Lack Of Support Services Research Articles

Impact of Access to Finance on Small Scale Businesses’ Growth in Jigawa State, Nigeria

The study examined the impact of access to finance on the growth of small scale businesses (SSBs) in Jigawa State. The study employed a survey method as its research design and the population of the study comprises of all small scale businesses in Jigawa State. A multistage sampling technique was employed to determine the sample size out of which the respondents were selected. Data was collected through the administration of questionnaire to the sampled respondents. The findings from the study identified the financial options available for SSBs across the state which include cooperative societies, loans and micro financing organizations, personal savings and funds from friends and families. The findings further revealed how culture and traditions, lack of support services in business development, high collateral requirements for credit and difficult access to technology and market have constituted obstacles in starting and growth of an enterprise for small scale business owners. The study concludes that to ensure effective growth of small businesses in the state, some of the socio-economic, infrastructural and management challenges to be addressed. It thus, recommends the need to strengthen access to finance for SSBs through creating awareness on available financing options, enabling environment for small scale business owners, facilitating access to public support services and expanding sources of funding to improve businesses with little collateral.

"Just for pregnant women, not for you": a qualitative evaluation of the sexual and reproductive healthcare experiences of transgender and gender diverse cancer survivors.

To identify opportunities to improve sexual and reproductive health (SRH) care for transgender and gender diverse (TGD) cancer survivors by describing (1) challenges experienced when navigating SRH care and (2) strategies to help overcome these challenges. We enrolled a purposive sample of 17 adult TGD cancer survivors and 5 co-survivors. We aimed for a diverse sample across cancer experience, age, racial/ethnic background, sexual orientation, and gender identity. We conducted 90-min individual interviews via videoconference and used reflexive thematic analysis, guided by a focus on three social determinants of health. Themes describing challenges were as follows: (1) Cancer treatment's impact on sexual health was insufficiently addressed by cancer care providers; (2) fertility-related information and conversations were complicated by gendered expectations and ultimately did not meet survivors' needs; (3) feeling excluded and uncared-for in healthcare settings due to gendered language and lack of supportive services that met their needs; and (4) TGD survivors commonly reported high financial burden, negatively impacting their access to care. Strategies to overcome these challenges were (1) a solid social support network that can be integrated into the care team to meet the unique SRH needs of TGD survivors and (2) gender-affirming healthcare providers and environments to address SRH care needs and concerns. TGD survivors and co-survivors desire improved access to gender-affirming SRH care in cancer survivorship. Key opportunities to improve gender-affirming SRH care in cancer survivorship include fostering and engaging TGD survivors' support networks and implementing system-level changes in cancer care settings.

DISABILITY GRANTEE DEBATE OVER MISGUIDED DISBURSEMENT PRACTICES IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN SOCIAL SECURITY AGENCY’S SELECTED PROVINCES

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate and address the challenges faced by disability grantees in South Africa, particularly focusing on the disbursement of disability grants by the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA). Through qualitative analysis and theoretical frameworks grounded in transformative paradigms, the study aims to understand grantee experiences and perceptions across different provinces. By identifying key issues such as inadequate grant amounts, poor living conditions, and bureaucratic hurdles, the study seeks to provide insights that can inform policy improvements and institutional reforms within SASSA. Ultimately, the goal is to enhance the effectiveness of disability grant disbursement, alleviate poverty, promote economic transformation, empower individuals, and foster sustainable communities in South Africa.
 
 Theoretical framework: This study uses the Theory of Change and Critical Theory to analyze the disability grant disbursement system. Theory of Change (ToC) helps identify change drivers and interventions, while Critical Theory (CT) examines power dynamics and systemic barriers. This comprehensive analysis aims to foster positive change at individual and systemic levels.
 
 Design/Methodology/Approach: This study uses a qualitative research approach, grounded in transformative paradigms, to explore the challenges and opportunities related to disability grant disbursement in South Africa. Participants were selected from three provinces, and data was collected through in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and document analysis. Thematic analysis was employed, and ethical considerations were taken to ensure participant well-being.
 
 Findings: The study reveals the challenges faced by disability grantees in South Africa, including inadequate grant amounts, poor living conditions, lack of support services, system disintegration, financial exploitation, abuse and family dynamics, and bureaucratic processes. These issues highlight the need for policy reforms and institutional interventions to promote social inclusion and economic empowerment, highlighting the systemic issues and injustices inherent in the disability grant disbursement system.
 
 Research, Practical & Social Implications: This study provides insights into disability grant disbursement systems in South Africa, offering theoretical advances and methodological insights. It informs policy recommendations for improving the system, guiding organizational interventions and capacity-building initiatives. The findings also promote social welfare, empowerment of vulnerable populations, and the promotion of social justice, highlighting the importance of addressing these challenges.
 Originality/Value: This study provides a unique perspective on disability grantees in South Africa, integrating Theory of Change and Critical Theory. It conducts a comparative analysis across three provinces, identifying common challenges and contextual factors. The study offers practical implications for policy reform and contributes to the scholarly literature on disability grant disbursement systems.

Measuring the importance of different barriers to opioid agonist treatment using best-worst scaling in an Australian setting

ObjectiveOpioid agonist treatment (OAT) is an effective treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD), however several client barriers to OAT are reported. Client importance of these barriers using economic preference elicitation measures have not been identified. This paper determines the most important OAT barriers using best-worst scaling (BWS) and compares the results of BWS to Likert scale. MethodsCross-sectional self-completed survey with 191 opioid dependent clients who attended Australian needle and syringe sites. Participants were presented 15 Likert scale barriers and 15 BWS barrier scenarios. The BWS data was presented using count analysis, multinomial logit and mixed logit models. The ranking of barrier items was completed using three BWS methods and one Likert scale method, with share preference results (BWS) or mean scores (Likert) used to rank the 15 barriers. ResultsThe most important client barriers were ‘enjoy using opioids’, ‘lack of support services’ and ‘hard to access’. The four ranking methods produced different barrier rankings for the most important barriers, but similar results for the least important barriers. ConclusionPolicies around OAT as a harm reduction approach, increased support services and increased availability of OAT services would be beneficial in improving OAT uptake. Comparing BWS and Likert methods produced different highest ranked barriers, indicating the method used to identify preferences has significant implications on the type of intervention prioritised.

Community Perspectives to Inform Substance Use Prevention Practice

Abstract Problem The Market is a highly cohesive working-class community in South Belfast. Queen's Communities and Place (QCAP) has partnered with the Market as an anchor community to co-develop research to generate actionable data to alleviate public health challenges. Both the Market Development Association (MDA) and QCAP's research findings identified substance use (SU) as a key issue and delivered Northern Ireland's first peer naloxone training in December 2022. However, a long-term strategy aligned with residents’ vision is necessary. Methods The MDA and QCAP co-hosted an event in February 2023 asking attendees 4 questions to guide small group discussion: •What is the current situation with SU in the Market? •Why do these problems exist? •What are service gaps? •What should the MDA and QCAP do to help? QCAP staff conducted a qualitative analysis of the discussion notes and presented the results to the MDA to guide intervention development. Results Residents had nuanced knowledge of SU in the area and feelings of both powerlessness against larger forces and optimism for change if given the necessary resources. The analysis revealed 3 key themes: the breadth of the issue in the community; a lack of supportive services; and a need for demographically tailored SU education. Lessons QCAP and the MDA have a better understanding of area's concerns about SU and hopes for addressing it. Short and long-term actions are planned: •Event series for parents covering drugs circulating, signs of SU, and overdose intervention steps. •Materials added to the existing “community indicators dashboard” publicised through QR codes posted at key locations. •Programming for youth co-developed with the area's new youth forum. •Seeking funding for a “health navigator” based in the community to connect residents with services they need. •Building connections with local GPs using a local champion model to reduce provider burden. Key messages • Communities have strong understanding of their public health challenges and can effectively guide the development of intervention strategies. • It is feasible to derive meaningful and informative feedback to direct public health action through shared power in research and community-engagement.

Unveiling the Hurdles in Promoting Inclusive Culture within the Classroom: Insights from Teachers at Government Primary Schools

Inclusive education strives to provide all students with equal opportunities irrespective of their capacities or learning requirements. However, the success of inclusive education relies on understanding teacher perspectives, as they play a central role in this new approach. The objective of the current quantitative research study was to assess the hurdles that primary teachers encounter when trying to foster an inclusive culture in mainstream government primary schools in the district of Multan. To ensure a representative sample, a multistage sampling technique was employed to select participants for the study. The findings of the study revealed a range of hurdles and issues faced by teachers in promoting inclusive practices within the classroom, including insufficient training, limited availability of resources, and a lack of support services. This research might contribute valuable insights to policymakers, administrators, and educational stakeholders, enabling them to design targeted interventions and support mechanisms that effectively address these challenges.

The Experiences of Families Raising an Autistic Child: A Rapid Review

Background: Autism is becoming more prominent in South Africa and in the rest of the world. A family raising an autistic child plays a key role in the treatment and lifelong management. This responsibility goes with demanding challenges, which are unique to every child and situation. A deeper understanding of the psychosocial experiences and impact of autism and its symptoms on the involved families is ultimately essential in the development of relevant and scientifically based interventions and support programmes. Objectives: The aim of this review was to conduct a rapid review to explore, synthesise, and integrate existing scientific literature on the pre- and post-diagnostic psychosocial experiences of families that raise an autistic child. Methods: A comprehensive and systematic keywords search were conducted, and 142 relevant studies were found. These studies were then screened for relevance with regard to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Nine articles, published between 2008 and 2018, were identified for final inclusion in the study. Data were analysed using a thematic synthesis approach. Results: The thematic synthesis revealed three main themes and ten sub-themes that were anchored on families’ psychosocial experiences of raising an autistic child, both pre- and post-diagnosis. The themes include psychological experiences (emotions experienced, grieving process, parenting, and family dynamics), social experiences (lack of support services, and social awareness), and psychosocial coping strategies (isolation, information seeking, meaning-making, and support system). Conclusion: The analyses and synthesis of the identified articles indicated that the identified psychosocial experiences of families raising an autistic child were multidimensional and fit well within a contextual and systemic perspective. The family quality of life (FQOL) framework provides a positive approach that seeks to improve and optimise the quality of life of families that raise a child with a disability. It is recommended that families need to be informed of services available for autism and psychosocially supported so that they feel empowered to deal with the challenges at hand.

A Study on Disability and Accessibility of the Children in English Indian Children's Higher Education

Disability in higher education has different implications from that of school Education. Higher education increases the chance of employability, thus, affirming dignified life for the persons with disabilities. While going through the policies and programmes in India it is found that not much has been done in the field of disability and higher education. There are number of groups working on the school education of children with disabilities. This has not translated in the entry of students to higher education because of various reasons. Infrastructural facilities within institutions, attitudes towards persons with disabilities, transportation facilities, and lack of support services are a few areas, which hinder the entry of children with disabilities into higher education.

Beyond Four Walls: Understanding the Lived Experiences of Homelessness in Kingston Through a Review of Literature

Homelessness is a significant issue in Kingston, Ontario, with a 2018 report estimating that 1,725 people experienced homelessness in the city over the course of the year. This literature review aims to synthesize existing research on the prevalence, causes, and interventions of homelessness in Kingston, in order to identify gaps in knowledge and suggest future research and policy directions. A systematic search of electronic databases was conducted, with inclusion criteria focusing on articles that explore the prevalence, causes, and interventions of homelessness in Kingston. The lack of affordable housing was identified as a major factor contributing to homelessness in Kingston, along with inadequate income and employment opportunities, mental health and addiction issues, domestic violence, and a lack of supportive services. Several programs, such as the Kingston HomeBase Housing program and the Street Health Centre, have been found to be effective in addressing immediate needs, but long-term outcomes of these interventions require more research. Additionally, barriers to accessing and implementing interventions, such as a lack of affordable housing and funding for support services, and stigma and discrimination against those experiencing homelessness, require further attention. Overall, there is a need for continued research on specific sub-populations and the long-term outcomes of interventions, as well as continued investment in evidence-based interventions and programs aimed at addressing homelessness in Kingston.

Challenges in Accessibility: Exam Preparation for Students with Low Vision in Pakistan

Students with low vision in Pakistan face barriers to accessing accommodations and preparing for exams due to inaccessible learning materials, lack of supportive services, and inadequate school infrastructure. Interviews with 15 students in Lahore revealed inaccessibility to large print books, assistive tech, and other accommodations inhibited learning and exam prep. Students also noted a lack of services like accessible transportation and signage, and teaching methods that fail to accommodate low vision. Moreover, negative attitudes and policies created barriers. The inaccessible environment made exam preparation difficult compared to sighted peers. Significant gaps exist in meeting the needs of students with low vision in Pakistan. Recommendations aim to improve accessibility and inclusion for exam preparation.

Identifying the most common barriers to opioid agonist treatment in an Australian setting.

Opioid use disorder is a public health concern in Australia. Opioid agonist treatment (OAT) is effective at treating and minimising harm from opioid use disorder, yet is underused in Australia due to client barriers. Although these barriers have been reported, the barriers that are most important to clients is unclear. The aim of this paper was to determine the most important OAT barriers to Australian clients. A cross-sectional, self-completed survey was given to 204 opioid-dependent clients who attended needle and syringe sites in Australia. Participants were given 15 OAT barrier statements, which they answered using a 5-point Likert scale (1=strongly disagree, 2=disagree, 3=neutral, 4=agree and 5=strongly agree). The Likert scale data are presented using the count method and the mean Likert scores (for the whole sample and for subgroups). The two methods determined that the four most important barriers to OAT were stigma, lack of support services, no flexibility and enjoy using opioids. Furthermore, those who used prescription opioids (compared with heroin) were female or non-binary (compared with male), were not currently using OAT (compared with current OAT), were younger (compared with older) and had high dependence scores (compared with low dependence scores) were impacted more by certain OAT barriers. Policies around improving support services, reducing stigma and increasing flexibility would be beneficial to reduce barriers to OAT in Australia. Second, certain groups were more vulnerable to OAT barriers, emphasising the importance to better tailor opioid treatment programs to these specific populations to increase treatment engagement.

Swot Analysis and Constraints Faced by Farmers: With Reference to Omfed in Sambalpur District of Odisha

Dairy farming has emerged as most important alternative for diversification of agriculture in Odisha. The problems perceived by the livestock owners should be taken into consideration while formulation of strategies for enhancing milk production in the state. Keeping this in view, the present study was conducted in villages Sambalpur district of Odisha. Based on the data analysis the strengths, weaknesses, opportunity and Threats of the dairy sector development in Sambalpur were identified. The finding of the Study would be very helpful for all the concerned stakeholders who are working for the Dairy development in the state. The problems perceived by the livestock owners should be taken into consideration while formulation of strategies for enhancing milk production in the state. Weekly milk payment system and regular payment of bonus provided by the co-operatives, educated board members with diversified experience and knowledge in the dairy sector, dairy farming is a livelihood occupation of the majority of the rural population , regular and guaranteed supply of raw milk from the milk co-operative societies , suitability with respect to ecological conditions for dairy development are the weaknesses. Milk shed area is scattered with less membership and members producing miniscule quantities, low price for milk as compared to other private companies , low productivity of animals and high cost of milk production, lack of support services , milk collection centres are not well equipped, limited market coverage due to less procurement as compared to private players, lack of structured and clear benefit packages, low level of milk procurement and insufficient raw milk supply for milk processing plants. More producers willing to join the co-operatives societies, developing infrastructure like processing equipment, etc growing milk demand scope for convergence with allied departments and substantial scope for modernization were the opportunities. Decline of grazing lands due to urbanization , increasing cost of inputs, the high cost of credit for dairy farmers, farmers losing interest in dairy farming , lack of financial assistance for dairy enterprise, existence of competition from other private units, lack of appropriate government policy favouring the dairy sector were the threats. The major production constraints were high incidence of diseases, lesser availability of nutritious feed, high interest rate on loans, high cost of input, inadequate credit, delay in sanction of crop loan, uncertain weather and high labour charge. The marketing constraints were price fluctuation, illegal deduction, market is far from production point, high cost of transportation and malpractices in weighing.

Barriers of physician-patient relationships in professionalism: A qualitative study.

Introduction: Undoubtedly, there are several obstacles in the path of medical professionalism. This study examines these obstacles in the relationship between physician and patient. Therefore, this study was conducted to explore the barriers of physician-patient relationships in professionalism based on physician experiences.Methods: It was a qualitative study with a conventional content analysis approach. Our participants were 14 patients and 11 physicians. The sampling method was purposive, and data was collected through semi-structured interviews and field notes. Interviews continued until data saturation.Results: Findings of the study regarding barriers of patient-physician relationship were classified into five main categories: misperception of the physician's identity, unprofessional behavior of the physician, physician’s sense of self-superiority, patients' cultural differences, and lack of supportive services in the health care system.Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the communication challenges between physician and patient were not limited to the physicians' education. Part of these challenges depends on the patients and their culture. Another part of these challenges is directly related to the medical and management system structure.

Student Perception Regarding Efficacy of Online Vs Traditional Campus-Based Teaching and Challenges

To analyze the student`s perception of the effectiveness of online versus campus-based teaching. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on students of Bachelor of Dental Surgery from College of Dentistry, Sharif Medical and Dental College Lahore. Dental students from all four years were included in the study irrespective of their academic records. Students who did not attend the online classes or refused to give consent were excluded from the study sample. A pre-validated questionnaire with a Cronbach alpha of 0.94 was used. The difference in the mean rank score across different student perceptions of the effectiveness of online in comparison to campus-based teaching was significant for motivational problems and time interruptions (p≤0.001) while non-significant for instructor and personal problems (p=0.437), lack of support services (p=0.942), lack of pre-requisite skills (p=0.218), technical problems (p=0.238) and lack of social interaction (p=0.187). The difference in the motivational problems and time interruptions across the different student perceptions was significant with the highest mean rank score for students who cannot learn well in online classes as in traditional classes. Keywords: Online learning, campus-based learning, student perception, effectiveness

Education and employment in America: my quest for self-actualization as a person with hearing loss

Abstract Evidence indicates that some Africans, with or without special needs or disabilities highly target attending U.S. colleges and universities for further education. Typically, most of these people had obtained their bachelor’s degrees in institutions of higher education in their countries. The desire to travel to U.S. for graduate studies could be due to factors such as the absence of desired graduate programs, limited admission opportunities in institutions of higher education, and social, political, and economic instabilities in African countries. For Africans with special needs or disabilities, the lack of support services in tertiary institutions in their countries is a major factor for their strong desire to go the U.S. for higher education. Some Africans educated in U.S. colleges and universities may, on completion of their programs of study, decide to seek suitable employment opportunities in the U.S. From afar, they are still able to make positive contributions to the social, economic, and political developments of their home countries. I am one of those graduates who decided to work in the U.S. In this article, I share my experiences.

MAKING A CASE ON SOCIAL INTERACTION OF PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISTIC SPECTRUM DISORDERS: A STUDY OF SELECTED COMPOUNDS OF LUSAKA, ZAMBIA

<p>Parenting a child is a challenging experience let alone parenting a child with a disability. The nature of the disability in a child goes with its complexity and it often puts parenting skills to the test. This study explores the experiences on social interactions of parents with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in selected compounds of Lusaka, Zambia. The study used an interpretative phenomenological framework supported by qualitative approach. In-depth interviews were used to collect data. Non-probability criterion purposive sampling procedure was used to select participants. The sample size comprised of 10 parents with children with ASD. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically. The study revealed that parents had unique experiences in raising their children with ASD. These included; inadequate information on ASD; lack of support services; miscommunications between parents and children with ASD; stigmatization; lack of adequate sleeping time and negative attitude towards parents and their children with ASD. It was evident from the study that parents require supportive services including counselling to enable them to deal with the complexities that emanate from parenting children with ASD. In view of these the study recommended increased awareness on ASD; development, promotion and regular evaluation of intervention strategies parents use aimed at improving the daily lives of parents and their children with ASD in the study sites.</p><p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0875/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

A Sociological Study to Investigate the Causes of Low Productivity in Agriculture Sector in Tehsil Jaranwala District Faisalabad

This research was conducted at Tehsil Jaranwala, District Faisalabad in 2019 with the aim to explore social and economic hurdles which were responsible for less level of yield productivity in the agriculture sector. The rural areas of Faisalabad containing agriculturall and were selected for the selection of the sample. The farmers with a small size of landholding were the target population of the present study. A multistage sampling technique was applied in the study, and a well-structured questionnaire was designed for the collection of data from 300respondents. At the first stage, Tehsil Jaranwala of District Faisalabad was selected. At the second stage, ten union councils were selected for the selection of the sample. At the third stage, a sample of 300 respondents (30from each union council) was selected. Chi-Square was applied to test the hypothesis. It is the need of the hour to explore the issues and hurdles which put a hindrance in production so that this sector may play a significant role in the development of Pakistan. The results of the study showed that lack of awareness, illiteracy, low standard of living, poverty and less usage of technology in agriculture, the decline in soil fertility, population pressure,lack of support services, water scarcity, and poor access to fertilizer were the serious issues and factors which were responsible in the way of agricultural development in Pakistan.

Helpless Mothers Dropping Out of the Workplace: The Italian Case of Voluntary Resignation

In the Italian social context difficulties in remaining in the labor market characterizes working mothers, leading them sometimes to resign from their jobs. The aim of this research is to explore narratives of those women dropping out of the workforce during pregnancy and soon after childbirth and their experiences in these circumstances. The study analysed 30 interviews with working mothers with an average age of 35.4 years, living in Naples, Italy, who “spontaneously” left their jobs. Grounded Theory Methodology allowed a deeper understanding of these women’s thoughts, feelings, and experiences. The content of the interviews was categorized into 4 macro-areas: (1) The role of the family and of the working contexts, (2) Mothering and caregiving (3) Identity conflicts, and (4) The consequences of resignation. A sense of helplessness towards fulfilling maternal expectations, role assignments, and employers’ requests ultimately led to the individuals’ response to the requirements of motherhood. The narratives highlighted how respondents feel powerless and oppressed by the burden of guilt and feelings of ambivalence towards both work and motherhood and how all these subjective feelings were supported and had been induced by external social factors (discriminatory business strategies, organizational time management, lack of support services, familial cultural models idealizing maternity).

Enhancing Urban Agricultural Activities through Renewable Energy Development

Although Urban Agriculture (UA) is widely practiced in several Nigerian cities, it faces several challenges such as insufficient data on the practice, non-recognition of UA as a land use by Nigerian urban land laws, uncoordinated practice of UA, lack of support services for urban farmers such as providing access to improved seedlings, pesticides, technical training, machinery, medicine, etc, overt discrimination against female farmers in terms of denial of land ownership rights, limited access to markets, inputs, credit, etc. The strategic use of Renewable energy in UA operations can address some of these challenges and contribute significantly to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Nigerian cities. In Ibadan, the energy mix favors large scale use of biomass, particularly the fermentation of animal waste in biogas digesters to produce fertilizer and methane gas. This promotes local energy independence from inefficient and centralized power stations and grids and energy security. Since 2015, Lifeforte International High School, Awotan, Ibadan has been the recipient of the International School Award, an international benchmarking scheme of the British Council. This award is meant to encourage primary and secondary school students in partner schools to develop global citizenship skills such as empathy, critical and creative thinking, conflict resolution, communication, collaboration and taking action. Such skills are meant to empower these students to become solution providers to global problems such as poverty, hunger, inequality, climate change, etc. Lifeforte seeks to consolidate on its successful crop harvest on its school farm by building a biogas digester on it. This facility will produce fertilizer and methane gas. A Business model will mobilize the proceeds from the sale of gas to train local farmers, thereby strengthening their capacity to operate their own digesters for increased crop yield, higher income and local energy independence and security.

Bovine cysticercosis in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence from abattoir-based surveys

Ethiopia is well known for its huge livestock resource that stands number one in Africa and 10th in the world. However, cattle production is constrained by inadequate nutrition, disease, lack of support services and inadequate information. This systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence of C. bovis in Ethiopia aims to provide a national level prevalence of the parasite from reports conducted in different parts of the country. Due to the expected variation between studies, a random-effects meta-analysis was carried out using the total sample size and number of positives (effect size and standard error of the effect size). Individual study prevalence estimates ranged from 0% to 20% with an overall pooled prevalence of 7% (95% CI = 5%–8%). Studies weighted approximately equal with weights on individual studies ranging from 2% to 2.6% due to high heterogeneity between studies. The meta-analysis indicated that between-study variability was high (τ2 = 0.001; heterogeneity I2 = 99.20% with Heterogeneity chi-square = 4974.9 and, an associated p-value of 0.01). This parasite is indicated to be one of the causes of organ condemnation causing losses of million dollars annually in the country.