Exploring principals’ leadership practices and students’ pass rate in secondary schools at West Arsi Zone, Ethiopia

The study aimed at exploring principals' leadership practices and its influence on students' pass rate in the secondary schools of West Arsi Zone, Ethiopia. Philosophically, a Pragmatic Research Paradigm with Mixed Research Approach were employed. The study employed Explanatory Sequential Mixed Method design to extract the perception of teachers, Head of Departments, Principals, Vice-principals, and supervisors using both quantitative data followed by qualitative to supplement each other and interpreted separately and combined at the end of the discussion for better grasping the problems understudy. Data were gathered from 225 teachers and 115 Head of Departments using Multistage Random Sampling techniques while 11 school principals, 5 vice-principals and 4 supervisors took part on an interview using Purposive Sampling techniques. Questionnaires, semi-structured interview and Document Analysis were instruments for data collection. Data were analysed using frequency, mean, standard deviation, independent sample t-test, and Pearson product-moment correlation analysis and Thematic Analysis techniques. The study found that the current principals' leadership practices in terms of ‘setting directions’, ‘developing people’, ‘developing schools’ and ‘managing teaching-learning program’ were weak. The study also revealed that there is positive relationship between principal leadership practices in ‘setting direction’ and ‘developing schools’ and students' pass rate while there no significant relationship with ‘developing people’ and ‘managing teaching-learning program’ and students' pass rate. Student related, home-environment related, and teacher-related problems were found strong challenges while school-leadership related hurdles, lack of physical resources and material facilities and other external factors were found moderately challenging school leaders in the process of supporting students' pass rates. The study also suggested strategies such as the central government motivation in playing their role; developing school leaders’ commitment and capacities; enhancing teaching-learning; mobilizing and allocating school resources; and working on school autonomy.Educational Management and LeadershipPh. D. (Education Management

Covid-19 Prevention Practices and Associated Factors among Workers in Yirgalem Agro-Industry Park, Sidama Regional State, Ethiopia: A Cross Sectional Study

Introduction: The COVID-19 outbreak resulted in millions of cases and deaths with an incredible pace of spread. It has been a global public health crisis since December 2019. Though the work behaviors of some organizations can facilitate more ways for the mode of transmission, the potential work areas for the risk of infection are not identified yet. Designing intervention strategies based on the risky assessment findings of a specific population or organization is better. The problem is more significant in developing countries. This study aimed to assess the prevention practices and associated factors of COVID-19 among workers in Yirgalem Agro-Industrial Park, Sidama Regional State; Ethiopia, 2020 Methods: Cross-sectional study was conducted from June 15th to August 15th, 2020. Yirgalem Agro-Industrial Park had 233 workers during the study period and data were collected from all of them. Collected data were entered into Epi Data 3.1 and exported to SPSS 22 for analysis. Factors associated with the practice of prevention were then analyzed. Results: Among the respondents, 91.8%, 75.1%, and 48.9% had good knowledge, positive attitudes, and good practice toward COVID-19 prevention strategies respectively. Multivariate regression revealed that age, spiritual or sin, training, knowledge, attitude, opposition to wearing, ordinary residents, and hoping leaders can win against COVID-19 were predicted practices of COVID-19 prevention strategies Conclusion: The practice of COVID-19 prevention strategies was so poor and needed adequate attention. Age, spiritual/sin as a cause, prior training, knowledge, attitude, opposing mask-wearing, and belief in whether to defeat COVID-19 or not were identified as the predictors. It is so important to revamp the current practices and assure the implementation of the standard as expected

Magnitude of splash exposure and associated factors among health care workers in Hawassa referral and Adare District hospitals, January 2014

Abstract Background Accidental splash exposure is one of the common occupational health related problem among health care workers. The problem is worse in developing countries in which the safety practice and protective devices do not properly used. However, little is known on the prevalence and associated factors for splash exposure. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of self reported splash exposure and factors that influence those exposures. Methods Institutional based cross sectional study was done from January 1 to 30, 2014 in Hawassa Referral and Adare District Hospitals. Physicians, nurses, laboratory technicians/ technologists, midwifes, health officers, cleaners, porters and laundry workers were involved in the study. Self administered questionnaires were used for those who can read and understand easily and interview was carried out for those who can’t read and understand. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 16 and logistic regression was carried out to assess the association of selected independent variables with accidental splash exposure. Results The prevalence of one episode of splash exposure was 28%. There was twofold increased risk of blood and body fluids exposure among health care workers who have multiple responsibilities (AOR = 2.39, 95% CI: 1.27–4.49). Similarly, the risk of exposure was doubled among health care workers who washed linen in the institution (AOR = 2.30, 95% CI: 1.37–3.84) and among those who work in delivery and operation room (AOR = 2.20, 95% CI: 1.10–4.40). Conclusions Splash exposure is common among health care workers in the study hospitals which warrantee occupational health and safety training

Additional file 2: of Magnitude of splash exposure and associated factors among health care workers in Hawassa referral and Adare District hospitals, January 2014

SPSS Data. The original SPSS data is attached. (SAV 98 kb

Additional file 1: of Magnitude of splash exposure and associated factors among health care workers in Hawassa referral and Adare District hospitals, January 2014

Questionnaire. Amharic Version of the questionnaire is developed for this study from the standardized english version to meet the local need. Both english and amharic versions are attached. (ZIP 70 kb

Knowledge, practices and associated factors regarding intravenous fluid electrolyte managements among Jimma University Medical Center Nurses, Southwest Ethiopia: Institution based Cross-Sectional study

Background: Understanding of fluid compartments within the body and how fluid moves between these compartments helps the nurses to make a competent assessment of fluid and electrolyte balance. Maintaining homeostasis in the body by correct fluid and electrolyte balance is one of the key issues extremely important for health. Objective: The study aimed to assess the nurses’ knowledge, practices and associated factors regarding intravenous fluid electrolyte managements at Jimma University Medical Center, Southwest Ethiopia, 2018. Methods: An Institution based Cross-Sectional study was conducted from March to May. 422 participants were randomly selected and data was collected using self-administered questionnaire. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. The associated factors were identified using Binary and multiple logistic regression models. P-values < 0.05 were considered to be statistically significant. Result: The result showed that 59.6% and 88.3% of participants had adequate knowledge and good practice respectively. Professional attainment ((AOR = 2.561, 95% CI: 1.645–3.898)), experience ((AOR = 0.8.953, 95% CI: 2.399–33.410)) and respective unit/ward ((AOR = 2.092, 95% CI: 0.499–8.765)) were factors associated with knowledge. While education on intravenous fluid electrolyte (IVF) ((AOR = 3.748, 95% CI: 1.816–7.736)), presence of guide line in the unit ((AOR = 5.414, 95% CI: 1.889–15.518)), presence of fluid balance chart in the unit ((AOR = 3.412, 95% CI: 1.608–7.240)) and experience were associated with practice. Conclusion and recommendation: More than half and majority of respondents have had adequate knowledge good practice respectively. However, there is still knowledge and practice gap regarding intravenous fluid electrolyte managements. Therefore it is recommended to provide in service training and education for nurses