Inadequate Financial Support Research Articles

ANALYSIS OF RURAL WOMEN PARTICIPATION IN AGRICULTURAL DECISION-MAKING PROCESS AMONG RICE FARMERS IN ZONE A OF KANO STATE, NIGERIA

The study examines the analysis of rural women participation in agricultural decision-making process among rice farmers in Zone A of Kano State, Nigeria. A Multistage sampling technique was used to select 377 rural women farmers for the study. Data were collected using structured questionnaire and analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The study revealed that morethan half (54.6% and 50.1%) of the rural women agreed and strongly agreed that they sourced household finance through personal savings and government and NGO’s while majority (65.5% and 71.9%) of the respondents were members of cooperatives and had contact with extension agents respectively. The result also revealed that a notable proportion (42.4% and 40.8%) of the respondents had agreed that they received agricultural information through cooperatives/associations and fellow farmers respectively. Furthermore, the result revealed that morethan half (50.1%) of the repondents agreed that they received information on processing and marketing of rice while majority (58.9%) of the respondents strongly agreed that they received information on water and soil management. The result also showed that 44.7% of the respondents revealed that they were fully involved in selection of manure/fertilizer decision-making and 45.9% mentioned they were to large extent involved in sowing seed decision-making. The result also showed that 32.9% of the respondents participated in winnowing while 20.0% participated in marketing in the study. The regression results, showed that education level was found to be significant (P<0.05) respectively, while, farm size, farming experience, membership in cooperative society, extension visit and level of income were also found to be significant (P<0.01) respectively, with R2 0.723. The study concluded that rural women farmers are generally involved in decision-making processes and participation on rice production, processing and marketing such as selection of manure and fertilizer, sowing, threshing, winnowing and packaging among others. The major constraints associated with rice production, processing and processing includes inadequate financial support, less availability of time, traditional beliefs and cultural values among others. The study recommends women participation in agricultural decision-making process will enhance investment in girl child education should be prioritized by the government in other to increase female literacy rate and women empowerment in agriculture.

Nurses' perception of threats to human dignity in caring for patients with COVID-19: A qualitative study

PurposeIdentifying threats to patients' dignity is crucial for maintaining and promoting their dignity. Preserving patient dignity should be regarded as both a patient’s right and a moral obligation. This study was conducted to evaluate nurses' understanding of threats to human dignity in the care of patients with COVID-19. MethodsThis qualitative study was conducted using conventional content analysis in various clinical departments in Iran. Clinical nurses from different departments were selected through purposeful sampling. Data were collected via in-depth semi-structured interviews with 15 clinical nurses over two months in 2021 and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. ResultsDuring data analysis, two main categories and ten subcategories were identified: 1) Unethical behaviors (lack of respect for patient privacy, lack of patient involvement in decision-making procedures, ignoring the patient as an individual, aggressive behaviors, stigmatization, and failure to provide palliative and end-of-life care to patients and their families); 2) Organizational factors (inadequate financial support, lack of patient-care facilities, strict restrictions, and employing less experienced nurses in COVID wards). ConclusionThe present study showed that most participants expressed concerns about violations of patients' dignity and identified many threats to it. Based on the findings, it is suggested that other factors threatening patients' dignity be identified, the threats eliminated, and healthy treatment environments created to promote patients' dignity.

Challenges in Accessing Community-Based Rehabilitation and Long-Term Care for Older Adult Stroke Survivors and Their Caregivers: A Qualitative Study.

While extensive research has examined the rehabilitation challenges faced by stroke survivors, there is limited literature addressing the difficulties encountered by older adult stroke survivors and their caregivers in accessing rehabilitation and long-term care within the Chinese community. This study aimed to investigate the specific challenges related to access, quality, and coordination of rehabilitation and long-term care experienced by older adult stroke survivors and their caregivers within the Chinese community. A qualitative phenomenological design was employed to explore the lived experiences of stroke survivors and their caregivers within the Chinese community. A purposive sampling method was used to recruit participants from June to August 2023. Participants engaged in face-to-face semi-structured interviews. The data were analyzed using an inductive thematic analysis approach to identify and understand key themes and sub-themes. The study involved 38 participants, consisting of 21 older adult stroke survivors (13 males, 8 females) and 17 family caregivers (7 males, 10 females), recruited from five Chinese community health service stations. The analysis identified four distinct themes and 11 sub-themes that encapsulated the challenges faced by participants. These themes include (1) Difficulties in accessing medical services (insufficient medical resources, lack of rehabilitation resources, and time-consuming processes), (2) Challenges in daily life (inconvenience in daily mobility, inadequate financial support, and difficulties in applying for home care services), (3) Psychosocial stress (loneliness, powerlessness, and worry about burdening others), (4) Insufficient information (lack of awareness of available community services, and limited public health education activities). Older adult stroke survivors and their caregivers in Chinese communities face significant challenges. To improve their well-being and quality of life, it is crucial to address these challenges through enhanced access to healthcare, better support for daily living, and more effective information dissemination. Meeting these needs requires a coordinated effort from healthcare providers, community stakeholders, and policymakers to develop and implement effective, long-term care solutions.

Academic difficulties, education-related problems, and discrimination among Thai gender-diverse medical students: a cross-sectional study of Thai medical schools

BackgroundMedical students with sexual and gender diversity (SGD) often face challenges in educational performance and encounter more education-related problems, potentially due to discrimination in medical schools. This study aimed to compare academic difficulties, education-related issues, and experiences of discrimination among medical students with SGD versus those identifying as non-SGD.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study. Participants included a convenient sample of medical students aged at least 18 from five Thai medical schools, all recruited during the 2021 academic year. General demographic data, academic difficulties, education-related problems, and both positive and negative aspects of medical education, encompassing physical aspects, supporting systems, and discrimination, were assessed. The descriptive data and comparison between SGD and non-SGD medical students were performed. Binary logistic regression was adopted to evaluate the association between characteristics of discrimination in each categorized type of gender diversity.ResultsAmong 1322 medical students, 412 (31.2%) described themselves as having SGD. There was no significant difference in academic performance between SGD and non-SGD students. However, SGD students reported higher dropout thoughts (39.8% vs. 23.1%, p < 0.001) and self-perceived burnouts (84.2% vs. 74.9%, p < 0.001). The SGD group perceived lower support from medical staff and higher inadequate financial support (30.3% vs. 22.1%, p < 0.01; 11.2% vs. 23.1%, p < 0.01, respectively). 64.44% of students reported witnessing at least one form of discrimination. Lesbian students were more likely to report witnessing discrimination (OR = 3.85, [1.05–14.16]). Gay students were significantly associated with experiencing sexist remarks (OR = 6.53 [3.93–10.84]) and lower selectively prohibited educational opportunities (OR = 0.36 [0.21–0.63]).ConclusionsWhile academic performance did not differ between medical students with SGD and their non-SGD peers, SGD students reported more academic difficulties and perceived less support from medical staff and financial support. They also reported a higher incidence of discrimination. The need for specific interventions to address these issues should be further explored.

TANTANGAN DINAMIKA REGULASI SEKOLAH BERTARAF INTERNASIONAL DI INDONESIA

The dynamic regulatory landscape presents significant challenges for International Standard Schools (SBI) in Indonesia, impacting their ability to meet global educational standards while integrating local cultural values. This study aims to explore the regulatory challenges faced by SBIs and their implications for educational quality and cultural integration. The method used is library research, which involves reviewing relevant literature and studies on regulations and the implementation of international standard programs. The findings reveal that although SBIs strive to provide high-quality education and facilities in line with international standards, they are often hindered by fluctuating regulations and inadequate financial support. Additionally, the study highlights the importance of a consistent and supportive regulatory framework, sustainable funding sources, and the adoption of an inclusive curriculum that respects local cultural values. These insights offer valuable implications for policymakers, educational institutions, and stakeholders, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts to enhance the stability and effectiveness of SBIs in Indonesia. By addressing these challenges, SBIs can better fulfill their role in providing internationally competitive education while preserving Indonesia’s rich cultural heritage.

Strengthening the effectiveness of community health system: Assessing the factors that enhance or constrain the delivery of health services within communities in Nigeria

IntroductionSub-optimal community health service delivery (CHSD) has been a challenge constraining community health systems (CHS) globally, especially in developing countries such as Nigeria. This paper examined the key factors that either enhance or constrain CHSD in Nigeria at the individual, community/facility and governmental levels while recommending evidence-based solutions for sustaining and improving CHSD within the framework of CHS.MethodsData were collected through a qualitative study undertaken in three states (Anambra, Akwa-Ibom and Kano) in Nigeria. Respondents were formal/informal health providers, community leaders and representatives of civil society organizations all purposively sampled. There were 90 in-depth interviews and 12 focus group discussions, which were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically using codes to identify key themes.ResultsFactors constraining community health service delivery at the individual level were poor health-seeking behaviour, preference for quacks and male dominance of service delivery; at the community/facility level were superstitious/cultural beliefs and poor attitude of facility workers; at the governmental level were inadequate financial support, embezzlement of funds and inadequate social amenities. Conversely, the enabling factors at the individual level were community members’ participation and the compassionate attitude of informal providers. At the community and facility levels, the factors that enhanced service delivery were synergy between formal and informal providers and support from community-based organizations and structures. At the governmental level, the enhancing factors were the government’s support of community-based formal/informal providers and a clear line of communication.ConclusionsCommunity health service delivery through a functional community-health system can improve overall health systems strengthening and lead to improved community health. Policy-makers should integrate community health service delivery in all program implementation and ultimately work with the community health system as a veritable platform for effective community health service delivery.

Rationales behind international students’ not selecting India as an education destination – An empirical investigation

India’s higher education sector faces significant challenges in attracting international students, evidenced by hosting less than 1 % of globally mobile students despite substantial efforts to increase this number. This study explores critical barriers preventing international students from choosing India as their destination, including financial constraints, safety concerns, and cultural integration issues. It also assesses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on these decisions and examines the potential of online education as an alternative. Findings reveal that inadequate financial support and safety concerns are primary deterrents, with varying impacts across educational levels and regions. Recommendations include enhancing financial aid, improving safety measures, fostering cultural integration, and leveraging online education. Addressing these issues is crucial for India to align with global education trends and improve its international appeal.

Evaluating the implementation of weekly rifapentine-isoniazid (3HP) for tuberculosis prevention among people living with HIV in Uganda: A qualitative evaluation of the 3HP Options Trial.

Three months of isoniazid-rifapentine (3HP) is being scaled up for tuberculosis (TB) preventive treatment (TPT) among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in high-burden settings. More evidence is needed to identify factors influencing successful 3HP delivery. We conducted a qualitative assessment of 3HP delivery nested within the 3HP Options Trial, which compared three optimized strategies for delivering 3HP: facilitated directly observed therapy (DOT), facilitated self-administered therapy (SAT), and patient choice between facilitated DOT and facilitated SAT at the Mulago HIV/AIDS clinic in Kampala, Uganda. We conducted 72 in-depth interviews among PLHIV purposively selected to investigate factors influencing 3HP acceptance and completion. We conducted ten key informant interviews with healthcare providers (HCPs) involved in 3HP delivery to identify facilitators and barriers at the clinic level. We used post-trial 3HP delivery data to assess sustainability. We conducted an inductive thematic analysis and aligned the emergent themes with the RE-AIM framework dimensions to report implementation outcomes. Understanding the need for TPT, once-weekly dosing, shorter duration, and perceived 3HP safety enhanced acceptance overall. Treatment monitoring by HCPs and reduced risk of HIV status disclosure enabled DOT acceptance. Dosing autonomy enabled SAT acceptance. Switching between DOT and SAT as required enabled acceptance for patient choice. Dosing reminders, reimbursement for clinical visits, and social support enabled 3HP completion; pill burden, side effects, and COVID-19-related treatment restrictions hindered completion. All HCPs were trained and participated in 3HP delivery with high fidelity. Training, care integration, and collaboration among HCPs enabled, whereas initial concerns about 3HP safety among HCPs delayed 3HP adoption and implementation. SAT was maintained post-trial; DOT was discontinued due to inadequate ongoing financial support beyond the study period. Facilitated delivery strategies made 3HP treatment convenient for PLHIV and were feasible and implemented with high fidelity by HCPs. However, the costs of 3HP facilitation may limit wider scale-up.

Increased Productivity of Regional Potential-based MSMEs through Partnership Development

The current existing condition in Labuhanbatu Regency, where the number and performance of SMEs are not yet competitive enough, especially in the digital market which currently holds significant influence in the buying and selling process of SME products. There is a need for further training related to digital transformation, considering that technology now plays a crucial role in SME development. This research aims to examine the average productivity index of SMEs in Labuhanbatu, the region's potential, and partnership strategies in Labuhanbatu Regency. The study employs average index analysis using a perception measurement scale of 1-7 on 81 SMEs in Labuhanbatu and 8 local government organizations, as well as a SWOT analysis. Based on the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats analysis, SMEs in Labuhanbatu have strengths such as optimized production, adequate local potential, support programs for SMEs, and fairly good SME skills. Weaknesses include limited production support equipment and inadequate marketing networks. Opportunities for SMEs include the growth of SME industries, supportive skills training programs, improved communication, ease of licensing processes, and non-burdensome taxes for businesses. Meanwhile, threats include unstable product prices, inadequate financial support from local government, and insufficient marketing awareness efforts by the local government.

Mental Health and Psychosocial Support for Forcibly Displaced People: Insights From Slovenia

The article explores the current state of mental health and psychosocial support for forcibly displaced people residing in Slovenia, as they are a marginalized group of special concern and need of support in an intercultural setting. The study collected information through semi-structured interviews with fifteen experts working with forcibly displaced people. The findings encompass specifics, current problems, and what needs to be improved in the field, providing examples of good practices. They underscore the significance of empowerment in an intercultural context and reveal potential challenges linked to state disinterest and inadequate financial support for required services.

Protocol for a Scoping Review of Traditional and Complementary Medicine Governance Across Sub-Saharan Africa

Background: Since 1978, the World Health Organization (WHO) has repeatedly called on Member States to recognize the role of traditional and complementary medicine (T&amp;CM) in primary healthcare, improve safety, and accessibility by governing T&amp;CM. In the 2019 Global Report on T&amp;CM, the WHO reported that 40 out of 47 (85%) Member States from African Region had enacted governance policies, and 20 out of 47 (43%) had regulatory policies on herbal medicines. The primary barriers to implementing T&amp;CM policy were identified as an absence of data and inadequate financial support for research. The objective of this protocol was to detail how to perform a scoping review that will examine the policy, legislative, and regulatory landscape for T&amp;CM practitioners and products in sub-Saharan Africa.Methods: Databases will be searched (AMED, CINAHL Plus with Full Text, MEDLINE Plus with Full text, Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar) for relevant articles. Searches will be limited to English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish language studies in peer-reviewed journals (1963-2023) that substantively report on legislation, bills, policies, governance approaches and regulations on T&amp;CM (including successes and/or challenges in their design and implementation). Actual legislation, policies, and regulatory documents on T&amp;CM and peer-reviewed studies with emphasis on integrating T&amp;CM and biomedicine into healthcare systems will be excluded.Expected Outcomes: This protocol has formulated the objectives for a scoping review to identify, map, and synthesize evidence on the governance of T&amp;CM in sub-Saharan Africa.

Patients’ satisfaction with services in HIV clinic at a public tertiary health institution in Ogun State, Nigeria: Patients-providers perspectives

Objective: This study assessed HIV patients´ satisfaction, factors associated with patients´ satisfaction and gaps in the quality of health care service delivery in a virology clinic in Ogun State, Nigeria. Methodology: A cross-sectional study design using mixed methods was used for the study. Three hundred and fifty adult HIV patients on HAART for uninterrupted six months were selected by multistage sampling technique. The Chi-square test was used to assess associations between categorical variables. The p-value used was 0.05. The key informants that were interviewed were the clinic manager, the clinic consultant, the adherence counsellor and the clinic pharmacist. Thematic analysis was done on the key informant interviews. Results: The mean satisfaction scores were high for confidentiality (4.24±0.97), overall care (4.17±0.56) and accessibility of care (4.09±0.82). Waiting time (mean of 3.35±0.42 minutes) and hospital environment (mean of 3.97±0.74) had the lowest mean satisfaction scores. Factors associated with satisfaction were patients’ income (p = 0.001), occupation (p = 0.001) and gender (p = 0.007). The key informants identified long waiting times in the clinic, shortage of manpower, inadequate financial support for patients and inadequate technical support for clinic activities as aspects of care for improvement. Conclusion: In this study, patients expressed a high level of satisfaction with the quality of care and the key informants identified challenges that affect optimal care in the clinic. Healthcare quality is a core dimension of health system performance. Continuous patient satisfaction and quality of care evaluations are needed for optimal health system performance.

Building resilience in European food supply chains: results of a Delphi study

The COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine have negatively affected the sustainability of the food market and contributed significantly to the increase in agricultural prices. The goal of this article is to present the results of a European Delphi study on enabling factors and barriers to developing robustness within food distribution networks. The paper also aims to identify ways to ensure food security and build resilience in supply chains for European Union (EU) citizens, as well as strategies to protect the agricultural sector. The Delphi theses, the expected timing of their implementation and their impact on selected stages of supply chains were assessed. The paper employs a literature review, the Delphi method and STEEPED analysis to identify factors for increasing the robustness of European food distribution networks. The research findings highlighted crucial factors in enhancing food supply chain resilience, including financial aid to farmers, the use of advanced technologies (like AI, remote sensing, GIS, VR, or drones), and the encouragement of conscious consumption practices. The study revealed that severe weather, inadequate financial support for farmers and insufficient favourable legislation at the national level are the main barriers to achieving resilience in food supply chains. The main recommendations for building food resilience include encouraging localised food supply chains and, advocating for eco-friendly, sustainable production approaches and small-scale agriculture and reducing unnecessary food losses. The originality of the study is reflected in the presentation of the opinions of international experts on developing robustness within food distribution networks in view of the disruption caused by COVID-19 and the geopolitical situation.

Introducing a robotic surgery program in the Greek National Healthcare System: Obstacles we need to overcome

A National Healthcare Systems’ primary objective is to ensure equal access to its members. Every advancement in medicine, which has proven to be safe and efficient, must be provided to every patient regardless of their socioeconomic background or financial status. However, the systems’ nonprofit guiding principle results in inadequate financial support, which generates a vicious cycle of disproportionate access to its resources. A recent technological breakthrough in surgery, with several bestowed advantages, is the robotic surgical platform. However, its implementation in the Greek National Healthcare System, for the common good, is associated with several obstacles. The purpose of this article is to outline these obstacles and to suggest potential solutions, in order to eliminate any disparities between patients operated in public or private sector hospitals.

Constraints militating against the use of adaptation strategies to climate change effects by small-scale rice farmers in Northeastern, Nigeria

This study ascertained the constraints militating against the use of adaptation strategies to climate change effects amongst rice farmers in Northeastern Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 300 rice farmers. The analytical tools used to analyze the data obtained were descriptive and inferential statistics. The result shows the used and unused adaptation strategies for drought resistant rice variety were 33.0% and 67.0%, heat resistant rice variety were 30.7% and 69.3%, short rice cycle seeds were 2.3% and 97.7%, early maturing rice variety were 32.7% and 67.3%, early planting were 32.0% and 68.0%, late planting were 33.0% and 67.0%, early harvesting were 32.7% and 67.3%, late harvesting were 31.7% and 68.3. The result on constraints militating against the use of adaptation strategies shows that the constraints with higher loading factors were low level of income (λ=0.799), low literacy level (λ=0.727), inadequate knowledge on how to cope with climate change related issues (λ=0.761), poor response to climate related issues (λ=0.782), poor financial support from NGOs (0.648), inadequate agricultural loans (0.655) and high administrative charges on loan (λ=0.555). Other constraints included inadequate extension workers (λ=0.583), inadequate extension contacts (λ=0.550), long bureaucracy in getting formal credit (λ=0.588), lack of reliable sources of information on climate change (λ=0.708), loans not readily available during farming season (λ=0.752), and inadequate financial support from government (0.428). Based on the findings of the study, it is concluded that low users of adaptation strategies were evident in the zone. Therefore, it is recommended that the government should encourage the use of adaptation strategies in the zone.

Water Resource Management Research in Benin: A Systematic Review

Benin has been the subject of numerous investigations in the complex realm of water resource management, encompassing hydrological, engineering, economic, ecological, and sociological facets. However, noticeable gaps exist, warranting a comprehensive review of the existing knowledge. This study offers a systematic review on the trends in water management research within Benin.&#x0D; Scholarly papers were carefully selected from reputable academic databases, including Web of Science, WorldCat, Google Scholar, the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), Science Direct, and Scopus. The selection criteria were stringent, focusing on English-keywords, journal articles and conference papers centered on water management or its associated challenges in the Benin context. The selection process entailed a two-phase screening protocol, commencing with an initial assessment based on titles, followed by subsequent screening based on abstracts and keywords. The chosen studies then underwent a thorough bibliometric analysis.&#x0D; The findings of this review reveal a noticeable surge in research activity related to water resource management in Benin in recent decades. These studies predominantly concentrate on rural areas. The breadth of research topics covers a wide spectrum, including water pricing reform, water policy formulation, water-related conflicts, the application of integrated water resource management, agro-dam management, challenges inherent in water resource management, water quality assessment, agricultural water usage, assessment of water availability, utilization of Geographic Information System (GIS), and the development of basin information system platforms. A majority of the examined articles emphasize water management and water availability.&#x0D; This review underscores the growing interest within the scientific community in exploring water resource management issues in rural Benin. Ineffective water management in Benin can be attributed to various factors, including inadequate financial support, deficient coordination among stakeholders in the water sector, a lack of transparency, suboptimal management of hydraulic infrastructure, inadequate dissemination and implementation of established legal and institutional frameworks, overlapping roles among actors involved in water resource management, and a notable scarcity of data.&#x0D; These findings highlight the urgent need for further research initiatives and policy interventions in these domains, with the overarching goal of enhancing the state of water management in Benin.&#x0D;

Impact of Agriculture Projects Implemented by National NGOs on People Lives of Surobi District of Kabul Province in 2022

This research aimed to analyze the impacts of projects carried out by National NGOs in Surobi district, understanding the specific requirements of the people, and exploring ways in which humanitarian assistance can be effectively delivered through diverse NGO projects.&#x0D; The study examined the impact of agriculture projects implemented by national NGOs on the lives of residents in the Surobi district of Kabul province in 2022. The research, based on primary data gathered through questionnaires distributed to respondents, focuses on how national NGOs empower farmers, enhance agricultural productivity, and improve overall welfare in the region. The analysis revealed that empowering agricultural communities through farmer groups, involving various stakeholders such as the Ministry of Agriculture, irrigation and livestock (MAIL), NGOs, and academia, was crucial for sustainable development.&#x0D; However, challenges faced by farmers in Surobi district include transportation issues, limited market access, and lack of equipment and technical support, low literacy levels, increased labor burden, inadequate financial support, and poor coordination. To address these challenges, the study suggested that creating job opportunities, implementing agricultural schemes, and improving marketing opportunities through collaboration among institutions, government, private sectors, and NGOs.&#x0D; The research indicated that while national NGOs distributed various resources such as cash, food, gardening supplies, livestock, seeds, and de-worming assistance in 2022, the impact on beneficiaries varied. Some respondents reported minimal impact on their lives, while others experienced significant positive changes.&#x0D; Moreover, the study identified key issues such as high yearly consumption compared to income, limited employment opportunities, and challenges related to water availability for cultivation. It highlights the agricultural potential in the region, emphasizing the need for water management solutions, such as solar-powered water pumps for cultivating higher lands. To enhance the effectiveness of NGO interventions, the study recommends clear communication with local communities to prevent misunderstandings, and emphasizes the role of Kabul Department of agriculture, irrigation and livestock (DAIL) and Surobi DAIL as bridges between NGOs and the local population. Additionally, the study proposed inclusive project planning, involving people with disabilities, internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, and host communities, to ensure equitable distribution of benefits and sustainable development in the Surobi district.

RESEARCH, A GLOBAL EYE-CARE NEEDS AND SOLUTIONS: AN UNDERUTILIZED AND UNTAPPED OPTOMETRY RESOURCE- INDIAN VERSUS INTERNATIONAL SCENARIO

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare and assess the knowledge, attitude, and perceived factors towards research amongst undergraduate (UG) Optometry students in India with an International scenario. Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among Indian and international UG Optometry students. A modified questionnaire was used to collect data from UG optometry students through an online Google form, which was circulated electronically. Results: Out of 154 subjects [(77 Indian &amp; 77 Abroad), Male-60% &amp; 30% while Female-40% &amp; 70% respectively], 36 Indian subjects (46.7%) &amp; 61 Abroad subjects (79.2%) were having an idea to research while (93.5%) &amp; (80.5%) were having interest towards research respectively. The common perceived factors including, Inadequate support by faculty (27%&amp; 27%), Inadequate motivation (28.6% &amp; 32.5%), Inadequate financial support (27.3%&amp; 31.2%), Lack of time (13%&amp; 49.4%), need of adequate training (36.3%&amp; 28.6%), lack of skills and knowledge (35.1%&amp; 37.7%), lack of interest (22.1% &amp; 27.3%) and not have any opportunities to take part in research (24.7%&amp; 13%) were observed in Indian and Abroad subjects respectively. All factors mentioned were found to be statistically significant (p&lt;0.05) with the Chi-square &amp; ANOVA test in SPSS version 21. Conclusion: Most students had a positive attitude or interest in eye health research, but Indian students lacked an ample number of resources in comparison to abroad ones. So, a positive cum supportive environment (including the availability of optimum resources) is needed to improve skills &amp; knowledge about research amongst UG optometry students during their academic life. Keywords: Optometry, Research methodology, Education, Eye-care, Research barriers

Resident's Attitudes Toward Tourism Development in Simanindo Subsdistrict Samosir Regency

Tourism development especially in rural areas has changed residents’ economic, sociocultural, and environmental life. It’s important to analyze residents’ attitudes toward tourism development in their area. This study aimed to analyze the attitudes of the Batak Toba Ethnic as residents toward tourism development in Simanindo Subdistrict. This research was a quantitative study with a cross-sectional survey. A survey with 115 residents as representatives of Batak Ethnic was conducted in June 2022. The findings revealed that several challenges of tourism development had been stated by residents including conflict over resources ownership, less involvement of residents, inadequate financial support, insufficient facilities, low quality of service and product, poor marketing, and unskilled human resources. The Batak Toba Ethnic as residents also obtained positive and negative impacts of tourism development in their area. Positive impacts included conserving culture and heritage, preserving nature, supporting trading of local products, upgrading public facilities, encouraging economic growth, increasing employment opportunities, enhancing additional income, improving the quality of life, increasing foreign investors, improving the standard of living and personal benefit for residents. However, negative impacts were inconsiderable. The main suggestions toward tourism development were enhance local people involvement and participation, increase attractions, accessibilities and amenities. The economic benefits has high correlation toward communities involvement and participation in tourism development. Keywords: attitudes, challenges, impacts, participation, tourism development

Evaluating the implementation of weekly rifapentine-isoniazid (3HP) for tuberculosis prevention among people living with HIV in Uganda: A qualitative evaluation of the 3HP Options Trial.

Three months of isoniazid-rifapentine (3HP) is being scaled up for tuberculosis (TB) preventive treatment (TPT) among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in high-burden settings. More evidence is needed to identify factors influencing successful 3HP delivery. We conducted a qualitative assessment of 3HP delivery nested within the 3HP Options Trial, which compared three optimized strategies for delivering 3HP: facilitated directly observed therapy (DOT), facilitated self-administered therapy (SAT), and patient choice between facilitated DOT and facilitated SAT at the Mulago HIV/AIDS clinic in Kampala, Uganda. We conducted 72 in-depth interviews among PLHIV purposively selected to investigate factors influencing 3HP acceptance and completion. We conducted ten key informant interviews with healthcare providers (HCPs) involved in 3HP delivery to identify facilitators and barriers at the clinic level. We used post-trial 3HP delivery data to assess sustainability. We used thematic analysis (inductive and deductive) to align the emergent themes with the RE-AIM framework dimensions to report implementation outcomes. Understanding the need for TPT, once-weekly dosing, shorter duration, and perceived 3HP safety enhanced acceptance overall. Treatment monitoring by HCPs and reduced risk of HIV status disclosure enabled DOT acceptance. Dosing autonomy enabled SAT acceptance. Switching between DOT and SAT as needed enabled acceptance of patient choice. Dosing reminders, reimbursement for clinical visits, and social support enabled 3HP completion; pill burden, side effects, and COVID-19-related treatment restrictions hindered completion. All HCPs were trained and participated in 3HP delivery with high fidelity. Training, care integration, prior TPT experience with daily isoniazid, and few 3HP-related serious adverse events enabled adoption, whereas initial concerns about 3HP safety among HCPs, and COVID-19 treatment disruptions delayed 3HP adoption. Refresher training and collaboration among HCPs enabled implementation whereas limited diagnostic facilities for adverse events at the clinic hindered implementation. SAT was modified post-trial; DOT was discontinued due to inadequate ongoing financial support beyond the study period. Facilitated delivery strategies made 3HP treatment convenient for PLHIV and were feasible and implemented with high fidelity by HCPs. However, the costs of 3HP facilitation may limit wider scale-up. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03934931); Registered 2nd May 2019; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03934931?id = NCT03934931&rank = 1.