Accessible services in academic libraries: a content analysis of library accessibility webpages in the United States

Purpose This paper aims to contribute to an understanding of current accessibility efforts and practice in librarianship by providing a broad overview of the information about services, resources and facilities on academic library accessibility pages. By compiling and analyzing data from 85 libraries, this study seeks to facilitate comparisons between current and past accessibility practice and to provide perspective on how libraries communicate to users about accessibility efforts across libraries.Design/methodology/approach The authors conducted a content analysis of 85 library accessibility pages from a sample population of 98 institutions, consisting of all members institutions of four US academic library consortia. Pages were coded for content elements regarding services, facilities, collections, staffing, assistive technologies and general information. Webpage features, architecture and accessibility/functionality were also assessed.Findings Libraries have broadened and strengthened efforts to publicize/provide services and resources to functionally diverse users. Pages most commonly prioritize information about assistive technologies, services and facilities. Pages varied greatly in size, complexity and detail, but public institutions' pages were more prevalent and informative than their private counterparts. Libraries can work to foreground accessibility pages and increase transparency and evidence of currency to improve communication to their users.Originality/value This study provides a large-scale content analysis of library accessibility webpages. It allows for comparison of the features and information most commonly featured on these important online points of service.

Debt Management Literacy and Financial Performance of Saccos in Kumi County – Kumi Uganda

This dissertation is presented on the topic, “Debt management literacy and financial performance of SACCOs in Kumi County”. The overall objective of the study was to determine the effect of Debt management literacy on financial performance of SACCOs in Kumi County and to achieve this the researcher used one specific objective Vinz; “To determine the effect of Debt management literacy on financial performance of SACCOs in Kumi County”. In carrying out the study, the researcher used a case study research design because of its ability to investigate the study variables in detail. The population under study was 150 (N) people and a sample population of 108 (n) people consisting of; SACCO board members, SACCO management team members and SACCO members. The sample size was determined by use of both probability and non-probability sampling techniques. In data collection, the researcher used a duo approach with the use of; Questionnaire survey method which allowed collection of firsthand information within a short period of time and interview method employed on some key informants i.e. SACCO Board members as this was intended to probe for more information, get clarification and capture facial expression. Two tools in this context were used i.e. Research Questionnaire and interview guide. The data collected was both quantitative and qualitative in nature. Data analysis was carried out in two fold; Quantitative data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) version 25*64 bit. Qualitative data was recorded in the researchers note book and transcribed for a clear meaning. The research findings highlighted a strong positive relationship between debt management literacy and financial performance of SACCOs with R = 0.666. The study confirmed that Debt management literacy explains 44.4% of financial performance as evident with R2= 0.444. The researcher based on the study findings recommended creation of awareness and corporative member education on debt management; Documentation and implementation of a comprehensive credit or debt management policy; There must be a clear line of authority as to who authorizes and approves what and creation of a policy on relationship management strategies so as to ensure long and lasting beneficial relationships with clients.

An Investigation of Medical Students’ Satisfaction with the Quality of E-learning During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: Universities’ sudden exposure to the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to maintain social distancing have prompted universities to reconsider their traditional roles in the teaching-learning process and to create a new organizational structure for this process. The result of this reorganization is the development of a new teaching system framework known as e-learning. Although this type of education could lay the foundation for all learners to enhance the quality of education, expand learning opportunities, and receive education conveniently and quickly, students’ satisfaction or dissatisfaction plays a key role in the current competitive and turbulent environment. Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the satisfaction of medical students with the quality of e-learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The sample population of this study included the students of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in Shiraz, Iran. Via convenience sampling, 240 medical students were selected. Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire to assess the students' satisfaction with the quality of e-learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. The questionnaire was distributed and collected after confirming its validity and reliability. Results: The mean satisfaction of the medical students with e-learning was moderate. The highest mean satisfaction of the students’ with the desirability of the e-learning process during the COVID-19 pandemic was observed in the dimension of satisfaction with the quality of educational facilities and equipment, followed by the dimensions of the quality of professors and teaching time, quality of professors’ lesson plan, quality of the educational atmosphere and assessment of academic achievement, and the quality of professors' teaching methods. Conclusions: Although the students’ satisfaction with the quality of e-learning during the COVID-19 pandemic was not very high, their moderate satisfaction and prioritizing their satisfaction based on the quality of classrooms and equipment, as well as the quality of professors and teaching time, indicated that universities should provide the required facilities to improve the quality of e-learning and take appropriate measures to enable professors to implement virtual classrooms and e-learning properly.

The Effects of Urban Green Space on Depressive Symptoms of Mid-Aged and Elderly Urban Residents in China: Evidence from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study

The aim of this study is to assess the impacts of urban green space on depressive symptoms among Chinese urban residents aged 45 and older. In total, 7397 urban respondents were included in this study. Each respondent participated in the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study Wave 3 (2015). Environmental-level variables were retrieved from the National Bureau of Statistics database. Both unadjusted and adjusted methods were used in the multilevel regression analysis. Almost one-third of the sample population suffered from depressive symptoms (31.20%). The multilevel logistic regression model showed that green coverage ratio of city-built districts is negatively associated with the prevalence of depressive symptoms among urban mid-aged (OR = 0.79, p < 0.05) and elderly (OR = 0.75, p < 0.05) residents, and the public recreational green space helps to reduce elderly people’s depressive symptoms (OR = 0.77, p < 0.05). This study adds insights about the impact of green space and other environmental factors on depressive symptoms among mid-aged and elderly urban dwellers. It is important to provide enough and accessible overall urban green spaces; additionally, attention should also be paid to specific green space forms such as public recreational green space.

Adherence to Mediterranean diet among adults during the COVID-19 outbreak and the economic crisis in Lebanon

Purpose The purpose of this study is to assess the adherence to MedDiet among adults during the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic crisis, using the validated 14-item MedDiet assessment tool. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative research approach, based on the distribution of an online survey throughout the social media platforms, via networking, was the applied method. The structure of the survey included the socio-economic and demographic data along with the weekly adherence to physical activity; and the validated MedDiet assessment tool. The target population included 1,030 Lebanese adults from all provinces. Descriptive statistics were used to explore the characteristics of the sample population. Adherence to the MedDiet was determined by the Med-Diet score ≥ 9. Significant differences among the variables and the adherence to the MedDiet were examined using the chi-square test. Findings Mean adherence to the MedDiet was found to be lower than an adequate score among 60.8% of participants [mean adherence 8/14 < 9 (S.D. 2.2)]. Participants from North Province, those aged 45 years and above, university graduates, participants with an average income and those who exercised for a minimum of 30 min for three times/week had a higher mean of adherence compared to other groups. Higher percentage of those who exercised had adequate adherence compared to those who exercised less or did not. More than 50% of the participants consumed olive oil, vegetables, red meat, butter/margarine, sugary drinks, commercial sweets and sofrito according to recommendations. Less than 50% of the participants consumed fruits, nuts, fish and wine according to the MedDiet standards. More men consumed fruits (55.1%), wine (21%), fish (29%) and nuts (48.5%) than women according to the MedDiet recommendations; however, more women consumed legumes (69.7%) and Sofrito (88.4%) than men, in addition more women preferred consuming chicken over meat (72.3%). Originality/value The findings call for an urgent need of spreading national awareness among adult population in Lebanon to increase the adherence to MedDiet. To add, information gained from this study serve to help understanding nutritional behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic crisis, so public health authorities can start planning to save the threatened health-care system and preserve the wellness of the population.

Menstrual Abnormalities and Associated Hormone Profile In Chronic Kidney Disease Stage 5 Patients

Background: Although menstrual abnormalities and associated hormonal dysregulations are very common in the reproductive age group of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patients, this remains a neglected area. This field had been poorly explored in last ten years worldwide and a few research regarding this area in Bangladesh as well. Aim: To evaluate menstrual abnormalities occurring in CKD stage 5 (CKD5)patients undergoing twice-weekly and thriceweekly maintenance hemodialysis (HD) also in non-dialytic CKD5 patients and to provide more detail information on hormone profile (FSH, LH, Prolactin, Estradiol) of these patients. Materials and method: This obsevational study was conducted in the Department of Nephrology, DMCH, the sample population was also collected from BSMMU and NIKDU from April 2017 to March 2018. A total of 51 CKD stage 5 patients were enrolled in this study. Among them, 34 patients were dialytic (17 of them were taking twice weekly HD and 17 of them were taking thrice weekly HD) and 17 non-dialytic patients at reproductive age were evaluated. Detailed menstrual histories, thorough clinical examinations as well as investigations were done in all the patients. Serum FSH, LH, Estradiol, and Prolactin were evaluated using chemiluminescence immunoassay in the Department of Microbiology of BSMMU. Statistical analysis of the study was done by SPSS-24. The confidence interval was considered at 95% level. P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: 100% of non-dialytic CKD5 women had menstrual disorders (72% of patients had secondary amenorrhea, 18% had oligomenorrhoea and 10% had menometrorrhagia). And 73.52% of patients in the HD group had menstrual disorders (29% patients had regular menstruation, 28.5% had secondary amenorrhea, 23.5% had oligomenorrhoea and 19% had menometrorrhagia). With continuation of HD amenorrhea disappeared in 43% of patients in the thrice-weekly HD group, also 22.22% patients in the twice-weekly HD group regained menstruation. Serum LH and prolactin levels were significantly higher in the non-HD group compared to the HD group (p<0.05). Estradiol levels were also higher in HD patients than the non-HD patients. LH and Prolactin levels were also higher in the twice-weekly HD group compared to the thrice-weekly HD group. In the secondary amenorrheic group, serum FSH, LH, Prolactin levels were significantly higher than the other groups having menstrual disorder (p<0.05). Conclusion: Menstrual abnormalities and associated hormonal dysregulations were significantly lower in thriceweekly HD patients compared to the twice-weekly HD patients and significantly lower in twice-weekly HD patients compared to the non-dialytic CKD5 patients. Besides, it is suggested that long-duration dialysis might improve menstrual disorders in such patients as prolactin, LH levels gradually decreased with longer duration of dialysis. J Bangladesh Coll Phys Surg 2022; 40: 45-51

ENDOSCOPIC ENDONASAL DACRYOCYSTORHINOSTOMY: EXPERIENCE OF HUNDRED CASES

Objective: To determine the success rate of Endonasal Endoscopic Dacryocystorhinostomy (Endo-DCR) in cases of chronic dacryocystitis secondary to primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO). Study Design: Quasi-experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Oculoplastic Surgery, Armed Forces Institute of Ophthalmology Rawalpindi, from Sep 2018 to Nov 2019. Methodology: Endo-DCR under General Anaesthesia was performed on 100 patients of primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction causing chronic dacryocystitis. Post-operatively these patients were checked on first post-op day, then on one week and finally four months after surgery. We removed silicone tubes of all the patients four months after surgery. To ensure patency of lacrimal passage, we did syringing and irrigation of lacrimal system of all cases, at conclusion of the study. We chose absence of epiphora and patent lacrimal system on syringing as indicators of successful procedure. Results: Hundred patients (males 37; females 63) were recruited for this study. Mean age of our sample population was 51.1 ± 29 years. Right nasolacrimal duct obstruction cases were 56 whereas left nasolacrimal duct obstruction cases were 44. Subjective improvement i.e., absence of epiphora was found in 90% patients. We got successful irrigation of lacrimal passages (objective improvement) in 94% of patients. Conclusion: Endo-DCR yields comparable results to external Dacryocystorhinostomy (Ex DCR). It offers additional benefits of esthetically better outcome, lesser complication rate and short surgery and patient recovery time.

Students' awareness and perceptions regarding copyright infringement

Purpose: The main purpose of this study was to investigate the extent to which students of the Dhaka University are aware of the existing copyright law and its infringement. Methodology: Students from different departments of the Dhaka University were the sample population for this study. An online survey was used for collecting data and a questionnaire was designed using Google Forms including both open and close ended questions which was distributed to the students using different social media platforms. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software and Microsoft Excel. Chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests were performed to analyze students’ awareness regarding copyright issues.Findings: A total of 260 students participated in the survey. The study showed that 82.6% students are aware of copyright and 80.2% are aware of copyright infringement. 61.2% students violated copyright once or more by plagiarism, photocopy and other means particularly because of the high price and unavailability of the original materials. Most of the students opined that developing citing and referencing practice among students and introducing copyright in university curricula can help in reducing copyright infringement.Research limitations: The study was limited to only one public university of Bangladesh because of time limitation and COVID-19 outbreak.Practical implications: The present study can create greater awareness and respect for copyright law in the university as well as in the whole country.Originality/value: This research is one of the first attempts to study Dhaka University students’ awareness and perceptions regarding copyright infringement and can act as the building block for future research on this topic.

ASSOCIATION OF LATTICE DEGENERATION IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC SEROUS CHORIO-RETINOPATHY

Objective: To establish the association of lattice degeneration in patients with chronic serous chorio-retinopathy at tertiary care ophthalmology hospital. Study Design: Comparative cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Armed Forces Institute of Ophthalmology, Rawalpindi, from Sep 2019 to Dec 2020. Methodology: The sample population comprised of 80 subjects which included 40 cases of chronic serous chorio-retinopathy and 40 controls. Chronic serous chorio-retinopathy was diagnosed by consultant ophthalmologist on basis of fluorescein angiography and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. Peripheral retinal examination was done among all the study participants to look for lattice degeneration. Pearson chi-square test was applied to look for the relationship of various factors with lattice degeneration including the presence of chronic serous chorio-retinopathy. Results: Two groups with equal number of subjects were included in the study. Mean age of the study participants was 49.14 ± 2.93 years. 60 (75.0%) participants were male while 20 (25%) were female. Fifty four (67.5%) had no lattice degeneration while 26 (32.5%) showed the presence of lattice degeneration on detailed ophthalmic examination. Chi-square test showed that having chronic serous chorio-retinopathy and use of steroids were statistically significantly associated with presence of lattice degeneration among the study participants. Conclusion: Chronic serous chorio-retinopathy emerged as a condition strongly associated with lattice degeneration of peripheral retina. Use of topical or systemic steroids also increased the chances of developing lattice degeneration in our study population.

Social Construction of Extremism: Case Study of South Punjab

South Punjab, the land of Sufi saints, and epitome of peace and love has transformed into the fulcra of militancy in last two decades. The current study draws the connection between society (social-organisation) and social interaction with the construction of individual’s perceptions and behaviours. The study also underscores the flaws lie in the social composition of society of South Punjab that contributes to the construction of violent perceptions and behaviours, and trigger individuals to join militant wings. The research was conducted in Multan- a district of South Punjab. The qualitative methods: ethnographic observation and semi-structured interviews are used in this research. Purpose sampling is used to select sample population encompassing people from diverse social backgrounds. The findings of the research unfold those prime social institutions including religion, education, economic and government are mal-functioning, due to which region became heartland of militancy.