Pharmacoeconomic Evaluation Of Doxycycline And Tetracycline In The Treatment Of Chlamydial Implicated Non-Gonococcal Urethritis In A Tertiary Healthcare Institution In Nigeria

With depressing nature of economy in many countries such as Nigeria where per capita income is low, there is need for utmost consideration for cost containment measures. Objective: The objective of this study is to conduct pharmacoeconomic evaluation of two antichlamydial indicated non-gonococcal urethritis therapeutic options and to make recommendations for inclusion of economic evaluation of drug therapies in health policy formulations and decision making. Methods: Cost effectiveness analysis was carried out retrospectively for prescribed/dispensed antibacterials to out-patients with chlamydial implicated non-gonococcal urethritis among other infectious diseases, by examining out-patient case notes between 2005 and 2007 in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria Nigeria. Results : The result shows that doxycycline costs N1.33/unit of effectiveness while tetracycline costs N2.77/unit of effectiveness in the treatment of chlamydial implicated non-gonococcal urethritis. Doxycycline is therefore more cost effective than tetracycline capsules. Subjecting the costs and effectiveness to sensitivity analysis did not change this conclusion. There is statistically significant difference in the effectiveness (outcome) of doxycycline (78.8%) and tetracycline (58.7%) ( x2 =9.4;

Surviving Racist Culture: Strategies of Managing Racism among Gay Men of Colour - An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

Racism, a unique source of stress, occupies a peripheral point of analysis in the literature on gay, lesbian, and bisexual (GLB) health research. Canadian investigators have not examined the coping strategies that non-White gay men use. Lacking knowledge of the groups coping responses overlooks the dynamics of resistance and prevents interventions for addressing racism from being developed. The current studys aims were to explore the contexts in which gay men of colour experienced gay-specific racism; to investigate their understanding of factors contributing to the experience of racism; and to examine strategies they used to manage the stress of racism. Foregrounding issues of White supremacy and racial oppression, the study used frameworks from critical race and queer theories and minority stress theory, integrating insights from the psychological model of stress and coping. Data were collected in Ottawa, Canada, employing focus groups and in-depth interviews with 13 gay men who identified as Black, East Asian, South Asian, and Arab/Middle Eastern. Using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), the study concluded that racism was pervasive in Ottawas GLB community, at individual, institutional, and cultural levels. Racial-cultural socialization processes were found to influence racist attitudes and practices. Racisms subtle, insidious forms undermined discrimination claims by gay men of colour, in that White gay men denied any racist attitudes and actions. In general, participants used problem- and emotion-focused coping techniques to moderate the impact of racism. The value of social support for coping with the stress of racism was highlighted, revealing a vacuum of care in public health and social work practice with gay men of colour. Social workers and allied health professionals should neither view the experiences of gay men of colour through the lens of sexual orientation alone, nor focus solely on sexual behaviours that place them at risk of HIV/AIDS. In doing so, they would risk not only discounting the complexities of the mens lives, but also sustaining and perpetuating a life without potentialities beyond deficit. The implications and limitations as well as recommendations for future study are discussed

Accepting or Opposing The Status Quo: A Look at The Women Characters in Mariama Bâ’s So Long a Letter (1981) and Chimamanda Adichie’s Purple Hibiscus (2003)

What exactly is the status quo of women in Africa? Women’s selfhood has been systematically subordinated or outright denied by law, customary practices, and cultural stereotypes. Scholars like Judith Bennet suggest that religious practices and colonial rule subjugate African women. Patriarchal ideologies guide the society’s discrimination against women and this has influenced the status of women, especially married women and the way they respond in times of affliction. Authors like Chimamanda Adichie and Mariama Ba in their fictional novels The Purple Hibiscus and So Long a Letter focus on capturing the struggles and conditions of women in the Western African society. Through their protagonists, they explore various issues such as patriarchy and the influence of religion on the lives African women. This thesis aims to examine the notion of a single story and how and why African women accept or oppose the patriarchal status quo

Comparative Cost-Effectiveness Analysis Of Streptomycin And Ethambutol In The Treatment Of Tuberculosis In A University Teaching Hospital In Nigeria

Healthcare organizations, governments and individuals have been forced by prevailing circumstances of economic crisis to be increasingly oriented towards cost containment due to escalating nature of health expenditure. Objective: The objective of this study is to determine the comparative cost effectiveness of various antituberculous therapeutic options and to make recommendation for the adoption of costeffectiveness evaluations in National Health Policy formulation and decision-making. Method Retrospective cost effectiveness analysis was carried out for prescribed/dispended antibiotic to outpatients with tuberculosis among other infectious diseases in outpatients case notes between 2005 and 2007 in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria Nigeria. Results The result shows that ethambutol tablet cost N8.40/unit of effectiveness while streptomycin injection cost N81.50/unit of effectiveness in the treatment of tuberculosis. Ethambutol tablet therefore appears to be more cost effective than streptomycin injection. Subjecting the cost and effectiveness to sensitivity analysis did not change this conclusion. Statistical analysis shows that there is a statistically significant difference in the effectiveness (outcome) of ethambutol (95%) and streptomycin injection (76.73%) (X2 =13.75;

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The file attached to this record is the author's final peer reviewed versionWhere am I? Enhancing learning experience for Local and International Post Graduate students’: a focus on creative learning and teaching diverse students at a Midlands university. Abstract Purpose: This paper explores the learning experiences of overseas postgraduate students studying in the UK, with a focus on how creative learning and teaching approaches can be adapted for the students. Design/Methodology/Approach: A multi method approach was adopted to data collection, using a mini focus group and 18 individual reflective diaries. Qualitative content analysis was conducted to illustrate themes from the interview and individual reflective diaries. Findings: Findings indicated that fee incentives, affordable accommodation and a good social life motivated students to study at the Midlands University. Secondly, although students had higher expectations of UK higher education; they were ill prepared for the intense teaching and assessment strategies. Whilst there was high overall satisfaction with course delivery and support, there were diversity issues that impacted the overall learning experience. Originality/Values: This paper generates fresh insights into learning experience by overseas post graduate students in the UK. The paper highlights the need to redesign and adapt creative learning strategies that enhance learning experiences as well as increase satisfaction for a global student population

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Freedom to learn: - ‘Edusumers’: An analysis of student attitudes towards mobile enhanced learning in Higher Education. Abstract Purpose: This paper explores Post Graduate students ‘attitudes towards M-Learning in the UK; focusing on mobile device use in supporting interactive and engaging pedagogical approaches to reach mobile students (‘edusumers’). Design/Methodology/Approach: A mixed method data collection approach will be adopted in this research (50 scenario analysis tests and 50 questionnaires) to explore student (‘edusumers’) awareness, attitudes, experience and usage patterns of M-learning. Data analysis will involve qualitative content analysis to illustrate scenario themes (Phase 1). In Phase 2 (survey) statistical techniques are proposed (e.g. standard statistical packages [SPSS], a series of ANOVA) to establish correlations and variations in behavioural intention. Proposed Research Contribution: Theoretically, this research has potential to shed some light on individual attitudes and adoption determinants towards M-learning. Secondly; empirically inform education practitioners on harnessing the learning potential of the mobile device in and around the classroom. Originality/Values: This paper generates fresh insights into M-learning by Post Graduate students in the UK. Review of literature highlights need to realign pedagogical approaches in order to effectively reach and engage ‘mobile students’

Deutsche Telekom and Voicestream Merger: Charting a New Regulatory Course

On July 24, 2000, the German telecommunications giant Deutsche Telekom AG (Deutche Telekom) agreed to purchase the Bellvue, Washington based VoiceStream Wireless Corporation (VoiceStream) for over $50 billion. Although the merger may ultimately fall through, the response generated by the proposed merger indicates the future for deals between US and foreign-owned telecommunications companies. With the increasing globalization of the world\u27s telecommunications markets, the Deutche Telekom deal represents the first time that a company dominated by a foreign government has attempted to purchase an American corporation. The signatories of the Basic Telecommunications Agreement, an agreement among World Trade Organization (WTO) members to open their telecom markets to foreign competition, are closely watching the US response. The stance that the US government takes in reviewing this merger can be seen as a sign of things to come as the world\u27s single largest telecommunications market opens up to the world