scholarly journals Epica: Using an Eportfolio to Reduce the Skills Gap in Sub-Saharan Africa

2020 ◽  
pp. 76-84
Author(s):  
Lourdes Guardia-Ortiz ◽  
Marcelo Maina ◽  
Federica Mancini ◽  
Derek Clougher
Keyword(s):  
Youth Unemployment ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Strategic Partnership ◽  
Employability Skills ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Skills Gap ◽  
Unemployment Rates ◽  
Viable Solution ◽  
Key Skills ◽  
Sub Saharan

Consistent research has identified that a marked skills gap exists in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This skills gap results in high youth unemployment rates in a competitive market which has seen an increase in employers seeking specific skills when recruiting. To provide better opportunities for students entering the workforce the African HE system should adapt and search for innovative ways to respond to market demands. Universities can redesign the curriculum to focus on the key skills required by employers such as technical skills, transferable skills, and digital skills to address the skills gap in an attempt to reduce youth unemployment rates. EPICA, a strategic partnership between African and European institutions and organizations, highlights the important role that technology plays by introducing an innovative ePortfolio in universities aimed at showcasing graduates’ employability skills. This project consisted of an empirical study demonstrating the implementation of the ePortfolio used to assess and present graduates’ skills. The core findings suggested that a marked skills gap exists in graduate students’ employability skills in SSA and that the ePortfolio provides a viable solution to reduce it. Results, strengths and limitations as well as ideas for future research are interpreted in the discussion.

scholarly journals Entrepreneurship education as human capital: Implications for youth self-employment and conflict mitigation in Sub-Saharan Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paschal Anosike
Keyword(s):  
Human Capital ◽  
Youth Unemployment ◽  
Entrepreneurship Education ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
School Curriculum ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Secondary School Curriculum ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Capital Development

Previous research has focused on stable developed economies to predict that human capital and entrepreneurship education (EE) provision at the higher education (HE) level will positively affect entrepreneurial success. This article draws on the outcome of recent EE projects in two HE institutions in a conflict-torn northern Nigeria as a proxy to advocate the introduction of entrepreneurship as a compulsory component into the secondary school curriculum in Sub-Saharan Africa. Using semi-structured interview data, it is found that the provision of EE at secondary education level could help to facilitate human capital development and assist efforts to curb youth unemployment. Specifically, the study suggests that EE comprises both generic and specific human capital that increases an individual’s ability to identify and exploit opportunities, particularly for young people, and in doing so helps to reduce their vulnerability to poverty and involvement in armed conflict. Suggestions for future research and policy considerations are provided.

Increasing the Visibility of Graduate Students' Employability Skills

2021 ◽  
pp. 253-275
Author(s):  
Lourdes Guàrdia ◽  
Marcelo Fabián Maina ◽  
Federica Mancini
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Graduate Students ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Employability Skills ◽  
Skills Gap ◽  
Learning Models ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Impact

This chapter highlights the contributions of the EPICA project in reducing the skills gap of graduate students in sub-Saharan Africa. It presents the solution designed and implemented to improve the quality of employability skills development and visibility to prospective employers. The first part of this chapter provides an overview of the skills gap between higher education institutions and the workplace in sub-Saharan Africa. It includes the description of the specific eAssessment pedagogical framework and methodology supported by the EPICA ePortfolio as a transition tool designed to address this gap. The second part of the chapter outlines the challenges that could hinder the solution's implementation and the full exploitation of its benefits. Solutions and recommendations are also discussed with the aim to increase the impact in the EPICA stakeholder community and encourage the implementation of the proposed solution in other universities, especially those adopting blended and online learning models.

scholarly journals Prevalence and determinants of chronic kidney disease in women with hypertensive disorders in pregnancy in Nigeria: a cohort study

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Salisu M. Ishaku ◽  
Timothy Olusegun Olanrewaju ◽  
Joyce L. Browne ◽  
Kerstin Klipstein-Grobusch ◽  
Gbenga A. Kayode ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Kidney Disease ◽  
Kidney Disease ◽  
Gestational Hypertension ◽  
Monitoring Program ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Hypertensive Disorders ◽  
Hypertensive Disorders In Pregnancy ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
In Pregnancy

Abstract Background Worldwide, hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDPs) complicate between 5 and 10% of pregnancies. Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is disproportionately affected by a high burden of HDPs and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Despite mounting evidence associating HDPs with the development of CKD, data from SSA are scarce. Methods Women with HDPs (n = 410) and normotensive women (n = 78) were recruited at delivery and prospectively followed-up at 9 weeks, 6 months and 1 year postpartum. Serum creatinine was measured at all time points and the estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR) using CKD-Epidemiology equation determined. CKD was defined as decreased eGFR< 60 mL/min/1.73m2 lasting for ≥ 3 months. Prevalence of CKD at 6 months and 1 year after delivery was estimated. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to evaluate risk factors for CKD at 6 months and 1 year postpartum. Results Within 24 h of delivery, 9 weeks, and 6 months postpartum, women with HDPs were more likely to have a decreased eGFR compared to normotensive women (12, 5.7, 4.3% versus 0, 2 and 2.4%, respectively). The prevalence of CKD in HDPs at 6 months and 1 year postpartum was 6.1 and 7.6%, respectively, as opposed to zero prevalence in the normotensive women for the corresponding periods. Proportions of decreased eGFR varied with HDP sub-types and intervening postpartum time since delivery, with pre-eclampsia/eclampsia showing higher prevalence than chronic and gestational hypertension. Only maternal age was independently shown to be a risk factor for decreased eGFR at 6 months postpartum (aOR = 1.18/year; 95%CI 1.04–1.34). Conclusion Prior HDP was associated with risk of future CKD, with prior HDPs being more likely to experience evidence of CKD over periods of postpartum follow-up. Routine screening of women following HDP-complicated pregnancies should be part of a postpartum monitoring program to identify women at higher risk. Future research should report on both the eGFR and total urinary albumin excretion to enable detection of women at risk of future deterioration of renal function.

scholarly journals Opportunities and Challenges in Realizing Universal Access to Obstetric Ultrasound in Sub-Saharan Africa

2017 ◽  
Vol 03 (02) ◽  
pp. E52-E59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sikolia Wanyonyi ◽  
Charles Mariara ◽  
Sudhir Vinayak ◽  
William Stones
Keyword(s):  
Universal Access ◽  
Perinatal Outcomes ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Obstetric Ultrasound ◽  
Integral Component ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Sub Saharan

AbstractThe potential benefits of obstetric ultrasound have yet to be fully realized in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), despite the region bearing the greatest burden of poor perinatal outcomes. We reviewed the literature for challenges and opportunities of universal access to obstetric ultrasound and explored what is needed to make such access an integral component of maternity care in order to address the massive burden of perinatal morbidity and mortality in SSA. Original peer-reviewed literature was searched in various electronic databases using a ‘realist’ approach. While the available data were inconclusive, they identify many opportunities for potential future research on the subject within the region that can help build a strong case to justify the provision of universal access to ultrasound as an integral component of comprehensive antenatal care.

scholarly journals Prevalence and Correlates of Pregnancy Self-Testing Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care in Western Kenya

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina Njeri Nganga ◽  
Julia Dettinger ◽  
John Kinuthia ◽  
Jared Baeten ◽  
Grace John-Stewart ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antenatal Care ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Western Kenya ◽  
Self Testing ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Exposure Prophylaxis

Abstract In sub-Saharan Africa little is known about how often women use pregnancy self-tests or characteristics of these women despite evidence that pregnancy self-testing is associated with early antenatal care (ANC) attendance. Understanding the characteristics of women who use pregnancy self-tests may facilitate early access to ANC and preventive interventions in pregnancy. We conducted a cross-sectional survey on an ongoing pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) implementation study which enrolled pregnant women to determine the prevalence and factors associated with pregnancy self-testing among women in western Kenya. Overall in our study population, the prevalence of pregnancy self-testing was 22% and higher among women who were employed, currently in school, had previous pregnancy complications, received services from urban health facilities, and had partners who had at least attended secondary school. The most reported reasons for non-use of pregnancy self-tests included not thinking it was necessary, lack of knowledge, and lack of money to pay for the test. Future research should focus on understanding the knowledge and attitudes of women toward pregnancy self-testing.

scholarly journals BARRIERS OF SMES’ SUSTAINABILITY IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: A PLS-SEM APPROACH

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-24
Author(s):  
John Amoah ◽  
Abdul Bashiru Jibril ◽  
Bayuasi Nammei Luki ◽  
Michael Amponsah Odei ◽  
Charles Yawson
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Developing Economies ◽  
Manufacturing Sector ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Partial Least Square ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Global Business ◽  
Sub Saharan

Undoubtedly, entrepreneurial knowledge is a prerequisite for the survival of every business organization. To this, the contribution of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the socio-economic development in most developing economies cannot be underestimated. Both developed and developing countries are living testimonies of their contributions to their nation’s growth and development. However, extant literature shows that as competition and innovation intensify in the global business market, many SMEs in developing countries are constrained by external forces that hinder the sustainability of these businesses.   Hence, this paper aims to find out the mitigating factors warranting SMEs’ sustainability from the viewpoint of entrepreneurs and business owners, particularly in the manufacturing sector of Ghana, a Sub-Saharan Africa region. To achieved this objective, the study deployed a simple random sampling technique with 370 valid responses through a structured questionnaire for the analysis. Relying on PLS-SEM (partial least square and structural modeling) with the aid of ADANCO 2.2.1 software version revealed that factors such as financial challenges, technology; market penetration & acceptability; and research & development are barriers facing SMEs sustainability in the Ghanaian manufacturing sector. This study would be beneficial to entrepreneurs and business owners of SMEs in most developing countries and provide deeper insight into the SME literature at large. This study would further strengthen SME entrepreneurs and business owners to fully devise strategies that can help them to override such migrating challenges and equipped them to effectively stay competitive in the long term for the firm’s growth and survival. The limitation and future research directions are equally presented in the paper.

scholarly journals Synthesizing evidence on nutrition challenges among people living with HIV/AIDS in sub- Saharan Africa: a protocol for a scoping review

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (7) ◽  
pp. 3173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tafadzwa Dzinamarira ◽  
Moreblessing Chipo Mashora
Keyword(s):  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Future Research ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Nutritional Management ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
Improve Health ◽  
Hiv Aids

Background: Good nutritional status is highly significant for individuals who are infected with HIV. However, they still face a number of nutritional challenges. The proposed scoping review will map literature on the nutritional challenges facing people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH) and guide future research in nutritional management to improve health outcomes for PLWH. Here we outline a scoping review protocol designed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P 2015 Guidelines).Methods: The Arksey and O’Malley’s 2005 scoping methodological framework further improved by Levac et al. 2010 will guide the search and reporting. Searches will be conducted for eligible articles from MEDLINE (PubMed), MEDLINE, CINAHL, Academic Search Complete and ISI Web of Science (Science Citation Index) electronic databases. Two independent reviewers will conduct the search guided by an inclusion and exclusion criteria. Quality appraisal of the included articles will be conducted guided by the mixed methods appraisal tool 2018 version. We will employ NVivo version 12 for thematic content analysis.Conclusions: The findings of this review will guide future research in nutritional management to improve health outcomes for PLWH in sub-Saharan African. This review will be disseminated electronically in a published peer reviewed article and in print.

scholarly journals Recurrent Cholera Outbreaks in Sub-Saharan Africa: Moving beyond Epidemiology to Understand the Environmental Reservoirs and Drivers

Challenges ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Willis Gwenzi ◽  
Edmond Sanganyado
Keyword(s):  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Environmental Drivers ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Complex Interactions ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
And Control ◽  
Water Borne

Recurrent cholera outbreaks in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) attracted a lot of research interest, raising questions about the effectiveness of current prevention and control methods. However, research on cholera and other water-borne diseases in Africa is dominated by epidemiological studies, while investigations on the environmental drivers and reservoirs of cholera remain scarce. The current discourse relating cholera to the environment in SSA is often limited to the rudimentary statement that, “cholera is caused by the consumption of contaminated water and food”. Yet, beyond this simplistic view, literature elsewhere shows that cholera outbreaks are controlled by its complex interactions with environmental drivers and reservoirs. This brings to question whether cholera can be eradicated in SSA without understanding these complex interactions. The current review seeks to (1) highlight the nature and dynamics of recent cholera outbreaks in SSA, (2) discuss the importance of environmental reservoirs of Vibrio cholerae, and anthropogenic and hydroclimatic drivers in controlling the dynamics of cholera outbreaks, and (3) highlight key knowledge gaps and future research directions, and the need to harness emerging research tools such as modeling, machine learning, data mining, and genomics techniques to better understand the cholera dynamics. By bringing to fore these often-overlooked issues in cholera research, we seek to stimulate discussion, and promote a shift toward cross-disciplinary research on cholera and other water-borne diseases in SSA and beyond.

scholarly journals A call to action for osteoporosis research in sub-saharan Africa Yacoba Atiase and Akuffo Quarde

2020 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-67
Author(s):  
Yacoba Atiase ◽  
Akuffo Quarde
Keyword(s):  
Fragility Fracture ◽  
Communicable Disease ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Quality Data ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Mineral Density ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Prevalence Of Osteoporosis

Data abounds on osteoporosis in developed countries unlike developing countries, particularly those in sub-Saharan Africa. This review was done to confirm the paucity of data the authors suspected and to encourage studies in this field. AJOL (African Journals Online), MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched for studies published from January 1980 to August 2018. The eligibility criteria for inclusion were observational studies evaluating osteoporosis prevalence or incidence rates of fragility fractures. Out of 1,170 articles identified, six met the eligibility criteria. Prevalence of osteoporosis ranged from 18.2% to 65.8% across a heterogenous at-risk population. Bone mineral density assessment was limited by the measurement method, with most studies using quantitative ultrasound instead of standard bone densitometry. From the available studies, the prevalence of osteoporosis and fragility fracture incidence may not be low in Sub-Saharan Africa; what is, however, evident is the paucity of good quality data from this region. Considering an expected aging population in sub-Saharan Africa, future research should be encouraged and aimed at clarifying the burden of this non-communicable disease. This will guide healthcare policy in this medically underserved part of Africa. Keywords: osteoporosis, incidence, prevalence, hip fracture, fragility fracture Funding: None declared

Factors Affecting E-Business Adoption by SMEs in Sub-Saharan Africa

2011 ◽  
pp. 319-347 ◽  
Author(s):  
Princely Ifinedo
Keyword(s):  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Information Communication Technologies ◽  
Information Communication ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
The World ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
Research Gap ◽  
Sub Saharan

The use of information communication technologies (ICT) especially the Internet by small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is on the increase in many regions of the world, including Africa. Nevertheless, empirical evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) regarding the factors that affect the adoption of e-business is scarce. In that regard, the main objective of this chapter is to fill the research gap with an exploratory study that is aimed at eliciting views from SMEs in Nigeria. This article made use of a theoretical framework encompassing organizational, external and technological contexts to deliberate the issue. A survey is conducted in three Nigerian cities and the findings of the study are presented. The implication of the study is discussed and future research directions also given.

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