scholarly journals A qualitative exploration of the perspectives of international medical students residing in university hostels amid COVID-19 pandemic lockdown

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sitaram Khadka ◽  
Muhammad Usman ◽  
Mohammad Saleem ◽  
Moshin Ali ◽  
Huma Rasheed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
International Medical ◽  
Personal Hygiene ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
The Government

ABSTRACTBackgroundCOVID-19 pandemic has portentously frightened the existence of life all over the world. The lockdown approach was adopted as a containment strategy as the disease itself has manifested severe social, economic, and psychiatric implications.ObjectivesTo explore the perception and preparedness of international medical students residing in university hostels amid the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.DesignA semi-structured interview guide was developed in this qualitative study design. All the interviews were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim, and then analyzed for thematic contents by standard content analysis framework.SettingInterviews were conducted in university hostels in Punjab, Pakistan.ParticipantsA total of 11 international medical students were interviewed face-to-face through the purposive sampling technique to obtain in-depth individual viewpoints.ResultsThe thematic content analysis yielded five major themes: Familiarity with COVID-19, Perceptions and attitudes towards COVID-19, Preparedness for safety against COVID-19, Barriers to lifestyle, and Psychological perspectives. A better general perception and preparedness among international medical students regarding COVID-19 was found. Good knowledge regarding the overview of COVID-19; adequate preventive approaches such as social distancing, use of masks, gloves, and sanitizers; and compliance with the lockdown measures were reported by the respondents. The pertinent issue raised by the respondents is the disturbance in normal routine due to distortion in social life and isolation that may cause psychological stress.ConclusionsThe findings from this study lighten the people’s perspectives that help the government to prepare public health strategies based on population-focused approaches. The present study demonstrates the respondents’ opinion on COVID-19 management by personal hygiene, social distancing, and complying with the lockdown measures. Furthermore, it demands that timely and evidence-based teaching-learning techniques should be adopted for students’ engagement which ensures mental health and self-motivation as well. Therefore, they can utilize their time productively which could have a long-term effect on their careers and healthcare services.

Corrupt Practices in the Public Health Sector: A Focus on Metropolitan Local Government Areas of Kano State, Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 149
Author(s):  
Mohammed Mustapha Namadi
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Local Government ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Healthcare Sector ◽  
Healthcare Provision ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Health Sector ◽  
The Government

Corruption is pervasive in Nigeria at all levels. Thus, despite recent gains in healthcare provision, the health sector faces numerous corruption related challenges. This study aims at examining areas of corruption in the health sector with specific focus on its types and nature. A sample size of 480 respondents aged 18 years and above was drawn from the eight Metropolitan Local Government Areas of Kano State, using the multistage sampling technique. The results revealed evidence of corrupt practices including those related to unnecessary-absenteeism, diversion of patients from the public health facilities to the private sector, diverting money meant for the purchase of equipment, fuel and diesel, bribery, stealing of medications, fraud, misappropriation of medications and unjustifiable reimbursement claims. In order to resolve the problem of corrupt practices in the healthcare sector, the study recommended the need for enforcement of appropriate code of ethics guiding the conduct of the health professionals, adoption of anti-corruption strategies, and strengthening the government monitoring system to check corruption in public health sector in order to ensure equitable access to healthcare services among the under-privileged people in the society.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on indigenous contractors in a developing economy

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathaniel Ayinde Olatunde ◽  
Imoleayo Abraham Awodele ◽  
Bosede Olajumoke Adebayo
Keyword(s):  
Developing Economies ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Additional Cost ◽  
Developing Economy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Construction Contracts ◽  
The Government ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on indigenous contractors in a developing economy with a view to enhancing their performance. Design/methodology/approach The study used a purposive sampling technique to select 37 indigenous contractors with ongoing construction contracts in Osun State, Nigeria who provided data for the study. A structured interview protocol was used to elicit the required information from the interviewees and frequency, percentage and content analysis were used for data analysis. Findings The results showed that the critical impact of COVID-19 on indigenous contractors in a developing economy is: time overrun, loss of profit and creation of dispute. Further results showed that other impacts are a disruption in supply of labour, locally sourced materials are with additional cost, the additional cost of implementing COVID-19 protocols, difficulty in sourcing imported materials and absence of new jobs with the corresponding retrenchment of workers. Practical implications The study recommended special palliatives for the indigenous contractors from the government so as to cushion the impact of the pandemic on them, thereby enhance their survival and performance. A special arbitration panel is set up in each state of the federation to look at disputes arising from the aftermath of the pandemic, this is with a view to adequately compensate indigenous contractors with genuine and properly compiled claims. inferring from the findings of the study, it suffices to say that the severity of the impact of the pandemic is very high on indigenous contractors in developing economies, as such a better preparedness strategy could lessen the impact of such pandemic in the future. Originality/value The study is an attempt to unearth the impact of COVID-19 on indigenous contractors with ongoing construction contracts in a developing economy. The study will be of value to construction stakeholders in providing the information needed to devise strategies to minimise the impact of a pandemic on indigenous contractors in future projects thereby enhance their performance.

scholarly journals The Multifaceted Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Dentists in Tamil Nadu, India: A Qualitative Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nesa Aurlene ◽  
R Sindhu ◽  
A Haripriya
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Tamil Nadu ◽  
Dental Treatment ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Dental Clinics ◽  
The Government

Introduction: India has become the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) epicentre with the highest number of COVID-19 cases being reported each day. This has caused a major impact on healthcare workers including dentists across the country. Most dental clinics in Tamil Nadu were closed during the initial two months of draconian lockdown enforced by the Government of India (GOI). As partial lockdown measures were introduced over the subsequent months, dental clinics have started functioning and receiving patients for emergency dental treatment. Aim: This study was done among dentists practicing in Tamil Nadu amidst the COVID-19 pandemic to understand how the pandemic has impacted their professional and personal lives. Materials and Methods: A qualitative study using online focus group discussion was conducted among 32 dentists practicing in Tamil Nadu, India using a structured interview guide in the month of July 2020. After data collection, the focus group discussions were transcribed manually and an inductive thematic analysis was performed using Braun and Clarke’s six phases for thematic analysis. Results: Three major themes were identified after the thematic analysis namely limitations of off-campus distance learning, challenges faced in dental practice during the COVID-19 pandemic and social life impacts of COVID-19 among dentists. Conclusion: Dentists in this study felt that the COVID-19 pandemic was negatively impacting their dental practices owing to lack of clarity in COVID-19 protocols, lack of patient awareness, high cost of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), increasing overhead expenses, ergonomic difficulties in treating patients while wearing PPE, patients’ unwillingness to pay higher charges for treatment under COVID-19 protocols and fear of contracting COVID-19. Majority of participants in this study did not report any negative impacts of social isolation as many of them had stayed with their families during the lockdown.

scholarly journals The Awareness of Social Studies Pre-Service Teachers About the Concept of Environmental Waste Recycling and Acrostics Trials

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Özlem Ulu Kalın ◽  
Erol Koçoğlu
Keyword(s):  
Social Studies ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Simple Random Sampling ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Waste Recycling ◽  
Social Studies Teachers ◽  
High Level ◽  
The Impact

Due to globalization and the impact of industrialization and urbanization, natural resources are wasted, and popular consumption leads to environmental waste. The problem of waste that deteriorates individual and social life is a prominent current issue. Recycling, described as the remanufacturing, production and employment of collected material, is an important solution to that problem. The present study aimed to determine the awareness of pre-service social studies teachers about the concept of environmental waste recycling and to analyze acrostic poems written by the participants. The study findings included the views of the pre-service social studies teachers. A semi-structured interview form was developed by the authors under expert supervision and employed to collect the views of the pre-service teachers. The pre-service teachers included in the study sample were assigned with simple random sampling technique and the study group included 162 pre-service social studies teachers. The descriptive survey model was employed in the study, the data were analyzed with content and descriptive analysis techniques to determine thematic codes. Furthermore, an acrostic poem authoring activity on the concept of recycling was conducted with the participants. The poems authored by the participants are presented as a category in a table in the findings section. The study findings revealed significant results on the recycling concept and processes. It was determined that the views of the participating pre-service social studies teachers reflected a high level of awareness on the concept of recycling and exhibited various perspectives on the implementation.

scholarly journals Should international medical electives to resource-poor countries continue during COVID-19?

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
David McMaster ◽  
Munashe Veremu ◽  
Kpanna M Jonas
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
International Medical ◽  
Poor Countries ◽  
Resource Limited ◽  
Resource Poor ◽  
Voluntary Basis ◽  
Local Healthcare

Medical students on elective offer a workforce that may become essential when local healthcare services in resource-limited countries become overwhelmed. We argue they should not be cancelled, and instead should be offered on a voluntary basis to allow students the opportunity to support struggling health systems during the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals THE ISSUE OF INCOME DIVERSIFICATION AMONG RURAL FARMING HOUSEHOLDS: EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FROM KWARA STATE, NIGERIA

2018 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 231-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adeniyi Felix Akinrinde ◽  
Kemi Funmilayo Omotesho ◽  
Israel Ogulande
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Household Head ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Farm Size ◽  
Farm Income ◽  
Income Diversification ◽  
Income Sources ◽  
Farming Families ◽  
The Government

The rising incidences of poverty among rural farming families are the reason behind renewed interest in income diversification. This study determined the level of income diversification; identified alternative income sources; examined the reasons for diversification; and identified the constraints to diversification. A three-stage random sampling technique was used in selecting 160 households on which a structured interview schedule was administered. Descriptive statistics, a Likert-type scale, and the Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation were used for data analyses. Findings reveal that 1.3% of the households had no additional sources of income while 40.6% had at least four. Trading (55%) and livestock keeping (40.7%) were the most popular alternative income sources. The declining farm income (mean = 2.96) was the primary reason for diversification, while poor rural infrastructure (mean = 3.04) was the most severe constraint to income diversification. Farm size, access to extension services, household size, age and educational level of the household head were significantly related to the level of income diversification at p < 0.05. The study concluded that the level of income diversification was high and influenced by socioeconomic characteristics of the households. It recommends that the government should provide adequate infrastructural facilities in rural areas. Farmer associations should also ensure better prices for agricultural produce through joint marketing.

scholarly journals Community Perception of COVID-19: A Qualitative Approach through Applying the  Health Belief Model

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gamachu Gishe ◽  
Tamirat Hailu ◽  
Rameto Aman ◽  
Sisay Dango
Keyword(s):  
Political Ideology ◽  
Health Belief ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Physical Distance ◽  
Community Perception ◽  
Common People ◽  
Corona Virus ◽  
The Government ◽  
Belief Model

Abstract Objectives: To explore community perception of COVID -19 pandemic. Methods: In depth exploratory design was utilized. Purposive sampling technique was employed to select 45 participants from all categories of population. Semi-structured interview guide and observation checklist were used to collect data from participants. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data.Results: in the very beginning when few Corona Virus cases were reported, in general, people were scared to death. But as the number of infected cases reported more and more people have also became immune to the fear of corona virus. Even some section of people associated with a particular political ideology, assume that there is no corona virus at all. Hotels, cafeterias and shopping centers are not as cautious as they were in the beginning. As a result, streets are crowded and the public started living regular life. Therefore, the covid protocol like wearing face masks, using sanitizers, physical distance and all have become just a ritual. Conclusions: It is evident that most of the government workers like bank employees, traffic police and all are well aware of Covid-19 preventive methods and consequences and try their best to make the people to be part of the fight against the pandemic. But the common people from different walks of life, some with ignorance, some with innocence and some with a particular political ideology defy and violate the WHO covid-19 protocol.

scholarly journals Concept of Increase Enrolment: Its effect on teachers in Ghana

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 167
Author(s):  
Hansen Akoto-Baako ◽  
Prem Jotham Heeralal ◽  
Bernard Kissi-Abrokwah
Keyword(s):  
Classroom Management ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Classroom Interaction ◽  
Work Load ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Head Teachers ◽  
Quantitative Phase ◽  
Work Related ◽  
The Government ◽  
Qualitative Phase

This study investigated the effects of increase in enrolment on teachers in second cycle institutions in Ghana. The effects of increase enrolment on teacher’s work load, classroom management, health, social life and classroom interaction. The study employed the pragmatic paradigm and mixed method approach. Concurrent triangulation comprising descriptive survey for the quantitative phase and a case study for the qualitative phase.  Self-developed questionnaire and semi-structured interview schedule were used to collect data from respondents. A total of hundred and forty-seven (147) respondents were used for the study. It was made up of one hundred and forty (140) teachers used at the quantitative phase and seven (7) head teachers used in the qualitative phase. The study found out that increase enrolment increased the workload of teachers significantly, and exposed teachers to health challenges. The study also revealed that increase enrolment made it very difficult for teachers to manage their classrooms and interact with students during instructional periods. The study recommended that teaching assistants be assigned to all teachers, government should set up a special body which is made up of occupational counsellors, psychologists, physicians who will tasked to organize programs on monthly bases to educate teachers on how to manage work related stress they encounter. Finally, the government should build more schools and make it a priority to train more teachers.   Received: 15 September 2021 / Accepted: 16 October 2021 / Published: 5 November 2021

scholarly journals Knowledge, attitude and practice towards the novel corona virus among Bangladeshi people: Implications for mitigation measures

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alak Paul ◽  
Dwaipayan Sikdar ◽  
Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain ◽  
Md Robed Amin ◽  
Farah Deeba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Life ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Personal Hygiene ◽  
Public Confidence ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
Awareness Campaigns ◽  
Attitude And Practice ◽  
The Government ◽  
Knowledge Attitude And Practice

AbstractThe current novel coronavirus (nCoV) outbreak, COVID-19, was first reported in December 2019 in Wuhan, China has spread all over the world causing startling loss of lives, stalling the global economy and disrupting the social life. One of the challenges to contain the COVID-19 is making people adopt personal hygiene, social distancing and self-quarantine practices which are all related to knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of the people in respective countries. Bangladesh, the most densely populated countries with a fast-growing economy and moderate literacy rate, has shown many hiccups in its efforts to implement COVID-19 policies. Understanding KAP may give the policy makers to make informed decisions. Hence, this study aimed to make a quick assessment of KAP of people in relation to COVID-19 in Bangladesh. An online survey using a pre-tested questionnaire conducted in late March 2020 attained 1837 responses across Bangladesh. However, 1589 completed responses were included in statistical analysis to calculate KAP scores, their interrelations with socio-demographic variables. The overall KAP is poor with only 10% of the respondents showed good knowledge with parallel attitudes and practices. Socio-demographic factors have strong bearings on the KAP scores. Significantly higher KAP score is evident in female over male respondents, among aged (45 years and above) over younger respondents and among retired and homemakers above students and public service holders. The study indicated a panic fuelled by poor understanding of COVID-19 associated facts and the need for the government to ensure more granular and targeted awareness campaigns in a transparent and factual manner to gain public confidence and arrest more meaningful public participation in mitigation measures. The study provides a baseline of KAP among people in Bangladesh on COVID-19.

Assessment of Health Problems and Social Needs of Elderly in old age Homes of Biratnagar Metropolitan

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 169-184
Author(s):  
Menuka Bhandari ◽  
Alweena Niroula ◽  
Shamila Chaudhary
Keyword(s):  
Old Age ◽  
Sampling Method ◽  
Total Population ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Social Needs ◽  
Spiritual Needs ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Government

Nepal is also witnessing the expansion of life span and hence an enhancement in the population of the elderly. In Nepal, individuals over 60 years of age are considered elderly. According to the 2011 census of Nepal, there were 2.1 million elderly inhabitants, which constitute 8.1percent of the total population in the country. Pashupati Bridrashram the only one shelter for elderly people run by the government which was established in 1976 as the first residential facility for elders. This study was conducted to assess the health and social needs of elderlyresiding at Birateshwor Briddhashram and Mahila Jagriti Briddhashram Biratnagar. Descriptive cross sectional research design has been used to describe characteristics of apopulation. There are four registered old age home in Biratnagar Metropolitan City, amongthem only two were selected purposively. Non random sampling technique has been used in which Purposive Sampling method has been adopted. Both health and social needs we reassessed using semi-structured interview schedule which consisted of multiple response questionnaire. There were fifty-seven elders, only forty were selected purposively who can give their information, twenty-four females and sixteen males were selected for interview. Most of the elders came to old age home because of lack of own shelter, sixty percent elders have no any children; mostly they were widow or widower. Majority of them had vision (60 %), walking (46%), hearing problems (33 %) and minority (10 %) have inability problems in moving extremities, difficulty in talking. Only a few elders came there because of maltreatment by their family members. The study has suggested for establishment of health post or healthcare center, provision of ambulance to meet their health needs and importance of care taker to make their life easier, provision of television, kitchen garden, temple to meet their social and spiritual needs.

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