Economic evaluation of the impact of the privatisation policy on animal health delivery services in africa: a case study of Zimbabwe

In many countries in Africa, the delivery of animal health services, especially in rural areas, is far from adequate. These services therefore need restructuring. An analysis of these systems indicates that the development of an appropriate analytical framework for evaluating them would prove to be extremely valuable. Such a framework should be able to identify, qualify and quantify, the various segments of the population, their spatial distribution, and specific health care needs, as well as permit the prediction and evaluation of the socio-economic impact of policies and interventions on the delivery system. In order to develop such a framework, a project was undertaken using the concept of Precision Service Delivery (PSD), with the objective of developing a robust analytical framework which is universally applicable to all health care delivery systems. PSD is aimed at adjusting and "fine-tuning" the delivery of services, so as to meet the specific health care needs of the different segments of the population, in the context of their geographical location. The animal health care delivery system in Zimbabwe was used as a case study. The PSD framework was used in this study, to analyse the economic and social impact of different scenarios of the current privatisation oriented policy reforms. This involved the use of statistical techniques, a geo-spatial modelling technique and Linear Programming mathematical models. A questionnaire survey of 145 livestock producers was conducted with representation from all four livestock production systems in Zimbabwe. The objective was to evaluate the socio-economic and health care variables that characterise the production systems. From fourteen putative variables identified, eight were extracted using Principal Component Analysis, as a bases for characterising the existing livestock production systems. Using Multiple Discriminant Analysis, the validity of the different production systems as distinct classes was confirmed

Substance use among adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa:A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background. In sub-Saharan Africa, substance use among adolescents has continued to be a major public health concern, albeit poorly documented across many settings. Objective. To estimate the prevalence of substance use among adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods. We searched Pubmed, EMBASE, AJOL and Google Scholar for population-based studies on adolescents (age 10 - 19 years) and reporting on the prevalence of substance use across sub-Saharan Africa. Search dates were from January 2000 to December 2016. A random effects meta-analysis was conducted with pooled prevalence rates (and 95% confidence interval (95% CI)) of estimated substance abuse among adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa. Results. Twenty-seven studies across sub-Saharan Africa including 143 201 adolescents (mean age 15.6 years) were selected. The overall prevalence of ‘any substance use’ in sub-Saharan Africa was 41.6%, with the highest rate in Central Africa at 55.5%. The use of caffeinecontaining products (including coffee or kola nut) was most predominant at 41.2% (95% CI 24.3 - 58.1) but limited to West Africa. These were followed by alcohol at 32.8% (95% CI 26.0 - 39.5), tobacco products 23.5% (95% CI 17.7 - 29.3), khat 22.0% (95% CI 12.5 - 31.5) and cannabis 15.9% (95% CI 12.2 - 19.1). Other abused substances included depressants at 11.3% (95% CI 6.5 - 16.1), amphetamines 9.4% (95% CI 6.0 - 12.9), heroin 4.0% (95% CI 3.5 - 4.5) and cocaine 3.9% (95% CI 1.4 - 6.5). Conclusion. Our study reflects a high use of psychoactive substances and drugs among adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa. It is important that interventions and rehabilitation programmes are comprehensive and targeted at adolescents and parents in these settings

Effect of Corruption on Corporate Governance in Selected Area Offices of Deposit Money Banks in Enugu State, Nigeria

The study seeks to examine the effect of corruption on corporate governance in selected area offices of deposit money banks in Enugu State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to; (i) determine the extent to which bribery affects the board of directors\u27 functions, (ii) ascertain the extent to which fraud affects the managers\u27 accountability, and (iii) identify the nature of the relationship existing between money laundering and shareholders\u27 investment in selected area offices of deposit money banks in Enugu State, Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The population of the study was 1197, which comprised the senior and junior staff members of the five selected banks (United Bank for Africa Plc, First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Access Bank Plc, Fidelity Bank Plc, and Skye Bank Plc.). The sample size of 316 was obtained from the population using Freud and William\u27s formula at 5% error tolerance and 95% level of confidence. Data collection was done via a questionnaire and an oral interview guide. Simple Linear Regression Analysis and Pearson Product Moment Correlation were used for data analysis

Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopic evaluation of articular cartilage: A review of current and future trends

This review describes recent developments and applications of near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy for characterization of articular cartilage integrity. It summarizes the research findings in this area and presents some spectral ranges and peaks associated with the different properties and components of articular cartilage. We further describe recent adaptations of NIR spectroscopy for clinical evaluation of articular cartilage injury and degeneration. Critical to accurate decision-making during repair surgery is having clear knowledge of lesion severity and spread, and how to grade the quality of surrounding cartilage. Thus, in this review, we detail efforts aimed at quantification and classification of cartilage pathology using NIR spectroscopy. Finally, we present open questions and challenges with a view to guiding future directions in NIR spectroscopy research on articular cartilage

Effects of Adolescents Exposure to Sexual Contents on Social Media in Nigeria

The study examined the effects of adolescents’ exposure to sexual contents as available in the social media. Data was gathered among 305 literates adolescents using quantitative structured face-to-face interviews. They were distributed using Nigerian age-sex ratio of 51 and 49 between male and female respectively. The study locations consist of densely populated urban areas in Lagos metropolis, Nigeria. The locations were chosen due to high proportion of adolescents in the areas according to the country’s census results. Data were analysed using univariate and multivariate analyses. Common social media identified among the respondents includes Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr, Instagram and LinkedIn. The result also revealed that users of social media in age group 10-14 years are 4.614 times more likely to be exposed to sexual activity at P-value = 0.000. Adolescent users of social media with primary education are 26.953 times more likely to be involved in sexual activity (P-value = 0.000). Those who use social media like Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram are 6.932, 4.630, 3.566 and 2.682 times (respectively) more likely to be exposed to sexual activity compared to their counterparts that use other forms of media. The paper posits that it is inimical not to monitor adolescents’ exposure to sexual contents and censor the scenes available on social media gadgets. The study recommends that sexuality education must be popularised in order to stem the risk of HIV/AIDS among the group studied

EFFECTS OF DESIGN STUDIO CULTURE ON PERFORMANCE OF ARCHITECTURE STUDENTS

Architectural education will not be complete without due reference to its studio culture. This culture consists of patterns, habits and experiences expressed by students in their design studio. The design studio culture has been observed to affect students’ performance over the years. This paper examined the effect of design studio culture on the performance of architecture students. The survey method was adopted to obtain quantitative data from students in selected schools in south-west Nigeria through the use of structured questionnaires. The data gotten was subjected to factor and regression analysis using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Results gotten showed that the students perceived some other factors to be the core components of design studio culture, in addition to those already identified in the review of literature. The findings also indicated that only four of these components of design studio culture affects students’ performance and they are encouragement, Environment of the design studio, constraint and sacrifice. The paper thus recommends that awareness of design studio culture should be promoted through departmental policies as a way of improving students’ performance

EFFECTS OF DESIGN STUDIO CULTURE ON PERFORMANCE OF ARCHITECTURE STUDENTS

Architectural education will not be complete without due reference to its studio culture. This culture consists of patterns, habits and experiences expressed by students in their design studio. The design studio culture has been observed to affect students’ performance over the years. This paper examined the effect of design studio culture on the performance of architecture students. The survey method was adopted to obtain quantitative data from students in selected schools in south-west Nigeria through the use of structured questionnaires. The data gotten was subjected to factor and regression analysis using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Results gotten showed that the students perceived some other factors to be the core components of design studio culture, in addition to those already identified in the review of literature. The findings also indicated that only four of these components of design studio culture affects students’ performance and they are encouragement, Environment of the design studio, constraint and sacrifice. The paper thus recommends that awareness of design studio culture should be promoted through departmental policies as a way of improving students’ performance

The Influence of Maternal Education on Childhood Survival Among Married Couples of Childbearing Age in Edo State, Nigeria

The main target of this paper was about childhood survival and how to continuously sustain it for socio-economic development. Thus, the study examined the extent of influence which maternal education has on childhood survival among married couples in Edo State of Nigeria. A sample size of six hundred (600) respondents was drawn by multi stage sampling method. Data were collected by social survey method comprising questionnaire and interview. The researchers were mainly interested in answers to the following research questions. (i) What are the likely causes of childhood mortality in Edo State? (ii) Can medical interventions without mother’s education be effective enough to reduce childhood mortality? And (iii) Does maternal education positively influence a child’s health and survival? Data analyses were based on percentage. Findings revealed some likely causes of childhood mortality, and considered education as the bedrock which makes other variables more effective for any course of action. Thus, maternal education positively influences a child’s health and survival because educated mothers are more knowledgeable to seek medical advice for their children. However, some recommendations were made on how to boost and sustain child survival rate. Keywords: Childhood Survival, Maternal Education, Mortality, Nigeria. DOI: 10.7176/JCSD/63-04 Publication date: January 31st 202

Symbol Error Rate Analysis of M-QAM with Equal Gain Combining Over A Mobile Satellite Channel

Mobile Satellite Communications (MSC) have become an essential part of the world telecommunication infrastructure. However, the systems suffer from multipath propagation effects. In this paper, error analysis of M-ary quadrature amplitude modulation (M-QAM) with Equal Gain Combiner (EGC) over mobile satellite channel was carried out. The satellite channel was modelled as the product of Rayleigh and Ricians. This was then used to develop a system model for the received signal which was simulated and evaluated in terms of Average Symbol Error Rate (ASER) using the exact closed-form expression derived from moment generating function (MGF) and Padé Approximants (PA) theory. The results showed that at 16dB, Rician factor ‘k’=0, ASER obtained are 41.83%, 18.56% and 10.81% for paths ‘L’ = 2, 3, 4 respectively. ASER values reduced as ‘k’ increased. The results are in agreement with the simulation.DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.11591/ijece.v3i6.434

Socioeconomic impacts of Households’ Vulnerability during COVID-19 Pandemic in South Africa: Application of Tobit and Probit Models

Coronavirus is a public health issue with socioeconomic and livelihood dimensions. The World Health Organization declared the current novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic a public health emergency of international concern on January 30, 2020, and a global pandemic on March 11, 2020. The South African government has implemented different strategies, ranging from total lockdown in certain locations and provision of palliatives in some provinces across the country. This study, therefore, investigated the correlates of vulnerability and responsiveness to the adverse impacts of COVID-19 in South Africa. The study utilized primary data collected among 477 respondents. Descriptive statistical tools, Tobit and Probit regression models, were used to analyze the data. The study found different levels of vulnerability (low, medium, and high) and responsiveness among households, including stocking up of food items, remote working, reliance on palliatives, and social grant provision, among others. Some of the correlates of responsiveness to the COVID-19 pandemic include being employed, the type of community, and the income of respondents. The study, therefore, recommends increased investments in welfare programmes (safety nets, palliative measures and economic stimulus packages) as well as capacity building of households through education to reduce vulnerability. Doi: 10.28991/HIJ-2022-03-04-02 Full Text: PD