Predictors of Nutritional Counseling Among Adolescents by Physicians in California

The prevalence of obesity in the United States was stable at 17% from 2011-2014 among approximately 13 million children and adolescents 12-19 years of age, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nutritional counseling has been recommended, and while most physicians agree that it is necessary, it is not happening consistently. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between dietary intake, physical activity, and body mass index (BMI) characteristics of youth 12-17 years old in California and the receipt of nutritional counseling. Social cognitive theory guided this quantitative cross-sectional analysis of archived data from 814 youth in the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) 2015-2016. Independent variables included demographics (age, gender, and race), BMI, unhealthy and healthy foods, physical activity and being sedentary; the dependent variable was receipt of nutritional counseling. Findings showed that 73.5% of children who were obese or overweight received counseling. BMI was the strongest predictor of dietary counseling. Independent of diet, physical activity, age, gender, and race, youth who were obese (BMI, kg/m2, -?¥95th percentile) were almost 100% more likely to talk to their doctor compared to children of normal weight (multivariable-adjusted OR=1.98, 95% CI: 1.23, 3.20). The number of cans of sweet fruit/sports drinks was significantly associated with the outcome (p=0.04). There was no significant association between fruit and vegetable consumption (adjusted OR=1.02, 95% CI: 0.95, 1.10) or physical activity (adjusted OR=0.99, 95% CI: 0.71, 1.39) and nutritional counseling. The implications of the study findings for social change include potential improvements in obesity screening and counseling to improve adolescent health outcomes. Addressing weight issues and diet /lifestyle education earlier in life, could reduce chronic disease in the youth

Design of an anaerobic biodigestion system utilizing the organic fraction of municipal solid waste for biogas production in an urban environment

M.Tech. (Chemical Engineering)The design process was carried out in two stages: feedstock analysis and system design. Under feedstock analysis, the study investigated the amount of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) generated at the study area which was situated at the University of Johannesburg’s Doornfontein Campus (UJ DFC) in downtown Johannesburg South Africa. Furthermore, the feedstock analyses involved characterisation studies on the target waste under which several laboratory tests were undertaken. The system design involved sizing of the suitable biogas digester to be used in the system applying mathematical models and feedstock parameters obtained from the feedstock analyses. Via the application of the Simple Multi-Attribute Rating (SMART) technique of multiple-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) as a decision support tool, the most preferred option of biogas plant model was selected from a list of potential alternatives available on the market. And, in addition, a suitable site around the study area was selected by applying the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) technique of MCDA. Other system components and accessories such as the piping, scrubbers and valves were sized, selected, integrated into the system and finally layout drawings were produced using Inventor computer aided drafting (CAD) Software. Furthermore, feasibility assessments were conducted on the proposed system such as energy usage assessments and economic analyses using the net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR) and benefit-cost ratio (BCR) techniques..

Integrating mental health into primary health care – Uganda's experience

Most developing countries and indeed many African countries have been undertaking reforms of the mental health policies and strategies to improve access and equity for the community to mental health and psychiatric services. This has been in conformity with a health policy philosophy which emphasize decentralization of services to the lower administrative units such as districts, community care as well as integrated delivery of health services within the lower health units. Uganda, one of the developing countries in sub- Saharan Africa, has been implementing its Health Sector Strategic Plan in which mental health has been identified as a major priority. The guidelines from World Health Organisation (WHO), the Alma Ata Declaration and the subsequent WHO recommendations have provided the guiding philosophy for the implementation of this process. However despite embracing the philosophy and having developed sound policies and implementation programs, practical realities are being experienced on the ground. The need for research and evidence-based approach is urgent to evaluate the success of the programmes, which have been developed by many member countries but whose implementation is still a very slow process. The paper reviews some of the international recommendations towards availing mental health to the majority of the population and the steps undertaken in implementing the integration approach with a case study for Uganda, points out the challenges and also proposes a way forward. Keywords: Policies, Plans, Integration, Primary Health Care, Resources, Uganda.> South African Psychiatry Review Vol. 10 (1) 2007: pp 17-1

Surface reconstruction of a blast plate using stereo vision

Includes bibliographical references.This thesis presents method for reconstructing and measuring the profile of a blast metal plate. Among the many methods in computer vision, stereo vision using two cameras is chosen as the range finding method in this thesis. This is because it is a non-contact method and hence eliminates the need to calibrate moving parts. A stereo-rig consists of two calibrated cameras and hence gives two view geometry. Stereoscopic reconstruction relies on epipolar geometry to constrain the relationship between the views. The 3-D point is then estimated using triangulation of the corresponding points from the two views. The blast plates that are reconstructed have highly reflective surfaces. This causes a problem due to specular reflection. This thesis further studies the reflective properties of the metal plate surface. Different methods of scanning the plate using the stereo-rig are investigated. The reconstructions obtained from these methods are analyzed for accuracy and consistency. Since low cost cameras are used in constructing the stereo-rig, the point cloud data obtained is further investigated for consistency by aligning different instances of the reconstruction. This is done using the Iterative Closest Programme (ICP) algorithm which tries to align two sets of data iteratively

Alcohol use in fishing communities and men's willingness to participate in an alcohol, violence and HIV risk reduction intervention: qualitative findings from Rakai, Uganda.

Alcohol use, intimate partner violence (IPV) and HIV infection are associated, but few programmes and interventions have addressed their synergistic relationship or been evaluated for effectiveness and acceptability. This is a critical gap in populations with high rates of alcohol use, HIV and IPV, such as Uganda's fishing communities. This study examined drinking norms, barriers and facilitators to engagement in a risk reduction programme, and ideas for tailoring. Results showed that alcohol use is common in fishing villages. While men and women drink, gendered notions of femininity deem alcohol largely unacceptable for women. Plastic sachets of liquor were the most common alcoholic drink. Participants did not understand the definition of 'hazardous drinking', but recognised connections between drinking, violence and sexual risk-taking. The idea of an alcohol, IPV and HIV risk reduction intervention was supported, but barriers need to be addressed, including how best to help those uninterested in reducing their drinking, addressing normalisation of drinking and how best to inform those who truly need intervention. Intervention to people living with HIV around the time of diagnosis and treatment may be warranted. Study findings highlight the potential to integrate alcohol and IPV reduction programmes into an HIV service provision

Technology selection and siting of a biogas plant for OFMSW via multi-criteria decision analysis

Abstract: Multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) techniques were applied to choose a biogas digester technology and a site from a list of potential alternatives for an anaerobic digestion (AD) system utilising the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) based on a case study at the University of Johannesburg’s Doornfontein campus in South Africa. The simple multi-attribute rating technique (SMART) and analytic hierarchy process (AHP) techniques of MCDA were used to select a suitable biodigester model and site respectively. From a list of 14 biodigester technologies to be established at 1 of 3 potential sites in the study area, the most preferred model was the Puxin digester to be sited near the Aurum ladies’ residence within the school campus to supply biogas for heating purposes

Sizing of an anaerobic biodigester for the organic fraction of municipal solid waste

The anaerobic digestion (AD) of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) for biogas production is a potential solution to the growing challenges associated with municipal solid waste (MSW) management while simultaneously providing an alternative clean energy source. Biogas is produced by the anaerobic digestion (AD) of biomass using microorganisms in specifically designed plants called biogas digesters under controlled conditions or naturally in marshes and landfills. It is a rather clean and versatile fuel as opposed to fossil fuels. To design an efficient AD system, a proper understanding of the quality and quantity of available feedstock must be made as well as prevailing operating conditions. This paper represents steps that were taken to come up with an optimal size of biodigester to treat OFMSW produced at the University of Johannesburg’s Doornfontein Campus in downtown Johannesburg. The campus generates 232.2kg of OFMSW per day which required 30m3 of biodigester capacity

Technology selection of biogas digesters for OFMSW via multi-criteria decision analysis

Multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) techniques are becoming increasingly popular in decision making for technology selection because of their ability to capture the multi-dimensionality of technologies. Biogas typically refers to an odourless gas produced by anaerobic digestion of biomass using microorganisms. Its production can occur naturally in marshes and landfills or more commonly, in specifically designed plants called biogas digesters under controlled conditions. For techno-economic efficiency of a biodigester, several factors such as cost of plant are taken into consideration. This paper examines various available technologies for biogas digesters using defined selection criteria via MCDA and chooses the best alternatives at various scales of biogas production for a case study in South Africa with municipal biowaste as the target feedstock. 14 biogas plants were analysed in this study and the Puxin and Bio4gas digesters were the best alternatives for small and large scale biogas production respectively

Malaria Burden through Routine Reporting: Relationship between Incidence and Test Positivity Rates.

Test positivity rate (TPR)-confirmed cases per 100 suspected cases tested, and test-confirmed malaria case rate (IR)-cases per 1,000 population, are common indicators used routinely for malaria surveillance. However, few studies have explored relationships between these indicators over time and space. We studied the relationship between these indicators in children aged < 11 years presenting with suspected malaria to the outpatient departments of level IV health centers in Nagongera, Kihihi, and Walukuba in Uganda from October 2011 to June 2016. We evaluated trends in indicators over time and space, and explored associations using multivariable regression models. Overall, 65,710 participants visited the three clinics. Pairwise comparisons of TPR and IR by month showed similar trends, particularly for TPRs < 50% and during low-transmission seasons, but by village, the relationship was complex. Village mean annual TPRs remained constant, whereas IRs drastically declined with increasing distance from the health center. Villages that were furthest away from the health centers (fourth quartile for distance) had significantly lower IRs than nearby villages (first quartile), with an incidence rate ratio of 0.40 in Nagongera (95% CI: 0.23-0.63; P = 0.001), 0.55 in Kihihi (0.40-0.75; P < 0.001), and 0.25 in Walukuba (0.12-0.51; P < 0.001). Regression analysis results emphasized a nonlinear (cubic) relationship between TPR and IR, after accounting for month, village, season, and demographic factors. Results show that the two indicators are highly relevant for monitoring malaria burden. However, interpretation differs with TPR primarily indicating demand for malaria treatment resources and IR indicating malaria risk among health facility catchment populations

KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES AND INTENDING PRACTICES TOWARDS EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING AMONG FEMALE UNDERGRADUATES: A CROSS-SECTIONAL CASE STUDY OF MILDMAY INSTITUTE OF HEALTH SCIENCES .

Background:   Breastfeeding is a basic human activity that is vital to a baby‟s growth and development. Excellent breastfeeding advice from health professionals can influence a mother‟s decision to initiate and maintain breastfeeding positively. The study was aimed at assessing the knowledge, attitudes, and intended practices toward exclusive breastfeeding among female undergraduates at the Mildmay Institute of Health Sciences. Method:   A mixed method cross-sectional study was performed among165full time undergraduate female students at MIHS, using convenience sampling by a structured self-administered questionnaire composed of 16 items to evaluate the students' knowledge, 18 items to assess attitudes towards exclusive breastfeeding, 12 items to assess the intending practices and socio-demographics characteristics questions. Results:  Overall, the majority (55%) of study participants had inadequate knowledge, 54.5%of the participants had positive attitudes, 44.4% were neutral and 0.6% of the respondents were less  positive towards breastfeeding, a statistically significant association (p=0.019) was found between the knowledge score and the score of intending practices.  Conclusions:   The conducted study illustrated inadequate knowledge, positive attitudes, and inappropriate intending practices toward exclusive breastfeeding among full-time female undergraduate students at the Mildmay Institute of health sciences. Recommendations:  Curricular changes aimed at promoting, supporting, protecting, and correcting the misconceptions about exclusive breastfeeding should be put in place across all levels of female undergraduates in health professions. Smart advocacy about exclusive breastfeeding should be carried out within the institute to improve the level of knowledge about exclusive breastfeeding