Emerging infectious disease preparedness and response in healthcare: perspectives from COVID-19 and the role of College-Learnt Microbiology

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic began in December 2019 in Wuhan City China where it is believed to have been transmitted to humans from an unknown animal species. The public health, social and economic impact of the pandemic world over is detrimental. Health care providers at the frontline in the fight against COVID-19 are at the greatest risk of infection and so far, many have been infected and some have already died from the disease. Thus, it is imperative that healthcare providers have adequate knowledge of infectious diseases and microbial pathogens to comprehend the scale of risk for better recognition and response. Microbiological concepts of infection prevention and control, hand hygiene and aseptic techniques are essential in slowing down the spread of the virus. COVID-19 has proven that infectious agents can emerge from any region in the world and can spread rapidly with ominous consequences to all humanity. This narrative review discusses the role of college-learnt microbiology in health care provider preparedness for emerging infectious diseases in light of the current pandemic. Keywords: Emerging; Infections; Preparedness; Response; Microbiology; COVID-19; Trainin

The Effectiveness of Customer-Centric Approach in Understanding Tourist Behaviour: Selected Tour Companies in Arusha, Tanzania

Experience shows that the best way to attract and keep customers is by responding positively to their preferences. The best solution is to understand customer needs and behaviour. Customer-centric approach is predicted on successful understanding and management of customer preferences. However, there is no credible information on the effectiveness of this approach, especially in the East African tourist market. This study examined effectiveness of the approach in understanding tourist behaviour. It specifically assessed influence of customer preferences management and customer-business alignment on tourist behaviour. Out of 446 tour companies licensed in 2018 in Arusha, Tanzania, 210 were randomly selected and studied. Key respondents were sales/marketing managers purposively selected from the samples. The study adopted a quantitative research approach where a semi-structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis and multiple regression for hypothesis testing Findings show that the approach was significantly effective in understanding tourist behaviour (p < 0.001; r = 0.984) through customer preferences management (r = 0.334) as well as customer-business alignment both internally (r = 0.464) and externally (r = 0.318). This study recommends automation of tour operators’ business practices focusing on understanding and addressing new tourist expectation

The Effect of Rehabilitation on Nutritional Status of Alcohol Dependent Males in Nairobi, Kenya

Background: Habitual alcohol consumption leads to alcohol dependency which is associated with significant nutritional, medical, economical, and social risks. This has become a major public health issue globally both in developed and developing countries. The main objective of the study was to determine the effect of rehabilitation on nutritional status of alcohol dependent males in Nairobi Place and Mathari hospital in Nairobi, Kenya. Methodology: This was an experimental (Pre-post) study design of 57 rehabilitated alcohol dependent males recruited for the study within one week of admission and re-assessed after four weeks. Semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect data on social-demographic characteristics. A food frequency questionnaire was used to collect information on food consumed. Chi-square test of association, T-test and multivariate logistic regression were employed in the analysis. All the analysis was done using SPSS V.16.0 for windows and results were considered significant at 5% ?- level. Results: The proportion of under-nutrition before and after rehabilitation at Nairobi place was 10% and 5% respectively (?2=0.604, p=0.865). Mathari had 16.2% and 8.1% underweight before and after rehabilitation respectively (?2=1.349, p=0.592). In the first encounter Nairobi place and Mathari hospital, nutrient inadequacies were high in vitamin C at 80% and 61.9%; zinc at 67.4% and 79.8%; folate at 80% and 49.7% respectively. In the second encounter Nairobi place provided food with adequate nutrients while Mathari hospital food was inadequate in folate, Vitamin A and Vitamin C at probabilities of 100%, 100%, and 93% respectively. Socio-demographic characteristics and diseases were not significantly associated with under nutrition (p>0.05). Conclusion: Alcohol was the cause of under-nutrition in both centers as other factors were not significantly associated with under-nutrition. Rehabilitation play a role in the nutrition status and recovery of alcohol dependent males. The Government and program managers need to consider and place emphasis nutrition in alcohol and drug rehabilitation programs. Keywords: Alcohol dependence, Rehabilitation, Nutritio

Research Paradigms: Theory and Practice

This paper reflects on the ontological, epistemological and methodological underpinnings of the two major research approaches i.e the quantitative and the qualitative approaches. Their differences, occasioned by these philosophical foundations are discussed and practical implications examined. It is our view that this paper will have positive impact on the work of researchers and students undertaking courses in research studies. Key words: Research paradigms, ontology, epistemology, methodology, quantitative, qualitativ

Information Technology Innovation and Organizational Policy: Implications on Employee Privacy

Issues relating to workplace privacy and how organizations address privacy have sparked a lot of public debate in recent years. Research reveals that potential employers have exploited employees seeking job opportunities by asking information to do with: disclosure of confidential information about the past employer’s work, financial background, and family intimate issues not relevant to the job being sought among others. This paper establishes the implications of information technology innovation on organization policies with emphasis on employees’ privacy. The study was done in two organizations and it adapted a case study approach. Data was collected from 74 respondents using questionnaires. Respondents were sampled using purposive technique. Frequency distribution tables were used in data presentation followed by discussions. The findings of this study are critical in informing the policy makers in organizations on procedures and strategies of inclusive policy formulation and implementation as well as provide HR managers with insight on managing privacy issues in dynamic organizational setups. Key words: Employees’ Privacy policy, Information Technology, Surveillanc

Determination of Major Ion Concentration and Ionic Strength of Saline Water: A Case Study of Lakes; Nakuru, Bogoria-Kenya and Nata Saltpan Sanctuary –Botswana

Lakes Nakuru, Bogoria and Nata salt pan are of great ecological and economic importance. They are home to one of the world’s renowned bird sanctuaries with over 400 bird species, lesser flamingoes and breeding ground for a host of water birds including pelicans and flamingoes. These aquatic ecosystems are however; threatened by environmental pollution mainly due to anthropogenic activities in the catchment basins. The current study therefore, sought to determine the concentration of individual ions of saline waters and ionic strength in Lake Nakuru, Lake Bogoria (Kenya) and Nata Saltpan Sanctuary (Botswana) so as to form the baseline information for periodic monitoring and remediation of such aquatic saline systems amid the environmental pollution. Identification of individual dissolved ions can also be used as an indicator of the source of pollution. Samples were collected during the dry season by stratified sampling technique using Van Dorn Sampler. Water temperatures were generally high and consistent with the ambient air temperatures and pH values were 10.55±0.09, 10.15±0.18 and 9.97±0.33 for Nakuru, Bogoria and Nata saltpan respectively. Mean conductivity of values of 47.77±0.78, 62.50±0.37 and 12.79±0.33 were recorded for Lakes Nakuru, Bogoria and Nata saltpans respectively. Cation concentration were dominated by Na+ followed by K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ and significant amount of trace anions in Lake Nakuru, Bogoria and Nata saltpan. Ionic strength for lakes Nakuru, Bogoria and Nata saltpan waters was 0.166, 0.195 and 0.059 M respectively. The findings of the study showed high level of ions in lakes Nakuru and Bogoria compared to Nata Saltpan. This was attributed to high agricultural and industrial activities in the catchment area. Key Words: Salinity, Conductivity, Ionic strength, Pollution, Water

Rectal dihydroartemisinin versus intravenous quinine in the treatment of severe malaria: A randomised clinical trial

Objective: To compare the clinical efficacy and safety of rectal dihydroartemisinin (DATM- Cotecxin) and intravenous quinine in the treatment of severe malaria in children and adults.Setting: Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Eldoret, Kenya between July and November1998.Patients: A total of sixty seven patients aged two to sixty years with severe malaria were studied.Design: This was an open randomised comparative clinical trial.Outcome measures: These were parasite clearance time, fever clearance time, efficacy and the side effect profile of the two drugs.Results: The two groups were comparable on admission on the clinical and laboratory parameters. The parasite clearance time was shorter in the rectal DATM group than quinine group. There was no statistical difference on the fever clearance time and cure rates in thetwo groups. The adverse reaction profile was better with rectal DATM than with quinine, tinnitus observed more in the quinine group.Conclusion: Rectal DATM is faster in parasite clearance than quinine and is a safe and convenient alternative to quinine in the treatment of severe malaria

TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND HUMAN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT IN 21 ST CENTURY ORGANIZATIONS

ABSTRACT Given the complex nature and competitive environment under which organizations operate in, human capital management, performance management and change management initiatives can be very complex and challenging endeavours. This paper discusses transformational style of leadership and its contribution to management in modern organizations. In so doing, a brief comparison between transformational and transactional leadership is given. The paper goes ahead to suggest transformational leadership as the most appropriate leadership style to be adopted in the modern organizations and societies as it is most compatible with the uncertainties, challenges and perplexities of the 21 st century

Evaluation of the Performance of Routine Information System Management (PRISM) framework: evidence from Uganda

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Sound policy, resource allocation and day-to-day management decisions in the health sector require timely information from routine health information systems (RHIS). In most low- and middle-income countries, the RHIS is viewed as being inadequate in providing quality data and continuous information that can be used to help improve health system performance. In addition, there is limited evidence on the effectiveness of RHIS strengthening interventions in improving data quality and use. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of the newly developed Performance of Routine Information System Management (PRISM) framework, which consists of a conceptual framework and associated data collection and analysis tools to assess, design, strengthen and evaluate RHIS. The specific objectives of the study are: a) to assess the reliability and validity of the PRISM instruments and b) to assess the validity of the PRISM conceptual framework.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Facility- and worker-level data were collected from 110 health care facilities in twelve districts in Uganda in 2004 and 2007 using records reviews, structured interviews and self-administered questionnaires. The analysis procedures include Cronbach's alpha to assess internal consistency of selected instruments, test-retest analysis to assess the reliability and sensitivity of the instruments, and bivariate and multivariate statistical techniques to assess validity of the PRISM instruments and conceptual framework.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Cronbach's alpha analysis suggests high reliability (0.7 or greater) for the indices measuring a promotion of a culture of information, RHIS tasks self-efficacy and motivation. The study results also suggest that a promotion of a culture of information influences RHIS tasks self-efficacy, RHIS tasks competence and motivation, and that self-efficacy and the presence of RHIS staff have a direct influence on the use of RHIS information, a key aspect of RHIS performance.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The study results provide some empirical support for the reliability and validity of the PRISM instruments and the validity of the PRISM conceptual framework, suggesting that the PRISM approach can be effectively used by RHIS policy makers and practitioners to assess the RHIS and evaluate RHIS strengthening interventions. However, additional studies with larger sample sizes are needed to further investigate the value of the PRISM instruments in exploring the linkages between RHIS data quality and use, and health systems performance.</p

Seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies in Kenyan blood donors.

The spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in Africa is poorly described. The first case of SARS-CoV-2 in Kenya was reported on 12 March 2020, and an overwhelming number of cases and deaths were expected, but by 31 July 2020, there were only 20,636 cases and 341 deaths. However, the extent of SARS-CoV-2 exposure in the community remains unknown. We determined the prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G among blood donors in Kenya in April-June 2020. Crude seroprevalence was 5.6% (174 of 3098). Population-weighted, test-performance-adjusted national seroprevalence was 4.3% (95% confidence interval, 2.9 to 5.8%) and was highest in urban counties Mombasa (8.0%), Nairobi (7.3%), and Kisumu (5.5%). SARS-CoV-2 exposure is more extensive than indicated by case-based surveillance, and these results will help guide the pandemic response in Kenya and across Africa