Perception of learning science: the case of females offering STEM majors in Ghana

The study investigated the differences among female students pursuing selected STEM programmes in a Science and Technology university in Ghana, in their perception of learning science. Three hundred and twenty-eight (328) final year female students offering computer science and information and communication technology, engineering, pharmacy, and medicine formed the sample. The research design was a descriptive cross-sectional survey, and a questionnaire was utilised for data collection. The reliability coefficient obtained using Cronbach alpha formula was 0.85. The study discovered that female students in STEM majors were goal-oriented and extraordinarily impressive with their academics however lacked the capacity to have fun as a result of the loaded curriculum. Again, the study showed specific differences in self-perception among students of the four STEM majors, when analysed using ANOVA and Post hoc analyses. It was revealed that pregnancy is no longer a barrier to educate the girl child as a result of unique interventions put in place by the government of Ghana. It was recommended among others that the Ghana Education Service intensifies the STEM training Clinics in the rural areas of Ghana to enhance rural female students’ involvement in STEM Majors at Tertiary level.

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Why Patients with Chronic Disease Keep Silent? Analysis of Item Nonresponse in Rural China

Iranian Journal of Public Health ◽

10.18502/ijph.v48i4.987 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Yiqing MAO ◽

Zhanchun FENG ◽

Shangfeng TANG ◽

Tailai WU ◽

Ruoxi WANG ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chronic Disease ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Health Knowledge ◽

Rural China ◽

School Education ◽

Vulnerable Groups ◽

Item Nonresponse ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Government

Background: This study aimed to identify the characteristics of item nonresponse and examine the factors affecting the refusal or failure to respond of patients with chronic disease in rural China. Methods: A cross-sectional survey data from patients with chronic disease from rural China were analyzed. A total of 1,099 patients were enrolled. Chi-square test and cumulative logistic regression determined the predictors of having item nonresponse. Results: The respondents in central provinces (OR = 2.311, 95%CI = 0.532~1.144, P < 0.001) with over eight household members (OR = 0.067, 95%CI = -1.632~-0.349, P = 0.002), multiple chronic diseases (OR = 0.301, 95%CI = -1.673~-0.727, P < 0.001), and low health knowledge level (OR = 2.112, 95%CI = 0.405~1.090, P < 0.001) had more item nonresponse numbers. Compared with the participants with high school education level and above, the item nonresponse number seemed to increase when the participants were illiterate (OR = 2.159, 95%CI = 0.254~1.285, P = 0.003), had primary school education (OR = 2.161, 95%CI = 0.249~1.294, P = 0.004) and junior school education (OR = 2.070, 95%CI = 0.160~1.296, P = 0.012). Conclusion: This study indicates the influencing factors of the item nonresponse in survey of patients with chronic disease in rural China. This study contributes to investigation practice and highlights that health institutions should improve the quality of follow-up services. Moreover, the government should pay more attention to the care of vulnerable groups, especially patients with chronic disease in rural areas.

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Predictors of quality of life of older persons in rural Uganda: A cross sectional study

AAS Open Research ◽

10.12688/aasopenres.12874.2 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 1 ◽

pp. 22 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Fred Maniragaba ◽

Betty Kwagala ◽

Emmanuel Bizimungu ◽

Stephen Ojiambo Wandera ◽

James Ntozi

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Older Persons ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Poor Quality ◽

Hiv And Aids ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Government

Background: Little is known about the quality of life of older persons (OPs) in Uganda in particular, and Africa in general. This study examined factors associated with quality of life of older persons in rural Uganda. Method: We performed a cross-sectional survey of 912 older persons from the four regions of Uganda. Data were analyzed at univariate, bivariate and multivariate level where ordinal logistic regression was applied. Results: Older persons in northern (OR=0.39; CI=0.224-0.711) and western (OR=0.33; CI=0.185-0.594) regions had poor quality of life relative to those in central region. Those who were HIV positive had poor quality of life (OR=0.45; CI=0.220-0.928) compared to those who were HIV negative. In contrast, living in permanent houses predicted good quality of life (OR=2.04; CI=1.391-3.002). Older persons whose household assets were controlled by their spouses were associated with good quality of life (OR=2.06;CI=1.032-4.107) relative to those whose assets were controlled by their children. Conclusion: Interventions mitigating the HIV and AIDS related Quality of life should target older persons. The government of Uganda should consider improving housing conditions for older persons in rural areas.

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Epidemiological study of obesity and overweight among adolescents in schools in district Ghaziabad

International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health ◽

10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20193089 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 6 (8) ◽

pp. 3177

Author(s):

Susmita Thakur ◽

Narendra Singh ◽

Mitasha Singh

Keyword(s):

Private School ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Government Schools ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Government School ◽

Obesity And Overweight ◽

The Government

Background: Developing countries are experiencing an epidemic of obesity and overweight. Adolescence is the stage when the lifestyle behavior sets in and decides the future pattern of health. The objective was to study the prevalence and correlates of overweight and obesity among school going adolescents of district Ghaziabad.Methods: A school based cross sectional survey was conducted in district Ghaziabad. Adolescents (10-19 years) from both urban and rural government and private schools were included. Multistage sampling technique was used to study 1128 study population. Anthropometry and a structured questionnaire were used as study tool.Results: In urban area, the proportion of underweight students in government schools (20.9%) was significantly more than the private school (13.8%) whereas the number of overweight students in private school (18.2%) was significantly more than the government schools (10.3%). In rural area underweight students in government school (30.5%) was significantly more than the private school (21.3%) whereas the number of overweight students in private school (11.3%) was significantly more than the government school (3.2%). Obesity was significantly associated with the area of residence, type of school, consumption of carbonated drinks, fast foods and decreased physical activity.Conclusions: An overall higher prevalence of overweight and obesity among adolescents in urban areas and increasing trend in rural areas too alarm us to focus on the modifiable risk factors.

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Implementation fidelity of village health and nutrition days in Hardoi District, Uttar Pradesh, India: a cross-sectional survey

BMC Health Services Research ◽

10.1186/s12913-019-4625-9 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Mira Johri ◽

Louis Rodgers ◽

Dinesh Chandra ◽

Cybil Abou-Rizk ◽

Eleanor Nash ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antenatal Care ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Institutional Delivery ◽

Uttar Pradesh ◽

Implementation Fidelity ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Health And Nutrition ◽

The Government ◽

Village Health

Abstract Background Village Health and Nutrition Days (VHNDs) are a cornerstone of the Government of India’s strategy to provide first-contact primary health care to rural areas. Recent government programmes such as the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) and Mission Indradhanush (MI) have catalysed important changes impacting VHNDs. To learn how VHNDs are currently being delivered, we assessed the fidelity of services provided as compared to government norms in a priority district of Uttar Pradesh. Methods We fielded a cross-sectional study of VHNDs to provide a snapshot of health services functioning. Process evaluation data were collected via administrative sources, non-participant observation using a standardised form, and structured questionnaires. Questionnaires were designed using a framework to assess implementation fidelity. Key respondents were VHND participants, front-line workers involved in VHND delivery, and VHND non-participants (pregnant women due for antenatal care or children due for vaccination as per administrative records). Results were summarised as counts, frequencies, and proportions. Results In the 30 villages randomly selected for inclusion, 36 VHNDs were scheduled but four (11.1%) were cancelled and one VHND was not surveyed. Vaccination and antenatal care were offered at 96.8% (30/31) and child weighing at 83.9% (26/31) of VHNDs. Other normed services were infrequently provided or completely absent. Health education and promotion were particularly weak; institutional delivery was the only topic discussed in a majority of VHNDs. The true proportion of any serious problem impeding vaccine delivery was 47.2% (17/36), comprising 4 VHND cancellations and 13 VHNDs experiencing vaccine shortages. Of the 13 incidents of vaccine shortage, 11 related to an unexpected global shortage of injectable polio vaccine (IPV). Over the 31 VHNDs, 37.8% (171 of the 452 scheduled beneficiaries) did not participate. Analysis of missed opportunities for vaccination highlighted inaccuracies in beneficiary identification and tracking and demand side-factors. Conclusions The transformative potential of VHNDs to improve population health is only partially being met. A core subset of high-priority services for antenatal care, institutional delivery, and vaccination associated with high-priority government programmes (JSY, MI) is now being provided quite successfully. Other basic health promotion and prevention services are largely not provided, constituting a critical missed opportunity.

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Results of physician licence examination and scholarship contract compliance by the graduates of regional quotas in Japanese medical schools: a nationwide cross-sectional survey

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2017-019418 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 7 (12) ◽

pp. e019418 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Masatoshi Matsumoto ◽

Keisuke Takeuchi ◽

Tetsuhiro Owaki ◽

Seitaro Iguchi ◽

Kazuo Inoue ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medical School ◽

Rural Areas ◽

National Policy ◽

Medical Schools ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Medical Graduates ◽

Intermediate Outcomes ◽

The Government ◽

License Examination

ObjectivesResponding to the serious shortage of physicians in rural areas, the Japanese government has aggressively increased the number of entrants to medical schools since 2008, mostly as achiikiwaku, entrants filling a regional quota. The quota has spread to most medical schools, and these entrants occupied 16% of all medical school seats in 2016. Most of these entrants were admitted to medical school with a scholarship with the understanding that after graduation they will practise in designated areas of their home prefectures for several years. The quota and scholarship programmes will be revised by the government starting in 2018. This study evaluates the intermediate outcomes of these programmes.DesignCross-sectional survey to all prefectural governments and medical schools every year from 2014 to 2017 to obtain data on medical graduates.SettingsNationwide.ParticipantsAll quota and non-quota graduates with prefecture scholarship in each prefecture, and all the quota graduates without scholarship in each medical school.Primary outcome measuresPassing rate of the National License Examination for Physicians and the percentage of graduates who have not bought out the scholarship contract after graduation.ResultsMost prefectures and medical schools in Japan participated in this study (97.8%–100%). Quota graduates with scholarship were significantly more likely to pass the National License Examination for Physicians than the other medical graduates in Japan at all the years (97.9%, 96.7%, 97.4% and 94.7% vs 93.9%, 94.5%, 94.3% and 91.8%, respectively). The percentage of quota graduates with scholarship who remained in the scholarship contract 3 years after graduation was 92.2% and 89.9% for non-quota graduates with scholarship.ConclusionsQuota entrants showed better academic performance than their peers. Most of the quota graduates remained in the contractual workforce. The imminent revision of the national policy regarding quota and scholarship programmes needs to be based on this evidence.

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Predictors of quality of life of older persons in rural Uganda: A cross sectional study

AAS Open Research ◽

10.12688/aasopenres.12874.1 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 1 ◽

pp. 22 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Fred Maniragaba ◽

Betty Kwagala ◽

Emmanuel Bizimungu ◽

Stephen Ojiambo Wandera ◽

James Ntozi

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Older Persons ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Poor Quality ◽

Hiv And Aids ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Government

Background: Little is known about the quality of life of older persons (OPs) in Uganda in particular, and Africa in general. This study examined factors associated with quality of life of older persons in rural Uganda. Method: We performed a cross-sectional survey of 912 older persons from the four regions of Uganda. Data were analyzed at univariate, bivariate and multivariate level where ordinal logistic regression was applied. Results: Older persons in northern (OR=0.39; p=0.002) and western (OR=0.33; p<0.001) regions had poor quality of life relative to those in central region. Those who were HIV positive had poor quality of life (OR=0.45; p=0.031) compared to those who were HIV negative. In contrast, living in permanent houses predicted good quality of life (OR=2.04; p=<0.001). Older persons whose household assets were controlled by their spouses were associated with good quality of life (OR=2.06; p=0.040) relative to those whose assets were controlled by their children. Conclusion: Interventions mitigating the HIV and AIDS related Quality of life should target older persons. The government of Uganda should consider improving housing conditions for older persons in rural areas.

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Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices toward COVID-19 among Indian Residents during the Verge of Lockdown Restrictions: A Quick Online Cross-Sectional Survey

Journal of Health and Allied Sciences NU ◽

10.1055/s-0040-1721526 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Hima Bindu Ponnam ◽

Butchi Raju Akondi ◽

Santosh Kumar Jagadabhi ◽

Kiranmayee G.R. Rompicherla ◽

Bharathi Chakali ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Low Socioeconomic Status ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Online Survey ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Safety Measures ◽

Attitudes And Practices ◽

Preventive Practices ◽

The Government ◽

Knowledge Attitudes And Practices

Abstract Introduction Prodigious restrictions and safety measures have been adopted by the government to control the spread of wildfire coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in India. However, the effective implementation of these measures depends upon the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of the people. In this context, a cross-sectional online survey of a sample of Indian residents for assessing their KAP toward COVID-19 has been taken up during the verge of lockdown restrictions. Methods A self-developed online KAP questionnaire consisted of 21 questions related to clinical treatment and prevention aspects of COVID-19 including the safety measures completed by the participants. Assessments on their attitudes and practices toward COVID-19 included the confidence of people to overcome this pandemic and adapting safety measures such as wearing mask while going out in recent days. Results and Discussion A sample of 1,043 participants participated in this online survey. The overall correct rate of the knowledge questionnaire was 90%. More than half of the respondents (53.3%) had confidence that India can win the battle against COVID-19. All the participants believed that Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) systems of medicine that are the rich heritage of India would be helpful in combating the viral illness (95.4%). Nearly all the participants (99%) wore masks when going out in recent days. In multiple logistic regression analyses, the COVID-19 knowledge score was significantly associated with a lower likelihood of negative attitudes and preventive practices toward COVID-19. Conclusion The Indian residents showed good knowledge toward COVID-19 and this in turn helped them to hold optimistic attitudes and have appropriate practices toward COVID-19. More community-based health education program strategies if aimed would help further. The limitation of sample representativeness restricts to generalize the findings to population of rural areas with low socioeconomic status.

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PERCEIVED EFFECTS OF STREET HAWKING ON THE WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN IN ANYIGBA, DEKINA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KOGI STATE, NIGERIA

Pakistan Journal of Public Health ◽

10.32413/pjph.v8i1.138 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 01-07

Author(s):

Alfred Eboh

Keyword(s):

Local Government ◽

Survey Design ◽

Sampling Technique ◽

Well Being ◽

Local Government Area ◽

Negative Consequences ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Perceived Effects ◽

The Government

Background: The hawking of wares by children has been a serious issue confronting the Nigerian society. Children hawk in some of the most horrible conditions conceivable, where they face a serious risk of injury, chronic illness, kidnapping, rape or death. Objective: The focus of this study was to assess the perceived effects of street hawking on the well-being of children in Anyigba, Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State. Methods: The population of this study consists of parents of the street hawkers in Anyigba while cross-sectional survey design was used through the purposive sampling technique to choose the sample size of one hundred and sixty-two (162) respondents. The validated structured questionnaire and In-Depth Interviews (IDIs) served as the instruments for the data collection respectively. The hypotheses were tested using Chi-Square at a predetermined 0.05 level of significance. The quantitative data were analysed with the aid of the SPSS (version 20). Results: The results indicated among others that street hawking had significant social implications and physical consequences on children's moral behaviour as well as health status in the study area. Conclusion: The study, therefore, concluded that the government of Kogi State should carry out an enlightenment campaign through the media and religious institutions on the negative consequences of street hawking are recommended as panacea. Also, the child right act instrument and its implementation should be strengthened in order to curb street hawking in the study area.

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Prevalence and risk factors of anaemia among men: A study based on Empowered Action Group states, India

Nutrition and Health ◽

10.1177/0260106020982348 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 026010602098234

Author(s):

Pradeep Kumar ◽

Himani Sharma ◽

Kamalesh Kumar Patel

Keyword(s):

Family Health ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Binary Logistic Regression ◽

Bivariate Analysis ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Action Group ◽

Nationally Representative ◽

The Government ◽

Eag States

Background: Despite various programmes initiated by the Government of India, the nutritional indicators are not encouraging, as several problems like undernutrition, malnutrition and anaemia – still persist in the country, especially in the Empowered Action Group (EAG) states. Aim: Because of the dearth of studies regarding anaemia among men in India, the present study aimed to determine its prevalence in this population in the EAG states and to analyse its geographical and socio-demographic determinants. Methods: The study utilized nationally representative, cross-sectional survey data from round 4 of the National Family Health Survey conducted in 2015–16. Bivariate analysis along with binary logistic regression were performed to assess the predictors of anaemia among men in the EAG states. Results: Around a quarter of the men in the EAG states suffered from anaemia. A similar high-prevalence pattern was observed across the EAG states. Wherein, Bihar and Jharkhand had the highest prevalence of anaemia while Uttarakhand showed the lowest. Age, place of residence, marital status and caste were positively associated with the likelihood of anaemia among men in the EAG states. Conclusions: Focusing on the EAG states, this study considered the severity of anaemia as a public health problem among men. Strategies to reduce the burden of anaemia among this population are needed. The government should formulate programmes targeting anaemia specifically, and improving the nutritional status among men in general in the EAG states.

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Acute food insecurity and short-term coping strategies of urban and rural households of Bangladesh during the lockdown period of COVID-19 pandemic of 2020: report of a cross-sectional survey

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-043365 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (12) ◽

pp. e043365

Author(s):

Subhasish Das ◽

Md. Golam Rasul ◽

Md Shabab Hossain ◽

Ar-Rafi Khan ◽

Md Ashraful Alam ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Food Insecurity ◽

Coping Strategies ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽

Rural Households ◽

P Value ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Food Insecure Households

IntroductionWe conducted a cross-sectional survey to assess the extent and to identify the determinants of food insecurity and coping strategies in urban and rural households of Bangladesh during the month-long, COVID-19 lockdown period.SettingSelected urban and rural areas of Bangladesh.Participants106 urban and 106 rural households.Outcome variables and methodHousehold food insecurity status and the types of coping strategies were the outcome variables for the analyses. Multinomial logistic regression analyses were done to identify the determinants.ResultsWe found that around 90% of the households were suffering from different grades of food insecurity. Severe food insecurity was higher in urban (42%) than rural (15%) households. The rural households with mild/moderate food insecurity adopted either financial (27%) or both financial and food compromised (32%) coping strategies, but 61% of urban mild/moderate food insecure households applied both forms of coping strategies. Similarly, nearly 90% of severely food insecure households implemented both types of coping strategies. Living in poorest households was significantly associated (p value <0.05) with mild/moderate (regression coefficient, β: 15.13, 95% CI 14.43 to 15.82), and severe food insecurity (β: 16.28, 95% CI 15.58 to 16.97). The statistically significant (p <0.05) determinants of both food compromised and financial coping strategies were living in urban areas (β: 1.8, 95% CI 0.44 to 3.09), living in poorest (β: 2.7, 95% CI 1 to 4.45), poorer (β: 2.6, 95% CI 0.75 to 4.4) and even in the richer (β: 1.6, 95% CI 0.2 to 2.9) households and age of the respondent (β: 0.1, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.21).ConclusionBoth urban and rural households suffered from moderate to severe food insecurity during the month-long lockdown period in Bangladesh. But, poorest, poorer and even the richer households adopted different coping strategies that might result in long-term economic and nutritional consequences.

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