Gender analysis of sexual and reproductive health information access and use: a study of university student communities in Tanzania

This paper examines the state of access to and use of SRH information services in four universities in Tanzania in the context of gender dynamics and relations. The study was conducted among student communities at the University of Dar es Salaam, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mzumbe University and Sokoine University ofAgriculture. The overall research design integrated both qualitative and quantitative research methodology. The major methods of data collection were survey, focus group discussion and key informant interview. A final sample of 194 undergraduate students was selected conveniently with 51% males and 49% females. The key finding of this study was that gender does not influence SRH information access and use. The baseline conditions of SRH information and service provision in the four universities revealed the following. First, SRH information services were available but not adequate. Second, students could access a wide range of sources of SRH information but the actual use was concentrated and limited to only three major sources which were radio, television and friends. Specialized information sources such as health workers and brochures/leaflets were rarely used. Third, awareness of the availability of SRH services in the Universities was not wide spread among students and a significantly large percentage of students think that they cannot access SRH information in the universities and have a negative attitude towards the provision of SRH information services in the universities. Major factors that influenced access to and use of SRH information and services in the universities in Tanzania were diverse in nature. Despite the challenges, the findings have revealed that the following opportunities exist: extensive SRH knowledge among students, a reasonable degree of availability of SRH services, and an increasing demand for these services from students. Finally, the paper makes detailed recommendations on SRH service provision; gender mainstreaming in SRH service provision; family planning; IEC and BCC; marketing and promoting SRH services, etc

The decline in primary school enrolment in Kenya

school attendance;Kenya;economics of education;educational policy;primary education

The impact of electronic information resource use on research output: experiences from Universities in Tanzania

This paper examines the impact of the use of electronic information resources on research output in the universities in Tanzania. Research for this paper was conducted in five public universities in Tanzania with varied levels of access to electronic information resources. The selection of the sample universities was purposive. Data was collected using face-to-face interviews, questionnaires and key informant interviews. Analysis of data employed descriptive and quantitative techniques. Empirical data revealed that the use of online information resources has a positive impact on various research activities and milestones such as research proposal submission, research proposal funding, research report writing and journal article publishing. The results therefore provide empirical support for a positive relationship between the use of electronic information resources and research output and publishing in general. This was demonstrated in the increased number of proposals prepared, submitted and funded, research reports submitted, journal articles published and chapters in books and books published with increased access to and use of electronic information resources. Results also show that although researchers who are actually using the scholarly databases are small in number the core group of researchers using these resources is growing and the use of resources is becoming more frequent and diverse. The major challenges observed include ineffective marketing strategies on the availability of the resources, inadequate training of end users, questionable content relevance of some of the resources and issues of sustainability of access given high levels of donor dependency for subscriptions. Finally, limited variations in terms of intensity of use of resources were observed between junior and higher ranking academics; and younger and older members of faculty. The paper makes a number of recommendations

Study on safety of non-descent vaginal hysterectomy for enlarged uterine size for benign uterine pathologies

Background: Vaginal hysterectomy is less commonly performed for benign pathologies if the uterine size exceeds 12 weeks in the belief that complications could be higher in this group. The aim of this prospective study was to compare surgical outcomes and safety of vaginal hysterectomy in women with non-prolapsed uteri of >12 weeks size to those with uteri of12 weeks), while the control group consisted of 60 women with uteri 0.05). The mean operative time was significantly longer in the index group (62.47min; vs 48.17 min; p 0.05). Intra- and post-operative complications such as blood transfusion and pelvic sepsis, post-operative febrile illness and systemic infections were comparable in both groups.Conclusions: Vaginal hysterectomy in larger non-prolapsed uteri takes longer to perform and is associated with more blood loss compared to uteri <12 weeks but is not associated with a significant increase in complication rates

An Exploration of a Method to use GPS to limit the drift errors in crystal oscillators

Faculty advisor: Demoz Gebre-EgziabherThis research was supported by the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP)

POLYPHASE SEQUENCES ANALYSIS WITH GOOD MERIT FACTOR AND CORRELATION PROPERTIES

Polyphase sequences such as Pn (n = 1, 2, 3, 4, x), Frank, Golomb, the Chu with large Merit factor and correlation properties are helpful in applications like RADAR, SONAR, channel estimation and communications. The Correlation function of a given sequence expressed by integrated sidelobe level (ISL). The ISL related metrics minimized by improving the performance parameters Merit Factor (MF) and Modified Merit Factor (MMF). In this paper, the merit factors are compared with all sequences for the usual case and considering the Weights (ones and zeros throughout the sequence length) from 102 to 103~4 . The observation is made for four consecutive even, and odd square integer lengths say 162 , 172 , 182 , and 192 . The Px sequence exhibits the best merit factor among all Polyphase sequences. P2 sequence existed only for even square integer length when no weights applied. P1, Px, Frank sequences shows the good MMFs among all Polyphase sequences. For the possible lengths, the Elapsed time is more for MF than MMF except at four consecutive even and odd square integer lengths

Acute oral toxicity and phytochemical study of "Diabenorme" and "Thuquinone" used to treat diabetes

The aim of the study was conducted to search for phytochemicals and evaluate the acute oral toxicity in mice for aqueous extracts of "Diabenorme" and "Thuquinone" used in the treatment of diabetes. "Diabenorme" is a combination of two medicinal plants: Persea americana (Lauraceae) and Anacardium occidentale (Anacardiaceae) while "Thuquinone" is composed of Pycnanthus angolensis (Myristicaceae). Phytochemical analysis was done using standard methods and acute toxicity test (OCDE 423) was performed by a fixed dose procedure consist in administration of three doses of 300, 2000 and 5000 mg/kg body weight of "Diabenorme" and "Thuquinone". Phytochemical analysis showed that the different drugs contained polyphenols, flavonoids, catechin tannins, alkaloids and saponins. Concerning acute toxicity test, no sign of toxicity and mortality were observed during the experiment after limit test of 5000 mg/kg. Thus, there were no significant differences (Fischer test, P ˃ 0.05) in the body weights between the control and treated animals. These results show that the aqueous extracts of "Diabenorme" and "Thuquinone" are potentially safe for oral consumption at acute administration up to dose of 5000 mg/kg. Further investigation is needed to evaluate its sub-acute toxicity.Keywords: Diabenorme, Thuquinone, Phytochemical screening, acute toxicity

The patient-provider relationship and antenatal care uptake at two referral hospitals in Malawi: A qualitative study

Background In post-stroke patients, impairment of quality of life (QOL) has been associated with functional impairment, age, anxiety, depression, and fatigue. Good social support, higher education, and better socioeconomic status are associated with better QOL among stroke survivors. In Africa, studies from Nigeria and Tanzania have reported on post-stroke QOL.Background Approximately 90% of Malawian women attend antenatal care at least once during their pregnancies; however, most mothers first present during months five and six and do not adhere to the World Health Organization’s recommended four visits. The objective of this study was to explore the role the patient-provider relationship has on antenatal care uptake.Methods A qualitative study, consisting of interviews with 20 urban pregnant mothers and eight health workers, was conducted from September to December 2014. Two large tertiary care hospitals in the Central and Southern regions of Malawi were selected as study sites.Results Several factors influenced antenatal care attendance. Significant barriers reported included the patient-provider relationship, clinic wait times, family and friend support, distance from home to the clinic, transportation, cost, and number of visits. The patient-provider relationship appears to have a large impact on antenatal clinic participation. Mothers indicated that health workers often mistreat or demean them during visits. Additionally, health workers revealed that, due to staff shortages, patients often do notreceive the care they deserve.Conclusions The results of this study suggest that, in addition to other factors, healthcare provider attitudes influence antenatal clinic attendance. Improving the patient-provider relationship may increase antenatal clinic attendance and decrease pregnancy complications during pregnancy. Professional development opportunities and quality improvement programmes are would help improve patient care and health outcomes while the continued staff shortages in the country are addressed