Perceptions and attitudes of radiographers in Malawi towards performing barium enema procedures

Abstract: Malawi is currently experiencing a severe shortage of radiologists. This shortage affects service delivery to patients. Radiographers currently only assist radiologists to perform special procedures where needed. This shortage of radiologists stimulated the role extension of radiographers. Radiography role extension has been realised in many countries where radiographers are performing procedures that are not in their scope of practice, like intravenous injections, barium enemas and even reporting on radiographs. In Malawi no feasibility study has been undertaken to explore different areas in which radiographers can extend their roles. One such role is performing barium enema procedures. Based on the conceptualisation of the research problem, the study question that was answered is: ‘What are the attitudes and perceptions of Malawian radiographers towards performing barium enema procedures as a role extension?’ The aim of this quantitative, descriptive research approach was to explore the attitudes and perceptions of Malawian radiographers towards performing barium enema procedures as an extension of their current role, consequently enhancing their career pathways. A quantitative, descriptive research approach was employed for this study. Radiographers from the four selected referral central hospitals in Malawi were invited to participate in this study. The population for this study included registered radiographers from the selected hospitals in Malawi. A purposeful sampling method was used to select 81 participants. Eighty-one questionnaires were administered and 45 were returned, which is a 56% response rate. Data was collected using an adapted questionnaire based on the reference from existing questionnaires. The questionnaire used both closed and open-ended questions. Data was analyzed through descriptive statistical data using IBM SPSS. Descriptive statistical data analysis is often used to describe and summarize the basic features of the data in the study. The data was presented in frequencies, percentages, and chi-squares. The findings of the study suggested that there was a statistical significance in radiographer perceptions in the two main categories surveyed. Radiographer perceptions remain mere static in Malawi whilst radiographers are still regarded as v assistants at barium enema procedures. The insight gained in this study will contribute to the lack of available quantitative data related to perceptions and attitudes of radiographers towards performing barium enema procedures. This study was limited by the instrument used (questionnaire), as it was adopted from other existing studies, hence it could not generate real innovations to the researcher as well as the results gathered. The study focussed on only central hospitals, one at each region of Malawi, hence it was not possible to generalise the results of other hospitals.M.Tech. (Radiography

La prima parte del general trattato di numeri, et misure

Con: La seconda parte del general trattato di numeri, et misure / di Nicolo Tartaglia. In Vinegia : per Curtio Troiano de i Nauò, 1556Marca tipográfica en portadaSign.: [asterisco]6, A-Z6, AA-XX6, ZZ8Portada con retrato xilográfico del autorEscudo xilográfico de "Ricardo Ventvorth" en [asterisco]2Iniciales ornadas grabada

La seconda parte del general trattato di numeri et misure

Con: La prima parte del general trattato di numeri, et misure / di Nicolo Tartaglia. In Vinegia : Curtio Troiano de i Nauò, 1556Marca tipográfica en portadaSign.: [asterisco]4, A-Z6, aa-hh6Portada con retrato xilográfico del autorTexto con apostillas marginalesIniciales ornadas grabadasTexto de las tablas a dos columna

The relationship between training farmers in agronomic practices and diet diversification: a case study from an intervention under the Scaling Up Nutrition programme in Zambia

Abstract Background Agricultural production systems are a sustainable way of providing nutritious and diversified foods especially among rural households in developing countries. Capacity building of farmers and extension workers through training on agricultural and nutrition-related topics is one of the ways to improvements in agricultural productivity. However, a few studies have shown there is a link between training in agronomic practices and crop diversification and the effect this relationship has on diet diversity. Therefore, this study was carried out in Zambia in four districts and within those districts intervention (N = 348) areas were compared to nonintervention sites (N = 194) using an individual household questionnaire to investigate the effectiveness of training sessions that were conducted under the Most 1000 Critical Days program, the scaling up of nutrition on farm production diversity and diet diversity at household level. Results The results show that there were significant differences in the proportion of farmer households that grew different types of crops (P < 0.001). The incorporation of legumes such as soybean, groundnut and beans into crop production may enrich household diets with essential macro- and micronutrients. Results further indicate that training on agronomic practices was associated with increased productivity and diversification of production and dietary intake. Conclusion This study has shown that targeted interventions aimed at increasing food crop production and dietary diversity have the potential to improve food production and dietary diversity. These findings reinforce the premise that crop diversification has a positive correlation with diet quality. Similarly, training farmers on food production, processing and dietary diversification is critical not only in improving agronomic practices but also the diet of farmers