Avenues for professional diaspora engagement in internationalizing knowledge, skills and technology transfer in Ethiopia

This study was conducted with the aim of assessing the needs for knowledge, skills and technology transfer in Ethiopia and the potential of the Ethiopian professional diaspora to engage with these needs. To this effect, primary data was collected through key informant and group interviews, focus group discussions with ministries, universities, referral/teaching hospitals and other sector officials, and experts, selected purposively. In addition, primary data was collected through an online survey from the professional diaspora, selected using purposive and availability sampling techniques. Secondary data was collected from previous reports, academic works and archival sources. The results of this study show that most of Ethiopia’s institutions have enormous knowledge, skills and technology needs. Correspondingly, the data indicates that there is a large professional diaspora that could address these needs and that most of the professionals have the experience, interest and intent to support their home country. Based on the findings, there should be strong institutional arrangements and collaborative actions to facilitate and enhance professional diaspora engagement.

The primary objective of this research was to identify the factors that influence sanitation behaviors toward the adoption and use of latrines in Babille woreda, Fafan zone, Somali region, eastern Ethiopia. A cross-sectional community-based study design was used. Household survey was used to collect quantitative data. Qualitative data were also gathered through focus group discussions and key informant interviews. A total of 383 respondents were included in the study. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used to analyze the quantitative data. Adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using a logistic regression model. Focus group discussions and key informant interviews were analyzed through thematic analysis. In the study area, 228 (59.5%) households had adopted latrines. However, only about one-third of them (111, 29.0%) consistently used the latrine. Sex, occupation, income, being aware of latrine construction, use and maintenance, and sources of information were significantly associated with household latrine adoption. Interventions to increase latrine adoption and utilization should account for differences in latrine adoption disparities by sex of the household head, occupation, and household income.

Jeannette Colyvas • Michael Crow • Annetine Gelijns • Roberto Mazzoleni Richard R. Nelson • Nathan Rosenberg • Bhaven N. Sampat Institute for International Studies, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305 Office of the Executive Vice Provost, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027 INCHOIR, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027 Department of Economics and Geography, Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York 11594 School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027 Department of Economics, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305 School of Public Policy, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332 colyvas@leland.stanford.edu • mc71@columbia.edu • acp10@columbia.edu • ecorzm@mail1.hofstra.edu rrn2@columbia.edu • nate@leland.stanford.edu • bhaven.sampat@pubpolicy.gatech.edu

ObjectiveAntimicrobial resistance (AMR) threatens millions of lives and poses significant health, economic and development challenges. Policies implemented to prevent and contain AMR should address it through a One Health Approach....

Technology is critical to industrialization and economic development of any nation and it is one of the serious bottlenecks in African industrialisation. There is no doubt that technology transfer is one of the less studied subjects in China-Africa relations. Foreign direct investment is an important factor for both technology transfer and economic growth in developing countries like Nigeria. Technological advancement has also become a major challenge to industrialization in Nigeria and to improve her economy, the Nigerian government had made various efforts at acquiring foreign technology to drive the development processes. The Nigerian government had signed pact with the Chinese government in critical areas such as agriculture, manufacturing, military, industry, education and other social sectors through Technological Transfer (TT) and Technical Cooperation (TC) that will aid knowledge sharing and transfer for the purpose of improving the economy. In view of this, the study examines the implication the Sino-Africa and technological transfer on sustainable development in Nigeria. The study employed the interpretivism philosophy and the qualitative approach was adopted in data collection and analysis. Secondary data were sourced from the United Nations Commodity Trade Statistics (UNCTS) Database, Nigeria National Bureau of Statistics, and the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Statistics database, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) figures were from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Database, International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the United Nations Statistics Database (UNdata). Other sources were the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Database, International Financial Statistics (IFS) of the World Bank; publications of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other agencies of government as well as newspapers and journals. Also, key informant interviews were conducted with Chinese expatriates in Lagos and Ogun State, Nigeria. Data collected were analysed using content analysis method. Findings of the study reveals that there is no clear-cut policy statement on Sino-Africa technological transfer and knowledge sharing; thus, the Nigerian government cannot sufficiently absorb new technology from Chinese multi-national corporations as most of these corporations always come as agents of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) or contractors. The study concludes that adaptation and implementation of policy on technological transfer cannot promote sustainable development in Nigeria. The study recommends among others that knowledge and technology transfer should form the basis of a regulatory framework of the national FDI policy. Also, there is need for the establishment of training institutes in each State of the federation so as to facilitate technological transfer. In addition, there should be collaboration between the established training institutes and higher institutions of learning so that students can have practical knowledge on advanced equipment, methodologies and technologies that will engender sustainable development in Nigeria within a decade.

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the critical role of community engagement in public health responses. While national-level interventions in Ghana have been documented, limited research exists on how regional differences shape engagement strategies. This study compares the Ashanti and Northern regions, two areas with contrasting socioeconomic, cultural and epidemiological contexts, to examine how community engagement was implemented during the COVID-19 response.MethodsA qualitative study was conducted in the two regions from November 2023 to February 2024. We conducted interviews with 24 key informants and facilitated two focus group discussions with 20 participants. Data collection involved community mapping, key informant interviews and focus group discussions with community leaders, health officials and vulnerable groups in the selected communities. Data were coded and analysed using MAXQDA analysis software employing thematic analysis, guided by frameworks from Gilmore and Popay.ResultsIn the Ashanti region, engagement strategies were more centralised and formal, using mass media and structured messaging from health professionals. Conversely, the Northern region implemented decentralised, community-led approaches through traditional leaders, interpersonal communication and community-based surveillance volunteers. Logistics provision also differed; Ashanti benefited from structured supply chains, while the Northern region relied on community-led innovations due to resource limitations. Centralised approaches in Ashanti enabled coordinated messaging, whereas Northern strategies were perceived to foster deeper trust and participation.ConclusionCommunity engagement strategies varied across regions, reflecting underlying governance structures and socio-cultural dynamics. Decentralised approaches were associated with higher levels of community participation and trust, while centralised models supported efficient coordination. While this study does not assess the impact of engagement strategies on health outcomes, it highlights the need for contextually adapted strategies that balance structured public health directives with meaningful community involvement.

This research study investigates the effectiveness of mediation strategies, including facilitation, in resolving inter-group conflicts within organizations and their impact on productivity in the Sri Lankan apparel industry. The study employs qualitative research design, utilizing semi-structured interviews, Key Informant Interviews (KII), and focused group discussions (FGD) to capture diverse perspectives and experiences. The sampling strategy encompasses three organizational levels, including HR managers, supervisors, and grassroots-level employees from the apparel industry in the Western Province.The data collection methods include semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders, particularly supervisors from identified sections, to explore the nuanced experiences, perspectives, and emotions surrounding inter-group conflicts within an organizational context. Key Informant Interviews (KII) are conducted with HR managers to extract comprehensive insights into organizational policies and existing mechanisms for conflict resolution. Focused group discussions tap into collective perspectives, experiences, and opinions concerning inter-group conflicts within the organization. Thematic analysis is applied to qualitative data, revealing patterns and insights from interviews, focus group discussions, and Key Information Interviews (KII). Organizational productivity reports and annual reports are scrutinized to objectively assess changes in productivity resulting from mediation and other conflict resolution strategies.The literature review explores four crucial areas: organization structure, mediation, facilitation, and their impact on organizational productivity in resolving inter-group conflicts. The study highlights key findings and contributions to understanding mediation strategies in resolving inter-group conflicts. It underscores practical implications for organizational frameworks, providing recommendations for integrating mediation techniques proactively. The conclusion reflects on the broader significance of the study, addressing its limitations and proposing avenues for future research. Ultimately, the study reinforces the transformative potential of mediation in shaping harmonious organizational ecosystems and fostering enduring productivity.

This Project focused on the evaluation of National Irrigation Systems (NIS) in the Philippines which consisted of 22 NIS in Luzon and 17 NIS in Visayas and Mindanao and are represented by 151 Irrigators Associations (IAs). The overall objective is to evaluate the policy, programmatic, and institutional framework governing irrigation development and management for the main purpose of improving irrigation performance and productivity of irrigated lands. The methodological approach to meet the specific objectives consisted of data collection through site visits, field measurements, and Key Informant Interviews (KII) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). This Project focused on the evaluation of National Irrigation Systems (NIS) in the Philippines which consisted of 22 NIS in Luzon and 17 NIS in Visayas and Mindanao and are represented by 151 Irrigators Associations (IAs). The overall objective is to evaluate the policy, programmatic, and institutional framework governing irrigation development and management for the main purpose of improving irrigation performance and productivity of irrigated lands. The methodological approach to meet the specific objectives consisted of data collection through site visits, field measurements, and Key Informant Interviews (KII) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). Results showed that siltation problems exist in canals of almost all NIS cases, causing reduced flow capacities that deprived the downstream portion from adequate water supply, among others. To improve performance of irrigation systems, good watershed management is needed as a preventive approach to address siltation of water courses and thus enhance water supply distribution. The National irrigation Administration (NIA) should allocate realistic resources for operation and maintenance to improve efficiency in water allocation and distribution from upstream to downstream users.

OBJECTIVES/SPECIFIC AIMS: Stigma has been recognized as a major impediment to accessing mental health care among Vietnamese and Asian Americans (Leong and Lau, 2001; Sadavoy et al ., 2004; Wynaden et al ., 2005; Fong and Tsuang, 2007). The underutilization of mental health care, and disparities in both access and outcomes have been attributed to a large extent to stigma and cultural characteristics of this population (Wynaden et al ., 2005; Jang et al ., 2009; Leung et al ., 2010; Spencer et al ., 2010; Jimenez et al ., 2013; Augsberger et al ., 2015). People with neurotic or behavioral disorders may be considered “bad” as many Vietnamese people believe it is a consequence of one’s improper behavior in a previous life, for which the person is now being punished (Nguyen, 2003). Mental disorders can also been seen as a sign of weakness, which contributes to ambivalence and avoidance of help-seeking (Fong and Tsuang, 2007). Equally important is the need to protect family reputation; having emotional problems often implies that the person has “bad blood” or is being punished for the sins of his/her ancestors (Herrick and Brown, 1998; Leong and Lau, 2001), which disgraces the entire family (Wynaden et al ., 2005). In these cases, public stigma (as opposed to internal stigma) is the primary reason for delays in seeking help (Leong and Lau, 2001). Other research has also highlighted the influences of culture on how a disorder may be labeled in different settings, although the presentation of symptoms might be identical (see Angel and Thoits, 1987). In Vietnamese culture, mental disorders are often labeled điên (literally translated as “madness”). A điên person and his or her family are often severely disgraced; consequently the individuals and their family become reluctant to disclose and seek help for mental health problems for fear of rejection (Sadavoy et al ., 2004). Despite the critical role of stigma in accessing mental health care, there has been little work in trying to understand how stigmatizing attitudes towards mental illness among Vietnamese Americans manifest themselves and the influences of acculturation on these attitudes. Some previous work indicated a significant level of mental illness stigma among Vietnamese Americans, and experiences of living in the United States might interact with the way stigma manifests among this population (Do et al ., 2014). Stigma is a complex construct that warrants a deeper and more nuanced understanding (Castro et al ., 2005). Much of the development of stigma-related concepts was based on the classic work by Goffman (1963); he defined stigma as a process by which an individual internalizes stigmatizing characteristics and develops fears and anxiety about being treated differently from others. Public stigma (defined by Corrigan, 2004) includes the general public’s negative beliefs about specific groups, in this case individuals and families with mental illness concerns, that contribute to discrimination. Public stigma toward mental illness acts not only as a major barrier to care, but can also exacerbate anxiety, depression, and adherence to treatment (Link et al ., 1999; Sirey et al ., 2001; Britt et al ., 2008; Keyes et al ., 2010). Link and Phelan (2001) conceptualized public stigma through four major components. The first component, labeling, occurs when people distinguish and label human differences that are socially relevant, for example, skin color. In the second component, stereotyping, cultural beliefs link the labeled persons to undesirable characteristics either in the mind or the body of such persons, for example people who are mentally ill are violent. The third component is separating “us” (the normal people) from “them” (the mentally ill) by the public. Finally, labeled persons experience status loss and discrimination, where they are devalued, rejected and excluded. Link and Phelan (2001) emphasized that stigmatization also depends on access to social, economic, and political power that allows these components to unfold. This study aims to answer the following research questions: (1) how does public stigma related to mental illness manifest among Vietnamese Americans? and (2) in what ways does acculturation influence stigma among this population? We investigate how the 4 components of stigma according to Link and Phelan (2001) operationalized and how they depend on the level of acculturation to the host society. Vietnamese Americans is the key ethnic minority group for this study for several reasons. Vietnamese immigration, which did not start in large numbers until the 1970s, has features that allow for a natural laboratory for comparisons of degree of acculturation. Previous research has shown significant intergenerational differences in the level of acculturation and mental health outcomes (e.g., Shapiro et al ., 1999; Chung et al ., 2000; Ying and Han, 2007). In this study, we used age group as a proxy indicator of acculturation, assuming that those who were born and raised in the United States (the 18–35 year olds) would be more Americanized than those who were born in Vietnam but spent a significant part of their younger years in the United States (the 36–55 year olds), and those who were born and grew up in Vietnam (the 56–75 year olds) would be most traditional Vietnamese. The language used in focus group discussions (FGDs) reflected some of the acculturation, where all FGDs with the youngest groups were done in English, and all FGDs with the oldest groups were done in Vietnamese. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Data were collected through a set of FGDs and key informant interviews (KIIs) with experts to explore the conceptualization and manifestation of mental illness public stigma among Vietnamese Americans in New Orleans. Six FGDs with a total of 51 participants were conducted. Participants were Vietnamese American men and women ages 18–75. Stratification was used to ensure representation in the following age/immigration pattern categories: (1) individuals age 56–75 who were born and grew up in Vietnam and immigrated to the United States after age 35; (2) individuals age 36–55 who were born in Vietnam but spent a significant part of their youth in the United States; and (3) individuals age 18–35 who were born and grew up in the United States. These groups likely represent different levels of acculturation, assuming that people who migrate at a younger age are more likely to assimilate to the host society than those who do at a later age. Separate FGDs were conducted with men and women. Eleven KIIS were conducted with 6 service providers and 5 community and religious leaders. In this analysis, we focused on mental illness public stigma from the FGD participants’ perspectives. FGDs were conducted in either English or Vietnamese, whichever participants felt more comfortable with, using semistructured interview guides. All interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and translated into English if conducted in Vietnamese. Data coding and analysis was done using NVivo version 11 (QSR International, 2015). The analysis process utilized a Consensual Qualitative Research (CQR) approach, a validated and well-established approach to collecting and analyzing qualitative data. CQR involves gathering textual data through semistructured interviews or focus groups, utilizing a data analysis process that fosters multiple perspectives, a consensus process to arrive at judgments about the meaning of data, an auditor to check the work of the research team, and the development of domains, core-ideas, and cross-analysis (Hill et al ., 2005). The study was reviewed and approved by Tulane University’s Internal Review Board. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Components of public stigma related to mental illness. The 4 components of public stigma manifest to different extents within the Vietnamese Americans in New Orleans. Labeling was among the strongest stigma components, while the evidence of the other components was mixed. Across groups of participants, Vietnamese Americans agreed that it was a common belief that people with mental disorders were “crazy,” “acting crazy,” or “madness.” “Not normal,” “sad,” and “depressed” were among other words used to describe the mentally ill. However, there were clear differences between younger and older Vietnamese on how they viewed these conditions. The youngest groups of participants tended to recognize the “craziness” and “madness” as a health condition that one would need to seek help for, whereas the oldest groups often stated that these conditions were short term and likely caused by family or economic problems, such as a divorce, or a bankruptcy. The middle-aged groups were somewhere in between. The evidence supporting the second component, stereotyping, was not strong among Vietnamese Americans. Most FGD participants agreed that although those with mental disorders may act differently, they were not distinguishable. In a few extreme cases, mentally ill individuals were described as petty thefts or being violent towards their family members. Similarly to the lack of strong evidence of stereotyping, there was also no evidence of the public separating the mentally ill (“them”) from “us”. It was nearly uniformly reported that they felt sympathetic to those with mental disorders and their family, and that they all recognized that they needed help, although the type of help was perceived differently across groups. The older participants ofte

Background and ObjectiveGestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is a prevalent and important disease during pregnancy and has detrimental effects on both the mother and the baby. The current study explored the perception and attitude of the community people about GDM and describes the challenges and gaps in knowledge, availability and accessibility of services for GDM screening and management at a rural community in Bangladesh.MethodsWe performed a qualitative study including seven Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and eight Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) from November 2017 to January 2018 at randomly selected areas of Tangail district. A highly trained team including two anthropologists conducted the qualitative studies (FGDs and KIIs) under the guidance of experienced researchers. Thematic analysis was performed.ResultsGDM is not a known term for pregnant women, their husbands, mothers, and mothers-in-law. Most of the participants (78.7%) did not even hear the term. Some of them (25.5%) perceived that GDM will persist for whole life and transmit from husband to wife and mother to baby. Some people (21.3%) thought that GDM entirely depends on the wish of the God. Most of the participants (68.1%) perceived that symptoms of other types of diabetes and GDM are almost the same. Some participants (19.1%) thought that GDM patients need to intake some medicines that might affect the fetus. The majority of the respondents (83%) had no idea when a pregnant woman should test her diabetes during pregnancy. If GDM diagnosed, pregnant women decided to follow the advice of the doctors. The results from KII with health managers found that they lack in-depth knowledge of GDM. There is no structured guideline or protocol at their facilities for GDM management.ConclusionThe existing barriers at the communities for adequate detection and management of GDM are identified properly. The findings of this study will be helpful for the decision-makers in taking necessary actions to control the GDM.

With the global population aging, there is an emerging need for access to quality long-term care (LTC) services. Many countries have developed LTC systems while others are at the infancy stage. This paper aimed to provide an overview of the country's readiness for LTC based on the perspectives of relevant stakeholders. Specifically, it described the roles, initiatives, and challenges of relevant organizations and community leaders for LTC provision. It also described the older persons (OPs) and carers' perspectives towards LTC including their awareness, capacity, and preferences. The study utilized a descriptive design using qualitative methods of data collection namely key informant interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs). Participating institutions and their designated representatives were purposively sampled as key informants. OPs and carers from select barangays in NCR and Region IVA participated in the FGDs. Guided by the interpretivism approach, thematic analysis was performed. A trained research assistant coded the FGD and KII transcripts through the Nvivo PRO plus software and verified by the first author. Themes were reviewed and validated by the multidisciplinary team. A total of 15 KIIs and two FGDs were conducted. The participating institutions and organizations were found to have varied roles and initiatives relevant to LTC; from strategic planning, development of policies and standards of care, training and capacity-building, and up to the actual implementation of LTC services. Identified challenges include implementation issues, financial issues, lack of political and stakeholder support, OPs and familial issues, and lack of knowledge on LTC.Participants shared their description on what LTC is, an LTC facility, and the conditions of those in LTC facility. OPs expressed their willingness to utilize LTC services and identified several factors related to their preferred LTC arrangements. Carers identified various topics related to taking care of OPs that they would like to learn. The roles, initiatives, and awareness of relevant stakeholders, older persons, and carers towards LTC were found to greatly vary. Policy makers, health workforce, families, communities, and the older persons themselves should have a better understanding of long-term care before they can provide or utilize the system. With the current landscape of LTC provision, the country still has a long way to go in achieving the integrated continuum of LTC appropriate to promote healthy aging. Promoting awareness, integrating LTC in the current programs and services for older persons in the country, capacitating the formal and non-formal caregivers, and strengthening collaborations are recommended.Further research on quantitative measures of readiness for long-term care with focus on the health system and in-depth studies on the varieties or models of long-term care are recommended.

Equivalence of the tests of Cattell and Spielberger in the measurement of anxiety

Value chain analysis of yellow broiler industry in Guangxi, China to inform H7N9 influenza control strategies

BackgroundA randomised controlled trial (RCT) on integrated malaria prevention, which advocates the use of several malaria prevention methods holistically, has been proposed. However, before conducting an RCT, it is recommended that a feasibility study is carried out to provide information to support the main study, particularly for such a complex intervention. Therefore, a feasibility study for an RCT on integrated malaria prevention in Uganda was conducted.MethodsThe qualitative study carried out in Wakiso District employed focus group discussions (FGDs) and key informant interviews (KIIs) to explore community willingness to participate in the RCT as well as assess stakeholder perspectives on the future study. The participants of the FGDs were community members, while the key informants were selected from malaria stakeholders including Ministry of Health officials, health practitioners, local leaders, district health team members, and community health workers (CHWs). Thematic analysis was employed with the support of NVivo.ResultsA total of 12 FGDs and 19 KIIs were conducted. Five main themes emerged from the study: malaria prevention practices related to integrated malaria prevention; preferred malaria prevention methods in the integrated approach; potential challenges of integrated malaria prevention; perspectives on the proposed RCT; and sustainability of integrated malaria prevention. Despite a few methods being employed holistically in the community, insecticide-treated nets were the most widely used and preferred method for malaria prevention mainly because they were provided free by the government. The main challenges in the integrated approach were the high cost of some methods such as house screening, and concerns about the potential side effects of insecticide-based methods such as indoor residual spraying. Participants expressed high willingness to participate in the RCT to promote the use of multiple methods in their households and community. Involvement of CHWs during implementation was proposed as a sustainability strategy for the RCT interventions.ConclusionThere was high willingness to participate in the proposed RCT on integrated malaria prevention. However, high cost and perceived negative health effects from some methods were identified as potential challenges. The type of methods to be included as well as sustainability mechanisms needs to be considered during the design of the RCT.

Globally, road traffic accidents claim about 1.35 million lives annually, with 20–50 million people injured, often leading to long-term disability. Over 90% of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, largely due to the rising use of commercial motorcycles, In 2020, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) reported 30,256 road traffic deaths (4.6% of global fatalities), contributing significantly to economic losses through medical costs and reduced productivity. Objectives: To explore enabling factors and potential barriers to the co-developed model in the prevention of road traffic accidents in Goma City, DRC. The study set out to identify the circumstances that could facilitate or hinder the effectiveness of the co-developed model in preventing road traffic accidents of motorcyclists in Goma City, DRC. Methodology: The study adopted a quasi-experimental design, using a random sampling technique to recruit 150 motorcyclists (75 per study group). Data were collected through questionnaires, interview guides, focus group discussions (FGDs), and key informant interviews (KIIs) with 20 stakeholders. A baseline survey was first conducted to explore behavioural factors influencing road traffic accidents. Qualitative data from KIIs and FGDs were audiorecorded, transcribed, and thematically analyzed using NVivo 14 software, with themes, sub-themes, and concepts systematically developed and refined through coding. The study was anchored on the Theory of Planned Behaviour and Social Cognitive Theory. Results: Enabling factors included its emphasis on essential interventions, reduction of accidents, structured driver training, regulation of the minimum driving age, and a clear stance against drunk driving, with support ranging from 70% to 100%. Barriers were identified and included poor implementation linked to weak institutional capacity and inadequate infrastructure, culturally embedded risky behaviours, economic challenges such as high maintenance costs and unaffordable training, limited enforcement of existing legal and policy frameworks, low awareness, negative attitudes toward adoption, and resistance to change. Conclusion: The study concludes that the co-developed model has strong potential to reduce road traffic accidents, but its success depends on overcoming structural, socio-cultural, economic, and policy-related barriers