Adoption of Free Open Source Geographic Information System Solution for Health Sector in Zanzibar Tanzania

\ud The study aims at developing in-depth understanding on how Open Source Geographic Information System technology is used to provide solutions for data visualization in the health sector of Zanzibar, Tanzania. The study focuses on implementing the health visualization solutions for the purpose of bridging the gap during the transition period from proprietary software to the Free Open-Source Software using Key Indicator Data System. The developed tool facilitates data integration between the two District Health Information Software versions and hence served as a gateway solution during the transition process. Implementation challenges that include outdated spatial data and the reluctance of the key users in coping with the new Geographical Information System technologies were also identified. Participatory action research and interviews were used in understanding the requirements for the new tool to facilitate the smooth system development for better health service delivery.\u

Development of a par-boiled rice solar dryer

Energy is required in various forms to do useful work and necessary for the continual improvement in the standard of any society. This study presents the development of a par-boiled batch type rice solar dryer using an indirect mode natural convection solar energy. The dryer was designed and constructed to provide easier, faster and more efficient par-boiled rice drying method. The dryer has the capacity of drying 30 kg of the par boiled rice per batch. The major design features of the dryer include a convenient drying process, uniformity in drying product, protect the quality of the drying products, minimal heat loss from the drying chamber. The developed dryer have generated higher air temperature and consequently lowered the relative humidity which are both conducive to improve the drying rate and lower the moisture content of the dried products.  Preliminary performance evaluation of the dryer was also carried out. It was concluded that the dryer could be used for drying par-boiled dry in a batch.Keywords: Par-boiled, batch, solar dryer, natural convection, ric

Flower extract as an improvised indicator in acid – base titration

Different flowers were collected and the extracts were tested for indicator properties in acidic and basic solutions. The results showed different colour changes in alkaline and colourless in acid solutions. When used in acid-base titration, the end points colours and the average titre values obtained matched with that of standard phenolphthalein indicator. The finding indicates an alternative way of enriching laboratory practical with an instructional material that is useful, economical, simple and accurate for the said titration. Therefore, it is recommended for integrated science and chemistry instructions.Keywords: Flower, acid, base, indicator, titration

Awareness of Trachoma Prevention among People of Bolori Community Maiduguri Metropolitan Council Local Government Area of Borno State, Nigeria

Background: Trachoma is the leading infectious cause of blindness in the world. It is commonly found among cultural groups with poor hygiene. Its  controls include; Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness and Environmental Sanitation (SAFE). Potentially blinding and active trachoma are  monitored using trachomatous trichiasis (TT) in adults and trachoma inflammation-follicular (TF) in children aged 1–9 years respectively. A  community-based crosssectional study was conducted to assess the awareness of trachoma preventive measures among the people of Bolori, in the  metropolitan council of Maiduguri Borno State, Nigeria. Methods: The study utilizes a descriptive research design and a multi-stage sampling technique, which involve both stratified random and  convenient sampling methods respectively. The instruments comprise a closed-ended questions and sections A and B. Section A: focus mainly on  sociodemographic data while section B; focuses on the research question. The researcher initially divided Bolori wards into 7 strata of which a  convenient sample technique was used to administer 53 questionnaires to 3 strata and 54 questionnaires to 4 strata, each daily which lasted 7 days.  Results: The majority of the respondents are aware of trachoma preventive measures. The majority (34.8%) of the respondents are between the  ages of 26 – 35 years, 37 (32.2%) of the respondents are between the ages of 36 – 45 years, 20 (17.4%) of the respondents are within the age range  of 15 – 25 years, and 46 years and above are 18 (15.6%) of the respondents. The Grand Total Mean for Knowledge of respondents was 57.4%, causes  and prevention 76.7%, the attitude of the people towards personal and environmental sanitation 76.8%, and SAFE strategy prevention is 51.5%.   Conclusion: Based on the data obtained from the research study, findings revealed that the majority of the respondents have a good awareness of  Trachoma prevention, especially on a good attitude toward environmental sanitation. Findings also revealed that there was low access to clean and  adequate water supply among the populace of the community

Transmission of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in the UK: a cross-sectional molecular and epidemiological study of clustering and contact tracing

BACKGROUND: Between 2000 and 2012 the number of multidrug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis cases in the UK increased from 28 per year to 81 per year. We investigated the proportion of MDR tuberculosis cases arising from transmission in the UK and associated risk factors. METHOD: We identified patients with MDR tuberculosis notified in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland between Jan 1, 2004, and Dec 31, 2007, by linking national laboratory and surveillance data. Data for laboratory isolates, including drug sensitivities and 24-mycobacterial interspersed repetitive-unit-variable-number tandem repeat (MIRU-VNTR) typing were obtained routinely from the National Tuberculosis Reference laboratories as part of national tuberculosis surveillance. We investigated clusters of cases with indistinguishable MIRU-VNTR profiles to identify epidemiological links. We calculated transmission using the n-1 method and established associated risk factors by logistic regression. We also assessed the likelihood of transmission to additional secondary active tuberculosis cases, identified through conventional contact tracing. FINDINGS: 204 patients were diagnosed with MDR tuberculosis in the study period; 189 (92·6%) had an MIRU-VNTR profile. We identified 12 clusters containing 40 individuals and 149 unique strains. The proportion of cases attributable to recent transmission, on the basis of molecular data, was 15% (40 cases clustered-12 clusters/189 with a strain type). The proportion of cases attributable to recent transmission (ie, transmission within the UK) after adjustment for epidemiological links was 8·5% (22 cases with epidemiological links-six clusters/189 cases with a strain type). Being UK born (odds ratio 4·81; 95% CI 2·03-11·36, p=0·0005) and illicit drug use (4·75; 1·19-18·96, p=0·026) were significantly associated with clustering. The most common transmission setting was the household but 21 of 22 of epidemiological links were missed by conventional contact tracing. 13 secondary active tuberculosis cases identified by conventional contact tracing were mostly contacts of patients with MDR tuberculosis from countries of high tuberculosis burden. 11 (85%) of 13 shared the same country of birth as the index case, of whom ten did not share a strain type or drug resistance pattern. INTERPRETATION: Transmission of MDR tuberculosis in the UK is low and associated with being UK born or illicit drug use. MIRU-VNTR typing with cluster investigation was more successful at identifying transmission events than conventional contact tracing. Individuals with tuberculosis who have had contact with a known MDR tuberculosis source case from a country of high tuberculosis burden should have drug-sensitivity testing on isolates to ensure appropriate treatment is given. FUNDING: Public Health England

An investigation into the sustainability practices in PPP infrastructure projects : a case of Nigeria

Purpose – In the global construction industry, the concept of sustainability is not new, particularly within building projects. Against this backdrop, several studies have been conducted, mostly in developed countries, on sustainability in construction projects. However, efforts at investigating sustainability practices in Public-Private Partnership (PPP) infrastructure projects in developing countries have received limited attention. Hence, the purpose of this study is to investigate the incorporation of sustainability practices within the context of Nigeria PPP infrastructure projects. Design/methodology/approach – A questionnaire survey, which targeted four different types of stakeholders, was conducted in this study. These stakeholders included public sector authorities, concessionaires, consultants, and banks undertaking PPP infrastructure projects in Lagos State, Nigeria. The data collected were analysed using frequency, percentage, mean score, standard deviation analyses, and the Kruskal-Wallis test. Findings – The findings of this study revealed that all the respondents are very much aware of sustainability principles, and majority of the respondents from the public sector authorities and the consultant organizations confirmed that they have incorporated sustainability requirements into their bidding documents for PPP infrastructure projects. The study revealed sustainability features in the three aspects of sustainability, namely economic, environmental and social factors. Furthermore, the study revealed the top three ranked economic factors of sustainability (considered to be the most important factors) were low maintenance costs, whole life costing, and supporting the local economy, respectively. Similarly, the study revealed the top three ranked environmental factors of sustainability were biodiversity, energy use during the operation stage, and energy use during the construction stage, respectively. Furthermore, the study further revealed that the top three ranked social factors of sustainability were the educational aspect, equity between stakeholders, and health and safety, respectively. Practical implications – The study will be of great value to PPP stakeholders involved in sustainability decision-making processes when delivering sustainable PPP projects, particularly in Nigeria. Also, the study findings are important as not many empirical studies have been conducted on the sustainability practices of current PPP projects in Nigeria. Originality/value –The study findings would further inform the need for both the public and private sectors to take a more strategic approach to enhancing sustainability in PPP projects

Determination of Placement Distance of Fertilizer for Sugarcane as an Agronomic Requirement Relevant in the Design of a Fertilizer Applicator

Fertilizer placement distance at which sugarcane utilizes fertilizer optimally was determined in terms of its growth parameters (root distribution, stem height, stalk thickness, and leaf count). Three placement distances (4, 8 and 12 cm) were used as treatment and replicated four times. After subjecting the data obtained to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) for Complete Randomized Design (CRD), the average means for a placement distance of 4 cm (for root distribution, stem height, stalk thickness and leaf count) are 3,910.75 cm 2 , 30.83 cm, 0.763 cm, and 9.5, while for 8 cm placement distance are 2,011.63 cm 2 , 27.70 cm, 0.699 cm, and 8.5. The values for 12 cm placement distance are 5,840.06 cm 2 , 34.55 cm, 0.788 cm and 11.25, respectively. These show that the effects of fertilizer placement distance on root distribution, stalk thickness and stem height are significant at 0.05 level of significance during three months of growth. It was highest at 12 cm placement and lowest was at 8 cm placement distance. Hence, fertilizer placement distance at 12 cm was recommended for the design and construction of a fertilizer applicator for sugarcan

STUDI KEMELIMPAHAN IKAN MANGGABA’I (Glossogobius giuris) DI PERAIRAN DANAU LIMBOTO

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui kelimpahan Ikan Manggaba’i (Glossogobius giuris) dan karakteristik fisik dan kimia air di perairan danau Limboto. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian deskriptif kuantitatif yang stasiun pengamatannya berada di kawasan Keramba Jaring Apung (stasiun I), kawasan eceng gondok (stasiun II), dan bagian tengah danau (stasiun III). Pengambilan sampel ikan dilakukan dengan menggunakan pukat dan bunggo (meriam tradisional dari bambu). Objek dalam penelitian ini adalah Ikan Manggaba’i (Glossogobius giuris) dan diidentifikasi dengan Buku Identifikasi Ikan Air Tawar Indonesia Bagian Barat dan Sulawesi. Data dianalisis dengan menggunakan rumus kelimpahan. Hasil penelitian ini menemukan bahwa stasiun I memiliki nilai kelimpahan 40% dengan kategori sedang, stasiun II memiliki nilai kelimpahan 27% dengan kategori sedang, dan stasiun III memiliki nilai kelimpahan sebesar 31% dengan kategori sedang. Kelimpahan rata-rata Ikan Manggaba’i di perairan Danau Limboto adalah 32,66% atau termasuk dalam kategori sedang. Sedangkan kondisi fisik perairan Danau Limboto masih memenuhi kriteria kelangsungan hidup Ikan Manggaba’i

Bacterial pathogens associated with wound infections at the university of maiduguri teaching hospital, Maiduguri, Nigeria

Wound infection is a significant health problem in many parts of the world especially, Africa. It complicates the recovery of the patient, increases trauma care, prolongs hospital stay and has economic consequences on the patient. It also undermines the cost-effectiveness of wound management objectives in health settings. Objective: The study aims at investigating bacterial pathogens associated with wound infections at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri, Nigeria. Methods: Each of the 165 various wound specimens included in the study were streaked on blood and MacConkey agar plates, incubated aerobically at 37oC for 24 hours and colonies were identified and characterized using conventional methods. Result: Out of the 165 wound samples cultured and examined bacteriologically, 98.8% were positive for bacterial growth. Pure culture was obtained in 139 (84.2%), mixed growth of two organisms in 24 (14.5%) and 2 (1.2%) were negative for isolate. The most prevalent (57%) of gram positive organisms was Staphylococcus aureus and of the gram negative organisms, Proteus spp (16.4%). Twenty (83.3%) out of 24 polymicrobial infections were between Staphylococcus aureus and other organisms and 4(16.7%) were among gram negative organisms.Conclusion: It is hoped that reports of this type will create greater awareness in the selection of prophylactics and suitable antibiotic therapy for prompt healing of wounds and reduction of emergence of resistant strains