Alternative Assessment and Women Education in Nigeria

Women in Nigerian Society are in most cases not seen to have been well treated. This in most cases has been attributed to cultural factors which saw the place of the woman as in the kitchen. The situation is fast changing though and in some states within Nigeria there is a preponderance of women in schools. In many states, women education centers have been established to open up educational opportunities for women folk. Very often, the emphasis have been on vocational education specialties which in most cases are mainly amenable to alternative assessment if the psychomotor outcomes they emphasis are to be realized. This paper examines the women educationprograms as presently implemented in two states in Nigeria. A sample of fifty two trainers was used as source of data collection. A questionnaire which explores the assessment processes utilized was constructed. Supervisors of two of the centers were interviewed. The data was analyzed using an interpretative norm and thick descriptions. Alternative assessment procedures used often were identified. Based on the results it was recommended that teachers in these centers should be assisted to put into practice the use of some authentic assessment techniques

The meaning-centred anorexic body: a human rights-based approach to involuntary treatment

This is a meaning centred study of the anorexic body. Its objective is to establish that anorexia nervosa is not exclusively a psychiatric condition and present a new enforceable alternative approach to the current “doctor-knows-best” treatment method which predominantly reiterates labelling and stereotyping in mental health practice. Contextual clinical narratives pose strong critical arguments reiterating that anorexia nervosa is solely due to mental illness which results to diminished autonomy, therefore, unconsented clinical interventions are within the rights of medical practitioners and not a violation of the person’s rights. This research shows that the clinical preference of disengaging with the subjective meaning underlying selfstarvation reinforces paternalistic intervention of medical practitioners to the detriment of asserting rights. Thus, this work is concerned with how to reconceptualise anorexia by meaningfully engaging and managing the anorexic body without using involuntary, coercive and forceful methods, thereby preserving their autonomous rights, best interests and subjective will. Although the current traditional approach under mental health laws is shown to produce no long-term recovery benefits or outcome for the anorexic body, Section 2 of the 1983 Mental Health Act still preserves the one-dimensional strict approach to the care and management of the anorexic body as they are detained for the treatment of both their physical and mental disorder. Through critical research and empirical work conducted in Nigeria, this thesis sustains the deconstruction of anorexia nervosa as exclusively a psychiatric disorder and enables the development of a meaning-centred anorexic body highlighting the limitation of the traditional western medical model to acknowledge the significant cultural and social dimensions that overrule anorexia nervosa. This research showed that the meaning-centred anorexic body is acknowledged and valued as a self-determining agent outside the confined spaces of the Mental Health Act, adverse and resistant to the established stereotypical boundaries and impositions of psychology, law and psychiatry. In examining Articles 3, 5 and 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), this research underpins the meaning-centred approach within a human rights based framework. It therefore establishes that human dignity and autonomous choices are integral and indispensable in creating a balanced code of medical ethics. Through critical analysis and both legal and non-legal considerations, this research identifies the meaningful emergence of a modern anorexic body removed from strict confines of the mental health laws’ universal attraction and acknowledgement of the body as a docile object that needs to be institutionally regulated, disciplined, and subjected to punishment. The main contribution of this thesis is in bringing clarity to a very conflicting area by identifying a meaning centred approach to the understanding of anorexia nervosa. A conceptualised spectrum is introduced by distinguishing the meaning-centred anorexic body thereby enhancing the realisation of self determination. In this regard, this thesis establishes the values of autonomous choices as central to dignifying the anorexics experiences, morals and choices and therefore can possess the much-required capacity to regain and retain bodily control, bodily integrity and autonomy. It is based on this independent setting that a meaningful study of anorexia nervosa can emerge, highlighting the values of individual freedom and the necessity of a human rights-based approach existing outside the traditionally modelled benevolent paternalism

Information and communication technology (ict) competencies required of business educators for the actualization of vision 2020 agenda in Nigeria

The study was aimed at finding out from business educators, the ICT competencies required of them for the actualization of vision 2020 Federal Government 7-points agenda. The study was carried among 54 business educator in all the tertiary institutions in Anambra State of Nigeria. Mean ratings and t-test statistics tested at 0.05 significant level were used in analyzing data collected in the study. The results of the study revealed that adequate provisions of ICT equipment/facilities will enable the business educators possess the required ICT skills and knowledge. Possession of ICT competencies by the business educators will invariably help in reducing the obstacles in teaching modern business courses thereby making it possible for actualization the of Vision 2020 agenda through business education. It was recommended that for the actualization of Vision 2020 agenda through business education to be possible, government and management of tertiaryinstitution should provide enough ICT equipment/facilities in our educational institutions and business educators on their own part should make judicious use of these modern equipment in teaching business courses

Determining the Differences in Gender Usage of Computers in Nigeria

The study was aimed at determining the gender differences in computerusage among students in Nigeria. The study was a survey and was conducted using forty male and forty female business education students from the four tertiary institutions in Anambra State. Three research questions and three null hypotheses tested at 0.05 level of significance were developed to guide the study. Data collected using a well structured questionnaire were analyzed using simple percentage, mean ratings and inferential t-test statistics. The results of the study revealed among other things that more female students made use of computer than males. However, both male and female students make regular visits to websites for academic information. The study also revealed that female students preferred educational and programming computer related jobs to hi-technical and field computer jobs which male students preferred most. However male and female students have high preference for managerial related computer jobs and show less interest in low position computer related jobs. It was recommended that every individual should be computer literate because time will come when it would become impossible for one to secure a good job if one is not computer literate

The meaning-centred anorexic body: a human rights-based approach to involuntary treatment

This is a meaning centred study of the anorexic body. Its objective is to establish that anorexia nervosa is not exclusively a psychiatric condition and present a new enforceable alternative approach to the current “doctor-knows-best” treatment method which predominantly reiterates labelling and stereotyping in mental health practice. Contextual clinical narratives pose strong critical arguments reiterating that anorexia nervosa is solely due to mental illness which results to diminished autonomy, therefore, unconsented clinical interventions are within the rights of medical practitioners and not a violation of the person’s rights. This research shows that the clinical preference of disengaging with the subjective meaning underlying selfstarvation reinforces paternalistic intervention of medical practitioners to the detriment of asserting rights. Thus, this work is concerned with how to reconceptualise anorexia by meaningfully engaging and managing the anorexic body without using involuntary, coercive and forceful methods, thereby preserving their autonomous rights, best interests and subjective will. Although the current traditional approach under mental health laws is shown to produce no long-term recovery benefits or outcome for the anorexic body, Section 2 of the 1983 Mental Health Act still preserves the one-dimensional strict approach to the care and management of the anorexic body as they are detained for the treatment of both their physical and mental disorder. Through critical research and empirical work conducted in Nigeria, this thesis sustains the deconstruction of anorexia nervosa as exclusively a psychiatric disorder and enables the development of a meaning-centred anorexic body highlighting the limitation of the traditional western medical model to acknowledge the significant cultural and social dimensions that overrule anorexia nervosa. This research showed that the meaning-centred anorexic body is acknowledged and valued as a self-determining agent outside the confined spaces of the Mental Health Act, adverse and resistant to the established stereotypical boundaries and impositions of psychology, law and psychiatry. In examining Articles 3, 5 and 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), this research underpins the meaning-centred approach within a human rights based framework. It therefore establishes that human dignity and autonomous choices are integral and indispensable in creating a balanced code of medical ethics. Through critical analysis and both legal and non-legal considerations, this research identifies the meaningful emergence of a modern anorexic body removed from strict confines of the mental health laws’ universal attraction and acknowledgement of the body as a docile object that needs to be institutionally regulated, disciplined, and subjected to punishment. The main contribution of this thesis is in bringing clarity to a very conflicting area by identifying a meaning centred approach to the understanding of anorexia nervosa. A conceptualised spectrum is introduced by distinguishing the meaning-centred anorexic body thereby enhancing the realisation of self determination. In this regard, this thesis establishes the values of autonomous choices as central to dignifying the anorexics experiences, morals and choices and therefore can possess the much-required capacity to regain and retain bodily control, bodily integrity and autonomy. It is based on this independent setting that a meaningful study of anorexia nervosa can emerge, highlighting the values of individual freedom and the necessity of a human rights-based approach existing outside the traditionally modelled benevolent paternalism

International Military Humanitarian Intervention as a Solution for International Conflict Management

Scholarly debates for and against military humanitarian intervention have raged on. For non-interventionists, nothing could justify unilateral or multilateral interventions against the territorial integrity and sovereignty of a state. For interventionists, states should not hold unto their sovereignty and grossly abuse the rights of their populations while the international community just watches. By looking at the arguments of both sides, this paper is a sweeping examination of the general concept of International Military Humanitarian Intervention as a last-resort solution for International Conflict Management. It starts with a historical overview of the humanitarian intervention concept, looking at the cause célèbre surrounding the legality of the Use of Force and other concerns surrounding humanitarian intervention. It further examines the concept of Responsibility to Protect, as a contemporary re-definition of humanitarian intervention and a gap bridger between sovereignty & military humanitarian intervention. While military intervention is the last-resort solution under the Responsibility to Protect, the latter provides an opportunity for the use of other diplomatic tools in conflict management. This paper also examines some successful and failed state case studies where military humanitarian intervention was deployed to resolve conflicts, ensure peace and alleviate mass sufferings. In addition, the paper analyses the challenges and criticisms of military humanitarian intervention. Finally, the paper agrees that military humanitarian intervention constitutes a last-resort solution for conflict management when it is done under the right authority of the UN Security Council, with the right intention, proportionality of force size and with reasonable prospects of success. This is to save human populations from gross mass atrocities when states have failed to do so. Discussions are also on other related issues that may support or challenge military humanitarian interventions such as: state sovereignty, the selectivity problem, political realism, and post-conflict peace building after interventions. Keywords: Military Humanitarian Intervention, Conflict Management, Conflict, War, Responsibility to Protect, Sovereignty, Human Rights, Mass Atrocitie

Is Modernization the Engine of Political Instability?: A Pooled Cross-Sectional Time-Series Test of Causality

Traditional studies of the modernization-instability thesis have neglected the simultaneous influence of time and place on the relationship between modernization (social mobilization and political participation) and political instability, and the possible causal linkage between the two concepts. Empirical support for modernization-instability hypothesis will be obtained if and only if there is a strong positive correlation between modernization and political instability and the former causes the latter unidirectionally. Only then can one assert that modernization is exogenous, and that a policy geared toward restricting modernization is a proper anti-instability policy. This work attempts to address the question of correlation and causality through a pooled time-series cross-sectional data design and the use of Granger-causality tests. Particular attention is paid to the error structure of the models. Using pooled regression, a model of political instability is estimated for a total of 35 countries for the period 1960-1982. Granger tests are performed on twelve separate countries randomly selected from the 35. The results indicate that there is the expected positive relationship between modernization and political instability. Further, political institutionalization and economic well-being have strong negative influence on political instability. With regard to causality, the results vary by country. Some countries experience no causality between modernization and political instability, while some witness bidirectional causality. Further, some nations experience unidirectional causality running from modernization to political instability, while some depict a reverse causation. The main results suggest that modernization and political instability are positively related, and that political instability can have causal influence on modernization, just as modernization can exert causal influence on political instability

Intrarace Differences Among Black and White Americans Presenting for Chronic Pain Management: The Influence of Age, Physical Health, and Psychosocial Factors

Objective.  Emerging comparative literature documents significant racial differences in the chronic pain experience in terms of physical, psychological, and social well-being. However, the intrarace differences of chronic pain among black Americans and white Americans has not been extensively investigated. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the potential within-race-group differential effects and the psychosocial aspects of chronic pain in black and white Americans across age groups. Design.  A retrospective study of patients presenting for chronic pain management. Setting.  A tertiary care multidisciplinary pain center. Patients.  Patients were younger (<50 years) (mean ± SD: 36.7 ± 8.4) and older (≥50 years) (60 ± 9.3) black Americans (N = 525), and younger (36.6 ± 8.1) and older (63 ± 9.8) white Americans (N = 5,298). Outcome Measures.  Participant s were measured on depressive symptoms, social functioning, pain intensity, pain-related disability, and physical comorbidities. Results.  Younger black Americans reported more depressive symptoms, pain intensity, and were less successful at coping with pain when compared to older black Americans. Similar within-group differences were also observed for reports of depressive symptoms, pain intensity, and coping abilities among white Americans. Results further showed that younger white Americans also experienced more symptoms related to post-traumatic distress than older white Americans. Conclusion.  Examining within-race-group variability suggests that chronic pain differentially affects the quality of life and health status of black Americans and white Americans across age groups. This study emphasizes the need for further chronic pain studies examining pain indicators within defined racial and ethnic groups.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/73557/1/j.1526-4637.2005.05014.x.pd

Review of core stability exercise versus conventional exercise in the management of chronic low back pain

Exercise has been proven to be effective in the management of chronic low back pain. Over the years, core stability exercise (CSE) has gained popularity however there is lack of consensus on the best exercise treatment. Aims: To review the effectiveness of core stability exercises or conventional exercises in the management of chronic low back pain (CLBP). Methods: This study is a systematic review of randomized clinical trials which examined studies regarding core stability and conventional exercise by using Google scholar, Medline, PEDro and Cochrane from 2010 to 2021. The Methodological quality was evaluated using the PEDro scale. The included studies randomized participants into two different exercise groups. Results: From the 58 potentially relevant trials, a total of 14 trials were included in the current analysis. The data indicated that core stability exercise was better than conventional exercise for short term pain relief. Ten studies included self reported back specific functional status, and compared to conventional exercise, core stability exercise resulted in significant improvement in function. Conclusion: Compared to conventional exercise, core stability exercise is more effective in pain reduction and improved physical function in individuals with CLBP in the short term however, only two trials carried out follow-up assessments post intervention. Keywords: Core stability exercise; conventional exercise; chronic low back pain

The Unequal Burden of Pain: Confronting Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Pain

context. Pain has significant socioeconomic, health, and quality-of-life implications. Racial- and ethnic-based differences in the pain care experience have been described. Racial and ethnic minorities tend to be undertreated for pain when compared with non-Hispanic Whites. objectives. To provide health care providers, researchers, health care policy analysts, government officials, patients, and the general public with pertinent evidence regarding differences in pain perception, assessment, and treatment for racial and ethnic minorities. Evidence is provided for racial- and ethnic-based differences in pain care across different types of pain (i.e., experimental pain, acute postoperative pain, cancer pain, chronic non-malignant pain) and settings (i.e., emergency department). Pertinent literature on patient, health care provider, and health care system factors that contribute to racial and ethnic disparities in pain treatment are provided. evidence. A selective literature review was performed by experts in pain. The experts developed abstracts with relevant citations on racial and ethnic disparities within their specific areas of expertise. Scientific evidence was given precedence over anecdotal experience. The abstracts were compiled for this manuscript. The draft manuscript was made available to the experts for comment and review prior to submission for publication. conclusions. Consistent with the Institute of Medicine's report on health care disparities, racial and ethnic disparities in pain perception, assessment, and treatment were found in all settings (i.e., postoperative, emergency room) and across all types of pain (i.e., acute, cancer, chronic nonmalignant, and experimental). The literature suggests that the sources of pain disparities among racial and ethnic minorities are complex, involving patient (e.g., patient/health care provider communication, attitudes), health care provider (e.g., decision making), and health care system (e.g., access to pain medication) factors. There is a need for improved training for health care providers and educational interventions for patients. A comprehensive pain research agenda is necessary to address pain disparities among racial and ethnic minorities.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/73822/1/j.1526-4637.2003.03034.x.pd