methods study on perceptions towards use of Rapid Ethical Assessment to improve informed consent processes for health research in a low-income setting

Background: Rapid Ethical Assessment (REA) is a form of rapid ethnographic assessment conducted at the beginning of research project to guide the consent process with the objective of reconciling universal ethical guidance with specific research contexts. The current study is conducted to assess the perceived relevance of introducing REA as a mainstream tool in Ethiopia. Methods: Mixed methods research using a sequential explanatory approach was conducted from July to September 2012, including 241 cross-sectional, self-administered and 19 qualitative, in-depth interviews among health researchers and regulators including ethics committee members in Ethiopian health research institutions and universities. Results: In their evaluation of the consent process, only 40.2% thought that the consent process and information given were adequately understood by study participants; 84.6% claimed they were not satisfied with the current consent process and 85.5% thought the best interests of study participants were not adequately considered. Commonly mentioned consent-related problems included lack of clarity (48.1%), inadequate information (34%), language barriers (28.2%), cultural differences (27.4%), undue expectations (26.6%) and power imbalances (20.7%). About 95.4% believed that consent should be contextualized to the study setting and 39.4% thought REA would be an appropriate approach to improve the perceived problems. Qualitative findings helped to further explore the gaps identified in the quantitative findings and to map-out concerns related to the current research consent process in Ethiopia. Suggestions included, conducting REA during the pre-test (pilot) phase of studies when applicable. The need for clear guidance for researchers on issues such as when and how to apply the REA tools was stressed. Conclusion: The study findings clearly indicated that there are perceived to be correctable gaps in the consent process of medical research in Ethiopia. REA is considered relevant by researchers and stakeholders to address these gaps. Exploring further the feasibility and applicability of REA is recommended

Fertility Desire and Contraceptive Utilization among People Living With HIV/AIDS on ART in Hosanna Town, Southern Ethiopia

HIV positive individuals may or may not have intention to have children. They could also have different degrees of utilization and demand for contraception. The desire of HIV infected persons to have children in the future has implication for the transmission of HIV to sexual partners or newborns. The study was designed to assess the fertility desire and contraceptive utilization among PLWHAs on ART in Hossana town. institutional based cross sectional study supplemented by in-depth  interview was conducted from January to March 2010 on total sample of 321 who were on ART. Women 18-49 years and men 18-59 years were included. Data was entered by using EPI info 2000 then exported and  analyzed by SPSS 17.0. Total of 117 (36.45%) of respondents were   desiring children. Respondents with no children (AOR 60.89, 95% CI  8.02-462.05), those who intended to use family planning in the future (AOR 4.35, 95% CI 1.61-11.73) were more likely to desire children. 102(31.8%) were using family planning. Being married (AOR 7.83, 95% CI 1.08-56.79), having three or more children (AOR 4.54, 95% CI  1.12-18.48), and having knowledge on mother to child transmission (AOR 4.29, 95% CI 1.98-9.26) plan to have children in the future (AOR 0.29, 95% CI 0.1-0.82) were significantly associated with family planning. A highproportion of HIV positive individuals desired children. A better and   evidence based understanding of fertility intentions and demand for contraception was needed to promote and protect women and men living  with HIV/AIDs to make informed decisions about reproduction and to have access to appropriate sexual reproductive health services

METHODS FOR CHARACTERIZING ELECTROMAGNETIC COUPLING STATISTICS IN COMPLEX ENCLOSURES

The random coupling model (RCM) can be used to characterize the electromagnetic coupling between multiple ports inside large complex enclosures. This statistical model combines nonrandom parameters of the enclosure and ports with a universally distributed random variable. A strong appeal of the RCM is the ability to characterize a wide variety of enclosure congurations with a limited number of parameters. However, in practical enclosures, these parameters can be difficult to obtain. In the first part of the dissertation, nonintrusive measurement methods are developed that use the time gating technique to acquire the nonrandom system parameters. Additionally, a problematic case of high loss antenna in enclosures is addressed. For the high loss antenna case, the radiation impedance is very difficult to obtain and difficult to use if obtained. For this reason, a modied random coupling model is formulated to make use of the radiation efficiency of the antennas. These methods have been successfully tested in multiple enclosures and ports. In the second part of the dissertation, the limitation of applicability of the RCM at lower frequencies is explored. The RCM assumes an overmoded cavity and that the random plane wave hypothesis applies. The breakdown of these assumptions is measured at lower frequencies and metrics are developed to determine the lowest usable frequency of the RCM. Lastly, the concepts of the RCM and the tools of microwave systems are used to experimentally validate the theory of regularization of quantum tunneling rates in chaotic cavities. The theory is based on the random plane wave hypothesis and can be studied in microwave cavities. The theory and the validating experiments are presented

Preparing for and executing a randomised controlled trial of podoconiosis treatment in Northern Ethiopia: the utility of rapid ethical assessment

Background Community-based randomized controlled trials are often complex pieces of research with significant challenges around the approach to the community, information provision, and decision-making, all of which are fundamental to the informed consent process. We conducted a rapid ethical assessment to guide the preparation for and conduct of a randomized controlled trial of podoconiosis treatment in northern Ethiopia. Methods A qualitative study was carried out in Aneded woreda, East Gojjam Zone, Amhara Regional State from August to September, 2013. A total of 14 In-depth Interviews (IDIs) with researchers, experts, and leaders, and 8 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) involving 80 participants (people of both gender, with and without podoconiosis), were conducted. Interviews were carried out in Amharic. Data analysis was started alongside collection. Final data analysis used a thematic approach based on themes identified a priori and those that emerged during the analysis. Results Respondents made a range of specific suggestions, including that sensitisation meetings were called by woreda or kebele leaders or the police; that Health Extension Workers were asked to accompany the research team to patients’ houses; that detailed trial information was explained by someone with deep local knowledge; that analogies from agriculture and local social organisations be used to explain randomisation; that participants in the ‘delayed’ intervention arm be given small incentives to continue in the trial; and that key community members be asked to quell rumours arising in the course of the trial. Conclusion Many of these recommendations were incorporated into the preparatory phases of the trial, or were used during the course of the trial itself. This demonstrates the utility of rapid ethical assessment preceding a complex piece of research in a relatively research-naive setting

Data quality and it’s correlation with Routine health information system structure and input at public health centers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

AbstractBackground: The Government of Ethiopia, together with its partners, has made significant progress over the years in the standardization and implementation of health information system (HIS). The sector continues to be challenged by its lack of accurate, timely and thorough data, which therefore has affected the quality of care, planning and management systems in the country. This study assessed HIS for managing health care data and data quality in the Addis Abeba City Administration in Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the quality of the data. The study was conducted in 25 health centers in Addis Ababa City. Connected woreda assessment tools have been used. Composite analysis was carried out to determine the implementation of routine health information system structure and input. Univariate and multiple linear regression are used to identify predictors of overall data quality,reporting findings using a regression coefficient and 95 % confidence interval. Result: The overall |implementation of RHIS structure and input was 63.9% at health facilities. The mean score of RHIS structure and input was 19.2/30 + 4.7. The overall data quality was found to be 57.9% with a 95 Confidence interval of (95%CI (51.0-64.9%). Overall data accuracy, completeness, and timeliness in all assessed health facilities was 69.6% (95 IC 59.8-79.3%), 49.5% (95 CI 38.3-60.7%), and 56% (95 CI, 48.8_63.2), respectively. Supportive supervision and mentorship found to be associated to data quality, as supervision mean score increase by one-unit data quality increases by 1.42 with 95% CI (0.10-2.76) given another variable held constant. Conclusion and recommendation: Overall data quality was much lower than the national acceptable level of less than 90%. Supportive supervision and mentorship has a significant correlation with data quality. A considerable number of health facilities have not yet fulfilled all the input required to strengthen the HIS. Strengthen support supervision and mentorship is an opportunity to improve data quality at the level of health facilities. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2021; 35(SI-1):33 - 41] Keywords: Data quality, RHIS structure and input, healthcare dat

'I should not feed such a weak woman'. Intimate partner violence among women living with podoconiosis: A qualitative study in northern Ethiopia

Background Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a serious, preventable public health problem that affects millions of people worldwide. Research indicates that adults suffering from long term, disabling conditions are more likely to be victims of IPV due to the intersection of disease-associated stigma and discrimination. IPV in turn is known to worsen the overall health and wellbeing of those affected by it. Little research however explores the relationship between neglected tropical diseases such as podoconiosis and IPV. This study explores the relationship between IPV and podoconiosis in northern Ethiopia with the aim of identifying new avenues for limiting disability and promoting the wellbeing of people affected by this neglected tropical disease. Methods The study was conducted in East and West Gojjam zones, located in the Amhara Regional State of Ethiopia. Research participants were first screened using the domestic violence screening tool Hurt-Insult-Threaten-Scream (HITS). Data were collected by native speakers of the local language (Amharic) in the form of semi-structured interviews during January and February 2016. Thematic and content data analysis was carried out, using the Open Code 3.4 qualitative data analysis software for coding. Results A total of 15 women living with podoconiosis and experiencing IPV were interviewed (aged 31 to 75). Women experienced different forms of IPV, including beatings (with or without an object), insults, name calling, undermining, denial of equal rights over common assets, movement monitoring, cheating, abandonment, forced divorce, obstruction of health care access, inhibition of decision-making and sexual coercion. Podoconiosis increases the frequency and severity of IPV and in occasions shapes a change from physical to psychological and financial violence. In turn, frequent episodes of IPV worsen disease outcomes and contribute to disease persistence in the region, in that these impede women’s ability to manage the disease and help perpetuate the conditions of poverty that influence disease onset. Conclusions Women living with podoconiosis are victims of various, overlapping forms of IPV that negatively impact their health and wellbeing. Poverty, scarce IPV prevention services in the area together with a social acceptance of IPV and these women’s decreased ability to work due to the debilitating effects of podoconiosis and childcare responsibilities frequently prompt these women to tolerate IPV and remain in abusive relationships. Tackling disease-associated taboo and stigma, developing accessible IPV interventions, working towards greater gender equality at the household and societal levels and developing sustainable strategies for improving the socio-economic assets of women affected by podoconiosis are all necessary to both prevent IPV and to improve disease outcome