Epidemiology of antibiotic resistance in culture-positive hospitalized patients in selected hospitals in Khartoum, Sudan

Objective: To study the prevelence of antibiotic resistance and the prevalent bacterial isolates in hospitalized patients in Khartoum hospitals. Materials & Methods: A cross-sectional prevalence study was carried out during the period of April–November 2015 in Khartoum; 226 bacterial cultures were included. Identification of isolates using standard biochemical tests and antibiotic susceptibilities were determined using disc diffusion method. Results were interpreted according to the standards of the British society of antimicrobial chemotherapy. Results: Eight bacterial species were isolated: Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus spp., Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas spp., Escherichia coli, Proteus spp., and Acinetobacter spp. S. aureus was the most prevalent, the majority of which were resistant to methicillin/oxacillin (MRSA). Cultures in our study were mainly from urine (36.7%), blood samples (37.2%), and wound cultures (19%). More than 90% of the tested isolates were resistant to cefuroxime; 54% and 73.8% of Gram-positive and Gram-negative isolates, respectively, were resistant to ceftazidime. Furthermore, there was a high meropenem resistance among Gram-negative isolates tested. Multi-resistant Acinetobacter spp. as well as vancomycin-resistant S. aureus was isolated. Gram-negative isolates showed good susceptibilities to aminoglycosides as well as ciprofloxacin. However, the high resistance rate to these antibiotics was observed in Gram-positive isolates in these hospitals. Conclusion: Methicillin-resistant S. aureus was the most prevalent organism. Gramnegative isolates showed good susceptibilities to aminoglycosides and ciprofloxacin. There were high resistance rates to cefuroxime, ceftazidime, and meropenem. Five vancomycin-resistant S. aureus were identified

Evaluation of Resistance to Malathion and Pirimiphos Methyl in Strains of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) collected in Indonesia.

Fifty-six strains of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) collected from BULOG and commercial godowns of village co-operative units and farmers' padi storage units from many parts of Indonesia were tested for resistance to malathion and pirimiphos methyl. Forty-nine of these strains showed various degrees of resistance while seven showed a susceptible response to malathion. All the strains of T. castaneum were susceptible to pirimiphos methyl. The dominant species of Tribolium spp. in Indonesia was found to be T. castaneum (Herbst)

Insecticide Resistance in Sitophilus zeamais Mots. and Rhizopertha dominicav (F.) in Indonesia

Fourteen strains of Sitophilus zaemais and fifteen strains of Rhizopertha dominica, collected from rice warehouses andfarmers' storage facilities throughout Indonesia were tested for resistance to malathion and pirimzphos methyl. Two strains of S. zeamais showed a slightly resistant response to malathion, while all strains of this species were susceptible to pirimzphos methyl. Resistance of R. dorninica to malathion was detected in three out of the fifteen strains tested. The predominant species of Sitophilus was S. zeamais

Effects of different levels of preharvest shading on the storage quality of strawberry (Fragariax ananassaDuchesne) cv. Ostara II. chemical characteristics

To study the effects of different levels of preharvest shading (74, 58, 48, 38 and 5% of light penetration which were denoted by So' SI' S2' 53 and S4 respectively) on developing strawberry (Fragaria X ananassa Duchesne) cv. Ostara fruits, some chemical tests (pH, total soluble solids and titratable acidity) associated with fruit quality were carried out. Results showed that although the different levels of preharvest shading were found to demonstrate a significant effect on the chemical parameters studied, this could only be detected in fruits shaded by S4 and S3. However, for total soluble solids, significant interactions were observed between location of fruit and fruit type and also between storage day and fruit type

Effects of sifferent levels of preharvest shading on the storage quality of strawberry (Fragariax ananassa Duchesne) cv. Ostara I. physical characteristics

The effects of shading developing fruits up to harvest on strawberry (Fragaria X ananassa Duchesne) cv. 'Ostara ' fruit quality were studied. Plants were shaded with netting of different levels of light penetration (74,58, 48,38 and 5% which are denoted by S(J SJ' S2' S3 and S4 respectively). Results showed that effects could only be detected when plants were subjected to a very low level of light intensity, S4 . Location of fruits on the plant affected the fresh fruit weight, surface glossiness and fruit firmness significantly. Fruits shaded by leaves were heavier and able to retain surface glossiness longer than exposed fruits

Obstacles to Women Representation and Participation in Local Governance: A Case Study of Sissala East District of Ghana

The study set out to investigate the obstacles to participation of women in local governance in the Sissala East District of Ghana. It covered 56 respondents made up of 11 assembly members, 30 Unit Committee members, six women group leaders, three female candidates in the 2015 District Level Election and six Non-Governmental Organization gender desk officers. Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were employed to select the respondents.  The main instrument used to gather data was semi-structured questionnaire using interview approach. The study showed that women’s participation in local governance was low as evident by the low representation of women in local governance. The factors that contributed to low women participation included cultural and male prejudices against women, low economic empowerment of women, the low self-confidence of women, low educational levels and excessive marital obligations. The study, therefore, recommended that civic education, economic empowerment, and leadership training should be embarked upon to improve women’s participation in local governance in the district. Key words: Local governance, District assembly, women participation, obstacles

Factors Influencing Teachers Take-up of Continuing Professional Development: the Perspectives of Basic School Citizenship Education and Social Studies Teachers of Sissala West District, Ghana.

This study focused on the factors that influence take-up of CPD activities by Basic School Social Studies teachers and the relationship between teacher characteristics and teacher participation in CPD. The used of the mixed-method approach which involved two phases of quantitative and qualitative data. A total of 185 respondents were purposively sampled. Data on factors that support CPD take-up as well as the relationship between teacher characteristics and teacher participation were gathered using questionnaire and semi-structured interview. Qualitative responses were coded, categorized and analyzed into themes. Quantitative data were analyzed using frequencies and percentages. Most teachers felt that consultation, good content and organisation as well as delivery were the key factors which contributed to the success of CPD activities in the district. It could be concluded from the findings of this study that linear relationship existed between the variables (teacher qualification, teacher experience) and participation in CPDs. Keywords: Staff development, professional development, continuing professional development, participation of teachers

Prospects and Enhancing Factors of Women Representation in Local Governance in the Sissala East District of Ghana

The study set out to investigate the prospects of women participation in local governance as well as factors enhancing election and appointment of women in local governance in the Sissala East District of Ghana. Fifty-six (56) respondents made up of 11 assembly members, 30 Unit Committee members, six women group leaders, three female candidates in the 2015 District Level Election and six Non-Governmental Organization gender desk officers. Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used to select the respondents.  The main instrument used to gather data was semi-structured questionnaire using interview approach. The study revealed that the majority (76.8%) of the respondents were in favor of more women participation in local governance. Also, the majority (71.4%) of the respondents reported that female candidates had lower chances of getting elected as assembly members than their male counterparts. Factors that could enhance the election of female candidates were adequate financial resources for embarking on electoral campaign, party affiliation, experience and competence, active campaign and strong campaign message and educational qualification level. Similarly, the factors that appointing authority take in consideration when appointing female assembly members included party affiliation, experience and capability,  educational qualification, choice by local chiefs and elders, gender balance and ethnicity. Keywords: decentralisation, district assembly, women participatio