Determinants of Implementation of Special Group Reservation Scheme by Procuring Entities

This paper aims to assess the determinants of the implementation of special group reservation schemes by procuring entities. The study used a mixed-methods approach, using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Qualitative information was gathered using techniques including interviews for the descriptive nature of the study, and quantitative data was gathered by questionnaire. Data was analyzed by both qualitative and quantitative techniques. Based on the analysis, the descriptive statistic shows that the majority of the respondents agreed with the statements that financial capacity, vendor quality index, and technical capacity play a great role in the special group reservation scheme in terms of increasing the number of contracts awarded to special groups, increasing value of contracts awarded to special groups, and increasing the percentage of special groups beneficiaries since the value of the mean scores is above the 3.63. These results imply that the capacity of special groups is one of the determinant factors influencing the implementation of special groups in public entities. Also, the capacity of the special group was found to have a positive influence on the implementation of the special group reservation scheme in public entities. About the significance of the variable, the findings show the value of the capacity of the special group in the implementation of a special group reservation scheme. The study recommends that the government should ensure sufficient allocation of financial resources, adequacy of equipment and technical competence, adequate physical facilities, high managerial capability, experience, and personnel to achieve a high level of implementation of the special group reservation scheme

Determinants of Implementation of Special Group Reservation Scheme by Procuring Entities

This paper aims to assess the determinants of the implementation of special group reservation schemes by procuring entities. The study used a mixed-methods approach, using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Qualitative information was gathered using techniques including interviews for the descriptive nature of the study, and quantitative data was gathered by questionnaire. Data was analyzed by both qualitative and quantitative techniques. Based on the analysis, the descriptive statistic shows that the majority of the respondents agreed with the statements that financial capacity, vendor quality index, and technical capacity play a great role in the special group reservation scheme in terms of increasing the number of contracts awarded to special groups, increasing value of contracts awarded to special groups, and increasing the percentage of special groups beneficiaries since the value of the mean scores is above the 3.63. These results imply that the capacity of special groups is one of the determinant factors influencing the implementation of special groups in public entities. Also, the capacity of the special group was found to have a positive influence on the implementation of the special group reservation scheme in public entities. About the significance of the variable, the findings show the value of the capacity of the special group in the implementation of a special group reservation scheme. The study recommends that the government should ensure sufficient allocation of financial resources, adequacy of equipment and technical competence, adequate physical facilities, high managerial capability, experience, and personnel to achieve a high level of implementation of the special group reservation scheme

Early antenatal prediction of gestational diabetes in obese women: development of prediction tools for targeted intervention

All obese women are categorised as being of equally high risk of gestational diabetes (GDM) whereas the majority do not develop the disorder. Lifestyle and pharmacological interventions in unselected obese pregnant women have been unsuccessful in preventing GDM. Our aim was to develop a prediction tool for early identification of obese women at high risk of GDM to facilitate targeted interventions in those most likely to benefit. Clinical and anthropometric data and non-fasting blood samples were obtained at 15+0–18+6 weeks’ gestation in 1303 obese pregnant women from UPBEAT, a randomised controlled trial of a behavioural intervention. Twenty one candidate biomarkers associated with insulin resistance, and a targeted nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) metabolome were measured. Prediction models were constructed using stepwise logistic regression. Twenty six percent of women (n = 337) developed GDM (International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups criteria). A model based on clinical and anthropometric variables (age, previous GDM, family history of type 2 diabetes, systolic blood pressure, sum of skinfold thicknesses, waist:height and neck:thigh ratios) provided an area under the curve of 0.71 (95%CI 0.68–0.74). This increased to 0.77 (95%CI 0.73–0.80) with addition of candidate biomarkers (random glucose, haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), fructosamine, adiponectin, sex hormone binding globulin, triglycerides), but was not improved by addition of NMR metabolites (0.77; 95%CI 0.74–0.81). Clinically translatable models for GDM prediction including readily measurable variables e.g. mid-arm circumference, age, systolic blood pressure, HbA1c and adiponectin are described. Using a ≥35% risk threshold, all models identified a group of high risk obese women of whom approximately 50% (positive predictive value) later developed GDM, with a negative predictive value of 80%. Tools for early pregnancy identification of obese women at risk of GDM are described which could enable targeted interventions for GDM prevention in women who will benefit the most

Physiotherapy informed by Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (PACT):Protocol for a randomised controlled trial of PACT versus usual physiotherapy care for adults with chronic low back pain

INTRODUCTION: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a common condition and source of significant suffering, disability and healthcare costs. Current physiotherapy treatment is moderately effective. Combining theory-based psychological methods with physiotherapy could improve outcomes for people with CLBP. The primary aim of this randomised controlled trial (RCT) is to evaluate the efficacy of Physiotherapy informed by Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (PACT) on functioning in patients with CLBP. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The PACT trial is a two-armed, parallel-group, multicentre RCT to assess the efficacy of PACT in comparison with usual physiotherapy care (UC). 240 patients referred to physiotherapy with CLBP will be recruited from three National Health Service (NHS) hospitals trusts. Inclusion criteria are: age ≥18 years, CLBP ≥12-week duration, scoring ≥3 points on the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) and adequate understanding of spoken and written English to participate. Patients will be randomised to PACT or UC (120 per arm stratified by centre) by an independent randomisation service and followed up at 3 and 12 months post randomisation. The sample size of 240 will provide adequate power to detect a standardised mean difference of 0.40 in the primary outcome (RMDQ; 5% significance, 80% power) assuming attrition of 20%. Analysis will be by intention to treat conducted by the trial statistician, blind to treatment group, following a prespecified analysis plan. Estimates of treatment effect at the follow-up assessments will use an intention-to-treat framework, implemented using a linear mixed-effects model. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This trial has full ethical approval (14/SC/0277). It will be disseminated via peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. The results will enable clinicians, patients and health service managers to make informed decisions regarding the efficacy of PACT for patients with CLBP. TRIAL REGISTRATION: number ISRCTN95392287; Pre-results

Implementing Health Sciences After-School Programming for Mississippi High School Students: the Impact of Social Determinants of Health

Corresponding author (Pharmacy Administration): Saara Nasruddin, [email protected]://egrove.olemiss.edu/pharm_annual_posters_2022/1013/thumbnail.jp

Inspiring Minds, Exploring Science with Project SCORE Curriculum

Corresponding author (Pharmacy Administration): Tess Johnson, [email protected]://egrove.olemiss.edu/pharm_annual_posters_2022/1009/thumbnail.jp

A survey of tuberculosis infection control practices at the NIH/NIAID/DAIDS-supported clinical trial sites in low and middle income countries.

BACKGROUND: Health care associated transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) is well described. A previous survey of infection control (IC) practices at clinical research sites in low and middle income countries (LMIC) funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) conducting HIV research identified issues with respiratory IC practices. A guideline for TB IC based on international recommendations was developed and promulgated. This paper reports on adherence to the guideline at sites conducting or planning to conduct TB studies with the intention of supporting improvement. METHODS: A survey was developed that assessed IC activities in three domains: facility level measures, administrative control measures and environmental measures. An external site monitor visited each site in 2013-2014, to complete the audit. A central review committee evaluated the site-level survey and results were tabulated. Fisher\u27s exact test was performed to determine whether there were significant differences in practices at sites that had IC officers versus sites that did not have IC officers. Significance was assessed at