scholarly journals Recruiting students for the COVID-19 emergency response: lessons from eight African countries

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vera Mkenda ◽  
Mark Woolhouse ◽  
Francisca Mutapi ◽  
Geoffrey Banda
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Emergency Response ◽  
Clinical Laboratory ◽  
Medical Emergency ◽  
Biomedical Sciences ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Postgraduate Students ◽  
Emergency Situations ◽  
The Government

Background: This paper examines how African countries can innovatively use pre-qualified undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as retired clinical, laboratory and epidemiological technocrats in dealing with medical emergency situations, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: An online questionnaire was sent to key informants in six universities and two research institutions working with the Tackling Infections to Benefit Africa (TIBA) program eight African countries.  The return rate was 88.9% and data was analysed using the framework method. Results: Students and other personnel trained in the medical and health professions are a valuable resource that can be mobilised by African governments during medical emergency situations. These are found in research, academia, non-governmental organisations, and government.  However, without clear plans and mechanisms for recruiting, supervising and remunerating or reimbursing the costs of engaging someone not employed by the government, the legitimation and authority for such recruitment becomes a challenge. Currently, postgraduate students in the biomedical sciences are the most preferred because of their level of experience and exposure to medical techniques. They also have a degree certificate, which serves as a quality and competence assurance tool. Engagement of postgraduate medical students undergoing their residence programmes also seems a lot easier. While on the other hand, undergraduate students, who are the majority, are considered underexposed and with low technological capabilities. They also lack certificates needed to ensure competence, although we argue that not all tasks during pandemics require specialized skills. Conclusion: As a step towards strengthening national disaster preparedness capacities, African governments need to develop plans that clarify protocols for engaging, training, supervising and protecting students, especially undergraduates and those taking non-biomedical courses. Such plans may form part of the National Pandemic Response Plan, while considering both specialised and non-specialized roles of emergency response.

scholarly journals Career and Work Readiness of Nutrition and Dietetics Trainees in Nigerian Universities

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 92-102
Author(s):  
Leshi Oluwatosin ◽  
Anuoluwa F Ogundero
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Diet Therapy ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Background Information ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Postgraduate Students ◽  
Nutrition And Diet ◽  
Areas Of Interest ◽  
Nutrition And Dietetics

Beyond having a good degree, graduates are expected to have relevant skills and attributes required to compete and collaborate in a rapidly changing work environment. In recent times, the employability of Nutrition and Dietetics graduates in Nigeria has been of considerable concern. This study was designed to assess the readiness of trainees in the field of Nutrition and Dietetics from Nigerian Universities for career and work engagements. This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 109 final-year undergraduate and postgraduate students from twelve universities offering Nutrition and Dietetics programme across Nigeria. Data was collected using a semi-structured online questionnaire. Data obtained were background information on the students, their experiences and challenges in their academic pursuits, willingness and readiness to pursue and engage in Nutrition and Dietetics related jobs, as well as their perception of skills and competences for future career and work engagements. The data were analysed using the IBM SPSS version 20.0. About 73% of the respondents were females, mainly between ages 21 and 25 years (62.4%) and undergraduates (70%). Among the undergraduate students, 83.4% had chosen to study Nutrition and Dietetics as a result of personal interest and choice while the postgraduate trainees indicated acquisition of in-depth knowledge of nutrition (60.6%) and quest to enhance career profile for competitive advantage in job pursuits (39.4%) as the core reasons for their choice for the programme. Nearly all the respondents (96.3%) reported having enjoyed their training programs. Only half (50.5%) perceived themselves to be “very ready” and well-prepared for work and career engagement. The top three areas of interest by trainees in Nutrition and Dietetics were Clinical Nutrition and Diet Therapy (60.6%), Community and Public Health Nutrition (43.1%), and Sports Nutrition (11.0%). Three out of every ten trainees had no specific desired skills and competences. While less than half declared that they had no knowledge of the skills and competences desired by employers of nutrition graduates, two-thirds of the trainees perceived themselves as eligible for their choice of work and career. This study shows that most Nutrition and Dietetics trainees in Nigerian universities are ready and willing to start a career in the field. However, many lack the knowledge of expected skills and competences needed for career engagement.

The Hexaco-60, the Dark Triad and Scholastic Cheating

2020 ◽  
pp. 003329412096107
Author(s):  
Yuen Kiu Cheung ◽  
Vincent Egan
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Associate Degree ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Equation Model ◽  
Dark Triad ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Postgraduate Students ◽  
Personality Predictors ◽  
Academic Qualification ◽  
One Way Anova

Previous studies have found inconsistent results regarding the personality predictors of scholastic cheating. This study investigated whether personality was a predictor of scholastic cheating using the HEXACO-60 personality inventory and the Dark Triad (DT). A sample of 252 students completed the online questionnaire. Results from a one-way ANOVA showed that scholastic cheating was more common in associate degree/diploma/foundation students and undergraduate students than postgraduate students. Year of study or student status (local or international students) had no effect on scholastic cheating. MANOVA showed that academic qualification, year of study, and student status had no effect on reasons for cheating. A structural equation model (SEM) found that scholastic cheating was positively predicted by unmitigated achievement and psychopathy. Psychopathy emerged as the strongest significant predictor of scholastic cheating. These results supported the view that dark personality is relevant for understanding scholastic cheating.

scholarly journals Knowledge and Awareness about Food Carcinogens among Dental Students

2020 ◽  
pp. 167-181
Author(s):  
A. Trishala ◽  
Dhanraj Ganapathy
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Dental Students ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Postgraduate Students ◽  
Clinical Exposure ◽  
Food Items ◽  
Food Carcinogens ◽  
Spss Software ◽  
Widespread Interest ◽  
Online Software

The risk of developing cancer from carcinogens occurring in food is of widespread interest to scientific researchers, food policymakers, and food surveillance institutions, as well as to the general public. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and awareness of food carcinogens among dental students. A structured self-assessed online questionnaire having 15 questions on food carcinogens was prepared and distributed to the dental students who have clinical exposure including 3rd BDS, final BDS, interns, and postgraduates of all specialties. It was circulated using online software, a survey planet, and the response was collected through it. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software. Considering the responses, it can be interpreted that the knowledge regarding food carcinogens is above average among dental students. Also, postgraduate students were more knowledgeable than undergraduate students. Interns showed more awareness than third-year or final year undergraduate students. Educational workshops, conferences, and CDE’s are essential for both undergraduates and postgraduates to improve their knowledge regarding various carcinogenic properties of different food items.

scholarly journals Knowledge and Awareness about Transdermal Drug Patches among Dental Students

2020 ◽  
pp. 137-159
Author(s):  
A. Trishala ◽  
Dhanraj Ganapathy ◽  
M. P. Santhosh Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Skin Surface ◽  
Systemic Effect ◽  
Dental Students ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Postgraduate Students ◽  
Clinical Exposure ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Spss Software ◽  
Online Software

Transdermal delivery is a non-invasive route of drug administration through the skin surface that can deliver the drug at a predetermined rate across the dermis to achieve a local or systemic effect. It is potentially used as an alternative to oral routes of drugs and hypodermic injections. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and awareness of transdermal drug patches among dental students. A structured self-assessed online questionnaire having 15 questions on transdermal drug patches was prepared and distributed to the dental students who have clinical exposure including 3rd BDS, final BDS, interns, and postgraduates of all specialties. It was circulated using online software, survey planet, and the response was collected through it. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software. Considering the responses, it can be interpreted that the knowledge regarding transdermal drug patches is above average among dental students. Also, postgraduate students were more knowledgeable than undergraduate students. Interns showed more awareness than a third-year or final year undergraduate students. Educational workshops, conferences, and CDE’s are essential for both undergraduates and postgraduates to improve their knowledge regarding various transdermal drug patches and their adverse reactions.

scholarly journals Behavioral Changes After the COVID-19 Lockdown in Italy

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veronica Cucchiarini ◽  
Laura Caravona ◽  
Laura Macchi ◽  
Federico L. Perlino ◽  
Riccardo Viale
Keyword(s):  
Risk Perception ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
National Sample ◽  
Protective Behaviors ◽  
Injunctive Norm ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Epidemic Curve ◽  
Social Risks ◽  
Prevention Behavior ◽  
The Government

This study aims at identifying the tools necessary for COVID-19 health emergency management, with particular reference to the period following the first lockdown, a crucial phase in which it was important to favor the maintenance of protective behaviors. It also aims at identifying the messages and sources that were most effective in managing communication correctly in such a crucial phase that is likely characterized by a fall in perceived health risk (due to the flattening of the epidemic curve) and a simultaneous rise in perceived economic and social risks (due to the enduring calamity). Knowing what source will be most effective to convey a specific message is fundamental in enabling individuals to focus on and comply with the rules. At the same time, it is necessary to understand how the message should be presented, and the relationships between messages, sources and targets. To meet these goals, data were collected through a self-administered online questionnaire submitted to a sample of undergraduate students from a University in Lombardy–the region most affected by the pandemic in the first wave- (Study 1), and to a national sample composed of Italian citizens (Study 2). Through our first manipulation which explored the effectiveness of social norms in relation to different sources, we found that, in the national sample, the injunctive norm conveyed by the government was the most effective in promoting behavioral intentions. By contrast, among the students, results showed that for the critical group with a lower risk perception (less inclined to adopt prevention behavior) descriptive norms, which implicitly convey the risk perception of peers, were as effective as the government injunctive norm. Our second manipulation, identical in Study 1 and 2, compared four types of communication (emotional, exponential growth, both of them, or neutral). The neutral condition was the most memorable, but no condition was more effective than the others. Across all message types there was a high intention to adopt protective behaviors. The results indicate possible applicative implications of the adopted communicative tools.

SOME FEATURES OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE IN RUSSIA IN CONNECTION WITH THE SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS INFECTION (COVID-19)

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 149-154
Author(s):  
YURI FRANCIFOROV ◽  
◽  
MARINA BARANOVA
Keyword(s):  
Preliminary Investigation ◽  
Preventive Measure ◽  
Judicial System ◽  
Emergency Situations ◽  
Judicial Proceedings ◽  
Coronavirus Infection ◽  
The Russian Federation ◽  
The Government ◽  
Judicial Actions ◽  
Emergency Measures

The purpose of the article is to consider the peculiarities of investigative and judicial actions that are caused by their postponement, the inability to attract a lawyer, as well as the suspension of the preliminary investigation during the period of emergency measures taken by the government of the Russian Federation in response to the outbreak of the coronavirus infection pandemic (COVID-19). The authorsanalyze the features of the courts activity in connection with the coronavirus pandemic, which is associated with minimizing the personal reception of citizens and submitting documents via electronic Internet reception offices of courts or by Russian Post, as well as the possibility of conducting online court sessions. The authors come to the conclusion that the judicial system was not sufficiently prepared for the pandemic, and therefore it is urgently necessary to adopt a special normative act that would regulate the implementation of judicial proceedings in emergency situations, allowing to continue to consider urgent cases, including materials on the election, extension, cancellation or change of a preventive measure.

ANALISIS ABORSI DALAM PERATURAN PEMERINTAH NO. 61 TAHUN 2014 TENTANG KESEHATAN REPRODUKSI

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Ferry Fadzlul Rahman
Keyword(s):  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Government Regulation ◽  
Medical Emergency ◽  
Rape Victims ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Law Enforcement Agencies ◽  
Community Factors ◽  
Law Enforcement Officials ◽  
The Government

Abortion is a social phenomenon that is increasingly alarming. The concern is not without reason, because so far the behavior of abortion many negative effects both for themselves the perpetrators and the wider community. With the passing of the Government Regulation No. 61 Year 2014 on Reproductive Health still raises the pros and cons in the middle of the community. The approach used to address the problem that the above problems are normative juridical approach. Based on the results of the study need to decriminalize abortion in Government Regulation No. 61 Year 2014 on Reproductive Health which has the goal of creating the legal basis for abortion and the experts who helped him as an indication of a medical emergency or pregnancy due to rape, and factors inhibiting the decriminalization of abortion is legal factors themselves, law enforcement officials factors, factors facilities or infrastructure, community factors, and cultural factors. Suggestion that the author should the government needs to review the Government Regulation No. 61 Year 2014 on Reproductive Health in particular Article 31 and Article 34 within the limited evidence of rape victims in just 40 days because of the time limit is not relative to the law enforcement agencies to prove it, as well as regarding the evidentiary aspects of pregnancy due to rape victims in order to avoid an impression of legitimizing the act of abortion in any form. Keywords: Abortion, , Reproductive Health

ANALISIS DEKRIMINALISASI ABORSI DALAM PERATURAN PEMERINTAH NO. 61 TAHUN 2014 TENTANG KESEHATAN REPRODUKSI

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 80
Author(s):  
Ferry Fadzul Rahman
Keyword(s):  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Government Regulation ◽  
Medical Emergency ◽  
Rape Victims ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Law Enforcement Agencies ◽  
Community Factors ◽  
Law Enforcement Officials ◽  
The Government

Abortion is a social phenomenon that is increasingly alarming. The concern is not without reason, because so far the behavior of abortion many negative effects both for themselves the perpetrators and the wider community. With the passing of the Government Regulation No. 61 Year 2014 on Reproductive Health still raises the pros and cons in the middle of the community. The approach used to address the problem that the above problems are normative juridical approach. Based on the results of the study need to decriminalize abortion in Government Regulation No. 61 Year 2014 on Reproductive Health which has the goal of creating the legal basis for abortion and the experts who helped him as an indication of a medical emergency or pregnancy due to rape, and factors inhibiting the decriminalization of abortion is legal factors themselves, law enforcement officials factors, factors facilities or infrastructure, community factors, and cultural factors. Suggestion that the author should the government needs to review the Government Regulation No. 61 Year 2014 on Reproductive Health in particular Article 31 and Article 34 within the limited evidence of rape victims in just 40 days because of the time limit is not relative to the law enforcement agencies to prove it, as well as regarding the evidentiary aspects of pregnancy due to rape victims in order to avoid an impression of legitimizing the act of abortion in any form.

The Use of Social Media by the Botswana Government and Governance of Liquid Communication

Mousaion ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tshepho Lydia Mosweu
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Customer Service ◽  
Community Involvement ◽  
Media Content ◽  
Service Access ◽  
Communication Tool ◽  
African Countries ◽  
The World ◽  
The Government ◽  
Use Of Social Media

Social media as a communication tool has enabled governments around the world to interact with citizens for customer service, access to information and to direct community involvement needs. The trends around the world show recognition by governments that social media content may constitute records and should be managed accordingly. The literature shows that governments and organisations in other countries, particularly in Europe, have social media policies and strategies to guide the management of social media content, but there is less evidence among African countries. Thus the purpose of this paper is to examine the extent of usage of social media by the Botswana government in order to determine the necessity for the governance of liquid communication. Liquid communication here refers to the type of communication that goes easily back and forth between participants involved through social media. The ARMA principle of availability requires that where there is information governance, an organisation shall maintain its information assets in a manner that ensures their timely, efficient and accurate retrieval. The study adopted a qualitative case study approach where data were collected through documentary reviews and interviews among purposively selected employees of the Botswana government. This study revealed that the Botswana government has been actively using social media platforms to interact with its citizens since 2011 for increased access, usage and awareness of services offered by the government. Nonetheless, the study revealed that the government had no official documentation on the use of social media, and policies and strategies that dealt with the governance of liquid communication. This study recommends the governance of liquid communication to ensure timely, efficient and accurate retrieval when needed for business purposes.

Ghana: the State of Agriculture and Prospects for Food Security in the Context of Achieving SDGs

2018 ◽  
pp. 16-31
Author(s):  
Tatyana Denisova
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Socioeconomic Development ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The State ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Careful Study ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
The Government

For the first time in Russian African studies, the author examines the current state of agriculture, challenges and prospects for food security in Ghana, which belongs to the group of African countries that have made the most progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs are a collection of 17 global goals adopted by UN member states in 2015 with a view of achieving them by 2030. The SDGs include: ending poverty in all its forms everywhere (Goal 1); ending hunger, achieving food security and improved nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture (2); ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages (3), etc. These goals are considered fundamental because the achievement of a number of other SDGs – for example, ensuring quality education (4), achieving gender equality (5), ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns (12), etc. – largely depends on their implementation. Ghana was commended by the world community for the significant reduction in poverty, hunger and malnutrition between 2000 and 2014, i.e. for the relatively successful implementation of the first of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs, 2000–2015) – the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger. However, SDGs require more careful study and planning of implementation measures. In order to achieve the SDGs, the Government of Ghana has adopted a number of programs, plans and projects, the successful implementation of which often stumbles upon the lack of funding and lack of coordination between state bodies, private and public organizations, foreign partners – donors and creditors, etc., which are involved in the processes of socioeconomic development of Ghana. The author determines the reasons for the lack of food security in Ghana, gives an assessment of the state of the agricultural sector, the effective development of which is a prerequisite for the reduction of poverty and hunger, primarily due to the engagement of a significant share (45%) of the economically active population in this sector. The study shows that the limited growth in food production is largely due to the absence of domestic markets and necessary roads, means of transportation, irrigation and storage infrastructure, as well as insufficient investment in the agricultural sector, rather than to a shortage of fertile land or labor.

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