The synergy between TB and HIV co-infection on perceived stigma in Ethiopia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The synergy between tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infection on perceived stigma is not well studied. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of TB/HIV co-infection on perceived stigma in selected hospitals of Oromiya region, Ethiopia. A cross sectional study was conducted from February to April, 2009 in Adama, Nekemet and Jimma Specialized hospitals. Data were collected by trained HIV counselors. A structured questionnaire which consisted of socio-demographic variables, clinical information, perceived stigma, and depression was used to collect the data</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>A total of 591 participants were included in the study of whom 124 (20.9%) were co-infected with TB/HIV. The stigma items were highly reliable (Cronbach's alpha = 0.93) and had strong inter dimension correlation. Respondents who were co-infected with TB and HIV were more likely to have perceived stigma compared to non-co-infected HIV patients, [OR = 1.4, (95% CI: 1.2, 2.0)]. Non-literate individuals [OR = 1.9, (95% CI: 1.2, 3.0)] and females [OR = 1.6, (95% CI: 1.2, 2.3)] had also more perceived stigma.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>TB/HIV co-infected patients, non-literate individuals and females were more likely to have high perceived stigma. Behavioral Change Communication should focus on these segments of the population to rectify the high perceived stigma.</p

PEMBUATAN KARBON AKTIF DARI TANDAN KOSONG PISANG KEPOK (Musa paradisiaca L.) DENGAN BANTUAN GELOMBANG ULTRASONIK

Syntheses of activated carbon from empty bunches of kepok banana (MusaParadisiaca L) (TKP) with ultrasonic waves have been done. The of activated carbon were made via three step, namely carbonization at 350 °C, silica extraction with NaOH, activation with H3PO4 and ultrasonic waves exposure (exposure time 30, 60, and 90 minutes). The best quality activated carbons (according to SNI 06-3730-95) were obtained from the process with ultrasonic wave exposure for 90 minute for activated carbon TKP. Respecting the best quality activated carbon TKP has 4.22 % water content, 3.67 % ash content, 17.52 % volatile matter, 74.59 % carbon content and 840.14 mg/g absorption capacity of lodium. The of activated carbon was analyzer characterized by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) showed that the pore of activated carbon was more perfectly formed and regular. Analyzer of surface area with Braunanear Elmmelt and Teller (BET) method showed surface area without exposure at TKP that is 35 m2/g with exposure of TKP that is 94 m2/g. Exposure ultrasonic&nbsp; waves increased surface area and facilitated the formation of more pores with ordered form than the non- exposure one. &nbsp; Keywords: Empty bunches banana, carbon, activated H3PO4, and ultrasonic wav

Key Determinants of Elementary School Education Policy Implementation in Border Region

The momentum of decentralization that occurred in 1998 gave hope for the improvement of the quality of education services, especially in border areas. However, although several of policy instruments have been established, some empirical studies precisely showed that hope still difficult to realize. This research aims to analyzing how key determinants of elementary school education policy implementation in border areas are operationalized, with Sekayam and Entikong Districts, Sanggau Regency, West Borneo Province as a specific locus. Qualitative approach with descriptive methods used in this research. Data collection techniques used are in-depth interviews, FGD, direct observation, and documentation, meanwhile data analysis techniques used Miles, Huberman, and Saldana models. This research finds that key determinants of elementary school education policy implementation in border areas which consists of the dimensions: design of the policy, stakeholders, context, the implementation strategy is not fully optimal. This research recommends several things such as: the government needs to increase the accessibility of better education, strengthen collaboration between the central government and local governments, strengthen planning and budgeting, and needed holistic evaluation of the application of E-Takola so that the aid mechanism provided to elementary schools in all border areas can be more effective

Collaborative Governance in Basic Education Services in Indonesia-Malaysia Border Area

This study examines the implementation of collaborative governance in essential education services in Indonesia-Malaysia's border area, in Entikong-Sekayam District, Sanggau Regency, West Kalimantan Province. It used a descriptive technique with a qualitative approach, with data collected through observation, interviews, and documentation. The data was analyzed with qualitative techniques and tested for validity by triangulation. According to the results, collaborative governance had not yet achieved desired results. This was based on several indicators, including starting conditions, facilitative leadership, institutional design, and collaborative processes. Importantly, the collaborative process involved several parties, including the government through the Ministry of Education and Culture, and the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, academics at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences of Jakarta Muhammadiyah University, and elementary school figures (school committees, principals, staff and teachers). The results showed that the government's role was not maximized, as indicated by uncertain policies and systems, overlapping authority, and inappropriate school infrastructure assistance targets. Academics actively facilitate various activities, including socialization, mentoring, workshops, and training, significantly improving education quality. Schools also operate an intense performance in mobilizing teachers to remain active amid the limitations of existing facilities and increasing their competence. Moreover, school committees also contribute ideas, energy, and materials in development, especially physical facilities. The weakness of the collaboration process in essential education services is the absence of private sector involvement

Sudarshan Kriya yoga improves quality of life in healthy people living with HIV (PLHIV): results from an open label randomized clinical trial

Background & objectives: Improving quality of life (QOL) of healthy people living with HIV (PLHIV) is critical needing home-based, long-term strategy. Sudarshan Kriya yoga (SKY) intervention is acknowledged for its positive impact on health. It is hypothesised that SKY would improve PLHIV′s QOL, justifying an evaluation. Methods: In this open label randomized controlled pilot trial, 61 adult PLHIV with CD4 count more than 400 cells/µl and Karnofsky scale score above 70 were enrolled. Those with cardiac disease, jaundice, tuberculosis, or on antiretroviral therapy/yoga intervention were excluded. All were given standard care, randomized to SKY intervention (31: I-SKY) and only standard of care in control (30: O-SOC) arms. The I-SKY participants were trained for six days to prepare for daily practice of SKY at home for 30 min. A validated 31-item WHOQOL-HIVBREF questionnaire was used to document effect in both arms from baseline to three visits at 4 wk interval. Results: Baseline QOL scores, hypertension and CD4 count were similar in both arms. An overall 6 per cent improvement of QOL scores was observed in I-SKY group as compared to O-SOC group, after controlling for baseline variables like age, gender, education and occupation ( p0 =0.016); 12 per cent for physical ( p0 =0.004), 11 per cent psychological ( p0 =0.023) and 9 per cent level of independence ( p0 =0.001) domains. Improvement in I-SKY observed at post-training and in the SKY adherence group showed increase in these two domains. Conclusions: A significant improvement in QOL scores was observed for the three health related QOL domains in SKY intervention arm. This low cost strategy improved physical and psychological state of PLHIV calling for upscaling with effective monitoring for sustainability of quality of life