Building the Capacity of African Health Sciences Librarians in the Development and Conduct of Systematic Reviews: The Initiative of African Medical Librarians

While African health sciences librarians’ role as expert searchers is widely recognized, they have much more to contribute to supporting the development and conduct of systematic reviews. Research evidence has indicated that the librarians rarely participate in the development and conduct of systematic reviews because they are either not called upon to be part, or do not have the skills to participate. Moreover, few librarians who have participated are from outside Africa. Keeping this in mind, the Network of African Medical Librarians (NAML) conducted a pre-AHILA Conference training workshop to introduce participants, specifically the librarians, to the systematic review process. The regional conference for health librarians took place in Ibadan, Nigeria from 14-18 October 2019. This paper evaluates the impact of training of African health sciences librarians in the conduct of systematic reviews. Participants' evaluation feedback was collected using pre and post-training surveys. A mixed-method was employed to gather and analyze both quantitative and qualitative data. The results indicated that the main barriers to librarians’ participation in systematic reviews were lack of skills due to insufficient training and lack of time. This paper is expected to encourage the librarians to advocate for further skills development, in addition to their normal information searching roles. Their participation in the systematic review process would make them, not just relevant but dependable collaborators of systematic review teams, as they participate in improving systematic review reporting

Present conditions of evidence-based practices among nursing and midwifery professionals in Tanzania

Objectives: This study was performed to evaluate nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding evidence-based practice（ EBP） in Tanzania. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire survey regarding EBP was conducted among nurses working in Muhimbili University Hospital, which is a teaching hospital, and three other non-teaching hospitals from October to December 2016. The questionnaire consisted of 10 measures regarding EBP in addition to demographic characteristics and EBP training experience. Results: A total of 143 nurses participated in the questionnaire survey regarding EBP, and 131 completed questionnaires without missing data were included in the analysis. Nurses working inMuhimbili University Hospital were more likely to receive EBP training than those working in the other institutions （chi-square test, P = 0.015）. Recognition of the importance of receiving EBP （P = 0.019）, frequency of using print information resources（ P = 0.009）, and frequency of using electronic resources （P = 0.001） were significantly higher among nurses with EBP training. Nurses with EBP training experience reported the use of greater numbers of research articles as well as printed and electronic resources for EBP. EBP training for nurses may improve the capacity for research using appropriateresources and access for EBP. Conclusion: EBP training programs should be targeted toward nurses with a diploma, those not workingin Muhimbili University Hospital, and those without EBP training. The concerns of nurse managers and/or supervisors should also be addressed to achieve EBP among staff nurses in clinical settings

Social media and professional networking: a case of information professionals in the SCECSAL region

The purpose of the study was to establish the extent to which library and information professionals in the Standing Conference of Eastern, Central and Southern Africa Library and Information Associations (SCECSAL) region are using social media applications for professional networking. The findings show that although the professionals are adopting social media applications, its use is more for social networking than professional networking purposes. Among those using the applications for professional networking, Social Networking Services (i.e. Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+ and MySpace) are their first choice applications; with Facebook being the most popular. They study also revealed that most of the professionals had taught themselves how to use social media. The major challenge faced in the use of social media was the lack of time in the effective use of the applications. The paper recommends that to enhance the use of social media for professional networking, social media must be integrated into individual networking activities and that library and information professionals and associations in the region should embrace social media applications

Assessment of the use of information and communication technology in the improvement of performance and efficiency in the banking sector: a case study of the National Micro Finance Bank (NMB) Dar es Salaam

This paper examines the extent of ICT usage and application in banking institutions and the extent to which ICT has improved efficiency and performance in the National Microfinance Bank (NMB) in Dar es Salaam region. Findings of this paper revealed that ICT has improved performance, efficiency and record keeping in aspects like fast access to customer information and to some extent, its retrieval. However, there are shortcomings also which the study revealed like lack of technical service support, power failures and interruptions as well as inadequate IT facilities particularly in the bank branches. Based on the findings, it is recommended that NMB should identify critical training needs and invest in staff training to ensure that they have up to date IT skills and knowledge about relevant software in order to cope with software changes as well as competitions. Furthermore, in order to stand competition in its branches, the NMB should invest in ICT hardware and software in branches rather than concentrating on the headquarters only. University of Dar es Salaam Library Journal Vol. 7(2) 2005: 27-4

Present conditions of evidence-based practices among nursing and midwifery professionals in Tanzania

Objectives: This study was performed to evaluate nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding evidence-based practice（ EBP） in Tanzania. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire survey regarding EBP was conducted among nurses working in Muhimbili University Hospital, which is a teaching hospital, and three other non-teaching hospitals from October to December 2016. The questionnaire consisted of 10 measures regarding EBP in addition to demographic characteristics and EBP training experience. Results: A total of 143 nurses participated in the questionnaire survey regarding EBP, and 131 completed questionnaires without missing data were included in the analysis. Nurses working in Muhimbili University Hospital were more likely to receive EBP training than those working in the other institutions （chi-square test, P = 0.015）. Recognition of the importance of receiving EBP （P = 0.019）, frequency of using print information resources（ P = 0.009）, and frequency of using electronic resources （P = 0.001） were significantly higher among nurses with EBP training. Nurses with EBP training experience reported the use of greater numbers of research articles as well as printed and electronic resources for EBP. EBP training for nurses may improve the capacity for research using appropriate resources and access for EBP. Conclusion: EBP training programs should be targeted toward nurses with a diploma, those not working in Muhimbili University Hospital, and those without EBP training. The concerns of nurse managers and/or supervisors should also be addressed to achieve EBP among staff nurses in clinical settings

Sexual violence victimisation and response among university students in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review protocol

Introduction Sexual violence (SV) is highly prevalent among university campuses across the globe, despite of several initiatives implemented to address it. Several studies have been published focusing on various aspects of SV on campuses. However, no review has been retrieved from the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Database, Cochrane Library or Ovid examining evidence synthesis on prevalence, risk factors, victims and perpetrators, policies, laws and universities responses to SV in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This review aims to map the existing literature on SV victimisation among university students in SSA, related response strategies, and identify gaps in the evidence.Methods and analysis This review will follow JBI guidelines and will be conducted from 1 July 2023 to 31 December 2023. A team of five reviewers will screen eligible documents and articles for relevance from various data sources including electronic databases such as MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Google Scholar, PubMed and websites for government and agencies. Standard information for each study will be collected and a common analytical framework for all the primary documents will be conducted.Ethics and dissemination This review will involve analysis of published data only and therefore does not require ethics approval. The results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.Registration This review has been registered with the Open Science Framework

Sexual violence victimisation and response among university students in sub-Saharan Africa : a scoping review protocol

INTRODUCTION: Sexual violence (SV) is highly prevalent among university campuses across the globe, despite of several initiatives implemented to address it. Several studies have been published focusing on various aspects of SV on campuses. However, no review has been retrieved from the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Database, Cochrane Library or Ovid examining evidence synthesis on prevalence, risk factors, victims and perpetrators, policies, laws and universities responses to SV in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This review aims to map the existing literature on SV victimisation among university students in SSA, related response strategies, and identify gaps in the evidence. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This review will follow JBI guidelines and will be conducted from 1 July 2023 to 31 December 2023. A team of five reviewers will screen eligible documents and articles for relevance from various data sources including electronic databases such as MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Google Scholar, PubMed and websites for government and agencies. Standard information for each study will be collected and a common analytical framework for all the primary documents will be conducted. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This review will involve analysis of published data only and therefore does not require ethics approval. The results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. REGISTRATION: This review has been registered with the Open Science Framework