Effect of Inclusive Leadership on Teachers’ Involvement in Creative Tasks: The Mediating Role of Psychological Safety

This study focuses on the link between inclusive leadership and teachers’ involvement in creative tasks with mediating role of psychological safety. The particular contexts of the study are service based organizations, i.e. public and private high schools. Data were collected from 290 teachers performing their duties across urban & rural area schools of Sargodha, Punjab. The data collection tool is the quantitative questionnaire. The study was quantitative in nature that made use of descriptive as well as inferential statistics to analyze the data. The data had been collected through convenience sampling on the basis of availability of the research participants. For data collection, cross sectional method was used. The results of SEM (Structural Equation Modeling) analysis indicated that inclusive leadership is positively related to teachers’ creativity at their workplace. Moreover, analysis also indicated that inclusive leadership is associated with psychological safety, which, in turn, stimulates teachers’ participation in creative tasks. That association showed indirect effect. It was analyzed that a strong and statistically significant effect of inclusive behavior of head teacher on teachers’ creativity became insignificant when teachers psychological safety as a mediator was inserted into the module. The study recommended that our school leaders need to practice inclusive leadership for enhancing creativity in teachers. Also steps should be taken by higher schools administration to train school heads on inclusive leadership

Gap between Expectations and Experiences of Equity in Public Schools: A Pupils’ Perspective

The study investigated into the lens of pupils from public sector that what constitutes fair and equitable schools in Pakistan. Also the study explored pupils’ expectations from school, how the schools can be transformed into equitable schools in which all students are treated equally and fairly. The study used quantitative approach with multistage sampling in two districts of Punjab, Pakistan. Questionnaire had been conducted on 434 pupils aged between 14-15 years of 9th and 10th class. The return rate of the questionnaire was 85%. Results of descriptive statistical analysis show that pupils receive equitable as well as inequitable treatment with respect to punishment, rewards and marks awarded by teachers in public schools. Results further show that wider the inequitable experiences of pupils in schools, greater are the equity expectations from schools. Also the pupils with various backgrounds differ significantly from each other in terms of inequitable experiences in schools. It is concluded that equitable public school would be the one in which all students are treated in an equitable manner irrespective of differences

Implications of Cultural Capital in Women’s Higher Education Participation and Social Mobility

Equality of opportunity in higher education participation is a basic right of people in a society that leads to their social mobility in the long run. Benadusi (2002) endorsed Bourdieu’s explanations that cultural capital acts as an empowering force that predetermines equality/inequality of educational opportunity of people in a society. The study, thus, aimed to explore cultural capital as means of participation in higher education and eventually social mobility of women. A cross sectional survey was used to collect data from 103 working and 97 non-working women using purposive and convenience sampling. The study found positive relation of cultural capital of women with their participation in higher education and social mobility. Significant difference was also found between cultural capitals of working and non- working women, where cultural capital of working women was high as compared to non-working. The study therefore, concludes that education for women must be the core value of our society to enhance their cultural capital as well as social mobility in a society. Because higher is the cultural capital of women; higher would be their participation rate in higher education and social mobility for them.

Opinion of Second Language Learners about Writing Difficulties in English Language

English language enjoys a prominent role in Pakistan as an effective communication medium at local and international circles. It is used as a medium of instruction not only in schools but also in colleges and universities. The aim of this study was to explore writing difficulties in the English language faced by second language learners. A survey was conducted for this purpose. Data were collected from four boys and girls public sector colleges. Two hundred and forty five 12th graders studying English as a compulsory subject were randomly selected out of five hundred and twenty. Results of the study indicated that students were facing a lot of difficulties in writing English language due to lack of vocabulary, poor spelling, L1 interference and a poor understanding of grammatical structure. The girls face more writing difficulties than the male students in English language. The method based on identification, investigation, and solutions to language related real life problems should be used for teaching of English from primary school level to higher levels of education.&nbsp

Educational Opportunities for Juveniles in Punjab, Pakistan - An Equity Concern

Juveniles makes an excluded group in a society. Mainstreaming them is one of the crucial objectives to be achieved through education. Provision of equitable educational opportunities, facilities and training to juveniles’ mental, moral, social and psychological development within borstal institutions has significant role in making them productive citizens for Pakistan’s society. The study rationalized that equity is a basic instrument to analyse educational facility for juveniles’ rehabilitation and mainstreaming. The study’s focus was to explore and analyse educational opportunities apropos of equity for juveniles in borstal institutes.Purposive sampling was used for conducting in-depth interviews from 26 juveniles, which was the total strength out of104 prisoned juveniles in the borstal institute, Faisalabad. The qualitative analysis revealed that although teaching-learning process had been taking place for juveniles but the system lacked in provision of equitable educational opportunities in the institute. Further, the data showed that teachers, reading materials, stationeries, laboratories and furniture, which are essential elements in carrying out teaching-learning process, were largely missing in the borstal institute and juveniles jail. In the light of the evidences gained, the study presents some practical suggestions for provision of equitable educational opportunities for juveniles in the borstal institute and jail of Punjab, Pakistan

Evaluating the Frequency of Sciatica on Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patients with Lower Back Pain

Sciatica refers to pain affecting the back, hip, and outer side of the leg, caused by compression of a spinal nerve root in the lower back often owing to degeneration of an intervertebral disc. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of sciatica in patients with lower back pain using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Data was collected by filling the predesign questionnaire. Information for filling the questionnaire was taken by reports of MRI scan for backache. Patients were presented with multiple symptoms out of which 4 (5.6%) patients presented with history of trauma. 37 (59.7%) patients represented with the history pain radiating to one or both legs. 27 (43.50%) patients showed disc bulge. 40 (64.50%) patients showed stenosis in nerve root (L4-S1) and 40 (64.50%) patients were diagnosed with sciatica. Careful assessment of risk factors in patients with lower back pain using MRI could help in prevention of several spinal diseases. Being an important diagnostic tool in diagnosis of sciatica MRI may provide significant prognostic information of the disease. Keywords: Stenosis, Disc Bulge. DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/80-03 Publication date:September 30th 202

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication