Utilization of Routine Health Information System and Associated Factors Among Health Professionals in Public Health Facilities in Dire Dawa, Eastern Ethiopia: a Cross-sectional Study

Background: Using reliable evidence from routine health information over time is an important aid to improve the health outcome, tackling disparities, enhancing efficiency, and encouraging innovation. In Ethiopia, the utilization of routine health data for improving the performance and quality of care was not well-studied in primary and secondary health facilities. This study assessed the level of routine health information utilization and associated factors among health professionals in public health facilities of Dire Dawa, eastern Ethiopia.Method: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 378 randomly selected health professionals from June 10 to July 20, 2020. A self-administered pretested structured questionnaire was used to collect data from participants. Data were entered using EpiData version 3.1 and analyzed using Stata version 16.0. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the participants and binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with the utilization of routine health information. Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval was used to report association and significance was declared at P-value<0.05.Results: Good utilization of routine health information among health professionals was 57.7% (95% CI: 52.6%, 62.6%). Good organizational support (AOR=3.91, 95% CI: 2.01, 7.61), the low perceived complexity of the reporting formats (AOR=2.20, 95% CI: 1.23, 3.97), good self-efficacy (AOR=2.52, 95% CI: 1.25, 5.10), and good decision making autonomy (AOR=3.97, 95% CI: 2.12, 7.43) were important factors associated with good utilization of routine health information.Conclusion: Good utilization of routine health information among health professionals was low. Lack of self-confidence and empowerment of health professionals, the complexity of routine health information system format, and poor organizational support were significantly reducing the level of routine health information utilization. Therefore, improving the self-efficacy and decision-making capacity of health professionals through comprehensive training, empowerment and organizational support would be essential to increase the level of routine health information utilization.

Uptake and Utilization of Nitrogen from Organic Fertilizers Influenced by Different Doses of Copper

Copper is a microelement involved in the metabolism of nitrogen compounds in plants. Good utilization of nitrogen from soil and fertilizers by plants requires an adequate supply of copper. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of increasing levels of copper (100, 200, and 300 mg Cu·kg−1 of soil) applied together with various organic fertilizers (cattle manure, chicken manure, and spent mushroom substrate) on nitrogen content and uptake by cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) and the coefficient of nitrogen utilization from organic fertilizers. The pot experiment was carried out in three growing seasons (May–September) in greenhouse, and in this cocksfoot was grown and harvested four cuts in each year. Copper and organic fertilizers were applied once in the first year before sowing cocksfoot, and the after-effect was investigated in the second and third years. Application of different amounts of copper did not influence the nitrogen content in the biomass of cocksfoot. At the same time, soil application of this micronutrient in the amount of 100 mg Cu∙kg−1 of soil caused an increase in nitrogen uptake in the biomass of cocksfoot. Application of 100 and 200 mg Cu·kg−1 of soil caused an increase in the coefficient of nitrogen utilization from the organic fertilizers, which was highest effect in the case of cattle manure. All of the organic materials used increased the content of nitrogen and its uptake by cocksfoot, but the greatest effect was noted following application of chicken manure. The study showed no synergistic or antagonistic relationships between copper and nitrogen.

Maternal health services utilization among mothers in a rural municipality

Introduction: Maternal health is essential to ensure the good health of the mother as well as children and by extension, the whole family. Despite the various measures launched by the government to enhance maternal care services, the utilization remains at large. Method: A community-based face to face interview was conducted using a pre-tested structured survey questionnaire to find out maternal health service utilization among mothers in Mahankal Rural Municipality, Lalitpur, Nepal, during Feb-Jun 2020. A probability simple random sampling was used to select mothers having children aged between 1 to 3 y. A score of ≥mean was considered good utilization and below it a poor utilization. The study was approved by the ethical committee. The SPSS 16 was used for descriptive (frequency, mean) and comparative analysis by chi square between demographics and health service utilization. Result: There were a total of 178 mothers surveyed, the mean age of 25.9±4.4 y, 77(43.3%) had completed elementary school, and 147(82.6%) were farmers. Good utilization of maternal health service 98(55%) and poor utilization 80(45%). The majority 153(86%) had ≥4 Antenatal checkups, 55(30.9%) had delivered at home despite the government incentive for institutional delivery, 105(59%) had postnatal visits ≥1, and 18(10%) had 3 postnatal visits. Conclusion: The study revealed that slightly more than half (55%) of mothers surveyed had good utilization of maternal health services.

A cloud computing scheduling and its evolutionary approaches

<span>Despite the increasing use of cloud computing technology because it offers unique features to serve its customers perfectly, exploiting the full potential is very difficult due to the many problems and challenges. Therefore, scheduling resources are one of these challenges. Researchers are still finding it difficult to determine which of the scheduling algorithms are appropriate and effective and that helps increases the performance of the system to accomplish these tasks. This paper provides a broad and detailed examination of resource scheduling algorithms in the environment of a cloud computing environment and highlights the advantages and disadvantages of some algorithms to help researchers in selecting the best algorithms to schedule a particular workload to get a satisfy a quality of service, guarantee good utilization of the cloud resources also minimizing the make-span.</span>

ADDITION OF Aurantiochytrium sp. MEAL IN THE DIET AFFECTS IMMUNITY AND THERMAL SHOCK RESISTANCE OF THE PACIFIC WHITE SHRIMP

This paper reports the evaluation of digestibility, immunological parameters, and resistance to thermal shock at low temperature in Litopenaeus vannamei fed diets with diferent Aurantiochytrium sp. meal additions (0; 0.5; 1 and 2%). First, the apparent digestibility coefficient of the ingredient was determined. The digestibility of the microalgae meal was high for protein (74.90%); around 60% for lipids, and for docosahexaenoic fatty acid (DHA) it was 55.61%. After, shrimp rearing with the feed additive was carried out in a clear water system, containing 25 shrimp (initial weight: 4.89 ± 0.27 g) per 400 L tank. Feeding occurred four times a day. After a three-week period, immunological parameters were evaluated and thermal shock was performed. Animals fed 0.5% and 2% of the microalgae Aurantiochytrium sp. showed higher survival to thermal shock. In immunological analyses, the serum agglutiniting titer was higher (p <0.05) in the 0.5 and 2% additions of the microalgae meal, and the phenoloxidase activity (PO) was higher in the 1% addition (p <0.05). It is concluded that there is good utilization of the nutrients of Aurantiochytrium sp. meal by L. vannamei and its addition to the diet (0.5 and 1%) increased shrimp resistance to thermal shock.

The Utilization of Warfarin Dosing Algorithms in China: An Electronic Survey Study

Background: Warfarin, a key anticoagulant medication, has a narrow therapeutic window and individual difference. Many warfarin dosing algorithms have been developed and been proved to have clinical benefits. However, the utilization of algorithms by medical professionals in China was unknown. We conducted an online survey to investigate the use and requirements of warfarin dosing algorithms among Chinese medical professionals. Method: A questionnaire survey was conducted via WeChat to investigate the utilization of warfarin dosing algorithms by medical professionals in seven regions of China. The content of questionnaire was included general characteristics of participants, condition of anticoagulant therapy, utilization of warfarin dosing algorithms and demand for function of an assistant warfarin dosing system we proposed.Results: A total of 399 participants completed the survey. Although most medical professionals use warfarin for anticoagulant therapy, some of them (15.04%) were not familiar with warfarin’s individual difference. As high as 32.97% of clinicians ruled out genotypes when using warfarin. The vast majority of anticoagulant medical professionals believed warfarin dosing algorithms can have clinical benefits, but only 20.80% of them usually use algorithms for anticoagulant therapy. Conclusion: Warfarin dosing algorithms have high evaluation while not good utilization among Chinese anticoagulant medical professionals. If warfarin dosing algorithms and assistant tools aimed to Chinese population were developed, to some extent can improve anticoagulant therapy in China.

Blood transfusion practices in a tertiary care hospital in Nepal

Background: Blood transfusion is an integral part of patient management. Good transfusion practice guided by standard protocols is considered ideal for optimal use of resources and manpower. Cross-match requests disproportionate to the actual requirement causes overestimation of blood usage and potential wastage. This study aims to determine the crossmatch, transfusion, and utilization rates for blood using transfusion index, and cross-match to transfusion ratio in the various departments of the hospital for the evaluation of transfusion practices. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted using the records from the hospital blood bank for 12 months to obtain transfusion and cross-match records from various clinical units. Transfusion requests, units cross-matched, and completed transfusions were used to calculate the cross-match to transfusion ratio, and transfusion index for each department. Results: A total of 5156 units of blood were cross-matched for 3437 transfusion requests, out of which 3752 were transfused, giving a mean cross-match to transfusion ratio of 1.37. The non-usage of blood was 27.2% and the transfusion index stood at 1.09. The cross-match to transfusion ratio for the individual clinical units ranged from 1.75 (Surgery) to 1.14 (Medicine). Conclusions: The cross-match to transfusion ratio and transfusion index were within recommended ranges, showing good utilization and low blood wastage. The establishment of a blood ordering protocol via a multidisciplinary approach should be considered to further optimize blood transfusion practices.

Diagnosis Of Hospital, Hazardous and Similar Waste Management of an Institution Providing Health Services – IPHS

Introduction: This article presents the results of the research carried out from January 2018 to December 2019, in an institution providing third-level health services (IPHS), located in Tunja (Boyacá), in eastern central Colombia. Problem: There are various difficulties related to the management of waste produced by the IPHS; Irresponsible practices cause the spread of infections, which have repercussions in critical situations locally, regionally and internationally. Objective: To evaluate the management of hospital, hazardous and similar waste (HCWM), carried out by an IPHS, and to formulate strategies for its improvement. Methodology: The research was carried out in three (3) stages: data collection (through inspections and weighing of waste), data analysis (for the qualification and quantification of the waste), and finally, some guidelines for its proper management were proposed, based on the context of the organization. Results: The IPHS generated 397.6 tonnes of hospital, hazardous and similar waste (MW). Biohazard waste (BW) predominated over the others (54.11%), followed by usable non-hazardous waste - UNHW (41.53%) and chemical and pharmaceutical waste - CPW (4, 37%). Conclusion: The entity complies with the main requirements of the national government, identifying good utilization and biosecurity practices; however, under diagnosis and with the implementation of guidelines emanating from research, it is possible to optimize procedures. Originality: The guidelines and activities for the separation, use and internal collection of waste within an IPHS were observed and then interrelated with the services provided and their resources. This work could be a guideline for related institutions. Limitations: The article focuses on the internal and non-external management of MW.

Aggravated food insecurity in COVID-19 era: quality seed flow of adapted and nutrient-dense varieties is central to the recovery equation in the drylands

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted every area of our daily activities and businesses. After the health crisis, the food crisis is the next battle to encounter, which will need to mobilize all energies to maintain social security and protect the citizens of the world. For sustained support and recovery of rural and urban populations, especially in the dryland areas of Sub-Saharan Africa, seed of the well-adapted, nutrient dense varieties should flow. The solution of quality seed flow equation is complex and involves several intervention areas, e.g., adapted and modern groundnut, chickpea, pigeonpea, sorghum and finger millet varieties, sustainable and long term approaches leveraging various seed production and delivery models, remote information and knowledge dissemination systems, digital seed production and delivery roadmaps, digitized variety release and promotion processes, smart food campaigns and trainings to promote good utilization of nutrient dense crops.

Knowledge and Utilization of Condom among Gay, Bisexual and Transgender of Nepal

Introduction: Gay, Bisexual, Transgender community in Nepal are still stigmatized and regarded as vulnerable population. Since, male having sex with male are high risk population for various Sexually Transmitted Infections including Human Immunodeficiency Virus, the knowledge and utilization of condom plays an important role in reducing the risk of Sexually Transmitted Infections. The main purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge and utilization of condom among Gay, Bisexual and Transgender of Nepal. Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive quantative study, carried out in Kathmandu valley. Samples were collected from various LGBT related organizations through snowball sampling techniques, recruiting 59 respondents of age 18 and above. Semi structured questionnaire were developed and direct interview with the respondent was taken whose consent was taken before interview. Results: Among 59 respondents, 90% of gay people had enough knowledge regarding condom, 77% of bisexual people had enough knowledge and 52% transgender had enough knowledge regarding condom. Similarly, 68% of gay people had followed good utilization practice of condom, all bisexual people had followed good utilization practice and 78% transgender had followed good utilization practice. Out of total respondent, 80% were found to be using condom consistently during sexual contact in last 12 months. There was found to be significant association between alcohol consumption during sexual contact and utilization of condom. Conclusions: Gay, bisexual and transgender in Nepal are key population for HIV/AIDS transmission. Therefore, more efforts should be made for addressing this issue with proper prioritization, planning and implementation on condom programs.