The Transit Phase of Migration: Circulation of Malaria and Its Multidrug-Resistant Forms in Africa

In the third article in a six-part <I>PLoS Medicine</I> series on Migration & Health, Cally Roper and Caroline Lynch use a case study of migration and anti-malarial drug resistance in Uganda to discuss the specific health risks and policy needs associated with the transit phase of migration

Food security and nutrition in coconut based-households: A case study of Nvuma, Ghana

A food security and nutrition survey was conducted in 2005 on 25 coconut-based households at Nvuma and its environs, a typical coconut growing community in the Nzema East District of the Western Region, Ghana. The objective was to understand the concepts, determinants and consequences of food insecurity and hunger, as core indicators of nutrition, for future programme planning and implementation. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire administered through face-to-face interview. The mother in the household was the main respondent. The survey indicated a mean family size of seven. Majority of the respondents affirmed that there is food insecurity and nutrition is under threat. The children too have no access to a balanced diet. Adults cope with their food insecure conditions by borrowing money to buy or credit food, ateless per meal, skipping meals, substitute commonly eaten food with cheaper ones and ate the same kind of food or even going without food for a day or more. Some of them have taken up backyard gardening by planting cassava, plantain and vegetables to enhance their intake of coconut and oil palm products. Other food products such as milk and milk products, snacks, beef, etc are either eaten monthly or not at all. This reflects the poverty level in the community. Increased food production and availability in the market does not necessarily ensure food securityor improved nutrition to the individuals or at the household level as it may not be accessed by hunger-affected individuals or households

Commercial Property Insurance in Ghana: a case study of Accra and Kumasi

The article focuses on a study which examines the commercial property insurance sector in Ghana, specifically in Accra and Kumasi. Topics discussed include the critical decisions that must be taken by companies about risk management, the selected provisions of the Ghana Insurance Act of 2006, and a comparison of the life and non-life insurance in the country from 2007-2013

From university-to-work : an in-depth exploration into the transition journey of graduates with sensory disabilities in Ghana

The importance of planned and supported transition processes for persons with impairments to move from one education institution to another, or from education to employment, cannot be overemphasised. In the Ghanaian context, while some attention has been given to the experiences of individuals with disabilities and their participation in universities, less attention has been paid to their transition journey to work. In this study, 27 persons with hearing and visual impairments were recruited to delve into their experiences. A semi-structured interview guide was developed and data were collected via face-to-face, virtual and telephone interviews, as well as focus group discussions. The results showed a lack of transition programmes for persons with sensory impairments who participated in the study. Also, participants were reluctant to disclose their impairments status when applying for employment. The study limitations, recommendations for future research and policy implications are discussed in detail

Perceptions of young adults on the critical success factors of the build-to-rent housing model in Sydney, Australia

Amid Australia’s surging house prices, rental housing has become the safety net for young adults experiencing housing stress. The attention of policymakers is drawn towards the build-to-rent (BTR) housing model, a growing housing option for many young Australian adults. Although BTR’s integration into Australia’s housing and planning landscape is unfolding, the perception of young adults is lacking in policy reforms for this growing industry. This study examines the perspectives of young adults aged 18 to 34 years on the critical success factors (CSFs) of the BTR housing provision in Australia. The responses are analysed using an explanatory factor analysis, relative importance index, and ANOVA. Our findings show a critically low awareness of BTR among young adults in Australia. Respondents, between 18 and 24 years, are most concerned with public awareness, an indication of their desire for transparency and engagement in decision making at the policy level. Young adults rank regulation and government policy interventions as the most important CSF of BTR housing. This shows that they are more concerned about the affordability of BTR houses. This study concludes that young adults’ viewpoints on BTR are important in ongoing policy reforms. There is a need to ensure that this asset class is accessible and affordable to this target group

Application of 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing To Identify Bordetella hinzii as the Causative Agent of Fatal Septicemia

We report on the first case of fatal septicemia caused by Bordetella hinzii. The causative organism exhibited a biochemical profile identical to that of Bordetella avium with three commercial identification systems (API 20E, API 20 NE, and Vitek GNI+ card). However, its cellular fatty acid profile was not typical for either B. avium or previously reported strains of B. hinzii. Presumptive identification of the patient's isolate was accomplished by traditional biochemical testing, and definitive identification was achieved by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Phenotypic features useful in distinguishing B. hinzii from B. avium were production of alkali from malonate and resistance to several antimicrobial agents