Key Informants Research Articles

Evaluating the role of intern pharmacists in pharmaceutical care in hospitals in Uganda.

In Uganda, there is limited adoption of pharmaceutical care in hospitals due to pharmacist shortages and limited collaboration among healthcare professionals. Intern pharmacists are deployed annually to assist in patient care to address pharmacist shortages. Evaluate intern pharmacist's extent of involvement in pharmaceutical care activities, assess facilitators and barriers, and explore healthcare professionals' perceptions, attitudes, and opinions on implementation of pharmaceutical care. A mixed-method concurrent study was carried out for four months. We conducted an online survey among 107 intern pharmacists from 26 hospitals, including National Referral, Regional Referral, Private Not-For-Profit, and General hospitals; predictors of extent of involvement were identified using linear regression models, using STATA 14. 24 key informants (nurses, prescribers, pharmacists) from five hospitals were interviewed; themes were developed using a deductive thematic analysis approach. Intern pharmacists had a median (Interquartile range[IQR]) age of 25 years (25-27) and 74.7% were male. About half (54.1%) of key informants were female and had a median (IQR) of 10 years (4.0-15.5) of professional experience. Interns focused on patient counseling, lacked documentation, and showed positive attitudes, and knowledge. Key informants supported implementation, but prescribers expressed dissatisfaction with interns' performance. Enhancing pharmacy internship and training through developing policies and guidelines on pharmaceutical care practice, improving working conditions, and mentorship can address gaps impeding pharmaceutical care implementation by intern pharmacists.

Integrating image and gene-data with a semi-supervised attention model for prediction of KRAS gene mutation status in non-small cell lung cancer.

KRAS is a pathogenic gene frequently implicated in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, biopsy as a diagnostic method has practical limitations. Therefore, it is important to accurately determine the mutation status of the KRAS gene non-invasively by combining NSCLC CT images and genetic data for early diagnosis and subsequent targeted therapy of patients. This paper proposes a Semi-supervised Multimodal Multiscale Attention Model (S2MMAM). S2MMAM comprises a Supervised Multilevel Fusion Segmentation Network (SMF-SN) and a Semi-supervised Multimodal Fusion Classification Network (S2MF-CN). S2MMAM facilitates the execution of the classification task by transferring the useful information captured in SMF-SN to the S2MF-CN to improve the model prediction accuracy. In SMF-SN, we propose a Triple Attention-guided Feature Aggregation module for obtaining segmentation features that incorporate high-level semantic abstract features and low-level semantic detail features. Segmentation features provide pre-guidance and key information expansion for S2MF-CN. S2MF-CN shares the encoder and decoder parameters of SMF-SN, which enables S2MF-CN to obtain rich classification features. S2MF-CN uses the proposed Intra and Inter Mutual Guidance Attention Fusion (I2MGAF) module to first guide segmentation and classification feature fusion to extract hidden multi-scale contextual information. I2MGAF then guides the multidimensional fusion of genetic data and CT image data to compensate for the lack of information in single modality data. S2MMAM achieved 83.27% AUC and 81.67% accuracy in predicting KRAS gene mutation status in NSCLC. This method uses medical image CT and genetic data to effectively improve the accuracy of predicting KRAS gene mutation status in NSCLC.

Police predation and violence in urban Nigeria: The Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS)

ABSTRACT Police are omnipresent in Nigerian cities. The existence and actions of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) in cities such as Lagos, Ibadan, and Abuja are intended like elsewhere in the urban world to deter, reduce, and solve crime. This is true of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the NPF, created to combat armed robberies, car-snatchings, kidnappings, and cattle rustling. Its methods of seeking greater public security, however, raises questions about the fairness and efficacy of urban policing in Nigeria. Its reported police predation and violence during its stops, searches, detentions, and custody of urban denizens exacerbate socio-spatial injustices in Nigerian cities. We draw on the concept of the right to the city and qualitative data, including key informant interviews with Nigerian police, lawyers, and common city residents, including self-identified victims of SARS brutality, to describe how SARS helps us understand the context and characteristics of urban policing in Nigeria.

Floating Market-Based Slow Tourism: Harnessing Climate-Based Entrepreneurship towards Community Development in the South-Western Region of Bangladesh

Purpose: Slow tourism is a new, alternative form of tourism competing with mass tourism, as tapping its full potential can be utilised in riverine and flood-prone countries. The key purpose of this study is to find the elements of slow tourism in the southwestern part of Bangladesh, known for its serene floating market, and assess its features that are compatible with the principles of slow tourism. 
 Methodology: This research adopted a qualitative approach. Qualitative methods such as narrative interviews, key informant interviews and FGDs were used to collect primary data. The southern region of Bangladesh, is famous for floating market and was selected as a study site.
 Findings: To incorporate the floating market through the broader lens of “Slow Tourism”, synthesising the attributes of slow tourism was significant. As the attributes of the floating market supported the characteristics of slow tourism to a certain degree, the floating markets and adjacent areas were a suitable premise for developing the concept of slow tourism.
 Originality: Since there hasn’t been ample research on slow tourism in Bangladesh, this study can transform the perception of conventional tourism into alternative tourism. It provides tourists with spiritual tranquillity in the desired destinations of floating markets and a leeway to connect with local people, history and cultural products rendering a mutual reciprocity for future research.

Challenges and promising practices in background check systems for firearm purchases

AbstractAimThe U.S. prohibits firearm purchase among individuals with specific risk factors. These prohibitions are operationalized using background checks for firearm purchase. Despite these restrictions, prohibited persons have obtained firearms after passing background checks, sometimes with devastating effects.Materials and MethodsWe conducted a mixed‐methods, descriptive study of the records and record‐keeping practices that underpin background checks for firearm transfers. Sources included key informant interviews with individuals working in a leadership capacity with state record‐keeping systems as well as data from state surveys and administrative records. We analyzed quantitative data using descriptive statistics and qualitative data using a thematic analysis approach to code the data and identify themes. Three investigators coded each interview. We returned to all data sources to develop key findings in an iterative process.ResultsKey informants described major improvements in the collection of specific record types that were previously a “black hole” (e.g. criminal history records housed in military justice systems, and records relating to involuntary commitments for mental illness) and advances in the automation of record transfer across agencies, themes corroborated by administrative data. Key informants also identified potential causes and solutions for challenges relating to missing or incomplete information and delays in resolving ambiguous background check results. Examples include manual processes for confirming relationship status in misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence and discordant practices for processing arrest and court records that result in dispositions that cannot be entered or arrests with no disposition.ConclusionBackground checks are the backbone of many policies designed to prevent firearm harm in the United States. This study highlights actionable ways in which states could make background check practices and policies more robust.

RAGAM METODE PENYULUHAN PEMBANGUNAN MELALUI PEMBERDAYAAN MASYARAKAT PELAKU AGRIBISNIS PADA POKLAHSAR BATUANG SRIKANDI NUSANTARA

Development in all sectors continues to be encouraged, including in the agribusiness sector. One of the efforts to develop the agribusiness sector is through development extension in community empowerment which aims to realize the independence of agribusiness actors. There are many types of development outreach methods, especially in community empowerment efforts. Mardikanto in his book entitled "Agricultural Development Extension" states that there are 13 types of development extension methods. In this research, the thirteen types of extension methods will be analyzed regarding development outreach carried out by the NGO Human Initiative West Sumatra on the empowerment of agribusiness actors by Poklahsar Batuang Srikandi Nusantara in Bungus Teluk Kabung District, Padang City. This research was conducted through deep interviews with key informants. This research was analyzed qualitatively by comparing previous literature. The research results show that there are 10 types of extension methods applied by the West Sumarera NGO Human Initiative, including: key individual method; correspondence; anjangkarya-anjangsana; demonstration; meeting; public meeting; exhibition; film; print media; and campaigns. Meanwhile, the kelompencapir method, performances and radio cassettes have not been implemented. The various methods used in community empowerment must also be adapted to the beneficiary community. So that the goal of development extension in empowering the community to realize independence can be achieved

Progress in research of rash and fever syndrome surveillance and early warning

Objective: To introduce the progress in research of rash and fever syndrome (RFS) surveillance and early warning both at home and abroad, and provide reference for surveillance and prevention of RFS in China. Methods: The keywords "fever" "rash" and "surveillance" and others were used for a literature retrieval by using China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, PubMed and Web of Science. The languages of literatures were limited in Chinese and English. The key information of the literatures were collected and analyzed with Excel. Results: A total of 36 study papers (21 in Chinese and 15 in English) were included. The studies mainly focused on the pathogen surveillance of RFS (n=19). The pathogens included measles virus, varicella-zoster virus, rubella virus, enterovirus, human B19 virus, dengue virus, streptococcus group A, Salmonella typhi and Salmonella paratyphoid,human herpesvirus, mumps virus and adenovirus. Eight studies were about the surveillance in major events, such as sport game, World Expo and religious gathering, or sudden natural disasters, such as earthquake and tropical storm, during 2010-2015. Eight studies focused on case or epidemic surveillance, most of which were studies from other counties. The surveillance sites were medical institutions. RFS was diagnosed according to the International Classification of Diseases, 9th (ICD-9) and symptoms descripted in chief-complaint. Only one study in Mongolia conducted RFS epidemic prediction. The analysis methods of 36 papers included simple descriptive analysis, time-based early warning models (such as regression analysis, fixed threshold method, Hugh Hart control chart method and cumulative sum control chart method) and time series analysis method. Conclusions: In the future, RFS surveillance system should cover both known pathogens and emerging pathogens. Automatic surveillance using information capture and intelligent modelling can be applied to improve the sensitivity and specificity of RFS surveillance and early warning.

Community flood preparedness in a collectivist cultural context: lessons from Ibadan, Nigeria

ABSTRACT This study explores community flood preparedness in Ibadan, Nigeria. The qualitative method was adopted, and key informant interviews with community leaders in selected flood-prone communities were undertaken. Findings indicate that communities are not adequately prepared for floods, but cooperation associated with collectivism help flood victims cope with floods. Pervasive negative outcome expectancy and trust in flood structural protection measures are significant influences on communities’ poor flood preparedness. While assistance associated with collectivism has been helpful, it will not suffice in the event of mega-floods. These underline the urgency of taking early action to strengthen the Ibadan communities’ resilience to flood risks.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Performance of Bambusa vulgaris Schrad. Ex J. C. Wendl in Selected Agro-Ecologies of Uganda

Bamboo is a versatile and valuable resource that has been shown to have social, ecological, and economic benefits in many countries worldwide. Even though Uganda has a suitable environment for bamboo growth, it remains underutilized. One of the key challenges in promoting bamboo farming is the need for more information about the growth performance of different bamboo species in various site conditions. Therefore, this study determined the morphological characteristics and growth performance of Bambusa vulgaris in Uganda. A total of 24 bamboo farms were selected from a list of bamboo farmers provided by key informants using stratified sampling. These farms had relatively uniform B. vulgaris stands and were drawn from Uganda's three agroecological zones (AEZs): the Southwestern, West Nile, and Lake Victoria crescent agro-ecological zones. Eight temporary sample plots were established in each zone, and various growth parameters were measured. One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) followed by Sidak post-hoc test was used to compare the performance of Bambusa vulgaris across the different agro-ecological zones based on growth parameters. The results of the study showed that the total above-ground biomass was highest in the Lake Victoria crescent (24.773 kg/ha), followed by the West Nile (17.141 kg/ha) and the Southwestern (15.125 kg/ha) agro-ecological zones. The growth rate of B. vulgaris after three years was found to be similar to the outstanding growth rate mentioned in the literature. The growth performance of B. vulgaris was notably better in the L. Victoria crescent compared to the West Nile and Southwestern highlands – suggesting that efforts to promote the growing of B. vulgaris should prioritize the L. Victoria crescent agro-ecological zone. Overall, this study provides valuable information on the growth performance of B. vulgaris in different agro-ecological zones in Uganda. This information can be used to guide the promotion and development of bamboo farming in the country, which has the potential to improve livelihoods and contribute to sustainable development

Enhancing Maritime Navigational Safety: Ship Trajectory Prediction Using ACoAtt–LSTM and AIS Data

Predicting ship trajectories plays a vital role in ensuring navigational safety, preventing collision incidents, and enhancing vessel management efficiency. The integration of advanced machine learning technology for precise trajectory prediction is emerging as a new trend in sophisticated geospatial applications. However, the complexity of the marine environment and data quality issues pose significant challenges to accurate ship trajectory forecasting. This study introduces an innovative trajectory prediction method, combining data encoding representation, attribute correlation attention module, and long short-term memory network. Initially, we process AIS data using data encoding conversion technology to improve representation efficiency and reduce complexity. This encoding not only preserves key information from the original data but also provides a more efficient input format for deep learning models. Subsequently, we incorporate the attribute correlation attention module, utilizing a multi-head attention mechanism to capture complex relationships between dynamic ship attributes, such as speed and direction, thereby enhancing the model’s understanding of implicit time series patterns in the data. Finally, leveraging the long short-term memory network’s capability for processing time series data, our approach effectively predicts future ship trajectories. In our experiments, we trained and tested our model using a historical AIS dataset. The results demonstrate that our model surpasses other classic intelligent models and advanced models with attention mechanisms in terms of trajectory prediction accuracy and stability.

Rural household resilience to food insecurity in Majang Zone, Southwestern Ethiopia

Background Due to shocks and stressors brought on by both natural and man-made events, households that depend on subsistence agriculture frequently experience uncertainty about guaranteeing their food security. The modern strategy for achieving food security in the face of shocks depends on identifying the variables that affect resilience and working to increase rural households’ capacity to withstand shocks related to food insufficiency. The goal of this study was to evaluate how resilient households were to food insecurity and its determinants. Methods From primary and secondary sources, cross-sectional data of both quantitative and qualitative types were gathered. The data acquired through surveys from 320 households was analyzed using a multivariate analytical method that included principal component analysis (PCA) and OLS regression. To bolster the findings, data from focus group discussions (FGDs) and key informant interviews (KIIs) was substantially utilized. Results According to the findings of the analysis, 40% and 60% of households, respectively, become resilient and non-resilient. All but the stability parameter significantly impacted resilience. Resilience to food insecurity is significantly increased by an increase of 2.128, 1.697, 0.648, 0.363, and 0.158 units in the adoption of agricultural technology, asset ownership, access to essential services, and adaptive capacity, respectively. On the other hand, the stability dimension negatively impacts resilience, with each additional unit lowering households’ capacity for resilience by 0.155 units. Conclusions The study suggests that to reduce both short-term and long-term shocks and stresses of food insecurity and to increase the capacity for resilience, the government’s policies and programs and those of other development partners must focus on building the main components of resilience.

Petrogenesis and Tectonic Implications of the Oligocene Dalongtan Shoshonitic Syenite Porphyry in Central Yunnan, Southeastern Tibetan Plateau: Constraints from Geochronology, Geochemistry and Sr-Nd-Hf Isotopes

Shoshonitic rocks are widely distributed in post-collisional settings and provide key information on deep geodynamic mechanisms and magmatic evolution. In this paper, we present petrographic, zircon U-Pb age-related, trace elemental, Hf isotopic, bulk-rock elemental, and Sr-Nd isotopic data of the Dalongtan shoshonitic syenite porphyries (DSSPs) in central Yunnan, southeastern Tibet. The DSSPs formed at 33.2 ± 0.3 Ma in a post-collisional setting. They define linear trends on Harker diagrams, and they display similar trace element patterns and enriched bulk-rock Sr-Nd isotopes [(87Sr/86Sr)i = 0.70964–0.70968, εNd(t) = −12.9 to −12.7] and zircon Hf isotopes (εHf(t) = −15.7 to −13.1) to the coeval mantle-derived potassic mafic rocks. This suggests that the DSSPs were fractionated from the lithospheric mantle-derived mafic magmas. The DSSPs, along with the coeval felsic and mafic magmatic rocks (37.2–32.3 Ma), exhibit a planar distribution on the SE Tibet and predate the left-lateral shearing of the Ailaoshan–Red River shear zone (ARSZ) (32–22 Ma), suggesting that there are no genetic relationships between them. The DSSPs have geochemical characteristics similar to those of A-type granites, with high total alkalinity (10.39–11.17 wt.%), HFSE concentrations (Zr + Nb + Ce + Y = 890.2–1054.3 ppm), Ga/Al ratios (10,000 × Ga/Al = 2.95–3.46), whole-rock zircon saturation temperatures (906–947 °C), and oxygen fugacity (ΔFMQ = +3.30–+4.65), indicating that they are products of the high-temperature melting of the lithosphere as a result of asthenosphere upwelling in extensional settings. Based on our data and regional observations, it is proposed that the generation of the DSSPs may be linked to the convective thinning of the thickened lithospheric mantle following the India–Asia collision.

Foodism in Ireland: feeding foodie philosophy or showing a shift in contemporary food culture?

ABSTRACT This paper examines contemporary food culture in Ireland through the phenomenon of foodism and the habits and traits expressed through the subculture of foodies. Elements and actors of the Irish food scene are also considered. Qualitative research was applied to investigate the five research objectives posed. This featured six in-depth interviews with “key informants” from Ireland’s tourism sector, educational sector, food sector, and a state food agency, conducted during 2020. The study draws insights from the fields of cultural studies and sociology. Thematic analysis was applied as part of the methodology process, from which five themes developed from the data findings. These are: (1) An evolving Irish food culture, (2) Two perceptions of Irish food, (3) A breakdown of hierarchies, (4) Influencing factors, (5) State body remits. The primary research reveals that industry experts and academics concur that Irish food and culture have “evolved” from a more traditional cuisine and culture and that these are dynamic entities. In addition, it establishes that there is a “hunger for food” amongst a small but growing cohort of Ireland’s population, who wish to gain information via food media and to access food experiences such as culinary courses, gastro tours and food festival events.

Understanding uptake of COVID-19 testing, vaccination, and boosters among Spanish-speaking Latines in the United States: Qualitative insights from Spanish speakers and key informants.

Latine communities in the United States have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19. It is critical to gain a better understanding of the sociocultural determinants that challenge and facilitate COVID-19 testing, vaccination, and booster uptake within these vulnerable communities to inform culturally congruent strategies and interventions. In summer 2022, our community-based participatory research partnership conducted 30 key informant interviews and 7 focus groups with 64 Spanish-speaking Latine participants in North Carolina. Interviewees consisted of representatives from health and service organizations, most of whom were engaged with direct service to Spanish speakers. Interviews were conducted in either English or Spanish, depending on the preference of the participant; all focus groups were conducted in Spanish. Interviews and focus groups were conducted in person or by videoconference. Twenty themes emerged that we organize into four domains: general perceptions about COVID-19; barriers to COVID-19 testing, vaccination, and booster uptake; facilitators to COVID-19 testing, vaccination, and booster uptake; and recommendations to promote testing, vaccination, and booster uptake. Results underscore important sociocultural determinants of ongoing COVID-19 testing, vaccination, and booster uptake to consider in developing interventions for Spanish-speaking Latines in the United States. Based on this formative work, our partnership developed Nuestra Comunidad Saludable (Our Healthy Community). We are implementing the intervention to test whether trained peer navigators can increase COVID-19 testing, vaccination, and booster uptake among Spanish-speaking Latines through blending in-person interactions and mHealth (mobile health) strategies using social media.

Early COVID-19 School Policies’ Impact on Families and Youth Engagement in Virtual Learning and Telemental Health

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic quickly and significantly impacted students, schools, and communities. As part of a larger multisite study, the present investigation aimed to understand the effect of the pandemic-related switch to virtual schooling and virtual mental health services on youth. Specifically, this study aimed to explore the impacts of the pandemic on school administrators and staff, students, and families invested in supporting youth mental health. Focus groups were held in two disparate communities within the United States. Participants were members of two school mental health coalitions acting as key informants and included mental health program directors, school clinicians, parents of students, and community leaders. Data were analyzed using iterative rapid qualitative analysis. Salient themes include the role of family characteristics, communication, and infrastructure on use of virtual learning and virtual mental health services. Study findings indicate that fostering trust and increasing communication between school districts and families may ameliorate challenging policy transitions in future crises.

Experiences of children's self-wetting (including urinary incontinence) in Cox's Bazar's Rohingya refugee camps, Bangladesh.

Self-wetting is the leakage of urine, either due to the medical condition of urinary incontinence (UI), or because a person does not want to, or cannot, access a toileting facility in time. This study explored the attitudes towards self-wetting and experiences of children (aged five to 11), their caregivers, community leaders and humanitarian practitioners in the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. We particularly focused on how water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and protection interventions might assist in improving these experiences. We purposively selected participants from two camps where our partner organisation works. We conducted Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with community leaders and camp officials, Story Book (SB) sessions with Rohingya children and in-depth Interviews (IDIs) with caregivers of children who participated in the SB sessions, as well as surveying communal toilets. Self-wetting by children was common and resulted in them feeling embarrassed, upset and uncomfortable, and frightened to use the toilet at night; many children also indicated that they would be punished by their caregivers for self-wetting. Key informants indicated that caregivers have difficulty handling children's self-wetting due to a limited amount of clothing, pillows, and blankets, and difficulty cleaning these items. It was evident that the available toilets are often not appropriate and/or accessible for children. Children in the Rohingya camps appear to self-wet due to both the medical condition of UI and because the sanitation facilities are inappropriate. They are teased by their peers and punished by their caregivers. Although WASH and protection practitioners are unable to drastically alter camp conditions or treat UI, the lives of children who self-wet in these camps could likely be improved by increasing awareness on self-wetting to decrease stigma and ease the concerns of caregivers, increasing the number of child-friendly toilets and increasing the provision of continence management materials.

Exclusive Breastfeeding and Its Determinants Among Adolescent Mothers in Kibera Informal Settlement, Nairobi County, Kenya

Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months is recommended as the optimal way to feed infants (WHO,2019). The study sought to assess the practice of exclusive breastfeeding and its determinants among adolescent mothers in Kibera informal settlement. A cross-sectional descriptive study design was used. A sample of 300 adolescent mothers were interviewed together with 10 Key informants. Multistage Sampling was the technique used to select villages and households with adolescent mothers with infants less than 6 months. A questionnaire was used to collect data through face-to-face interviews with adolescent mother and key Information Interview guide was used to collect the qualitative data from health care workers at Carolina For Kenya facility. Quantitative data was coded, entered into SPSS software. Descriptive statistics was carried out for all variables whereby categorical variables were evaluated using percentages and frequencies. The chi-square test was applied at a bivariate level to assess relationships associated with exclusive breastfeeding. Significance levels were set at α=0.05. The qualitative data obtained were analyzed according to major themes raised during the interviews. The findings were that most (89%) of the adolescent mothers were unemployed and their mean age was 17 years (±SD= 2.19). More than a half (64%) attained secondary as the highest academic level. The mean birth weight of the infants was 2.7kgs (±SD=1.13) and 61% were females. The prevalence rate of exclusive breastfeeding was low 7.3% while complementary feeding rate was high at 80.7%, Almost half (48.7%) of the infants were being given water and complementary foods like milk (30.3%) and dilute porridge (21%). The variables that were significantly (p<0.05) associated with exclusive breastfeeding were age (χ2=27.992, p=0.006) and knowledge on exclusive breastfeeding (χ2=23,836, p=0.000). Most (80%) of the professionals had been trained for 2 years and above while the remaining 20% had already undergone training for one year and were still enrolled for some more training. The practice of exclusive breastfeeding was low and many adolescent mothers introduced complementary feeding before six months.

Experiences with health information among caregivers of people with cancer from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds: A qualitative study.

Although some research suggests that caregivers from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities have higher unmet information needs compared to their English-speaking counterparts, few studies have examined determinants of information needs among CALD cancer caregivers and their satisfaction with received information. This study aimed to explore experiences with cancer-related information among caregivers of people with cancer from CALD communities. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 caregivers from Arabic and Chinese backgrounds (12 in each group). Thematic analysis was used to analyze data. Participants' mean age was 40.6 years, and most were female (83%). Six themes were identified: (a) lack of information to meet their needs; (b) challenges understanding cancer- and care-related information; (c) proactivity to make sense of, and understand information; (d) interpreting information: the role formal and informal services; and (e) engaging with health providers to access information. Caregivers identified significant language and communication barriers impacting their capacity to understand cancer-related information given by providers and they invested personal effort clarifying information. The importance of access to formal interpreter services, even when caregivers and care recipients seem proficient in English, was highlighted. Cultural sensitivity of providers when discussing a cancer diagnosis and treatment was also identified as an important consideration. Culturally tailored outreach programs designed to provide key cancer-related information which are accessible to CALD caregivers have the potential to improve the health outcomes of both caregivers and care recipients.

Factors associated with early-onset androgenetic alopecia: A scoping review.

Early-onset androgenetic alopecia (AGA) has been associated with various chronic conditions, including metabolic syndrome (MetS). Gaining a deep understanding of early-onset AGA may enable earlier intervention in individuals at high risks. This scoping review aims to explore the risk factors and etiology, associated conditions, and adverse effects on wellbeing in early-onset AGA. Electronic literature searches were conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRIAL. Eligible studies included case-control, cohort, cross-sectional, and meta-analysis studies. Selected studies needed to clearly define early-onset AGA cases or include only cases starting before the age of 40 and compare them with appropriate controls. The exclusion criteria comprised editorials, commentaries, case series, and non-systematic reviews, among others. Data extraction involved collecting study characteristics, methodologies, main outcomes, and findings. Descriptive tables were used to summarize key information and relevant variables when necessary. Among the 65 eligible articles, 67.69% were case-control studies and 78.46% evaluated only male patients. "Early-onset" was defined as cases developing before the age of 30 years in 43.08% of the studies. The Hamilton-Norwood scale was the most frequently used method for evaluating the severity of alopecia in men (69.23%). Reported risk factors for early-onset AGA included a family history of AGA, cigarette smoking, unhealthy dietary habits, and a high body mass index. Early-onset AGA may also be associated with hormonal profiles, 5α-reductase enzyme activity, androgen receptor genes, and some susceptibility loci. Comorbidities investigated included MetS, cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and Parkinson's disease. Men with early-onset AGA may have reduced treatment efficacy with drug like rosuvastatin, metformin or lisinopril for dyslipidemia, prediabetes, or hypertension. Additionally, young men with AGA tended to suffer from psychological issues such as anxiety and low self-esteem compared to those without hair loss. Early-onset AGA is a complex condition with various risk factors and etiology, associated comorbidities, and potential implications for treatment response and psychological health.

Internationalisation of Higher Education in Ethiopia: A Strategic Process?

The internationalisation of higher education (IHE) has become a central agenda of Ethiopia's higher education institutions (HEIs). However, there is a dearth of information on whether IHE is an intentional and integrated endeavour. A framework is developed to investigate how strategic the internationalisation process is in public universities in Ethiopia, focusing on intentionality and integration. Data were collected using a survey from eleven public universities, semi-structured interviews with twenty-one key informants, as well as document analysis. The findings reveal striking similarities across universities in how IHE has been undertaken. Though there are promising indicators that IHE is becoming an intentional process, little attention is given to integrating IHE into institutions’ purpose, functions, and delivery. To maximise the benefits of IHE, universities need to establish educational systems aligned with their designations (research, applied science, comprehensive, and science and technology), integrate IHE into these systems, and continuously manage it across all HEIs.