Disability Profile and Accessibility Limitations among Persons with Physical Disability in Nigeria

Purpose: To evaluate disability profile and accessibility limitations among Persons Living with Disabilities (PLWDs) in Nigeria. Methods: 61 PLWDs (44 men, 17 women) consented for this study. World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0, Facilitators and Barriers Survey for People with Mobility Limitations version 2, Barthel Index, and Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Questionnaires were used to obtain data on physical disability profile, level of access barriers, activities of daily living and quality of access to health care respectively. A proforma was used to collect information on socio-demographic characteristics. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Alpha level set at p< 0.05. Results: Prevalence of mobility, visual and hearing impairments were 60.7%, 21.3% and 6.6% respectively, There was a 11.5% rate of functional limitation while mild difficulty with cognition and life activities were reported among 96.7% and 65.6% of the respondents. 24.6% of the respondents had partial mobility dependence. There was low quality of access to health care (67.2%), high access barrier to home environment (73.8%) and transportation (93.4%). Conclusion: The PLWDs have high mobility impairment and face barriers in accessing healthcare, transportation and environment

Occurrence and pattern of disability in rural settings in Nigeria

Background and objectives: Disability is a major public health problem in the developing countries. Yet studies and census reports from developing countries provide insufficient information on disability profiles. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess occurrence, patterns and socio-demographic correlates of disability in selected rural settings in Nigeria. Materials and methods: This house to house cross-sectional survey was conducted among 200 residents in Moro and Edunabon communities in Ife North Local Government Area, Osun State, Nigeria. Disability was classified according to the World Health Organization International classification with criteria based on functional limitation. Households were considered as the Primary Sampling Unit (PSU) in this study. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for the analysis of the data obtained. The alpha level was set at p< 0.05. Results: The total occurrence of disability was 16%. Visual disability was the most prevalent (6%) and it was significantly associated with age (χ2=11.702; p= 0.010).  The recorded locomotor, mental, speech and hearing disabilities constituted 5%, 2%, 1% and 2% respectively of the total population surveyed. The overall occurrence was found to be higher among males and the middle-aged group (31-50) and significantly correlated with low socioeconomic status. There was a significant association between visual impairment and age (χ 2=11.702; p= 0.010); hearing disability and marital status (χ2=21.747; p= 0.003); as well as mental disability and marital status (χ2=21.747; p= 0.003). Conclusion: A high occurrence of disability was identified among rural residents in Nigeria, especially among males, those with low socio-economic status, those educated up to secondary school, unemployed and married partners. Visual disability, followed by locomotor disability, is the most common type. It is related to age, while marital status significantly correlates with hearing and mental disability

Attitude, perception, and knowledge of occupational therapy and physiotherapy students about each other’s professions

Purpose: This study sought to assess attitudes, mutual perceptions, and knowledge of each other’s professional roles as obtained from occupational therapy (OT) and physiotherapy (PT) students. Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out among OT and PT students in a Nigerian university. Fifty-six copies of a revised questionnaire were used as the survey instrument, all of which were returned fully completed. The data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation, frequencies, and inferential statistics of chi-square tests. Alpha level was set at p<0.05. Results: Fewer PT students (16.7%) demonstrated good knowledge of the scope of OT, while 64.3% of OT students showed good knowledge of PT. There was a 100% positive attitude from both sets of students towards each other’s profession. 11.9% of the PT and 28.6% of the OT students perceived the two professions as being in direct competition. There was a significant difference between the PT and OT students surveyed in the knowledge of the other profession (χ2 = 11.842, p = 0.001).  Conclusion: More OT students were familiar with PT than PT students with OT. Both OT and PT students declared positive attitudes towards the other profession, with a minority in either group representing the view that the two professions are in direct competition

BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE TRANSFORMATION THROUGH AI AND DATA ANALYTICS

This paper delves into the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Analytics in the realm of Business Intelligence (BI), marking a significant shift in the landscape of business decision-making and strategic planning. The study's purpose was to comprehensively explore the evolution of BI, underscored by the integration of AI and advanced data analytics, and to project the future trajectory of these technologies within the business context. Adopting a systematic literature review as its methodology, the study meticulously analyzed a wide array of scholarly articles and industry reports. This approach facilitated a deep understanding of the historical development of BI, the current synergy between AI, Data Analytics, and BI, and the emerging trends shaping their future. The inclusion and exclusion criteria for sources were rigorously applied to ensure the relevance and quality of the information gathered. The findings of the study highlighted a paradigm shift from traditional data processing methods to AI-driven predictive analytics, significantly enhancing the efficiency, accuracy, and predictive capabilities of BI tools. This evolution has redefined business operations, offering unprecedented insights and fostering more informed decision-making processes. Conclusively, the study posits that the integration of AI and Data Analytics into BI is a fundamental, rather than a transient, shift in business operations. It recommends further exploration into the ethical implications of AI in BI, the development of user-friendly AI tools for non-technical users, and an examination of the long-term impacts of AI-driven BI across various industries. The study's classical and engaging tone aims to captivate and inform a diverse audience, from academic researchers to industry practitioners. Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Business Intelligence, Data Analytics, Predictive Analytics