The Political Economy of Financial Reforms in Cameroon

The aim of this study is to analyse the factors that influence the adoption of financial sector reforms in Cameroon. The Abiad et al. (2008) technique is used to construct a financial reform index for Cameroon and the ordered logit model employed to identify its drivers for the period 1973-2017. The results show that financial reforms in Cameroon follow a progressive and constant pace and stands at the level of 88% in relative terms in 2017. The process of financial reforms is driven by the level of financial development, institutional quality, trade openness and economic crisis

Nurturing the continuum of HIV testing, treatment and prevention matrix cascade in reducing HIV transmission

Background: Despite the shift in antiretroviral therapy (ARVs) eligibility  cascade from CD4 ≤ 200 to CD4 ≤ 350 to CD4 ≤ 500 mm3, HIV related  morbidity and mortality continue to escalate annually, as do HIV infections. The new paradigm of treatment for all HIV positives individual irrespective of CD4 count may significantly reduce HIV and related illnesses. The author assumes that all HIV infected partners should be eligible for HIV treatment and care, irrespective of CD4 count. A second assumption is that high risk HIV negative partners have free access to continuum of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis  (PrEP), post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and other prevention packages. Methods: A literature review search was used to extract evidence-based ARVs-HIV treatment and prevention interventions among HIV positives and high risk partners respectively. Only articles published in English and indexed in journal nuclei were used for the study. The information was used to nurture understanding of HIV treatment and prevention approaches as well as HIV incidence multiplier effect among HIV serodiscordant partners. The imputed HIV incident reference was assumed at 1.2 per 100 person-years (2). This was based on the imputation that retention in care, adherence and other predetermined factors are functions of an effective health care delivery system. Result: The model showed a reduced HIV transmission from 1.2 per 100  person-years to 1.032 per 100 person-years in 6 months. The average threshold period of HIV suppressed partners on ARVs to an undetectable level. The  combined multiplier protective-effect probability of transmitting HIV from HIV positive partners on ARVs-suppressed viremic load to HIV negative partners on PrEP/PEP-prevention was detected at 86% Conclusion: The model showed a significant reduction in HIV incidence. Placing serodiscordant sexual partners in HIV treatment and prevention plays a significant role in reducing and controlling HIV infection. Therefore, the policy of enrolling all HIV positives irrespective of CD4 count on ARVs and high risk partners on prevention if adopted and sustained may underpin reduction and control of HIV genotype and HIV related morbidity, mortality and opportunistic infections. Keywords: HIV, test and treat, linkage to care, prevention, incidenc

Numerical Simulation Of Tsunami Associated With The Indonesian Tsunami 2004

Tsunami Indonesia (Disember 26,2004) disahkan sebagai tsunami yang paling kuat di dunia ini dalam masa 40 tahun yang lalu. The Indonesian tsunami (December 26,2004) is now established to be the strongest in the world over the past 40 years

Doctrine of Desuetude –Addressing the Constitutional Minefield

Ever since India became independent in 1947, major reforms have taken place with respect to many aspects of our day-to-day life. Despite this, several of the laws so passed have not adequately led to the advancement of our country. In addition, statutes are often complex, and therefore cannot be understood by the common man. Ironically, the laws that are enacted for the betterment of the citizens are structured and compiled in such a manner, so as to lead to circuitous statutes laden with several technical terms, discouraging the same very people of the country from taking any legal recourse. The law commission has come out with many far-reaching reports to repeal numerous irrelevant laws, which have given rise to considerable confusion in the minds of citizens as well as the litigants. However, the government has not been very proactive on this front, taking shelter under Article 372 of our Constitution which provides the basis for the continuation of such redundant laws. Most of these laws no longer serve their original purposes, given the change in context. This article highlights the problems that are caused by such laws. Further, it gives an insight into the applicability of the doctrine of desuetude and how the judiciary has favoured its applicability to simplify matters relating to the functioning of these laws

Development and Validation of a Multidimensional Experimental Screening Instrument to Measure Multiple Barriers Associated with Adult dietary Practices: A Secondary Analysis of NHANES Datasets 2011-2012

Dietary practices, which are complex and reflective of one’s life experience, are influenced by intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Given that good nutrition is the underpinning of good health, it is prudent to measure factors associated with dietary practices. While instruments are available to assess factors associated with diet, none are designed to simultaneously measure the multi-dimensional nature of barriers associated with dietary practices. The aim of this dissertation was to develop a multidimensional instrument that can be used as a screening tool by practitioners to determine barriers associated with adult dietary practices. This dissertation compendium includes four manuscripts reporting results from: 1) an integrative review describing food insecurity interventions for African Americans in the United States; 2) a study that established content validity for a hypothesized multidimensional instrument designed to identify barriers to dietary practices; 3) an analysis to identify constructs within and validate the hypothesized multidimensional instrument; and 4) an exploratory secondary analysis to examine the relationships between dietary health status (DHS) and selected participant demographic characteristics and clinical outcomes. Results from the integrative review (Manuscript 1) suggested that multi-level interventions that address barriers influencing dietary access and choices demonstrated the greatest efficacy in improving access to healthful foods compared to one-dimensional interventions. Manuscript 2 established content validity for 12 theory-based domains comprised of variables that represent barriers associated with adult dietary practices. Manuscript 3 developed the DHS instrument, designed to measure barriers associated with dietary practices and tested the psychometric properties of this instrument. Exploratory factor analysis described in Manuscript 3 revealed adequate construct and internal validity of the DHS instrument and for the 10 subscales that comprise DHS. Manuscript 4 showed that participants who are older than 45 years, minorities, (Black, Hispanic or Other race), live in larger households, are not married, and have abnormal A1c or blood pressure levels were more likely to have lower DHS scores compared to their counterparts. These findings suggest these groups might have more barriers to adhering to healthful dietary practices than their counterparts, possibly increasing their risk for chronic diseases. The knowledge gained from this dissertation will guide future refinement of the DHS instrument. Ultimately, refining the DHS instrument so that it can accurately identify multiple barriers to dietary practices could have far reaching implications for education, practice, and policy