Continuous Training Programs Research Articles

Development of a bilingual interdisciplinary scale assessing self-efficacy for participating in Medical Assistance in Dying.

Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) is a complex process involving the person seeking care and their relatives. MAiD involves physical, psychosocial and spiritual needs, and consequently the involvement of an interdisciplinary team is beneficial. Therefore, updating the knowledge and skills of healthcare and social services professionals is critical. An interdisciplinary team from Laval University (Quebec, Canada) has developed a continuous training program for all health care and social services professionals who could be involved in the care of persons who request MAiD and their loved ones. It is crucial to assess whether the objectives of the continuous training program are being met, especially since this new training addresses several complex issues (legal, ethical, and clinical). Bandura's self-efficacy theory has been widely used to develop scales for assessing the impact of training programs and identifying knowledge gaps. Bandura's theory states that feeling secure in one's self-efficacy leads to self-determined motivation. Although there are various scales intended to measure self-efficacy in palliative care, none include self-efficacy for participating in the process surrounding MAiD. As a result, we aim to create a bilingual (English-French) interdisciplinary scale to assess self-efficacy for participating in the process surrounding MAiD. The scale will allow decision-makers and researchers to identify current knowledge gaps. It will also be useful for assessing the impact of current and future training programs addressing this end-of-life practice. In this work in progress, we briefly introduce the training program and the future steps in the development and validation of the scale.

How is Industry 4.0 Changing Food Technology? A Scientometric Profile

The food industry has changed due to the present industrial revolution, industry 4.0. The processes taking place in energy and food firms leverage aspects of the industry 4.0 paradigm, such as machine learning, the Internet of Things, and Big Data. The goal of this research is to give academics a summary of works that have been published on the topic of food technology. Hence, the review examines the most active authors, sources, organizations, and countries conducting studies in the subject domain. The selected documents from the Web of Science from 2013 to 2021, using Bibliometrix and VOSviewer software to gather relevant publication trends and identify the most significant networks. The results identified that the growth of food technology literature has many documents published in 2021. A total of 2529 documents were published in 527 sources, among which the most popular was Sustainability. Collaboration among authors reached 91 countries, the most prominent country was China. This research will be a vital tool for academics and policymakers in providing well-developed and better-oriented continuous training programs to lessen the skill gap between workers and jobs.

Farmers’ Perception towards Agricultural Pesticides and Associated Human Health Impact in Misrak Badawacho Woreda, Ethiopia

Pesticides are applied to control weeds and insect infestation in agricultural fields and various pests and disease carriers. As the modes of action for pesticides are not species-specific, concerns have been raised about risks associated with their exposure through various routes. The main objective of this study was to assess farmers’ perception towards agricultural pesticides and associated human health impact in Misrak Badawacho Woreda, Ethiopia. Community-based cross-sectional study was used to assess farmers’ perception towards agricultural pesticides and associated human health impact. Systematic random sampling technique was used to select study subjects. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS 20. Descriptive statistics were used during this study. About 361 study subjects completed the questionnaires. Among the studies subjects (81%) of them were males and 19% were females. The results showed that commonly applied pesticides comprised of herbicides (55%), fungicides (28%), Veterinary control (14%) and insecticides (3%). About 54% of the farm workers were used normal clothe, 17% were used boots,11% were used eye glass, 8% were used handkerchief, 3% were used mask and 2% were used Cotton during pesticide application. From total study subjects 38% do not follow instructions during pesticide application and 55% reuse pesticide containers for storing food and water in the home. Majority (93%) reported that they had suffered from pesticide-related health signs and symptoms during or after application of pesticides. Itching and skin irritation was the common symptom (74%) followed by headache (68%) during pesticide application. Generally the Farm workers had poor handling practices during pesticide application. Therefore continuous pesticide training programs for workers could be implemented.

Effect of an Educational Program Regarding Cardiac Arrhythmias on Nurses’ Knowledge and Practices in Critical Care Units

Context: Cardiac arrhythmia is a serious condition that can lead to fatal forms of rhythm disturbance. Critical care nurse plays a vital role in arrhythmias management, specializing in symptomatic relief, promoting comfort, and taking crisis management activity in fatal dysrhythmias.
 Aim: To evaluate the effect of an educational program regarding cardiac arrhythmias on nurses' knowledge and practice in critical care units.
 Methods: A quasi-experimental design (pre/test) was applied. This study was carried out at Critical Care Units in Governmental Port-Said general hospitals (Port Said General Hospital, Port-Fouad General Hospital, and Alzhoor Central Hospital) in Port Said Governorate in Egypt. A convenient sample of all available nurses (139) nurses in critical care units was recruited in this study and divided into 116 female and 23 male nurses. The data collection tool encompassed two: A structured interviewing questionnaire with demographic characteristics, a nurses' knowledge questionnaire, and nurses' practice observational checklists.
 Results: The results revealed a nurses' mean age of 25.6 ±5.1; 83.5% were females, and 55.4% had technical nursing institute diplomas. A high statistically significant total knowledge and practice score difference between pre and immediate post-program implementation at p<0.001. Also, among pre and follow-up assessments after educational program application at p<0.001. In addition, there was a statistically significant correlation between total nurses' knowledge score and their total practice score immediately after the educational program (r=0.636, p <0.001). and follow up (r=0.426, p<0.001).
 Conclusion The nursing educational program significantly improved nurses' knowledge and practice regarding cardiac arrhythmias management among nurses working in the critical care units. The study recommended continuous training and educational program for enhancing and apprising the nurses’ knowledge and practice regarding cardiac arrhythmias in the critical care unit.

Knowledge and Awareness of Healthcare Professionals about Infant Oral Health

Introduction: The strategy of utilizing primary medical care to promote oral health is particularly necessary and especially through infant oral health measures (IOH). Pediatricians and family physicians were knowledgeable about some aspects of ECC and infant oral health but were uncertainly identifying dental caries and the early signs of ECC. The majority of physicians reported that they play an important role and are involved in promoting the oral health of children in their practices. Aim: This cross-sectional study was designed to assess baseline knowledge of infant oral health IOH among healthcare professionals. Design: An online self-reported cross-sectional survey was designed to assess awareness about IOH. A total number of 449 healthcare professionals (dentists, physicians, nurses and dental assistances), working in facilities dealing with infant health responded to the survey in various countries. The survey was consisting of 12 questions regarding IOH. A score of 70% or more was considered as a “pass” score based. Results: Descriptive and analytic statistics were performed for all groups and subgroups based on their responses which reflect their awareness of IOH. Around 53% of health professionals (n= 242) were able to achieve pass scores, while 47% of health professionals (n=207) did not achieve it. Regarding demographic and occupational characteristics there was a significant difference in pass rate about age (p< 0.001) being lower in the age group below 30 years. We also found a significant difference in pass rate in relation to gender and type of job (p< 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in relation to the duration of the experience (p> 0.05). Conclusion: There is a need for continuous education and training programs on updated oral health measures for all healthcare providers. This study calls for further research to evaluate the role of various factors involved in IOH care and to effectively educate all healthcare providers.

Reporting Antimicrobial-Related Adverse Drug Events in Jordan: An Analysis from the VigiBase Database

This study aims to assess the reporting of antimicrobial-related adverse drug events (ADEs) in Jordan between 2003 and 2022. Data regarding the antimicrobial-related ADEs were extracted from the WHO's global database (VigiBase) by the Rational Drug Use and Pharmacovigilance Department at the Jordan Food and Drug Administration (JFDA). A total of 279 Individual Case Safety Reports (ICSRs) were recorded. The number of ICSRs increased from 2019 onwards (219 out of 279 cases). This increase in the reported ADEs was influenced by the actions of the JFDA, including the introduction of electronic reporting forms, updating the national pharmacovigilance guidelines, which encouraged adverse drug reactions reporting, the implementation of the AMR-national action plan, the encouragement to report due to COVID-19 vaccine, and the continuous awareness campaigns and training programs. Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders (n = 105; 19.48%) were the most reported antimicrobial-related ADEs. The highest number of ADEs was reported for tetracyclines (n = 101; 18.74%) followed by fluoroquinolones (n = 54; 10.02%), third-generation cephalosporines (n = 48; 8.9%), and carbapenems (n = 42; 7.79%). From the top 10 consumed antibiotics, the number of ADEs in patients who consumed Watch group antibiotics (97 ADEs) was higher than those who consumed Access group antibiotics (28 ADEs). The findings highlight the need to monitor and rationalize the use of Watch antibiotics. Enhanced reporting of antimicrobial-related adverse drug reactions is needed to inform antimicrobial stewardship and improve the pharmacovigilance system in Jordan.

Assessment of Jordanian community pharmacists' confidence to provide health services and advice on self-medication for women during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

The purpose of this study was to describe the services provided by community pharmacists and their confidence in providing advice on self-medication for women during pregnancy and breastfeeding. A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was distributed online to community pharmacists across Jordan in the period from August through December 2020. The questionnaire identified the services most frequently offered to women throughout pregnancy or breastfeeding and evaluated the community pharmacists' confidence in providing advice on self-medication and other services for this population group. A total of 340 community pharmacists completed the questionnaire. Most of them were female (89.4%), and just over half (55%) had less than 5 years of experience. The services offered by community pharmacists to women throughout pregnancy were dispensing medicine (49.1%), and dispensing herbal products (48.5%), whereas the services mainly provided for women during breastfeeding were providing advice on contraception (71.5%), and dispensing medication (45.3%).The most frequent complaints reported by women during pregnancy were gastrointestinal and urinary symptoms, and for women during lactation low milk supply and contraception. Regarding pharmacists' confidence in providing advice on self-medication, nearly half of the respondents (50% and 49.7%) reported that they had confidence in solving medication and health challenges during pregnancy and breastfeeding, respectively. Although community pharmacists provided different services for women who were pregnant or breastfeeding, many did not feel confident handling them. Continuous training programs are required to enhance community pharmacists' ability to provide adequate care for women during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Reporting of adverse events related to medical devices: A single-center experience from a tertiary care institute of national importance in India.

As frontline health workers, nursing professionals have a crucial role in reporting medical device-associated adverse events (MDAEs). A questionnaire-based study was carried out to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice of senior nursing officers (SNOs), nursing officers (NOs), and nursing students (NSs) toward MDAE. The response rate of the survey was 84% (n = 134). The mean score of knowledge of SNOs, NOs, and NSs was 2.03 ± 0.92, 1.71 ± 0.96, and 1.52 ± 0.82, respectively (P = 0.9). A large proportion of study participants (97%) considered that the use of medical device could sometimes cause untoward occurrences and detecting and reporting those events will enhance the safety of patients. However, many of them (67%) have not reported it during clinical posting. The participants of this survey possessed limited knowledge of MDAE. However, their attitude toward MDAE was encouraging and a continuous training program may improve their knowledge regarding MDAE and enhance the reporting practice.

Green HRM and hospitality industry: challenges and barriers in adopting environmentally friendly practices

PurposeThe recent decade has described the role of HR practitioners as more strategic to advance in environmental management (EM), technology and change management competencies. The study aims to identify the HR professionals' changing strategies and challenges and barriers in sustainability performance (SP) through green HRM, which have become an emerging topic.Design/methodology/approachData collection was conducted through six semi-structured face-to-face interviews with senior HR representatives through purposive sampling. The grounded theory (GT) method was applied, followed by an iterative process for codes and themes.FindingsThe results indicated the highly significant challenges and barriers (C&B) proposing a 5 × 4 framework in adopting GHRM practices. Examples of the challenges included (1) lack of knowledge, orientation and awareness; (2) corporate social responsibility as an integral part of the organization strategy; (3) environmental concerns internally required from top-bottom and bottom-top approach; (4) budget and cost that remain an issue for the top management, and; (5) HR department's responsibility to build competencies for their entire team.Practical implicationsThe findings help the top management and policymakers maintain a balance between economic, environmental and social sustainability performance agendas. Furthermore, the environmental goals and values of the hotel are key ingredients in seeking the solution to environmental sustainability, which requires continuous training programs to enhance awareness at all levels.Originality/valueThe results are presented as future directions to enrich the literature and make significant contributions to the existing body of knowledge. Moreover, the research benefits the managers from the results intended in accomplishing sustainable development approaches.

Global prevalence of needle stick injuries among nurses: Acomprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis.

Nurses usually provide direct patient care. However, they account for the majority of healthcare workers (HCWs) injured by needles or other sharp objects. To assess the prevalence of needle stick injuries (NSI) among nurses worldwide; according to WHO regions, the socioeconomic development index (SDI) of countries, and the developmental status of individual countries, and in the Middle East. Systematic review and meta-analysis. We searched PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. We calculated the pooled NSI prevalence estimates using a random-effect meta-analysis with the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software. The report of the study was in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 statement. The overall worldwide NSI prevalence pooled from our analysis was 40.97% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 31.29-50.63%, p=.00001). A subgroup analysis of NSI prevalence according to WHO regions revealed the highest prevalence in Southeast Asia (49.9%, 95% CI: [23.4-76.3%]) and the lowest in the United States of America (25.1%, 95% CI: [18.1-32.1%]), respectively. The pooled prevalence in developed and developing countries was 30.5% (95% CI: 27.3-33.8%) and 46.6% (95% CI: 33.7-59.5%), respectively. According to the SDI, NSI prevalence was highest in low-middle SDI countries (48.9% [95% CI: 30.7-67.2%]). Our results showed a high NSI prevalence among nurses worldwide. Developing countries had a significantly higher NSI prevalence than developed countries, especially low-middle SDI countries. This study highlighted the prevalence of NSI risk among nurses practising in clinical settings worldwide. The study findings suggest that continuous training programs should be implemented for nurses to enhance their knowledge, performance and attitude toward NSI prevention in clinical settings. Contributions from patients or the public are irrelevant because the purpose of this study was to examine the global prevalence of NSIs in nurses.

Is There Any Difference in the Quality of CPR Depending on the Physical Fitness of Firefighters?

(1) Background: The purposes of this study were to develop a physical fitness evaluation program for new firefighters, to investigate whether there is a quality difference in performing CPR for cardiac arrest patients according to physical strength, and to provide basic data to improve CPR quality. (2) Methods: The subjects of this study were fire trainees who were appointed as firefighters for the first time in G province from 3 March 2021 to 25 June 2021. The age of the subjects was 25-29 years old, and their experience of working as a firefighter was less than three months. According to the purposes of the study, the researcher composed the Physical Fitness Evaluation Program, including the physical fitness evaluation method and steps, and requested a content expert group to modify and supplement the 'physical fitness assessment program'. The subjects were divided into four groups according to their levels of physical strength, and CPR was performed for 50 min in groups of two. A high-end Resuscitation Anne Simulator (Laeadal, Norway) mannequin was used to evaluate the quality of CPR. (3) Results: When comparing the difference in CPR quality, there were statistically significant differences in the number of chest compressions and compression depth, but all groups met the CPR guidelines. In the case of this study, it is thought that high-quality CPR could be performed because the subjects' average age was low and they continued to exercise to improve their physical strength for their role. (4) Conclusions: It was concluded that the fitness level of new firefighters confirmed by this study was sufficient for general high-quality CPR. In addition, for high-quality CPR, continuous management is required by developing a continuous CPR education and physical training program for all firefighters.

Time to Consider the Introduction of Mandatory Continuous Professional Development Training Programme for Registered Healthcare Workers Especially Nurses and Midwives in Sierra Leone

In developed countries like Australia, Canada, UK and USA, continuous professional development (CPD) is statutory or mandatory training for all regulated healthcare staff such as doctors, midwives, nurses, pharmacists and physiotherapists. All patients facing healthcare professionals are expected to attend stipulated programs of learning some with annual recall. These trainings are compulsory to attend. Staff employers would be in breach of statutory laws or regulatory requirements if they employ or allow staff to work with expired CPD competencies. In a low- or middle-income country (LMIC) like Sierra Leone, CPD is currently selective, and voluntary and registration licences are not revalidated. This can invariably put patients at risk as clinical skills/knowledge are not regularly verified. This paper discusses the rationale for the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) to consider introducing mandatory CPD training programmes, especially for nurses and midwives employed in healthcare settings in the country.

Effect of Implementing Evidence-Based Nursing Practices Guidelines Related to Post-Partum Care on Maternity Nurses' Performance

Context: Delivering high-quality care that improves patients' health outcomes necessitates using evidence-based nursing practice (EBNP).
 Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of implementing evidence-based nursing practice guidelines related to postpartum care on maternity nurses' performance.
 Methods: One group (pre/post-test) is studied in a quasi-experimental study. The study was carried out at the postnatal unit of the Obstetrics and Gynecology department of Benha University Hospital. A convenient sample included all maternity nurses working in the previously mentioned setting. Three tools are used for data collection: A self-administered questionnaire includes an assessment of socio-demographic characteristics of the studied maternity nurses, an assessment of maternity nurses' knowledge regarding evidence-based practices about postpartum care, an observational checklist regarding evidence-based nursing practice during the postpartum period, and barriers scale of nurses in implementing evidence-based practices.
 Results: The study revealed a mean nurses' age of 33.6±9.867, and 55.4% had baccalaureate degrees in nursing sciences. 60% of them depend on the internet as a source of information. The present study findings a highly statistically significant difference between pre-intervention, immediate post-intervention, and follow-up (p<0.0001) regarding nurses' knowledge and practice concerning postpartum evidence-based nursing practice. The barriers assessment revealed that 84.5% of the nurses agreed they did not have time to read the research.
 Conclusion: Maternity nurses' performance in postpartum care significantly improved after implementing evidence-based practice guidelines. The study recommended encouraging continuous educational training programs and workshops for nurses regarding evidence-based nursing in obstetrics and gynecological unit.

Perspectives for the transition from preschool to primary school education in an online environment

The Covid-19 world health crisis has profound implications and its consequences throughout the world have social, cultural, economic and educational ramifications. Worldwide, preschool teachers were forced to develop the students' learning experience in a new online environment. This research aims to investigate preschool teachers' views about literacy and literacy practices during face-to-face and remote teaching. As a result, the effectiveness of these practices during remote teaching to support the transition from kindergarten to primary school is investigated. Views and practices from 18 Greek preschool teachers were collected with semi-structured interviews and were analyzed using thematic analysis. The results showed that although, during remote teaching several literacy activities took place, teachers expressed their frustration with literacy and transition practices implemented in this educational setting. Teachers seem to be really disappointed with this experience, especially for written language activities, as they considered that the problems they faced and the transformations that were made to their literacy practices did not offer the appropriate framework to meet the requirements of the primary school and the transition from early literacy to school language. Furthermore, they expressed their desire to create a framework for collaboration by primary school teachers via a continuous and systematic training program, especially in case that 'remote teaching comes back'. In conclusion, preschool teachers' reactions and attitudes could be the pillars for establishing a framework for collaboration to ensure continuity through a balanced literacy program and the transition from kindergarten to primary school.

Community pharmacists' response to complaints of gastroesophageal reflux: A simulated patient study in the Northern United Arab Emirates.

Patients frequently use gastric acid-reducing agents (ARAs) to treat symptoms affecting the gastrointestinal tract. Thus, the risk for drug-drug interactions (DDI) is a serious concern. This potentially makes the community pharmacist (CP) act as a primary intervention by providing the appropriate counseling and dispensing practice. To evaluate CPs' counseling and dispensing practices regarding complaints of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), including recommending an appropriate course of action to prevent possible DDIs. A simulated patient (SP) methodology was used in this study. The community pharmacies in Ajman and Sharjah were visited by SP who's responsible for acting as a patient, and by an observer who's responsible for focusing on the interaction between the SP and the CPs without engagement. Data were recorded using a preprepared data collection form. Performance feedback was sent to the CPs after concluding all visits. Counseling and dispensing scores were classified based on the total scores to poor, inadequate, and complete. Appropriateness of the pharmacist's decision was defined as dispensing antacid and advising of separating doses apart in time. A total of 150 community pharmacies was included in the data analysis. The findings of the current study demonstrated poor counseling and dispensing for the vast majority of the participants (81.3% and 67.3% of respondents, respectively). Only 4% of the CPs advised the SP to have a time interval between antacid and cefuroxime axetil. A significant difference in counseling scores was found between pharmacies located in Ajman and Sharjah (p = 0.01). Also, there was a significant difference in dispensing scores between independent and chain pharmacies (p = 0.003). The findings revealed inadequate counseling and dispensing practice by CPs. This study highlighted the need for continuous professional training programs to endow the CPs with the knowledge necessary for improving the CPs' counseling and dispensing practices.

Challenges for Optimum Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in the Emergency Departments of Limpopo Province: A Qualitative Study.

To describe the challenges for optimum resuscitation processes in Emergency Departments in Limpopo Province, South Africa. A qualitative explorative research approach was adopted to explore the resuscitation team's experiences in Emergency Departments. Five medical doctors and twelve professional nurses were purposively sampled to participate in the study. The depth of the information obtained from the participants determined the sample size. Data collected from semi-structured individual interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. Data quality was ensured by applying four elements: credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability. The study findings indicated diverse challenges for optimum resuscitation processes that include: A general shortage of emergency personnel, the lack of material resources and the unavailability of funds for payment of national and international trauma symposiums, the poor maintenance of emergency equipment, the lack of a continuous training program and the resuscitation team receiving different instructions from various team leaders about the standardized procedures and policies of the resuscitation process. The team leaders and managers often blamed, depreciated and disregarded the resuscitation team for failed resuscitation efforts. Public contribution: The study findings are a point of reference for the emergency resuscitation team and the department of health policymakers. Trained and well-equipped emergency resuscitation teams can improve the quality of life for patients with cardiac arrest.

Identificação de estratégias cognitivas e metacognitivas em pedagogos escolares: resultados de um programa de formação

Abstract This article aims to identify the cognitive and metacognitive strategies utilized by school pedagogues responsible for the coordination and articulation of the pedagogic process inside schools in a continuous training program. Metacognition is not usually examined in connection with teachers and/or professional development; therefore, to analyze the importance of metacognitive development for school pedagogues, attention to continuous training is essential both to attain a better comprehension of the term and to establish ways to identify it. This qualitative research taking a phenomenological and hermeneutic approach was developed based on a continuous training program with 16 pedagogues from public and private schools and different segments of activity. Semi-structured interviews and an instrument for the identification of the utilization of five cognitive strategies (reflexivity, reality conscious, verbalization, attention and thought/attitude) and three metacognitive (awareness-making, self-control and autopoiesis) were administered. The results indicate a high level of agreement by participants with the items described by the instrument; in addition, when relating verbal reports from participants to the results obtained with the instrument, it was noted that the proposed continuous training program could facilitate reflections about “learn to learn” as articulated within the activity context. Further studies are needed of school pedagogues, as well the development of training processes (both initial and continued) that promote the development of metacognitive strategies, contributing to daily activity together with the teachers.

Pesticide Use Practice and Associated Factors Among Rural Community of Malga District, Sidama Regional State, South Ethiopia.

In Ethiopia, like that of the other developing countries, pesticides are widely used for a variety of purposes, but their unsafe use causes a major environmental and health hazard. The aim of this study was to assess pesticide use practice and its associated factors among the rural community of Malga district, Sidama region, southern Ethiopia. A community based cross-sectional study was conducted from February to March 2021 at Malga District. Data were collected from 549 farmers by a structured and pretested interviewer-administered questionnaire. Binary and multivariable logistic regression was used for the data analysis. Adjusted odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to determine the association between safe practices of pesticide use and several related factors. Safe practice of pesticide use was observed in 193 (35.2%). The participants who had primary education [AOR = 5.605, 95% CI: 3.309, 9.495], secondary education and above [AOR = 9.847, 95% CI: 5.007, 19.368], used pesticide for 10 years and above [AOR = 6.790, 95% CI: 3.589, 12.843], used pesticide between 6 and 10 years [AOR = 1.913, 95% CI: 1.166, 3.141] pesticide bought from any shop [AOR = 2.320, 95% CI: 1.364, 3.947], agricultural office [AOR = 7.187, 95% CI: 3.654, 14.137] were associated with safe use of pesticides. The safe practice of pesticide use was low in the study area. Continuous training programs should be implemented on the safe practice of pesticide use to the local farmers.

The Efficacy of the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) Program in Mitigating Pediatric HIV/AIDS Incidence in the Mansa District, Zambia

This qualitative study was set out to intricately explore the landscape of the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) program in the Mansa district in order to shed light on its multifaceted nature. Key informants, pivotal to the program, offered invaluable insights into its fundamental components, recent progress, encountered challenges, and proposed improvements. The study emphasized the paramount importance of early detection and timely intervention in preventing HIV transmission from mother to child. The study highlighted key areas of focus within the PMTCT program, as elucidated by informants, emphasizing the central role of antenatal care, HIV testing and counseling, provision of antiretroviral therapy (ART), and vigilant postnatal follow-up. Together, these elements constituted a comprehensive strategy for safeguarding maternal and child well-being, with a strong emphasis on early identification and effective intervention. Recent developments in the program portrayed an evolving landscape, including enhancements such as improved access to rapid testing, the integration of maternal and child health services, expanded community outreach efforts, and initiatives aimed at enhancing community awareness. These innovations underscored the program’s adaptability and unwavering commitment to extending its reach. However, the challenges that impeded the reduction of mother-to-child HIV transmission were deeply rooted and multifaceted, encompassing issues such as stigma, inadequacies in healthcare infrastructure, medication adherence challenges, geographic barriers, personnel shortages, and logistical complexities. In response to these challenges, key informants put forth practical recommendations to strengthen the PMTCT program. These recommendations included broader community awareness and education efforts, the fortification of peer support networks, increased allocation of resources for transportation, and continuous training and sensitization programs for healthcare providers. These measures were deemed vital for enhancing program effectiveness and improving the health outcomes of mothers and infants in the Mansa district.

LEITURA COMO INTERAÇÃO DO LEITOR COM O TEXTO: CONCEPÇÕES E PRÁTICAS NOS CADERNOS DO PNAIC

ABSTRACT: The article aims at presenting and discussing the conceptions and practices of reading explored in the training notebooks of the National Pact for Literacy at the Right Age (PNAIC). The analysis process of the content of the notebooks was conducted based on the following question: what conception of reading and what teaching practices are brought in the collection of notebooks of PNAIC? The discussion on the conceptions and practices of reading was carried out based on theoretical studies that see reading as a cognitive act set in the interaction between text-reader. The results of the analysis show that the texts of the training notebooks conceive the reading from elements of the interactive model of reading. Concerning the reading practices, the activities of extraction of meanings from the text for the development of textual understanding are prioritized. In the reports, there is a predominance of records of shared reading activity, in which the formulation of questions is the main strategy to help the student to find information and infer meanings. Yet the exercises that aim at activating previous knowledge of the reader or activities of reading systematization, such as essay writing, are less frequently used. Finally, we highlight the importance of analyzing theoretical and methodological assumptions of continuous training programs in order to understand how these help the teachers to analyze their practices and rethink them according to the student’s needs.