La experiencia en Malasia de la participación de las niñas en la educación de las ciencias, la tecnología, la ingeniería y las matemáticas (STEM)

El Gobierno de Malasia se ha enfocado en las ciencias, la tecnología, la ingeniería y las matemáticas (STEM) para alcanzar la condición de país desarrollado. El Gobierno reconoce a las mujeres un rol igualitario para la construcción nacional. Por lo tanto, a lo largo de los años, se formularon diferentes políticas que van desde la economía y la educación, al bienestar social y los recursos humanos. Estas políticas han contribuido, entre otros, al aumento del porcentaje de mujeres investigadoras del 35.8% en 2004 al 49.9% en 2012 así como al aumento de la participación de las mujeres en cursos electivos relacionados con STEM en el nivel terciario. Un total de 84 colegios de niñas, de los cuales 6 de ellos son internados femeninos de STEM, han sido construidos desde 1939. En STEM existen muchos modelos de conducta femeninos inspiradores que las jóvenes pueden emular. Esto ha sido posible gracias a la implementación exitosa de varias políticas relacionadas con las mujeres en STEM así como de medidas innovadoras para hacer frente a los continuos desafíos de la educación en STEM

Determinants of leptospirosis in Sri Lanka: Study Protocol

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Leptospirosis is becoming a major public health threat in Sri Lanka as well as in other countries. We designed a case control study to determine the factors associated with local transmission of leptospirosis in Sri Lanka, in order to identify major modifiable determinants of leptospirosis. The purpose of this paper is to describe the study protocol in detail prior to the publishing of the study results, so that the readership will be able to understand and interpret the study results effectively.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A hospital based partially matched case control design is proposed. The study will be conducted in three selected leptospirosis endemic districts in central Sri Lanka. Case selection will include screening all acute fever patients admitted to selected wards to select probable cases of leptospirosis and case confirmation using an array of standard laboratory criteria. Age and sex matched group of acute fever patients with other confirmed diagnosis will be used as controls. Case to control ratio will be 1:2. A minimum sample of 144 cases is required to detect 20% exposure with 95% two sided confidence level and 80% power. A pre tested interviewer administered structured questionnaire will be used to collect data from participants. Variables included in the proposed study will be evaluated using conceptual hierarch of variables in three levels; Exposure variables as proximal; reservoir and environmental variables as intermediate; socio-demographic variables as distal. This conceptual hierarch hypothesised that the distal and intermediate variables are mediated through the proximal variables but not directly. A logistic regression model will be used to analyse the probable determinants of leptospirosis. This model will evaluate the effect of same level and upper level variables on the outcome leptospirosis, using three blocks.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>The present national control programme of leptospirosis is hampered by lack of baseline data on leptospirosis disease transmission. The present study will be able to provide these essential information for formulation of better control strategies.</p

Situational Humor Perception

A study involving survey questions intended to determine an individual's perception of humor based on one’s psychological distance from a situation that is either a tragedy or a mishap, as well as in benign vs. non-benign moral situations