Low Level Of Utilization Research Articles

Utilisation of By-Product Phosphogypsum Through Extrusion-Based 3D Printing.

Phosphogypsum (PG) is a phosphate fertiliser by-product. This by-product has a low level of utilisation. Calcium sulphate is dominated in PG similar to gypsum and, therefore, has good binding properties (similar to natural gypsum). However, the presence of water-soluble phosphates and fluorides, an unwanted acidic impurity in PG, makes PG unsuitable for the manufacture of gypsum-based products. In this study, the binding material of PG (β-CaSO4·0.5H2O) was produced from β-CaSO4·2H2O by calcination. To neutralise the acidic PG impurities, 0.5 wt% quicklime was added to the PG. In the construction sector, 3D-printing technology is developing rapidly as this technology has many advantages. The current study is focused on creating a 3D-printable PG mixture. The 3D-printing paste was made using sand as the fine aggregate and a binder based on PG. The results obtained show that, despite the low degree of densification, 3D printing improves the mechanical properties of this material compared to cast samples. The 3D-printed specimens tested in [u] direction reached the highest compressive strength of 950 kPa. The cast specimens showed a 17% lower compressive strength of 810 kPa. The 3D-printed specimens tested in the [v] and [w] directions reached a compressive strength of 550 kPa and 710 kPa, respectively.

Tackling fashion waste from inside the wardrobe: The influence of personal factors on sustainable clothing use practice

Fashion consumption seems predestined for disenchantment, demarcated by low utilization levels and a consumption cycle that is too short to foster emotional attachment. To be sure, what occurs after purchase when clothing is taken home for use is a carbon intensive phase of the product's lifespan that is squarely within the clothing user's control and responsibility. Decreasing the purchase of new garments has the greatest potential to reduce the global carbon emissions associated with fashion consumption, and prolonging clothing's utilization are consumer habits considered critical to this aim. Clothing use, manifest in the wear, care, and repair practice, are a linchpin in determining how much and how quickly fashion becomes waste. Though these use behaviors clearly advance sustainable clothing consumption, the least is known about what occurs between purchase and disposal or why. It is also important to develop a method to measure sustainable use practice and explore the influence of personal factors that determine engagement in such. This research study examined how personal factors (including fashion trend sensitivity, style orientation, frugality) influence sustainable clothing use practices (wear, care, and repair). A quantitative questionnaire was administered online to a representative sample of 420 U.S. consumers. A multi-level path analysis was used to test a proposed model. The results indicate that fashion trend sensitivity, style orientation, and frugality positively influence sustainable clothing use practices. Further, findings reveal that these personal factors explain 80% of the variance in sustainable clothing use, highlighting the critical role of use practice in shaping sustainable clothing behavior.

Digital Transformation in the Music Industry: Session Musicians Matchmaking Platform Effectiveness Analysis

The music industry has been through a significant digital transformation in recent years, with one interesting development being the rise of matchmaking platforms for session musicians. Despite their potential benefits, the effectiveness and impact of these platforms on the music industry are not well studied. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the effectiveness of session musician matchmaking platforms and their implications for the music industry. Leveraging the architecture capabilities of The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF), specifically the Architecture Development Method (ADM), all the participants with their current processes and pain points are identified. The identified pain points are then validated using the empathy map method through an online questionnaire. From the identified pain points, values are developed as the main targets for pain relievers in the current situation, which are later evaluated against existing platforms of a similar nature. After comprehensive research and data analysis, several key insights emerged. First, the findings reveal that, under the current traditional model, the collaboration process between session musicians and music entertainment continues to function effectively. Second, there is enthusiasm among participants for platforms that offer solutions to common challenges faced in collaboration processes. However, the research data shows low levels of adoption and utilization among participants. This suggests there is a huge opportunity for the development and promotion of matchmaking platforms designed specifically for session musicians and music entertainment to enhance collaboration and improve the music industry.

Discontinued Maternal Health Care Utilization in Bhojpur District, Nepal

Why all pregnant women did not receive all care at antenatal period; those who did not even utilize any ANC visit may also prefer to utilize facility-based delivery or postnatal care related queries are rarely available in several rounds of NDHS data set. A study conducted in Tarai region of Nepal, analysis of Nepal demographic and health surveys of several rounds, Annual Health Report 2077/78 published by the Department of health services, Ministry of health and population were taken into study. A qualitative study designed in 2014-15 from the women of reproductive health having children of 2-23 months were asked their discontinuation, if any. Maternal health service utilization through national and the district level data were analysed to study about the discontinuation in utilization.Several factors are identified as the cause for discontinuation in the Tarai region of Nepal. Data revealed by department of health services for the fiscal year 2077-78 show discontinued maternal health service utilization (MHSU) in Bhojpur district. The NDHS 2022 report still found some level of discontinuation in national level. Therefore, urgent need of qualitative study is a most for Bhojpur district which has low level of utilization. In the new administrative set-up according to constitution of Nepal, effective functional policy adopted by municipal region may solve several issues of maternal health. Hilly regions could have different response than Tarai region of Nepal. Therefore, local bodies of hilly regions should bring maternal health policy and program to achieve continuum of maternal health care which will ultimately help Nepal to achieve SDG related goal and target.

Assessing the factors affecting maple syrup yield in the US and predicting production potential in Kentucky

Maple syrup is an important part of the economy in various regions of the United States. Studies on maple syrup production potential mostly use climatic factors as determinants and, therefore, fail to account for non-climatic factors. In this study, we applied a stochastic production function framework to establish a relationship between maple syrup yield and a set of climatic (temperature and tapping season length) and non-climatic determining factors, such as the number of maple trees and utilization rate of the potential number of taps. Tree characteristics, climatic, and other factors had mixed effects on syrup yield. The number of maple trees, the number of taps, and the minimum temperature had marginal negative effects on average syrup yield, while the length of the season and the maximum temperature had positive effects. A predictive model was developed and used to estimate the potential production of maple syrup under low, medium and high utilization levels in Kentucky, a likely region for maple syrup production. This model could be useful for maple syrup research, education, and extension in maple-producing states.

Quality of life and work productivity and activity impairment among online survey respondents with migraine across a range of headache frequency.

This study aimed to describe the migraine burden and healthcare utilization in the context of headache frequency using nationwide claims data linked to online survey data previously collected in Japan. It has been shown that increase in headache frequency can impose greater impact on individuals' daily and social functioning, but migraine burden in those with low-frequency headaches remains largely unknown in Japan. This post-hoc, observational study reported on 674 respondents who were working individuals and their family members aged 19-74 years, responded to an online questionnaire (response rate: 14.1% [21,704 responded/153,545 kencomⓇ registrants]), and were previously classified as having migraine. Disease burden in terms of Migraine-Specific Quality of Life (MSQ) and Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI) was compared across 0-3, 4-7, 8-14, and ≥ 15 monthly headache days (MHD). Among 674 respondents, 419 (62.2%), 148 (22.0%), 61 (9.1%), and 46 (6.8%) had 0-3, 4-7, 8-14, and ≥ 15 MHD, respectively. Of those, 55 (13.1%), 31 (20.9%), 19 (31.1%), and 20 (43.5%) respondents consulted physicians for headaches. Moderate-to-severe impairments in daily activities were reported by 298 (71.1%), 110 (74.3%), 46 (75.4%), and 38 (82.6%) respondents. The proportion of the respondents with WPAI >0% generally increased with increasing headache frequency (presenteeism: 41.7 and 67.5% in respondents with 0-3 and ≥ 15 MHD, respectively; overall work impairment: 44.8 and 72.5%, respectively; and activity impairment: 44.9 and 73.9%, respectively), except for absenteeism (12.4 and 22.5%, respectively). The mean MSQ score declined with increasing MHD (Role function-restrictive: 75.1 and 59.5 in those with 0-3 and ≥ 15 MHD, respectively; Role function-preventive: 85.8 and 75.0, respectively; and Emotional function: 81.9 and 63.6, respectively). Based on the Japanese nationwide claims data, quality of life and work productivity decreased with increasing numbers of headache days. Substantial disease burden paired with low levels of healthcare utilization highlights the need for medical or non-medical intervention.

DETERMINANTS OF EXTERNAL ECONOMIC SECURITY OF UKRAINE IN 2010-2022

Objective. The objective of the present study is to analyze the level of economic security in general and foreign economic security of Ukraine in 2010-2021, in particular, to identify disincentive factors and stimulators of foreign economic security in 2010-2022. Methods. The following methods and techniques of cognition are applied: analysis and synthesis, induction and deduction (to justify the complementary relationship between economic and foreign economic security), analysis of series of dynamics (to identify the state and trends inherent in indicators of economic and foreign economic security of Ukraine), tabular (for visual presentation of factual data on the level and dynamics of economic and foreign economic security of Ukraine in 2010-2021 and 2010-2022, respectively ). Results. On the basis of the conducted study of the level of economic security in general and external economic security of Ukraine in 2010-2021, in particular, it is determined that during the period under the analysis, the level of economic security of Ukraine was on average 40%, foreign economic security – 35%, which corresponds to a dangerous state. At the same time, foreign economic security is proposed to be considered as the state of protection of the country's national economic interests in the field of foreign economic relations, which is based on the country's ability to ensure sustainable economic growth and increase the welfare of the population in the long term; protect their national resources and markets from external threats; influence world economic processes and defend their interests in the international arena. It is identified that the factors stimulating foreign economic security of Ukraine in 2010-2022 were: high level of openness of the economy; the specifics of export-import operations – the value of exports significantly exceeded the value of imports, a high level of focus on one geographical direction was observed – one foreign trade partner, one product; low level of processing of goods and specialization in trade in raw goods with a low level of processing; low level of utilization of the transit capacities of the gas transportation and oil transportation system; sufficiently high level of import dependence; insufficient level of diversification of the economy. It is determined that despite the lack of factors stimulating the country's foreign economic security during 2010-2022, the following positive trends are observed during this period: decrease in the openness of the national economy, decrease in the level of foreign trade dependence of Ukraine on leading partner countries, decrease in the level of dependence on export volumes countries from the leading product (product group).

Older adults with communication disabilities and their use of communication support at doctor’s visits: a nationally representative study

Purpose Older adults with communication disabilities (CDs) experience barriers to receiving care and face a paucity of accommodations for their disability. Utilizing someone that supports communication with healthcare providers (communication support persons) may be a way that this group self-supports their disability. We examined if this utilization was independently associated with CDs among older adults. We also sought to understand if socioeconomic factors were associated with utilization. Methods We used the 2015 National Health and Aging Trends Survey (NHATS) to conduct a cross-sectional analysis of Medicare beneficiaries (n = 5954) with functional hearing, expressive, or cognitive difficulties. We calculated a weighted, population prevalence and an adjusted prevalence ratio (APR) controlling for sociodemographic, health and other disability factors. Results Among community dwelling older adults, having CDs was associated with higher utilization of a communication support person at medical visits (APR: 1.41 [CI: 1.27 − 1.57]). Among adults with CDs, Black adults and women had lower levels of utilization as compared to White adults and men, respectively. Conclusion Communication support persons may be a way that older adults with CDs self-support their disability. However, not all older adults with CDs bring someone and variation by social factors could suggest that unmet support needs exist.

Assessment of the risk to public health from soil contamination on the territory of solid waste landfills

Introduction. Domestic waste management is an extremely important issue for all countries of the world, especially for the countries of the former Soviet Union, as the current state of solid waste disposal in Ukraine is extremely unsatisfactory. According to the European Commission, the amount of waste in the European Union has increased in recent years to more than 2.5 billion tons per year. The results of the Waste Atlas report on the world's 50 largest landfills show that 64 million people are affected by the 50 largest landfills every day. Ukraine has a total of 6045 landfills and dumpsites. The general trend in Ukraine, in contrast to European countries, is a low level of recycling and utilization of solid waste and a high rate of landfill disposal. The vast majority of landfills (80 to 90%) operate in overload mode. Landfills, in particular solid waste landfills, are the main pollutants of the atmosphere, hydrosphere and soil. Therefore, determining the level of environmental hazard of heavy metals in the soil as a result of the impact of landfills and solid waste dumps is very important. Objective. The purpose of the article is to determine the impact of solid waste landfills on public health due to soil contamination with heavy metals. Methodology. In order to determine the level of environmental hazard of household waste storage at landfills and dumps, the paper assesses the risk to public health from soil contamination in the area of the Hrybovychi landfill (Lviv oblast), Rohan landfill (Kharkiv oblast), and Novovodolazhske landfill (Kharkiv oblast). The risk to public health from soil contamination at solid waste landfills was assessed using the traditional US EPA method and a new method for determining the potential risk to public health from soil contamination with heavy metals. Results. The article compares two fundamentally different methodological approaches to determining the level of environmental hazard of soil contamination with heavy metals. The risk to public health from soil contamination on the territory of solid waste landfills according to the US EPA method corresponds to hazard class 5 (extremely high hazard level) according to all calculations. The results of the assessment of the potential risk to public health from soil contamination using the new method at solid waste landfills correspond to hazard classes 2-4. Comparison of methodological principles for assessing the risk to public health from soil pollution has shown the advantages of using the new method of potential risk assessment. The use of the new method of assessing the potential risk to public health from soil pollution will help improve science-based management of household waste and direct financial resources to reduce the environmental hazard of soil and land pollution in Ukraine. Scientific novelty. The article presents an improved method for assessing the risk to public health from soil pollution, which represents the scientific novelty of the work Practical significance. Determining the environmental hazard of soil pollution due to the impact of landfills and solid waste dumps makes it possible to prioritize the implementation of environmental protection measures and will contribute to the implementation of environmentally sound environmental management, so the research is of practical importance.

Low long-lasting insecticidal net use in malaria elimination areas in Southern Ethiopia: results from community based cross-sectional study

BackgroundDespite remarkable progress in malaria burden reduction, malaria continues to be a major public health problem globally. Ethiopia has been distributing long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) for free and nationwide distribution was completed in 2016. However, evidence suggests that the utilization of LLINs varies from setting to setting and from time to time due to different factors, and up-to-date evidence is required for LLIN related decision-making. Hence, this study was designed to assess LLIN utilization and its determinants in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People’s Region (SNNPR) of Ethiopia.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Southern Ethiopia in 2019. Using multi-stage sampling, a total of 2466 households were included. The region was stratified based on the annual malaria index as high, moderate, low, and free strata. Cluster sampling was then applied to select households from high, moderate, and low strata. Data on LLIN ownership, utilization and different determinant factors were collected using household questionnaire. SurveyCTO was used to collect data and data was managed using Stata 15. Descriptive statistics and multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression were performed to identify the determinants of utilization of LLINs. Effect measures were reported using adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% CI.ResultsFrom a total of 2466 households, 48.7% of households had at least one LLIN. LLIN adequacy based on family size was 23% while it was15.7% based on universal access and 29.2% based on sleeping space. From 1202 households that possessed LLIN(s), 66.0% of households reported that they slept under LLIN the night preceding the survey. However, when the total population in all surveyed households were considered, only 22.9% of household members slept under LLIN the night preceding the survey. Malaria endemicity, educational status, wealth status, and knowledge about malaria were associated with LLINs utilization. In addition, reasons for non-use included perceived absence of malaria, side effects of LLIN, conditions of LLINs, inconvenient space and low awareness.ConclusionLow LLIN coverage and low utilization were noted. A low level of utilization was associated with malaria endemicity, wealth status and level of awareness. Distribution of LLIN and continuous follow-up with community awareness creation activities are vital to improve coverage and utilization of LLINs, and to ensure the country’s malaria elimination goal.

Knowledge, acceptance, and uptake of voluntary counseling and testing for human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome among undergraduates of a public university in Southwestern Nigeria

Objectives: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a global public health problem, and Nigeria has about 1.9 million people living with the virus. HIV testing and counseling services serve as a very important entry point to HIV/AIDS care and treatment. Voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) is one of the interventions developed to tackle the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa. This study determined the knowledge, acceptance, and utilization of VCT for HIV/AIDS among undergraduates in a public University in Southwestern Nigeria. Material and Methods: The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional design, using the multistage sampling technique to select 425 respondents. A self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Data analysis was done using Statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS), version 25. Descriptive statistics were presented in tables and figures, and inferential statistics were analyzed at a level of significance of 0.05. Results: Over half of the respondents, 226 (53.2%) were within the age range of 18–25 years. The majority were female, 345 (81.2%), single 403 (94.8%), and had never had sexual intercourse 300 (70.6%). Over half of the respondents’ 240 (57%), had above average knowledge of VCT for HIV/AIDs, had above average levels of acceptance 254 (59%), and the majority 326 (76.2%) of the respondents had very low level of utilization of VCT for HIV/AIDS. There was a significant association between respondents’ age (χ2 = 55.599a, P = 0.000), gender (χ2 = 19.094a, P = 0.000), religion (χ2 = 8.990a, P = 0,038), marital status (χ2 = 8.411a, P = 0.038), age at first sex (χ2 = 61.847a, P = 0.000), knowledge of VCT (χ2 = 5.297a, P = 0.021), acceptance of VCT (χ2 = 80.235a, P = 0.000), and their uptake of VCT for HIV/AIDs. Furthermore, selected socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, and acceptance of VCT significantly predicted the uptake of VCT among respondents (F [8,416] = 20.163, P < 0.05). Conclusion: The study concluded that respondents had an above average knowledge and acceptance of VCT but a low level of utilization. To increase the utilization of VCT for HIV/AIDS among undergraduates, public health programs should focus on educating undergraduates and significant others on the importance of VCT in the context of HIV prevention, care, and treatment.

Public administration of domestic solid waste management as a direction for the protection of consumer rights

The scientific article is devoted to the public administration of solid household waste management as a direction of consumer rights protection. Attention was drawn to the positive aspects of public administration regarding the management of solid household waste as a means of protecting consumer rights (for example, in the Dnipropetrovsk region): the existence of the National Waste Management Strategy in Ukraine until 2030; availability of a regulatory and legislative framework in the field of management and handling of solid household waste; availability of "Methodical recommendations for the development of regional waste management plans”; existence of a solid household waste management program in the Dnipropetrovsk region for 2022-2024; positive experience of the EU and other developed countries in the field of effective management and handling of solid household waste; the presence of a solid household waste collection and disposal system; availability of municipal solid waste landfills; availability of enterprises for processing, processing and disposal of hazardous components of solid household waste; initiation of elements of separate collection of solid household waste; gradual formation of awareness among the population regarding the need to separate resource-valuable components from the general flow of solid household waste.
 It was concluded that the problematic issues in public administration regarding the handling of solid household waste as a direction of consumer rights protection (for example, in the Dnipropetrovsk region): the tendency to increase the scale of generation and accumulation of solid household waste; lack of a systematic approach to creating effective management and handling of solid household waste; insufficient funding of solid waste management and management; low level of implementation of previous regional solid waste management and handling programs; low level of utilization of resource-valuable components of solid household waste; lack of waste transfer stations and waste processing enterprises, etc.

Effect of Monosodium Glutamate in Artificial Food on Feed Utilization Efficiency, Growth, and Survival of Fingerling Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is one of the leading freshwater fish commodities in Indonesia. The problem often faced by tilapia farmers is the low level of feed utilization, especially protein, which is still low, resulting in suboptimal growth. The glutamate content in monosodium glutamate (MSG) can act as a precursor for the formation of arginine and glutamine, which can increase the production of protease and lipase enzymes that are excreted into the intestines during the feed hydrolysis process, which is useful in increasing the absorption of nutrients in the form of protein and fat. This research was conducted using fingerling tilapia as a test fish with an average individual length of 6.59 ± 0.21 cm/fish and an average individual weight of 5.33 ± 0.27 g/fish. This research was carried out in an aquarium container measuring 40x30x30 cm with a water volume of 27 l and a density of 15 fish/aquarium. The aim of this research was to determine the effect of MSG in fish feed on total feed consumption (TKP), feed utilization efficiency (FUE), protein efficiency ratio (PER), protein retention, relative growth rate (RGR), and survival (SR) in fingerling tilapia. This research used an experimental method with a completely randomized design (CRD) of 4 treatments with 3 replications. Treatments A, B, C, and D are fed with the addition of 0 MSG in commercial feed; 0.75; 1.5; and 2.25 g/kg. Variables observed included TKP, FUE, PER, protein retention, RGR, and SR. The research results showed that MSG in feed had a significant effect (P < 0.05) on the FUE, PER, protein retention, and RGR values but had no effect (P < 0.05) on the TKP and SR values. FUE value; PER, protein retention; The highest RGR was obtained in treatment D (2.25 g/kg); FUE (87.21±2.28); PER(1.83±0.05); protein retention (50.47±0.76); The RGR (3.06 ± 0.03) and survival value for all treatments were found to be 100%. The water quality during the research was in optimal condition.

Implementasi Program Kesehatan Reproduksi Remaja melalui Posyandu Remaja: Studi Kualitatif

Utilization of youth information services is still low in several areas, including North Maluku. The low level of utilization of reproductive health services among adolescents is influenced by many factors. This research aims to analyze the implementation of adolescent reproductive health programs. Through the youth Posyandu in Juanga Village, the working area of the Daruba Community Health Center, South Morotai District. This research used qualitative methods, selecting subjects using purposive sampling and data collection techniques through observing the implementation of youth Posyandu, interviews, and focus group discussions on cadres. The research subjects were 14 informants, consisting of five cadres, five teenagers, two families, one health center officer, and one community figure. The findings show that there is no special training for adolescent Posyandu cadres, there is no incentive funding for cadres, the infrastructure and guidelines are incomplete, and there is still a lack of knowledge among adolescents regarding adolescent reproduction. It can be concluded that the current implementation of youth Posyandu has obstacles and problems which have an impact on implementation limitations, including the implementation process which still experiences obstacles in attracting youth participation and communication with related parties, as well as obstacles to funding incentives for youth cadres. It is recommended that there be a model of community empowerment, especially teenagers, in utilizing youth Posyandu, in an effort to reduce the high rate of premarital teenage pregnancies.

Cultivating Sustainability: Exploring the Relationship between Homestead Gardening, Land Property, and Family Economic Pressure in Household with Stunting Children

The impacts of climate change exacerbate the problems of food insecurity and malnutrition, especially child stunting. This study aims to characterize households with stunted children and explore the relationship between yard agroecosystem management strategies, yard ownership, and family economic stress. The study was conducted among 68 households with stunted children in Sumedang District, West Java, selected using purposive sampling. The results found that only 11.7 percent had a dedicated yard with a low level of cultivation and utilization of agrobiodiversity. Correlation analysis showed that the husband's education level was significantly positively associated with yard ownership and utilization. The husband's age and family size were significantly positively related to objective economic pressure. The wife's education and per capita income were significantly negatively related to objective economic pressure. Meanwhile, subjective economic pressure was significantly negatively related to per capita income and significantly positively related to objective economic pressure.

Design and Implementation of a Digital Twin System for Log Rotary Cutting Optimization

To address the low level of intelligence and low utilization of logs in current rotary cutting equipment, this paper proposes a digital twin-based system for optimizing the rotary cutting of logs using a five-dimensional model of digital twins. The system features a log perception platform to capture three-dimensional point cloud data, outlining the logs’ contours. Utilizing the Delaunay3D algorithm, this model performs a three-dimensional reconstruction of the log point cloud, constructing a precise digital twin. Feature information is extracted from the point cloud using the least squares method. Processing parameters, determined through the kinematic model, are verified in rotary cutting simulations via Bool operations. The system’s efficacy has been substantiated through experimental validation, demonstrating its capability to output specific processing schemes for irregular logs and to verify these through simulation. This approach notably improves log recovery rates, decreasing volume error from 12.8% to 2.7% and recovery rate error from 23.5% to 5.7% The results validate the efficacy of the proposed digital twin system in optimizing the rotary cutting process, demonstrating its capability not only to enhance the utilization rate of log resources but also to improve the economic efficiency of the factory, thereby facilitating industrial development.

Research on the current situation and problems of informatization teaching in higher vocational English

This article analyzes the current situation of English informatization teaching in higher vocational education, identifies the problems, and proposes practical and feasible solutions. Through a detailed analysis of the application of information based teaching methods, the integration of information technology with classroom teaching, the evaluation of information based teaching effectiveness, and the challenges faced in information based English teaching in vocational colleges have been revealed. The main problems include insufficient informatization teaching ability of teachers, low level of development and utilization of network resources, and incomplete teaching management and evaluation. To address these issues, measures have been proposed to strengthen teacher information based teaching ability training, improve the development and utilization of network resources, and improve the teaching management and evaluation mechanisms.

Factors associated with bacterial sexually transmitted infections among people of South Asian ethnicity in England

ObjectivesDespite being the largest ethnic minority group in England, South Asians have historically had low levels of utilisation of sexual health services (SHS) and sexually transmitted infection (STI) diagnoses, although...

Utilisation of Artificial Intelligence-based Technology for Agricultural Extension Services among Extension Professionals in Nigeria

The study examined the current awareness and usage, determined the level of utilisation of AI-based digital technology for agricultural extension services, and identified the merit and demerit of using AI-based digital technology for agricultural extension services. Data were collected through an online structured questionnaire from 131 extension professionals across Nigeria. Percentage and mean were used to describe and summarise the data. The findings revealed that 79.4% of the respondents were aware that AI-based digital technology can be used for agricultural extension services, while 55.7% reported that they had used the technology at one time or the other. About 45% of the respondents disseminated innovations and 34% demonstrated innovations and technologies through the use of AI-based digital technology. Also, 77.9% perceived reaching the target audience everywhere and every time as the major merit of AI- based digital technology while 71.8% identified high-cost implications of digital enablers as its major demerit. There was a high level of awareness but a low level of utilization of AI-based digital technology for agricultural extension services among agricultural extension professionals. On-the-job capacity building should be organized for the current professionals to promote the use of AIbased digital technology for agricultural extension services in Nigeria.

FACTORS INFLUENCING THE UTILIZATION OF MALARIA HOME-BASED MANAGEMENT IN KICUKIRO DISTRICT, RWANDA

Malaria is still one of the most critical cause of deaths globally each year. The year of 2020 was marked by the report of 627,000 deaths and 241 million cases due to malaria. Malaria home-based management (MHBM) progress was hampered while malaria-carrying vectors are still dominant with malaria incidence increase in Rwanda. This study aimed to assess the factors associated with the utilization of MHBM program among the study participants in Kicukiro District. This cross-sectional study design included 312 study respondents who were trained community health workers and their respective health care seekers (people with malaria or febrile sick children). This sample size was obtained by Yamane sample size formula. Univariate, bivariate, and multivariate data analysis were conducted with SPSS 21 version. The significance was accepted at a p-value of 0.05 with 95%CI. Overall findings revealed that the Household MHBM high utilization was (55.8%) while 44.2% had low level of MHBM utilization among study participants in Kicukiro District. Having three or more children, seeking malaria home-based treatment to the CHWs you really know, using nearest CHW were significantly associated with the MHBM with AoR=3.133, 95% CI=1.692-5.810 and p <0.001; AoR=2.2, 95% CI= 1.202-4.223, p<0.001; AoR =4.9, 95%CI= 2.043-7.103, p<0.001. Additionally, having required materials to ease the work of CHWs which may let MHBM service seekers come, MHBM daily schedule, usual work of the CHWs which doesn’t conflict with MHBM were highly and significantly associated with MHBM utilization. Their respective adjusted odd ratios were: AoR=4.472,95% CI=2.614-9.555, p=0.007; AoR=8.787,95% CI=4.045-14.592<0.001; AoR=6.362, 95% CI, 2.252-11.158, p<0.001. This study concluded that strengthening the community health workers requires four essential strategic components. The training of community health workers to reach out the community in their respective operation areas, improving their social connection, constant reviewing and refill their required materials and finally, planning improvement in their service delivery.