A QUALITATIVE UNDERSTANDING OF GENDER-RESPONSIVE YOUTH PROGRAMMING WITHIN THE GIRLS ROCK CAMP ALLIANCE

This study documented the gender-responsive youth programing strategies within Girls Rock camps using grounded theory methodology. Experiencing gender oppression is a stressor that creates an increased risk for mental and physical health concerns for gender-marginalized people. The risks for mental illnesses, because of gender-based oppression, is compounded when an individual holds additional marginalized statuses (e.g., age, race, ethnicity, social class, sexual orientation, ability status, etc.; APA, 2007). Gender bias has also been shown to negatively impact young people’s self-esteem, academic achievement, and vocational aspirations (Kamsler, 1992). Given this negative impact of gender bias, it is important to address gender related discrimination early in adolescents’ lives to mitigate the harmful ramifications of living in a sexist society. Gender-responsive youth programs are extracurricular, community-based organizations that incorporate the specific concerns of girls and gender non-conforming youth into organizational policies, practices, and activities. Girls Rock is a music-based, gender-responsive youth program that teaches young people empowerment through music. The resulting grounded theory model of the Girls Rock Camp Alliance positions authentic relationships as the active ingredient that makes Girls Rock camps effective worldwide. This model can be used to understand the components of a successful Girls Rock camp and can be adapted to gender-responsive youth programs of any discipline

Sexual Harassment in Illinois: Public Opinion and Legislative Action

The last several years have brought sexual harassment in the public and private sector to the forefront of a national conversation. This paper addresses the issue of sexual harassment specifically within the Illinois public sector. First, to understand how Illinoisans view sexual harassment, the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute conducted statewide polling. This endeavor asked respondents about their perceptions of how well the public understands sexual harassment, how likely people who engage in harassing behavior are to be held accountable, and whether or not the respondents would be likely to vote for a political candidate accused of sexual harassment. This paper outlines best practices on addressing sexual harassment with an in-depth look at how Illinois is currently addressing public sector sexual harassment via policy, legislative action, and training initiatives. This is done in hopes of providing the state of Illinois with some recommendations and future direction on how to be a national leader in combatting sexual harassment

Prevalence of Refractive Errors and Intention to Use Prescription Glasses Regularly Among Secondary School Students in Ogijo Community, Ogun State, Nigeria

Purpose: This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of refractive error among secondary school students, as well as their intention to use prescription glasses regularly.Methods: This was a cross-sectional school-based study with a qualitative component. A total of 359 secondary students aged 11-22years, were selected by multistage sampling method from seven schools in Ogijo community, Ogun state, Nigeria. Of the 359 students, 353(98.3%) were examined. The examination included Visual acuity measurement, ocular motility tests, retinoscopy & autorefraction under cycloplegia, and anterior & posterior segment examination. The data collected were analysed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS).Results: The prevalence of refractive error was 11.6%, and of the 41 participants who had refractive error, 65.9% were females while 34.1% were males. Myopia was at 5.1%, while hyperopia and astigmatism were 3.7% and 2.8% respectively. Participants had adequate information (`x =16.08 SD±2.29) regarding refractive error and the use of prescription glasses, but revealed a lack of motivation towards prescription glasses use (`x15.8 SD±4.2). Overall, participants expressed good intention to regular prescription glasses use (`x =12.89 SD±3.8).Conclusion: Refractive error among secondary students of Ogijo community, Ogun state, Nigeria is relatively high. The students expressed good intention to use prescription glasses regularly if given, but on certain conditions. A comprehensive school health program that incorporates school eye health promotion should be practiced effectively to address the misconceptions regarding the use of prescription glasses among the teachers, parents and students. Keywords: Refractive errors, Adolescents, School health, community health, Health promotion

Environmental response and ph tolerance of induced co2 in ulva rigida c.agardh, 1823(Chlorophyta) under controlled conditions

The increase in integrated multitrophic aquaculture (IMTA), where seaweed (particularly Ulva rigidaC.Agardh, 1823) is used as a feedstock and a wastewater scrubber in South African IMTA systems, has necessitated research into seaweed growth rates, which hassubsequently increased production technologies.Seaweed growth can be increased by controlling the culture media.One of the means to control growth rate is through CO2gas addition to culture media via aeration.This has the potential added benefit of usingwaste CO2 production from an alternative source to decrease overall carbon dioxide emissions. The consequence of elevated CO2 concentration on the pH of culture medium and the equivalent functional reactions in the seaweed were examined using U. rigida in flow-through systems.Toxicity investigation of Hydrogen ion concentrations werecarried out on U. rigida to examine their anatomy cum functional differences arising due to CO2 exerted stress. Elevated CO2 levels and the accompanying decrease in culture media pH (4.71 – 6.67) leadto a significant decrease in biomass with varied sporulation activities. In addition, U. rigida in flow-through systems showed a gradual degeneration in specific growth rate, from day 7, atvarying rates until the end of the experiment in the following sequence pH 7.20 > 8.20 > 7.50 > 7.80.The treatment set at pH 7.20 yielded the greatest specific biomassandthe greatest produce.The cultured input stocking rate of 5 g.l-1 of seawater proved to be suitable for cultivation. ThepH toxicity reaction was significant in predicting the suitability of seaweed cultured under CO2 induced concentrations

Service Members’ Perspectives on Veteran Homelessness in Maryland and Virginia

Homelessness among military veterans (HAMV) is a protracted problem. In November 2009, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs pledged to end the issue, but almost 12 years later, HAMV persists despite various solutions proposed. In January 2020, 37,252 veterans were reported as experiencing homelessness in the United States. The creation of previous solutions did not include the perspectives of service members. The purpose of this study was to bridge this gap in knowledge by discovering the views of service members on why veteran colleagues experience homelessness. The theoretical framework for this study was Allport’s trait theory. A qualitative case study design was employed, using semistructured interviews with 16 service members located in Maryland and Virginia. Snowball sampling technique was used to recruit participants for this study. Using descriptive-focused coding strategy, information from the interviews was coded and categorized for thematic analysis. Results indicated lack of preparedness to transition from the military and absence of support from people such as family members as two of risk factors of HAMV. The implications for social change that could result from the findings in this study include informing policymakers of the importance of the perspectives of service members in developing policies and processes to help homeless veterans. A better understanding of what leads to HAMV could help lead to more effective solutions to address the problem

Subarachnoid block in an eight-month old infant with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency

Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is a clinical condition characterized by red blood cell enzymatic defect resulting in  haemolysis following exposure to oxidative stress from medications and infections. Some of the drugs used in anaesthesia and peri-operative pain management may also induce haemolysis in individuals who are G6PD deficient. In this report, an eight-month-old boy with G6PD deficiency who had bilateral herniotomy under spinal anaesthesia without untoward events is described. Intraoperative and postoperative courses were uneventful as there were no haemolytic complications, malignant hyperthermia nor methaemoglobinaemia. The focus of anaesthetic management in this child was avoiding drugs which may cause haemolysis in G6PD deficiency, reducing surgical stress with adequate analgesia, and adequate preparations to manage haemolysis should it occur. Therefore, it is recommended that subarachnoid block with heavy bupivacaine can be performed safely, particularly for individuals with G6PD deficiency in place of general anaesthesia. Keywords: Glucose-6-Phosphate dehydrogenase Deficiency, haemolysis, infancy, subarachnoid bloc

INDIGENOUS/ CULTURAL/SPIRITUAL HEALING PRACTICES: A REPORT OF INTERACTION WITH TRADITIONAL HEALERS IN OGUN STATE SOUTH WEST NIGERIA.

Background: Traditional belief systems in Africa impact the perceptions, attitudes, and management of mental illness. Cultural beliefs play a major role in the diagnosis and treatment of many mental health problems. Aim: To assess the cultural beliefs and practices of traditional healers/herbalist in Ogun state South-west Nigeria Method: Traditional healers were invited for discussion to assess their beliefs and practices of management of people living with mental illness Outcome/ Result: The interaction with the healers revealed that they believed that mental illness results from spiritual attack and or hereditary. In treatment, they make use of herbal concoction with dosing depending on the severity of the illness. They place them in shackles and chains to prevent absconding

Using Ulva (Chlorophyta) for the production of biomethane and mitigation against coastal acidification

Philosophiae Doctor - PhDIn South Africa the green macroalga Ulva armoricana is the main species of macroalgae cultured. The species is currently the largest aquaculture (2884.61 tonnes) product by weight with a corresponding capacity for biogas (CH₄) production. We have shown that biotransformation of U. armoricana to Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is viable and economically feasible as a clean fuel. pH toxicity tests showed that U. armoricana can be used as a health index, under potentially increased CO₂ concentrations that can occur in IMTA carbon sequestration. We have shown sporulation to be the morphological response to environmental stress, which is indicative of chlorophyll degradation and a reduction in the photosynthetic activity of the alga. With the exception of Cadmium (Cd), the physico-chemical values obtained and the dissolved nutrient/heavy metals uptake by the alga all fell within the FAO/WHO permissible standards. Our Cd values therefore negate the use of these macroalgae for human consumption. We have also shown that U. armoricana can be used in eco-monitoring by playing a significant role in wastewater filtration and bioaccumulation. Nutrient utilization and proximate composition results show that African mud catfish (Clarias gariepinus) grow well on a protein-enriched Ulva diet, suggesting that enriched Ulva has the potential to be a successful fish feed. This thesis suggests among others, that South Africa could take advantage by being the first African country to propose specific standards for edible macroalgae as its successful research innovations and development provides a template for other African countries to further their aquaculture sectors. Additional benefits (bioremediation, ocean de-acidification through the capture of atmospheric and dissolved CO₂ during growth to assist in climate change mitigation) from Ulva farming activities bode well for the aquaculture industry

Attitudes of female street vendors towards HIV/AIDS in Vhembe district of South Africa

Background: The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) are still global health problems. This study was conducted to describe the attitudes of female street vendors (FSV) in Thohoyandou, Vhembe district, towards HIV/AIDS and those infected with the virus.Materials and methods: A quantitative, cross-sectional survey design was adopted. Data were collected by means of a structured, self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0.Results: Majority (85.0%) of the participants had completed secondary education, 46.7% were single and 41.5% were aged 40 and above. Most of them (90.5%) indicated that they would accept to do a voluntary HIV test. Fear of stigmatization ranked highest among the reasons given by those not in favour of testing. Whilst 91.0% of the participants reported that they can stay in the same house with a person who is HIV positive and 88.5% said they would not have sex in exchange for money, only 57.5% indicated that they would agree to take antiretroviral drugs if they tested positive in pregnancy. The level of education was found to be significantly associated (p-value = 0.000) with the type of attitude shown towards HIV and those infected.Conclusion: It is recommended that HIV information providers and health workers in  outh Africa pay more attention to enlightening women about the importance of taking antiretroviral drugs in pregnancy to reduce the incidence of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.Keywords: Attitude; female street vendors; HIV/AIDS; health workers, antiretroviral drugs