Motivational Factors and Performance of Women Entrepreneurs in Somalia

This paper examines the impact of motivational factors on performance of women entrepreneurs, the objectives of this study is to examines the motivational factors of women entrepreneurs in Banadir region and to analyze the performance of women entrepreneurs. As sample of 125 women entrepreneurs involved small and medium enterprises, This study found that self recognition and economic necessities are the major factors that motivate Women entrepreneurs also this study revealed that the performance of Somali women owned business are somewhat low due to women perform their business in terms of independence and social recognition compared to men. The findings also showed that there is moderate correlation among motivational factors and performance of Women entrepreneurs in Banadir Region but the relationship is not high because of women are not motivated in terms financial performance. Keywords: Motivational factors, women entrepreneurs, business performance SME in Banadir region, Somalia

Determinants of Islamic Insurance Acceptance: Empirical Evidence from Somalia

The current paper investigates the determinants toward Islamic Takaful Insurance acceptance in Somalia, the main objective was to explore knowledge, attitude, perception and awareness of Mogadishu residence toward Takaful Services. the study uses convenient sampling procedure,. The data were collected in February and March 2016 by using questionnaire. A total of 179 respondents were participated to this study. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 20.0 to answer research objectives. The study found that that attitude, perception, awareness and knowledge are influential predictors of Islamic insurance adoption and acceptance. The study provides an imminent into the understanding of determinants leading to the customers’ adoption of Islamic insurance. Keywords: Knowledge, attitude, perception,  awareness ,  Islamic Insurance, Determinants, Somali

La côte continentale du Pertuis Breton, du début du XVIIIe siècle à la fin du Second Empire : évolution et aménagement du littoral depuis la Tranche-sur-Mer jusqu'au nord de La Rochelle

Between the beginning of the 18th century and the end of the Second Empire, the continental coast of the Pertuis Breton experienced a significant evolution. It is composed of three singular, dynamic and correlated geomorphological landscapes: a marshy area, a dune zone and a cliff coast. These environments underwent slow natural transformations which led to the creation of the sandy spits of Arcay and Aiguillon which form a large dune belt. The latter is fed by a considerable transport of sand from west to east by littoral drift. These sediment movements are subject to the influence of hydrodynamic agents. The rise in oceanic waters leads to the progressive clogging of the Gulf of the Pictons with sediment of fluvio marine origin. This process is at the origin of the formation of the Aiguillon Cove and the Poitevin Marsh. These environments also go through brutal natural transformations due to extreme climatic phenomena. This study also highlights the role of human influence in the evolution and modification of their coastline. Developments are particularly visible in the Marais Poitevin. Between the Middle Ages and the 19th century, this territory was the focus of a major transformation that greatly modified its ecosystem. This wetland was drained by the creation of canals, dykes and locks. Thanks to the draining carried out by the marsh companies, agriculture and livestock farming flourished and gradually replaced the flooded lands, which were considered unsanitary. The marshes then experienced an influx of people. The State is present on this coastline through the Admiralty under the Ancien Régime or the administration of the Ponts et Chaussées in the 19th centuryEntre le début du XVIIIe siècle et la fin du Second Empire, la côte continentale du Pertuis Breton connaît une évolution significative. Elle est constituée de trois paysages géomorphologiques singuliers, dynamiques et corrélés : un territoire marécageux, une zone dunaire et une côte à falaises. Ces milieux subissent des transformations naturelles lentes à l’origine de la constitution des flèches sableuses d’Arcay et de l’Aiguillon qui forment un grand cordon dunaire. Celui-ci est alimenté par un transport considérable des sables de l’ouest vers l’est par dérive littorale. Ces mouvements de sédiments sont soumis à l’influence d’agents hydrodynamiques. La remontée des eaux de l’océan entraîne le colmatage progressif du golfe des Pictons par des apports de sédiments d’origine fluvio-marine. Ce processus est à l’origine de la formation de l’anse de l’Aiguillon et du Marais poitevin. Ces milieux subissent également des transformations naturelles brutales dues à des phénomènes climatiques extrêmes. Cette étude met aussi en lumière la part de l’influence humaine dans l’évolution et la modification de leur trait de côte. Les aménagements sont particulièrement visibles dans le Marais poitevin. Entre le Moyen Âge et le XIXe siècle, ce territoire est l’enjeu d’une grande transformation qui modifie largement son écosystème. Cette zone humide est drainée par l’instauration de canaux, de digues et d’écluses. Grâce aux dessèchements réalisés par les sociétés des marais, l’agriculture et l’élevage connaissent un essor considérable et remplacent progressivement ces terres inondables réputées insalubres. Les marais connaissent alors un afflux de population. L'Etat est présent sur ce littoral par l’intermédiaire des Amirautés sous l’Ancien Régime ou de l’administration des Ponts et Chaussées au XIXe siècle

Implementing joint tuberculosis projects in Somaliland and Sweden for mutual strengthening of programs and research

Aim and objectives: To implement a collaborative tuberculosis (TB) project involving a low- and a high-endemic country for improved prevention and treatment of TB in both countries. Methods: Descriptive analyses in Somaliland and in Sweden based on the experiences of healthcare staff. The pattern of resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and the treatment outcome in the two countries will be compared. Background: Somaliland has among the highest incidence of TB in the world. It is also a poor country which is why every measure has to be valued depending on its cost-effectiveness. A strict standardized approach for case detection and application of treatment is therefore necessary. Active case-finding focusing on smear positivity and contagiousness is given priority before preventive therapy, though the health authorities aim at ensuring easy access to TB care in all rural areas and detection at an early stage of the disease. The general circumstances and underlying social determinants are, however, of major importance in low-resource settings, though less possible to influence. Sweden has among the lowest incidence of TB in the world, but TB is nevertheless not addressed properly among the most vulnerable and hard-to-reach groups, e.g., the newly arrived immigrants from high-incidence countries. The majority of new cases in Sweden are from the Horn of Africa. Cluster analyses have revealed a spread of TB in Sweden within the risk groups and delayed measures for preventing transmission have been observed. Patients’ delay in seeking treatment is for many reasons common, and since TB is not a generally recognized disease in Sweden, doctors taking time to give a correct diagnosis may also occur. Identified priorities are to provide information about TB, particularly for those at risk and their providers and healthcare staff. In accordance with the recommendations by WHO and the European Respiratory Society, the Swedish healthcare system screens for active and latent TB in the most vulnerable and hard-to–reach groups and have a focus on the special needs of migrants. Discussion and conclusions: Herein this study presents a planned TB project aiming at cooperation between healthcare staff from a low- and a high-endemic country. For such a project, several baseline data are required, e.g., the pattern of resistance of MTB and the treatment outcome in Somaliland, as well as among immigrants in Sweden. The social circumstances for any patient with TB, whether in Somaliland or Sweden, during disease and when recovered is a main issue for health from a holistic perspective. Further, the nutritional status is not satisfactory for TB patients in either country, and a dietary intervention may be of importance in both countries. Baseline data according to the above are necessary for assessment of the interventions and are part of ongoing pre-studies. For the Swedish party the exchange of clinical knowledge is beneficial since TB is rare in Sweden and access to TB research and clinical implantation of new methods will be facilitated and possible through the joint project. Ultimately, an expanded project could curb TB at the source and decrease TB in both countries

Providing emergency care and assessing a patient triage system in a referral hospital in Somaliland: a cross-sectional study

Background: In resource-poor settings, where health systems are frequently stretched to their capacity, access to emergency care is often limited. Triage systems have been proposed as a tool to ensure efficiency and optimal use of emergency resources in such contexts. However, evidence on the practice of emergency care and the implementation of triage systems in such settings, is scarce. This study aimed to assess emergency care provision in the Burao district hospital in Somaliland, including the application of the South African Triage Scale (SATS) tool. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was undertaken. Routine programme data of all patients presenting at the Emergency Department (ED) of Burao Hospital during its first year of service (January to December 2012) were analysed. The American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma (ACSCOT) indicators were used as SATS targets for high priority emergency cases (“high acuity” proportion), overtriage and undertriage (with thresholds of >25%, <50% and <10%, respectively). Results: In 2012, among 7212 patients presented to the ED, 41% were female, and 18% were aged less than five. Only 21% of these patients sought care at the ED within 24 hours of developing symptoms. The high acuity proportion was 22.3%, while the overtriage (40%) and undertriage (9%) rates were below the pre-set thresholds. The overall mortality rate was 1.3% and the abandon rate 2.0%. The outcomes of patients corresponds well with the color code assigned using SATS. Conclusion: This is the first study assessing the implementation of SATS in a post-conflict and resource-limited African setting showing that most indicators met the expected standards. In particular, specific attention is needed to improve the relatively low rate of true emergency cases, delays in patient presentation and in timely provision of care within the ED. This study also highlights the need for development of emergency care thresholds that are more adapted to resource-poor contexts. These issues are discussed