The value of community technology workers for LPG use: A pilot in Shirati, Tanzania

Background Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7 calls for the adoption and continued use of clean-burning stoves by the 2.9 billion people relying on unclean fuels (both solid biomass and kerosene). However, to date, the clean cooking literature has found low rates of efficient stove adoption and continued use. This paper presents the application of a public health community engagement model to the use of clean cooking fuels. We implemented a pilot study with Community Technology Workers (CTWs) as a means to overcome maintenance, education, and behavioral barriers to clean fuel use in rural Tanzania. Methods The intervention was a free 6 kg Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinder and stove coupled with education from a local technically trained CTW on LPG use. We evaluated the training, work, and impact of a CTW on LPG use on 30 randomly selected households from two villages in a rural district of Tanzania over a 1-year period. After an initial baseline survey, technically trained local CTWs educated the households on safe LPG use and conducted 34 follow up surveys over the next year on their cooking fuel use. Additionally, we conducted qualitative interviews with all households and a focus group with six of the households. Results The results from the mixed methods approach show that 80% of families (n = 24) consistently refilled their LPG cylinders and ~ 40% of households exclusively used LPG. Households reported appreciating the CTWs’ visits for providing education and maintenance support, giving them confidence to use LPG safely, reminding them to save for their cylinder, and providing a community driven effort to use clean fuel. Conclusions The findings demonstrate the feasibility of this type of community infrastructure model to promote and facilitate consistent LPG use, but suggest the need to couple this local support with financial mechanisms (e.g., a microsavings program). This model could be a mechanism to increase LPG use, particularly in rural, low-income areas.

The Value of Community Technology Workers in LPG Adoption: A pilot in Shirati, Tanzania

Background: The issue of clean cooking lies at the nexus of environmental engineering, environmental health, pollution, energy access, gender and household dynamics, behavioral sciences and international development. In Tanzania, approximately 96% of the population relies on polluting or “unclean” fuels for cooking. Moving away from firewood and charcoal has proven challenging due to low adoption of clean stoves. Here we investigate the application of community health workers, an existing community engagement model for health systems, to clean cooking adoption. We implemented a pilot study with Community Technology Workers as a means to overcome maintenance, education, and behavioral barriers. We evaluated the training, work, and impact of a CTW on stove adoption on a sample of 30 households over a one-year period. Technically trained local CTWs educated thirty families on the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) stove and conducted weekly check-in surveys.Results: The results from the mixed methodology approach show that families initially have very high rates (100%) of adoption, but as the issues of poverty, other obligations, and sickness arise, roughly 70% of families present sustained, regular refilling of LPG cylinders.Conclusions: The findings imply the feasibility of this type of community infrastructure model to promote and facilitate adoption, but also supports the need to couple this local support with financial mechanisms (e.g. a savings bank). The support from these community trainers paired with these high rates of adoption have large implications for this model’s use in rural, poor areas to increase LPG use and adoption.

Non-invasive Measurement of Thoracic Kyphosis and Lumber lordosis among Agricultural workers and Corporate Professionals( IT) using Flexicurve Ruler

Background: This study was undertaken to introduce a non- invasive technique for clinical diagnosis of spinal cord deformities. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the postural deformities and onset of thoracic Kyphosis and lumber Lordosis among agricultural workers and Information Technology workers. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was carried out on thirty Agricultural workers (41-45 years) and twenty-five Information Technology workers (21-25 years) and their age matched control groups. The subjects were taken from their respective population by simple random sampling method. Measurements were made by Flexicurve Ruler in special standing posture. Kyphosis and Lordosis angles and Indices were calculated. Results: It indicates that maximum percentage of subjects had kyphotic angle between 400 -600. Twenty-three out of 30 agricultural workers (76.66%) and 22 out of 25(88%) information technology workers had kyphosis angle between 400- 600 but the same in case of control groups were 60% and 64% respectively. Maximum subjects had lordotic angle between 300 - 500. Thirteen out of 30 agricultural workers (43.33%) and 17 out of 25 information technology workers (68%) had lordotic angle in between 300 -500.The same in case of control groups were 43.33% and 56% respectively. Kyphosis index, Kyphosis angle and lordosis index, lordosis angle are significantly lower (p<0.05) in agriculture workers in comparison to its control group but the differences are not significant in case of information technology workers as well as between agriculture group and information technology group. But information technology workers show higher values of Kyphosis and lordotic index than agriculture workers, probably due to prolong sitting posture at work. Again 47% agricultural workers and 11% IT workers reported lumbar pain when compared to control groups (10% and none respectively). Conclusion: Although no significant deviation of kyphotic and lordotic angle has been observed in agricultural and information technology workers but significantly higher percentage of these 2 groups reported shoulder and lumbar pain indicating risk of dysfunction in shoulder, pelvic girdle and spine. Thus measurement of thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis may be useful in examining the degree of spinal cord deformities. By utilizing these information therapeutic and ergonomic intervention can be applied and application of modern sophisticated machine for improvement in postural condition can reduce their work stress and disabilities.

Connecting With Industry in Computer Science Education

As technology becomes a more influential part of our everyday life the need for those skilled in computer science increases. With concerns over the diversity and representation of the computer science pipeline, companies and organizations are stepping up to support teachers in elementary, middle and high schools to help prepare the next generation of programmers and technology workers. This chapter will describe efforts from the tech industry to support teachers in teaching computer science including support of consortia like Code.org, and developing curricula and training. It will also outline efforts working with organizations to train and place computer science professionals in K12 classes to volunteer, teach and provide role models to future computer scientists.

US housing woes will hit ‘big tech’ expansion

Subject Political hurdles to 'big tech' expansion plans. Significance The 2020 presidential election is pushing discussions of social media disinformation, ‘big tech’ monopoly and the high cost of housing in several cities, often seen to be worsened by technology workers. These issues are hurting the image of large technology firms, and will affect their expansion plans. Impacts The 2020 elections will intensify political scrutiny of big tech’s control over news distribution. Organised labour may be able to leverage tech expansions into unionisation of property services and other support staff. Growing tech clusters in small western states could enable Democratic candidates to compete in statewide races.

The Moderating Role of Psychological Flexibility in the Relationship Between Organizational Commitment, Workaholism, Job Security, and Corporate Entrepreneurship Among Information Technology Workers in Accra, Ghana

The present study was conducted to investigate the moderating role of psychological flexibility in the relationship between organizational commitment, workaholism, job security, and corporate entrepreneurship among information technology workers in Accra, Ghana. A total of 248 information technology workers purposively selected completed the Organizational Commitment Scale, the Dutch Work Addiction Scale, Job Insecurity Scale, the Work-Related Acceptance and Action Questionnaire, and the Entrepreneurial Behavior Scale. The results showed that job security, workaholism, and organizational commitment significantly predicted corporate entrepreneurship. Psychological flexibility moderated the relationship between organizational commitment, workaholism, and corporate entrepreneurship but not the relationship between job security and corporate entrepreneurship. The findings underscore the need for the development of interventions that would increase psychological flexibility in organizational settings.