scholarly journals Rapid tranquillisation: practice in Zambia, before and after training

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 95-97
Author(s):  
Mahesh Jayaram ◽  
Ranga Rattehalli ◽  
Lindsay Moran ◽  
John Mwanza ◽  
Paul Banda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Evidence Base ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Collaborative Partnerships ◽  
Inappropriate Use ◽  
Short Time Span ◽  
Safety Awareness ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Therapeutic Doses ◽  
Short Time

The evidence base for rapid tranquillisation is small in higher-income countries but is even smaller in sub-Saharan Africa. We initiated the first ever survey on the use of rapid tranquillisation in Zambia in 2009; a further survey was then done in 2010, after a programme of teaching and training. It demonstrated an overall improvement in clinical practice, safety, awareness and use of medications within therapeutic doses. It also led to a reduction in inappropriate use of medications. These improvements in practice occurred within a short time span and with minimal effort. Further international collaborative partnerships are required to build stronger mental health infrastructure in Zambia.

Characteristics Associated With Migration Among Older Women and Men in Rural Malawi

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 283-308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob Kendall ◽  
Philip Anglewicz
Keyword(s):  
Physical Health ◽  
Older Women ◽  
Religious Affiliation ◽  
Older Men ◽  
Household Size ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
And Migration

The older population in sub-Saharan Africa is growing rapidly, but little is known about the migration patterns of older individuals in this setting. In this article, we identify the determinants of migration for older individuals in a rural African setting. To do so, we use rare longitudinal data with information for older individuals both before and after migration. We first identify premigration factors associated with moving in the future and then identify differences in characteristics between migrants and nonmigrants after migration. In addition to basic sociodemographic information, we examine differences between migrants and nonmigrants in land ownership, number of lifetime marriages, number of living offspring, previous migration experience, household size, social and religious participation, and religious affiliation. Results show that (a) migration in older age is related to marriage, health and HIV status, household size, and religion; (b) older women who are HIV-positive are more likely to move, and older men with better physical health are more likely to move; (c) older female migrants have worse postmigration physical health; and (d) the relationship between health and migration for older men disappears after migration.

A comparison of global suicide terrorism by region before and after 9/11 terrorist attacks

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmet Guler ◽  
Mustafa Demir
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Interrupted Time Series ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Terrorist Attacks ◽  
Suicide Terrorism ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The World ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Global Terrorism Database

Purpose This study aims to examine the effect of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on suicide terrorism in different regions of the world and changes in the trends in suicide terrorism according to regions before and after 9/11. Design/methodology/approach Using the data obtained from the Global Terrorism Database from 1981 to 2019, the descriptive statistics were computed first and then, independent samples t-tests were run to compare the monthly mean percentage of suicide-terrorism incidents that occurred in each region between the pre-9/11 and the post-9/11 periods. Finally, to statistically assess the effect of the 9/11 attacks and changes in the trends for the dependent variables over time, monthly interrupted time-series analyzes were conducted. Findings The results of monthly interrupted time series analyzes showed that after the 9/11 attacks, the trends for suicide-terrorism rates decreased significantly in three regions including South Asia, the Middle East and North Africa and Europe, while the trend for suicide-terrorism rates increased significantly in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, no statistically significant changes in the trends in suicide-terrorism rates occurred in three regions including North America, East Asia and Central Asia and Southeast Asia before 9/11, during November 2001 or after 9/11. Originality/value This study indicates the critical importance of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in suicide terrorism and its impact on these events in different regions of the world. The research also provides some recommendations concerning the effectiveness of defensive and offensive counterterrorism policies against suicide terrorism.

scholarly journals Towards Pragmatic Economic Policies: Economic Transformation and Industrialization for Revival of Zimbabwe in the New Dispensation Era

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 75-81
Author(s):  
Charles Mazhazhate ◽  
Tapiwa C Mujakachi ◽  
Shakerod Munuhwa
Keyword(s):  
Economic History ◽  
Land Reform ◽  
Economic Transformation ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Economic Policies ◽  
Consumer Prices ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Government ◽  
Economic Institute

Whilst literature has many monetary and economic policies that were enacted before and after the dawn of the New Dispensation in Zimbabwe the country still faces a downward trend in terms of economic recovery. This study reviews the various policies put in place by the government and their impact on socio-economic development of Zimbabwe. A review of Zimbabwe’s economic history shows that the country dropped from being one of the best economies in Sub-Saharan Africa and now ailing and characterised by hyperinflation, agricultural challenges, corruption, very high tax regime, huge domestic and foreign debts, increase in consumer prices and being a chief net importer of most goods or services. The study was underpinned by a case study survey from Singapore’s revival with both qualitative and quantitative instruments used. The study found out that even though the land reform had an impact on economic performance, corruption, party-power politics and absence of an economic institute eroded any necessary contribution to economic transformation and industrialization in Zimbabwe. The study also revealed that the bilateral and multi-lateral agreements that were enacted in the dawn of the new dispensation have not yielded the desired economic revival transformations. The study recommended establishment of an economic institute to direct policy as well as removal of unethical practices in both public and private sectors so as to ensure financial and economic discipline.

scholarly journals Social Reintegration and Rehabilitation of Obstetric Fistula Patients Before and After Repair in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 5-14
Author(s):  
Atuhaire Shallon ◽  
Oladosu A. Ojengbede ◽  
John Francis Mugisha ◽  
Akin-Tunde A. Odukogbe
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Obstetric Fistula ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Vaginal Fistula ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Social Reintegration ◽  
Open Access Journals ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Sub Saharan

Aims: Social reintegration and rehabilitation of obstetric fistula patients before and after repair enhance their overall status, which may be unattainable even with a successful repair. Nonetheless, there is little traceable documentation about it even with supportive programs and projects, the thrust of this study. Methods: This is a systematic review involving a search of relevant literature from PubMed, Google scholar, PsychINFO, African Journals Online, Australian Journals Online, and open access journals of international organizations such as WHO, UNFPA, USAID, Engender Health, Fistula Foundation and Fistula Care Plus published between 1978 to date. Of the 46 articles identified, 25 were suitable for achievement of this study’s purpose. Results:Sub-Saharan African countries have recognized the overall burden of obstetric fistula and have devised strategies for its holistic management. Most countries have National Obstetric Fistula Strategic Frameworks which emphasize multi-sectoral and multidisciplinary approaches other than medical paradigms. Social reintegration and rehabilitation have been done through the identification of individual patient’s need/s. Projects and programs aiming to combat obstetric fistula and restore patients’ self-worth and dignity are: Lamaneh Suisse, and Delta Survie in Mali, Dimol in Niger,  Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) in Burundi, FORWARD in Nigeria and Sierra Leone, Handicap International in Benin Republic, Women For Africa in Ghana and Liberia, TERREWODE and CoRSU both in Uganda, Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia in Ethiopia, and others which cut across the region. Conclusions: Effective social reintegration and rehabilitation strategies are still inadequate in Sub-Saharan Africa due to lack of political commitment and inadequate outreach programs. Keywords: obstetric fistula, recto-vaginal fistula, rehabilitation, social reintegration, vesico-vaginal fistula.

scholarly journals Caring for HIV-positive children: healthcare providers' pre-and post-disclosure experiences in Nairobi, Kenya

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Drusilla Makworo ◽  
Theresa Odero
Keyword(s):  
Health Professionals ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Hiv Disclosure ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Number Of Children ◽  
High Resource ◽  
Main Challenge ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Sub Saharan

Background The number of children living with HIV has increased worldwide, largely due to improvements in antiretroviral therapy. Most of these children are living in sub-Saharan Africa. The rate of disclosure to children of their HIV-positive status is low in low-resource countries compared to high-resource countries. Aim To explore health professionals' experiences of caring for HIV-positive children before and after their HIV-positive status was disclosed to them. The health professionals included nurses, counsellors, nutritionists, social workers, pharmacists and clinicians with at least 1 year of experience at the paediatric section of the comprehensive care centre. Methods Nine health professionals were interviewed. Findings Results revealed that there were more challenges before disclosure than after. The main challenge was communicating with the children. The children's main concerns before disclosures included the reason for treatment and its duration, and clinic follow-up. Conclusions Health professionals should be trained on the benefits of HIV disclosure to children, in order to allow for open and direct communication between healthcare providers, parents/carers and children.

scholarly journals Lowering Transport Costs and Prices by Competition: Regulatory and Institutional Reforms in Low Income Countries

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (21) ◽  
pp. 5940 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phill Wheat ◽  
Alexander D. Stead ◽  
Yue Huang ◽  
Andrew Smith
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Freight Transport ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Quality Improvements ◽  
Transport Costs ◽  
Institutional Reforms ◽  
The Road ◽  
Sub Saharan

High passenger and freight transport costs are a barrier to economic growth and social mobility, particularly in Low Income Countries (LICs). This paper considers the current state of knowledge regarding the barriers to achieving lower generalised transport costs. It considers both the road and railway modes across passenger and freight transport. These issues include a reform on the regulations for driver hours (preventing the road infrastructure from overloading), structuring rail concessions, increasing competition, and tackling corruption. Such reforms aim to deliver efficiency gains and service quality improvements at lower costs for users. This paper identifies the knowledge gap in previous research and concludes by setting out a research agenda that builds the evidence base for how the best practices from around the world can best be applied to the specific circumstances in Low Income Countries, with a particular focus on Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

Changes in nutrient and calorie intake, adipose mass, triglycerides and TNF-α concentrations after non-caloric sweetener intake: pilot study

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Marcela Sánchez-Delgado ◽  
José Antonio Estrada ◽  
Vladimir Paredes-Cervantes ◽  
Martha Kaufer-Horwitz ◽  
Irazú Contreras
Keyword(s):  
Calorie Intake ◽  
Normal Body Mass Index ◽  
Steviol Glycosides ◽  
Immunological Parameters ◽  
Serum Triglycerides ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Short Time Span ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Short Time

Abstract. Establishing the safety of non-caloric sweetener consumption in humans is a difficult task, since many contradictory results have been reported. The objective of this study was to compare the effect of frequent intake of sucrose, sucralose or steviol glycosides, on selected anthropometric, biochemical and immunological parameters in healthy, young adults. 38 individuals with normal body mass index were recruited and randomly divided into three experimental groups. After a washout week (where food with added sweeteners was restricted), each group was supplemented with sucrose (8 × 5 g packets/day), sucralose or steviol glycosides (4 × 1 g packets/day each) for 6 weeks. Selected variables were measured before and after treatment in each group and differences within and among groups were assessed. Our results showed that, compared to baseline, there was a modest but significant increase in weight (p = 0.0293) in the sucralose group, while the steviol glycosides group reduced their fat mass (p = 0.0390). No differences were observed in glycaemia; however, there was a significant increase in serum triglycerides (77.8–110.8 mg/dL) and cholesterol (162.0–172.3 mg/dL) in the sucrose group, whereas the steviol glycosides group presented lower triglycerides (104.7–92.8 mg/dL) and TNF-α concentrations (51.1–47.5 pg/mL). Comparison among groups showed differences in serum triglycerides (p = 0.0226), TNF-α (p = 0.0460) and IL-β (p = 0.0008). Our results suggest that, even in a short time span, frequent intake of steviol glycosides may have positive effects on metabolic parameters that may be relevant for human health.

Capturing the Complexities of Adolescent Transitions Through a Mixed Methods Longitudinal Research Design

2021 ◽  
pp. 135-164
Author(s):  
Sarah Baird ◽  
Nicola Jones ◽  
Bassam Abu Hamad ◽  
Maheen Sultan ◽  
Workneh Yadete
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Longitudinal Research ◽  
Rapid Change ◽  
Research Programme ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Human Capabilities ◽  
Genital Mutilation ◽  
Methodological Choices ◽  
Sub Saharan

Adolescence is a time of rapid change in the lifecycle, with significant shifts in physical, cognitive and psychological competencies, and major changes in social roles and expectations. However, our collective understanding of the patterning of these changes and the types of support young people require to reach their full human capabilities is still limited. Given that multiple Sustainable Development Goals rest on investments in adolescents (from goals on eliminating harmful traditional practices including child marriage and female genital mutilation to ensuring quality secondary, tertiary and technical and vocational education), investing in a more robust evidence base and improved measurement is critical. The Gender and Adolescence: Global Evidence (GAGE) research programme is a key initiative aimed at contributing to this evidence and measurement lacuna. This article discusses the design and methodological choices of the GAGE study, which is the largest longitudinal research initiative focused on adolescents (10-19 years) in the Global South, following 18,000 adolescent girls and boys in developmental and humanitarian contexts in sub-Saharan Africa, MENA and South Asia. It includes a discussion in line with the 2030 Sustainable Development commitment to leave no one behind of the programme’s purposeful sampling of advantaged adolescents.

scholarly journals Phenotyping Stroke in Sub-Saharan Africa: Stroke Investigative Research and Education Network (SIREN) Phenomics Protocol

2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 73-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Albert Akpalu ◽  
Fred Stephen Sarfo ◽  
Bruce Ovbiagele ◽  
Rufus Akinyemi ◽  
Mulugeta Gebregziabher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Brain Research ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Emerging Risk ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Research And Education ◽  
Education Network

Background: As the second leading cause of death and the leading cause of adult-onset disability, stroke is a major public health concern particularly pertinent in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where nearly 80% of all global stroke mortalities occur, and stroke burden is projected to increase in the coming decades. However, traditional and emerging risk factors for stroke in SSA have not been well characterized, thus limiting efforts at curbing its devastating toll. The Stroke Investigative Research and Education Network (SIREN) project is aimed at comprehensively evaluating the key environmental and genomic risk factors for stroke (and its subtypes) in SSA while simultaneously building capacities in phenomics, biobanking, genomics, biostatistics, and bioinformatics for brain research. Methods: SIREN is a transnational, multicentre, hospital and community-based study involving 3,000 cases and 3,000 controls recruited from 8 sites in Ghana and Nigeria. Cases will be hospital-based patients with first stroke within 10 days of onset in whom neurovascular imaging will be performed. Etiological and topographical stroke subtypes will be documented for all cases. Controls will be hospital- and community-based participants, matched to cases on the basis of gender, ethnicity, and age (±5 years). Information will be collected on known and proposed emerging risk factors for stroke. Study Significance: SIREN is the largest study of stroke in Africa to date. It is anticipated that it will shed light on the phenotypic characteristics and risk factors of stroke and ultimately provide evidence base for strategic interventions to curtail the burgeoning burden of stroke on the sub-continent.

scholarly journals Strengthening research management and support services in sub-Saharan African universities and research institutions

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 31
Author(s):  
Justin Pulford ◽  
Susie Crossman ◽  
Sara Begg ◽  
Jessica Amegee Quach ◽  
Pierre Abomo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
International Development ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Research Management ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Significant Shift ◽  
Research Institutions ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Capacity Strengthening ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Almost All

Background: International development partners and research councils are increasingly funding research management and support (RMS) capacity strengthening initiatives in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) as part of a broader investment in strengthening national and regional research systems.  However, the evidence-base to inform RMS capacity strengthening initiatives is limited at present. This research note presents a synthesis of 28 RMS capacity assessments completed in 25 universities/research institutions from across 15 SSA countries between 2014 and 2018.  Methods: All 28 capacity assessments were completed following a standardised methodology consisting of semi-structured interviews conducted with research and research support staff at the respective institution as well as document reviews and observation of onsite facilities. Data were extracted from the 28 reports detailing the findings of each assessment according to a framework synthesis approach. Results: In total, 13 distinct capacity gap categories emerged from across the 28 RMS capacity assessment reports.  Almost all the institutions assessed faced significant gaps in RMS capacity within and across each of these 13 categories. The 13 categories were not independent of each other and were often closely inter-connected. Commonalities were also evident across multiple categories, the two most obvious of which were severe fiscal constraints and the often-complex bureaucracy of the institutional operating environment. Conclusions: The synthesis findings reveal multiple, commonly shared RMS capacity gaps in universities and research institutions across SSA. No single intervention type, or focus, would be sufficient to strengthen capacity across all 13 areas; rather, what is needed to facilitate a significant shift in RMS capacity within such SSA universities and research institutions is a combination of interventions, consisting of differing levels of cost and complexity, variously led (or supported) by both internal and external actors.

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