Religiosity, Parental Support, and Formal Volunteering Among Teenagers

Few countries can boast of having the culture of volunteering seen in the United States. In explaining this phenomenon, many empirical studies have found religiosity significant in predicting volunteering behaviors among young adults, adults, and the elderly. However, teens (13 – 17 years) have not attracted much attention from researchers, though they possess the time and resources most needed to volunteer. Using data from the National Study on Youth and Religion (NSYR) Wave 1, this study examines the relationship between volunteering and teens’ private (religious salience and religious experience) and collective religiosity (religious tradition, church attendance, and youth group participation). Parental variables and teen demographics are also tested using a three-stage ordinal logistic regression. Regarding individual religiosity, the results suggested a significant relationship between teens’ religious experiences and volunteering. In addition, parents can induce volunteering by encouraging their teens to volunteer and participate in religious youth groups

Optimisation of the Transesterification Stage of Biodiesel Production using statistical methods

The present research examines solely the transesterification stage of the biodiesel production process. Six process variables that affect the yield of biodiesel at this stage are examined using the 12 run Plackett-Burman Design. To study the effect of FFA[1] and to replicate real life situations where oil (feedstock) contain varying amounts of FFA, linoleic acid is used as FFA and intentionally added to high oleic acid canola oil containing less than 0.07% FFA. The process is catalyzed with potassium carbonate and evaluated at varying temperatures, stirring rates, reaction times and methanol oil ratios. The yields at the end of these reactions are measured and the active factors determined with the PB[2] design in Minitab software. At the end of the experimental design, it was found that the FFA amount affects the yield of biodiesel the most and methanol-oil ratio the least for the range of values studied. The Box-Behnken method was then applied in optimising the amount of free fatty acid, the amount of catalyst and the stirring speed. The relationship between the yield and the three (3) factors was determined using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and subsequently optimised. The optimised factor combination for a percentage yield greater than 98% was found for a 1 hour reaction to be 0.5 g FFA, 400 rpm stirring speed and 4 g catalyst at 60˚C temperature and 6:1 methanol-oil ratio. [1] FFA refers to Free Fatty Acid [2] PB = Plackett-Burman Desig

Monitoring Antiretroviral Therapy in HIV-Infected Children in Resource-Limited Countries: A Tale of Two Epidemics

Twenty-nine years into the HIV epidemic, several advances have been made; however, there remain several challenges particularly with pediatric HIV in resource-limited countries. The obstacles facing pediatric antiretroviral therapy (ART) delivery in resource-limited countries are multifaceted: lack of health care infrastructure, limited availability of pediatric drug formulations, lack of early HIV diagnostic and monitoring techniques, limited manpower with expertise in pediatric HIV care, limited donor funding, and competing public health priorities with limited health care budget. In this paper, the challenges with various ART monitoring tools in resource-limited countries are discussed. Noninvasive (e.g., patient, clinical events outcome, and adherence) and invasive (e.g., immunologic and virologic) monitoring tools are discussed. Several cheap and technically less complex laboratory tests for monitoring are becoming available. Funding agencies and country programs should invest in validating the use of current technologies to optimize pediatric HIV care in resource-limited countries

Religiosity, Parental Support, and Formal Volunteering Among Teenagers

Few countries can boast of having the culture of formal volunteering seen in the United States. In explaining this phenomenon, many empirical studies have found religiosity significant in predicting behaviors among young adults, adults, and the elderly. However, teens (13 – 17 years) have not attracted much attention from researchers, though they possess the time and resources most needed to volunteer. Using data from the National Study on Youth and Religion (NSYR) Wave 1, this study examines the relationship between formal volunteering and teens’ individual (religious salience and religious experience) and collective religiosity (religious tradition, church attendance, and religious youth group participation). Parental variables and teen demographics are also tested using a three-stage ordinal logistic regression. Regarding individual religiosity, the results suggested a significant relationship between teens’ religious experiences and formal volunteering. In addition, parents can induce formal volunteering by encouraging their teens to volunteer and participate in religious youth groups

Cost effectiveness of option B plus for prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in resource-limited countries: evidence from Kumasi, Ghana.

BackgroundAchieving the goal of eliminating mother-to-child HIV transmission (MTCT) necessitates increased access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV-infected pregnant women. Option B provides ART through pregnancy and breastfeeding, whereas Option B+ recommends continuous ART regardless of CD4 count, thus potentially reducing MTCT during future pregnancies. Our objective was to compare maternal and pediatric health outcomes and cost-effectiveness of Option B+ versus Option B in Ghana.MethodsA decision-analytic model was developed to simulate HIV progression in mothers and transmission (in utero, during birth, or through breastfeeding) to current and all future children. Clinical parameters, including antenatal care access and fertility rates, were estimated from a retrospective review of 817 medical records at two hospitals in Ghana. Additional parameters were obtained from published literature. Modeled outcomes include HIV infections averted among newborn children, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), and cost-effectiveness ratios.ResultsHIV-infected women in Ghana have a lifetime average of 2.3 children (SD 1.3). Projected maternal life expectancy under Option B+ is 16.1 years, versus 16.0 years with Option B, yielding a gain of 0.1 maternal QALYs and 3.2 additional QALYs per child. Despite higher initial ART costs, Option B+ costs $785/QALY gained, a value considered very cost-effective by World Health Organization benchmarks. Widespread implementation of Option B+ in Ghana could theoretically prevent up to 668 HIV infections among children annually. Cost-effectiveness estimates remained favorable over robust sensitivity analyses.ConclusionsAlthough more expensive than Option B, Option B+ substantially reduces MTCT in future pregnancies, increases both maternal and pediatric QALYs, and is a cost-effective use of limited resources in Ghana

Memorable Health Messages and Their Influence on Health Behavior

Students encounter a lot of the health messages they perceive to be relevant. Some of health messages may stick with them for a long period of time and may be easily recalled than others, thus becoming memorable messages to them. Yet, little is known about the content and the source of college students’ memorable health messages. Thus, this study explored the features, the impact, and sources of college students’ memorable health message and whether students view their sources as credible. In addition, the present study examined health issues that students deem as salient in their memorable messages. The study found that students receive memorable health messages from medical professionals, parents, online, and teachers. Also, students used experience, educational qualifications, factual information and social values to determine the credibility of the sources. These and other findings are presented in detail in the study and recommendations are offered for future studies

A Study on the Dynamic Relationship Between Financial Development and Investment: Evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa

The relationship between financial development and investment has become the central focus for empirical studies since the emergence of endogenous growth models. Bank-based measures and Financial markets-based measures have often been used as proxies for financial development in many studies. However, results based on these proxies have often yielded different interpretations since the concept of financial development is broad and a multidimensional process. The Financial development index of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) presents a more comprehensive measure for financial development, and it is also useful for investigating financial development and other economic outcomes. Also, investment is a versatile concept since it takes on many forms and sources. We adopt the panel VAR estimation techniques to examine the endogenous relationship between financial development and investment using the Financial development index, general government investment, private investment, and foreign direct investment (FDI) as dependent variables. The study reveals that private investment has a positive endogenous relationship with financial development. Moreover, the causal relationship between financial development and private investment is bilateral. Also, financial development has a positive influence on FDI. Furthermore, the study suggests that financial development has a strongly exogenous relationship with General government investment. Keywords: Financial development index; Private investment; General government investment; Foreign direct investment; Panel VAR. DOI: 10.7176/JESD/10-14-09 Publication date:July 31st 202

ECONOMIC IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS OF CHINA’S GROWING INVESTMENTS, AID, AND INFLUENCE ON THE AFRICAN CONTINENT

This study examines whether China’s foreign direct investment (FDI) has significantly improved African economies. Although endowed with vast natural resources, many African countries are primarily underdeveloped, with a substantial number of their people living below the poverty line. To build their economies, these countries have turned to China for support over the past few decades as the conditions attached to accessing loans from the West have become increasingly unattractive. These inflows of FDIs from China, along with aid, grants, and trade agreements, have helped to open many African countries’ economies and propel infrastructure development, social impact programs, and a reduction in poverty. Yet, critics question China’s motives and point to the burden facing African countries that may struggle to repay the loans. Using a case study of Ghana and Uganda, the thesis finds that China’s FDI has generally contributed to improved living conditions of the people, but this progress is tempered by trade imbalances, mounting debt, and failure to produce projected job opportunities. For their part, the Chinese have benefited from access to the continent’s resources and new markets for their merchandise. The findings also suggest African countries continue their robust economic ties with China but reduce their dependence on China by exploring other partners and new ways to leverage Africa’s own resources to fund growth and development on the continent., Ghana ArmyMAJ, Uganda Land ForcesApproved for public release. Distribution is unlimited

Improving water quality through integrated water resources management

The Densu River supplies potable water to the more than 1 million people in Ghana. The water quality of the river deteriorated as a result of the fast-uncontrolled urbanization and improper waste management practices in the basin. The implications included high water treatment cost, loss of biodiversity, loss of livelihoods and income, high disease prevalence rate and water use conflicts. The Water Resources Commission of Ghana started implementing Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) in the basin in 2002. The major step was to establish a Densu Basin Board to coordinate activities within the basin and manage it on a holistic manner. This paper highlights the improvement in water quality as a result of activities initiated in the Densu River Basin during the past few years. The activities are ongoing; hence, the results reported here should be considered preliminary and may be enriched as new experience emerges from the Densu Basin complemented with similar interventions in other river basins

Deciphering the epidemic synergy of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) on human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection among women in sub-Saharan Africa

Background: Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 (HSV-2) is highly prevalent in regions disproportionately affected by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) epidemic. The objective of our study was to identify the risk factors of HSV-2 and HIV-1 infections and to examine the association between the two infections. Methods: The study participants were recruited through a community based cross-sectional study that was conducted from November 2002 to March 2003 in the Moshi urban district of Northern Tanzania. A two-stage sampling design was used in recruiting the study participants. Information on socio-demographics, alcohol use, sexual behaviors, and STIs symptoms were obtained. Blood and urine samples were drawn for testing of HIV-1, HSV-2 and other STIs. Results: The prevalence of HSV-2 infection among all study participants was 43%. The prevalence rate of HSV-2 among the HIV-negative and HIV-positive women was 40% and 65%, respectively. We found 2.72 times odds of having HIV-1 in an HSV-2 positive woman than in an HSV-2 negative woman. Furthermore, HIV-1 and HSV-2 shared common high-risk sexual behavior factors such as early onset of sexual debut, and testing positive for other STIs. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that HSV-2 may be both a biological and risk-associated cofactor for HIV-1 acquisition. In resource-limited countries, where both infections are prevalent efforts at symptomatic and diagnostic screening and treatment of HSV-2 should be part of HIV-1 prevention programs