Addressing Knowledge Gaps among Nurses in Health Care in Tanzania: Use of Mlearning Platforms in Tanzania

Penetration of ICT in the health system has received due attention Globally penetration of smart phones has fueled health systems to use it in bridging information gaps among Health Care workers This paper presents the end-line evaluation findings conducted in 2015 to measure the reaction and learning among the Nurse-Midwives who benefited from the Jibu mLearning project under Amref Health Africa Tanzania The study used Kirkpatrick model for levels 1 and 2 that aimed at assessing the perception and degree of learning among Nurses at work and nurses in school who were using mLearning platform The study used case and cross- sectional design with a mix of data collection methods such as self-administered interview telephone interviews and documentary review The study sites included six regions namely Dar es Salaam Kilimanjaro Tanga Mtwara Mbeya and Dodoma The regions and sites were selected based on geographical disparity and diversity of user

Procjena razloga za istodobnu upotrebu konvencionalne i računalne radiografije u dvije savezne bolnice u Maiduguriju u Saveznoj državi Borno

Objectives: To determine the rationale behind the concurrent practice of conventional and computed radiography systems in two federal hospitals and to determine the advantages and disadvantages Methodology: Fifty-one questionnaires comprising 22 items and divided into four sections were distributed to radiologists, radiographers and intern radiographers. Analysis was carried out using the Statistical package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 19.0. Chi-square was used to test the hypothesis with the significance level of p<0.05. Results: Most respondents (68.6%, n=35) agreed that the incidence of preference of one radiographic system over the other by referring physicians was the main rationale for the concurrent practice of both radiographic systems in their departments. Majority (88.2%, n=45) agreed that the main advantage of the concurrent practice of both radiographic systems was that each radiographic system could serve as backup in the event of breakdown of one system. Majority (66.7%, n=34) agreed that the main disadvantage of the concurrent practice of both radiographic systems was that it was expensive to practice and maintain both systems concurrently. Chi square value was statistically significant p<0.005. Conclusion: The major rationale was preference by referring physicians. The study revealed the advantages of the concurrent practice of both radiographic systems and the provision of a backup system in the event of break down. The disadvantage of the concurrent practice of both radiographic systems is the cost of maintenance and the incidence of undue preference of one radiographic system over another. Acknowledgement: we acknowledge the management and staff of Radiology departments of the two hospitals where the study took place.Cilj: Utvrditi razloge za istodobnu upotrebu konvencionalnog i računalnog radiografskog sustava u dvije savezne bolnice te utvrditi njihove prednosti i nedostatke. Metodologija: Radiolozima, radiološkim tehnolozima i stažistima podijeljen je 51 upitnik od 22 tvrdnje koji se sastoji od četiri dijela. Analiza je provedena primjenom Statističkog paketa za društvene znanosti (SPSS), verzija 19.0. Za testiranje hipoteze primijenjen je hi-kvadrat test s razinom značajnosti od p < 0,05. Rezultati: Većina ispitanika (68,6 %, n = 35) složila se da je liječnikova preferencija jednog radiografskog sustava glavni razlog za istodobnu upotrebu obaju radiografskih sustava na njihovim odjelima. Većina (88,2 %, n = 45) se složila da je glavna prednost istodobne upotrebe obaju radiografskih sustava da svaki od njih može poslužiti kao rezervni u slučaju kvara jednog od sustava. Većina (66,7 %, n = 34) se složila da je glavni nedostatak istodobne upotrebe obaju radiografskih sustava visok trošak primjene i održavanja dvaju sustava istodobno. Vrijednost hi-kvadrata bila je statistički značajna s p < 0,005. Zaključak: Glavni razlog za upotrebu obaju sustava bila je sklonost liječnika jednom od ta dva sustava. Istraživanje je otkrilo prednosti istodobne upotrebe obaju radiografskih sustava i osiguravanje rezervnog sustava u slučaju kvara. Nedostatak je istodobne upotrebe obaju radiografskih sustava trošak održavanja i neopravdana preferencija jednog radiografskog sustava u odnosu na drugi

Public Perception of SolidWaste Management Practices in Nigeria: Ogun State Experience

The e�ects of poor solid waste management practices in many developing countries have been identified in the literature. This study focuses on understanding the public perception and attitudes of people towards local waste management practices. Five Local Government Areas in Ogun State, Nigeria, were selected based on population, landmass, spatial location, and distribution. The study used a survey that looked into the socio-demographics, household characteristics, and standard solid waste disposal practices at the household and municipal levels. Factors such as frequency of waste collection, presence of environmental task force/protection agency, and level of e�ectiveness of such task force/agency were all investigated. The study verified the impact of people’s attitudes towards waste management, as well as the e�ects of monitoring and control on the management of waste. The results showed that significant factors such as age, income, and education levels a�ect the perceptions, practices, and attitudes of the people towards solid waste management. An average of 36.6% of the people in the selected local governments dispose of their solid wastes at open dumps, with the majority of the residents (54.4%) still with the opinion that sanitation services are too costly and should be the prerogative of the local and state governments to carry out. These outcomes resonate that more e�orts by the government and relevant stakeholders should be put into proper enforcement of environmental laws, as well as creating awareness on proper solid waste management practices in schools and public places

Asthma control and management among schoolchildren in urban Uganda: results from a cross-sectional study.

Background: Children from low- and middle-income countries have poor asthma control, mainly because of poor management. The extent of this problem in Uganda is not well known, but such information would be useful to guide policy and practice. We therefore conducted a cross-sectional study among schoolchildren with asthma in urban Uganda, to assess the level of asthma control and management. Methods: Schoolchildren aged 5-17 years were enrolled, asthma was diagnosed by the study medical team. Asthma control was assessed using the Asthma Control Test and the childhood Asthma Control Test. Data on previous asthma management was obtained using interviewer-led questionnaires. Data were analysed using multiple linear and multiple logistic regression. Results: We enrolled 561 children with asthma, of whom only 56% had ever had an asthma diagnosis. We categorised asthma as well-controlled (55.5%), partly-controlled (29.5%) and poorly-controlled (15.0%). Poor asthma control was associated with increasing age (adjusted regression coefficient [95% confidence interval], p-value: -1.07 [-1.20, -0.94], p<0.0001), concurrent allergic rhinitis (-1.33 [-2.28, -0.38], p=0.006), and city residence in early life (-1.99 [-3.69, -0.29], p=0.06). Regular use of inhaled asthma medication in the last 12 months was very low; 18.1% for salbutamol and 6.7% for inhaled corticosteroids. The main barriers to inhaled asthma medication use were lack of prescription (47.6%) and inaccurate diagnosis (38.8%). Increased inhaler use was associated with tertiary education of the fathers (adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval], p-value: 5.19 [2.39-11.28], p<0.0001), city residence in early life (4.66 [1.79-12.43], 0.002) and an asthma diagnosis prior to enrolment (11.39 [6.35-20.43], p<0.0001). Conclusions: This study confirms that children with asthma in Uganda generally have inadequate asthma control, which is attributable to poor asthma management. This could be improved through re-training of medical workers and patient education, and by increasing availability and affordability of essential asthma medications

Anti-Paraflagellar Rodc Antibodies Inhibit the In-Vitro Growth of Trypanosoma Brucei Brucei

Paraflagellar rod (PFR), a conserved structure expressed in all lifecycle stages of the order kinetoplasida except in the amastigotes is vital for the parasites survival. In T.b.brucei, the PFR protein has two major components, PFRc and PFRa with molecular mass 73kDa and 68kDa respectively. Experimental evidences implicate the PFR protein as a highly immunogenic and protective antigen. However, its immunogenic properties underlying its suitability as vaccine candidate has not been adequately investigated in-vitro. This study aimed to demonstrate the growth inhibitory potential of PFR protein against T.b.brucei parasites in–vitro. Antibodies against a recombinant form of the PFRc protein were produced and used to generate immune response. A deoxyribonucleotide (DNA) segment of approximate 672bp encoding the PFRc protein component was amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), cloned and expressed in E.coli (BL21) cells. A 200 µg portion of the purified PFRc protein mixed with 100µl Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA) was used to immunize rabbits. An antibody titre of 2.5 x 104 reciprocal dilutions was obtained following three immunisation boosts, spaced two weeks apart. Western blot analysis showed that rabbit anti-PFRc antibodies recognised specifically a 25kDa protein corresponding to the estimated size of the expressed PFRc protein. 25% of purified anti-rabbit IgG antibodies were able to inhibit ~70% T.b.brucei parasite in vitro. This confirmed that the PFRc protein is immunogenic in rabbits and can elicit specific growth inhibitory antibodies. However, we recommend invivo studies in humans and domestic animals infected by trypanosomes to ascertain the vaccine potential of this candidate protein for trypanosomiasis

Sinkhole Distribution and Density of Renault Quadrangle, Monroe County, Illinois

Relief shown by contours and spot heights"Geology based on field work by S.V. Panno, J.C. Angel, D.O. Nelson, C.P. Weibel, and J.A. Devera, 2000.""Digital cartography by J. Domier, D. Nelson, S. Geegan, and S. Radil, Illinois State Geological Survey."Includes text, 1 location map with index diagram, and 2 aerial photosIncludes bibliographical references (p. 5-6 of text

Assessment of pathogenic bacteria in water and sediment from a water reservoir under tropical conditions (Lake Ma Vallée), Kinshasa Democratic Republic of Congo

This study was conducted to assess potential human health risks presented by pathogenic bacteria in a protected multi-use lake-reservoir (Lake Ma Vallée) located in west of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Water and surface sediments from several points of the Lake were collected during summer. Microbial analysis was performed for Escherichia coli, Enterococcus (ENT), Pseudomonas species and heterotrophic plate counts. PCR amplification was performed for the confirmation of E. coli, ENT, Pseudomonas spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from samples. The results reveal low concentration of bacteria in water column of the lake, the bacterial quantification results observed in this study for the water column were below the recommended limits, according to WHO and the European Directive 2006/7/CE, for bathing water. However, high concentration of bacteria was observed in the sediment samples; the values of 2.65 × 103, 6.35 × 103, 3.27 × 103 and 3.60 × 108 CFU g−1 of dry sediment for E. coli, ENT, Pseudomonas spp. and heterotrophic plate counts, respectively. The results of this study indicate that sediments of the Lake Ma Vallée can constitute a reservoir of pathogenic microorganisms which can persist in the lake. Possible resuspension of faecal indicator bacteria and pathogens would affect water quality and may increase health risks to the population during recreational activities. Our results indicate that the microbial sediment analysis provides complementary and important information for assessing sanitary quality of surface water under tropical conditions

Tri-State Geological Field Conference

Includes bibliographical references