Related Management Practices Research Articles

Examining the expansion of agroforestry practices and their management practices in the central highlands of Ethiopia

Agroforestry is an emerging livelihood strategy for meeting the fundamental requirements of millions of rural households, yet quantifying its expansion and management practices in Ethiopia remains limited. This study investigated the trends, extents and drivers of agroforestry expansion and related management practices in the central highlands of Ethiopia. A two-stage sampling method was employed to select 160 rural households that engaged in home garden and woodlot agroforestry practices. The data were collected via semi-structured questionnaires, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions and analyzed using descriptive statistics, content analysis, the Kruskal-Wallis test, and the Mann‒Whitney U test. The results demonstrated that there was a significant difference in the mean size (in hectares) of home gardens and woodlot agroforestry practices (p<0.05). There has been an increasing trend in the adoption and expansion of agroforestry practices, both in home gardens and woodlots. The rate of agroforestry expansion increased from 0.23 % before the 1980s to 3.95 % between 2011 and 2022. The expansion of agroforestry practices, particularly the increase in home garden size and woodlot establishment, was positively influenced by increased market demand, increased seedling availability, increased availability of labor, improved knowledge of agroforestry benefits, and increased proximity to homes and roads. Furthermore, the findings demonstrated that rural households implemented weeding, pruning, thinning, looping, pollarding, fertilizer application, watering, coppicing, fencing, and mulching to maintain and optimize the productivity of their agroforestry systems. Policymakers and stakeholders should consider developing targeted programs and incentives to further encourage the expansion of both home gardens and woodlot agroforestry practices.

The Impact of Green Supply Chain Management Practices on Return on Equity : A Comparative Study between the United States and China

The primary aim of this study is to assess the relationship between Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) practices and the Return on Equity (ROE) of industrial sector firms in the United States and China during the implications of the US-China Trade War. Principal Component Analysis and Random Effects Regression Analysis are employed to empirically test the impact of four Green Supply Chain Management practices which are: Internal Environmental Management, Green Purchasing, Eco Design, and Customer Cooperation on ROE. A sample of 50 firms in the US and 50 firms in China is employed to test the hypothesized relationships. Findings suggest that there is a significant positive relationship between Eco Design and ROE in both countries. However, a significant negative relationship between Internal Environmental Management and ROE is concluded in China only. This research contributes to identifying out and classifying the reported practices of the Green Pillar in firms’ Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) reports under their related Green Supply Chain Management practices to provide a theoretical framework and facilitate future research. This paper proposes that policy makers, managers, and practitioners should accept sustainability as a strategic priority prior to implementing Green Supply Chain Management and suggests that firms should be confident of the long-term profitability of implementing Green Supply Chain Management practices.

Attachment style and social behavior in dogs from commercial breeding kennels

Much of the demand for purebred dogs in the USA is met by commercial breeding kennels (CBKs). In CBKs, adult dogs have been reported to exhibit signs of fear towards strangers. Social fear is a particular welfare concern as it may lead to acute and chronic stress in the kennel, and later, after dogs are retired and rehomed. Studies on pet and shelter dogs have shown that the type of attachment style dogs have with their caretakers is associated with their social behavior towards strangers. Thus, the aims of this study were to characterize the attachment styles of dogs from CBKs to their caretakers, and investigate relationships between the types of attachment styles observed and social fear behaviors in the dogs. Forty-eight adult dogs were tested from three CBKs in Indiana, USA. Twenty (41.67%) dogs were classified as secure, 16 (33.33%) as insecure ambivalent, 9 (18.75%) as insecure avoidant, and 3 (6.25%) as insecure disorganized. Generalized linear mixed-effects models showed that secure and ambivalent dogs approached the stranger more frequently (X2 = 24.636, p < 0.001), and solicited contact more frequently (X2 = 13.092, p = 0.004) than did avoidant dogs. Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Tests showed that secure, ambivalent, and avoidant dogs all initially approached the stranger more quickly in the Paired-Effect test (when the caretaker was present) than in the Stranger Arena test (p < 0.05). Secure and ambivalent dogs also spent more time in proximity to (p < 0.001) and solicited more contact from (p < 0.01) the stranger in the Paired-Effect test than in the Stranger Arena test. These results suggest that there is an association between type of attachment style and fear behaviors towards a stranger in this sample of dogs. Understanding connections between attachment style and social fear, and their implications for stress and welfare in dogs from CBKs may help inform breeders’ socialization, social interactions, and related management practices. This in turn may help to reduce dogs’ social fear and enhance their long-term welfare outcomes in the kennel. These insights may also aid rehoming efforts, as breeders could potentially inform new owners about behaviors they might expect from their dogs, which might help avoid mismatches in expectations, and in so doing, help keep dogs in their homes.

Knowledge management during emergency remote teaching: an interpretative phenomenological analysis of the transition experiences of faculty members

PurposeThe study directs attention to the psychological conditions experienced and knowledge management practices leveraged by faculty in higher education institutes (HEIs) to cope with the shift to emergency remote teaching caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. By focusing attention on faculty experiences during this transition, this study aims to examine an under-investigated effect of the pandemic in the Indian context.Design/methodology/approachInterpretative phenomenological analysis is used to analyze the data gathered in two waves through 40 in-depth interviews with 20 faculty members based in India over a year. The data were analyzed deductively using Kahn’s framework of engagement and robust coding protocols.FindingsEight subthemes across three psychological conditions (meaningfulness, availability and safety) were developed to discourse faculty experiences and challenges with emergency remote teaching related to their learning, identity, leveraged resources and support received from their employing educational institutes. The findings also present the coping strategies and knowledge management-related practices that the faculty used to adjust to each discussed challenge.Originality/valueThe study uses a longitudinal design and phenomenology as the analytical method, which offers a significant methodological contribution to the extant literature. Further, the study’s use of Kahn’s model to examine the faculty members’ transitions to emergency remote teaching in India offers novel insights into the COVID-19 pandemic’s effect on educational institutes in an under-investigated context.

Modelling citizen participation in apathetic urban communities: suggestions based on Nairobis urban solid waste related flood risk management practices

Modelling citizen participation in apathetic urban communities: suggestions based on Nairobis urban solid waste related flood risk management practices

Modelling citizen participation in apathetic urban communities: suggestions based on Nairobi's urban solid waste related flood risk management practices

Modelling citizen participation in apathetic urban communities: suggestions based on Nairobi's urban solid waste related flood risk management practices

Assessment of gastrointestinal nematode anthelmintic resistance and acaricidal efficacy of fluazuron-flumethrin on sheep and goat ticks in the North West province of South Africa.

Anthelmintic resistance (AR) and acaricide resistance (ACR) pose great economic threat to communal livestock raised by rural communities, limiting sustainable production. This study was conducted to assess the occurrence of AR and ACR against nematodes and ticks that infest small ruminants (sheep and goats) from small-scale farming communities in the North West Province of South Africa, as well as document the associated risk factors. The study was conducted on small-scale farming locations in two districts of the North West Province, namely, Dr. Ruth Segomotsi Mompati district and Dr. Kenneth Kaunda district, from November 2019 to March 2020. A questionnaire survey based specifically on antiparasitic treatment and related management practices was administered to 86 small-scale farmers. A fecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) was used to determine in vivo AR in small ruminants against benzimidazole (BZD), levamisole, and macrocyclic lactone on nine ruminant farms. Then, deoxyribonucleic acid was extracted from L3 larvae and resistant nematodes were identified using a polymerase chain reaction, targeting the internal transcribed spacer 2 gene. An egg hatch assay (EHA) and a larval mortality assay (LMA) were used to determine in vitro AR against thiabendazole (TBZ and BZD) in the same farms. Acaricide resistance against fluazuron-flumethrin (Drastic Deadline eXtreme) pour-on was assessed using an adult immersion test (AIT) on Rhipicephalus evertsi. Questionnaire results indicated that most farmers (89%) relied solely on anthelmintics. Farmers used visual appraisal to estimate the dosage, which is the primary cause of resistance. The FECRT revealed AR in all the farms. Egg hatch assay results revealed AR development against TBZ in all districts, with >95% of the eggs hatching at variable doses. Larval mortality assay results revealed the development of resistance against BZD, with 50% of L3 larvae surviving at different doses in all farms. Adult immersion test results indicated that fluazuron-flumethrin (>99%) exhibited high acaricidal efficacy against R. evertsi by inhibiting tick oviposition. This investigation found that sheep and goats in the studied areas are developing AR to gastrointestinal parasites. The findings of in vivo tests showed resistance with fecal egg count reduction percentage of <95% or lower confidence limit of <90%. The results of EHA and LMA revealed no evidence of inhibition of egg development and larval mortality, indicating the development of resistance. Acaricide resistance was not detected against fluazuron-flumethrin, which is commonly used in the study areas. Thus, developing management methods for these economically significant livestock nematodes, including teaching small-scale farmers how to properly administer anthelmintics and acaricides to their livestock, is urgently needed.

Does Leadership Style and HRM Practices Promote Employee Well-being Post Onset of the New Normal? A Mixed-method Approach

The immediate establishment of ‘a new normal’ in response to the present global crisis made leaders relook into the well-being of their employees through a new lens. Hence, promoting empowering leadership in any organisation to attain employee well-being became the key to surviving the detrimental impact of endangered organisational productivity. In line with two promising theories (social exchange and social learning), we proposed to join empowering leadership and employee well-being through activity-enhancing, opportunity-enhancing, motivation-enhancing, work–life balance-enhancing and voice-enhancing related human resources management (HRM) practices. A two-phase exploratory sequential mixed-method process was designed to identify and analyse the role of HRM practices on promoting well-being during the onset of the new normal. Results of the multi-mediation model conducted on 328 executives of private banks in eastern India—demonstrated participative decision-making as a rewarding impact of autonomy and freedom. It highlighted achieving employee well-being as a flow experience. Our findings propose the techno-functionality of empowering leadership in redefining the holistic concept of well-being for socio-tropic continents like India, which may help establish actual well-being as a panacea to evolving work lives.

Rapid shift of soil fungal community compositions after clear-cutting in hemiboreal coniferous forests

Clear-cutting is the main forest management method in boreal and hemiboreal forests, but recently its implementation has raised concerns due to its effects on biodiversity, including the soil fungal biota. Forest soil fungi have an important role as mycorrhizal symbionts, decomposers of organic material and root pathogens. There is conflicting information about the effect of clear-cutting and related management practices on fungal assemblages. We aimed to assess the factors that affect the assemblages of major fungal functional guilds (ectomycorrhizal, saprotrophic, pathogenic and yeast fungi) and the changes in soil fungal diversity and community composition after clear-cutting in Norway spruce and Scots pine (retention trees > 5 m3 per ha) stands, and compared the outcomes with alongside control sites (uncut stands). In addition, we tested the effect of the size of the clear-cut area, soil scarification and the forest regeneration method (planting and sowing) on soil fungi. The samples were collected from 50 different clear-cut sites and 50 control sites on two repeated sampling occasions: recently (0–6 months) cut and one year after clear-cutting. Based on high-throughput Illumina sequencing soil fungal communities were affected immediately after clear-cutting, resulting in significantly different fungal structure composition. Soil fungal diversity in both spruce and pine stands increased after one year post-cut compared to control sites, except the richness of ectomycorrhizal fungi in spruce sites. However, the fungal communities showed the highest similarity between control and one year post-cut sites based on principal coordinates (PCO) and Permanova analyses. Nonetheless, relative abundance of ectomycorrhizal (EcM) fungi declined, whereas that of saprotrophs and pathogens increased. In spruce sites, saprotrophic fungi were negatively affected by soil scarification, but this was not evident in pine sites. Forest regeneration by planting after clear-cutting in pine sites resulted in higher ectomycorrhizal fungal richness compared to sowing. Size of the clear-cut area (ranging from 0.4 to 3.1 (5.0) ha) did not affect soil fungal diversity in spruce- and pine-dominated sites. We demonstrated that fungal community composition may recover within one year after clear-cutting in pine- and spruce-dominated hemiboreal forest stands. However, understanding the long-term effects of management on patterns and shifts in fungal biota needs a long-term study.

Links between gender norms and the intergenerational transmission of health information in parents carrying BRCA1/2 pathogenic variants.

Understanding how gender norms affect parents' communication of genetic and cancer risk information to their children can enable healthcare professionals to better facilitate cascade genetic testing. We conducted a qualitative study with semi-structured interviews to determine social factors associated with parents carrying the BRCA1/2 pathogenic variants who communicated cancer prevention practices to their children. Thirty adult carriers (23 women, 7 men) participated in the interviews. All had at least one child aged over 8 years old. Interview topics included their discovery of the variants, their relationship to their body and to the risk of cancer, as well as disclosure to and subsequent communication with their children after testing positive for BRCA1/2. The interviews were analyzed qualitatively, and the major themes identified were identified and compared. We described the roles played by the BRCA1/2 carriers and their partners in communicating cancer prevention practices to their children, from how they managed their own risk of cancer after testing positive, to how they disclosed the risks linked to these pathogenic variants to their children. We also described their involvement in the process of their children going for professional genetic consultation. Gender norms lead women to be more attentive than men to their own health and that of their loved ones. In the context of the transmission of genetic information to children, gender differences in behavior are reinforced by perceptions of the risks of BRCA1/2 variants and women's related health management practices. Cancer prevention is shaped by complex links between gender norms and health management practices.

A provider survey of cystic fibrosis related diabetes screening and management practices at North American CF centers.

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) Guidelines recommend annual screening for cystic fibrosis related diabetes (CFRD) with an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). However, screening rates remain consistently low. We conducted surveys of 1) US CF center directors and 2) Endocrinologists affiliated with the CFF-sponsored EnVision program to characterize CFRD screening practices, describe provider perceived barriers to screening, and identify strategies for improving screening. The surveys queried OGTT protocols, alternate screening strategies, and perceived barriers to screening. CF center characteristics and procedures for coordinating OGTTs were compared between centers achieving ≥50% versus <50% OGTT completion. Endocrinologists received additional questions regarding OGTT interpretation and management. The survey response rate was 18% (51/290) from CF Centers and 63% (25/40) from Endocrinologists. The majority (57%) of CF centers utilized 2 OGTT timepoints (0,120 min). The majority (72%) of Endocrinologists utilized 3 timepoints (0,60,120 min). Four percent of CF centers and 8% of Endocrinologists utilized other timepoints. Forty-nine percent of CF centers reported ≥50% OGTT completion in the past year. Completion of ≥50% OGTT was 5 times more likely when patient reminders were consistently provided (p = 0.017). Both CF Centers and Endocrinologists employed alternative screening strategies including HbA1c (64%, 92%), fasting plasma glucose (49%, 67%), continuous glucose monitoring (30%, 58%), and home fingerstick monitoring (55%, 50%). OGTT is the gold standard screening method for CFRD, but completion rates remain suboptimal, practice variation exists, and many providers utilize alternate screening strategies. Systematic reminders may improve completion rates. Studies to improve our approach to CFRD screening are urgently needed.

Assessing the contribution and impact of access to extension services toward sustainable livelihoods and self-reliance in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Public Extension services remain the repository and main source of agricultural information for smallholder farmers in developing countries. Their role includes linking farmers to relevant institutes and disseminating research-based knowledge and technology to rural people with the aim of improving their livelihoods. Extension officers disseminate information about new innovative techniques to crop and livestock farmers and related production and management practices leading to the improved socio-economic status of the rural communities. Despite this and farmers having access to extension services, smallholder farming appears to be struggling to meet the rural population's daily food and employment needs. Moreover, empirical and detailed evidence of the contribution and effect of extension services toward sustainable farmer livelihoods remains scanty in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa. Therefore, the study sought to investigate the contribution and impact of extension services toward sustainable livelihoods and self-reliance in Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. The study used a multi-stage sampling procedure to collect data from 258 smallholder farmers using a semi-structured questionnaire. Binary Logistic regression and Propensity score matching was used for analysis. The study results showed that most respondents were females with an average age of 47 years and twelve years of farming experience. Moreover, the results show that farmers had ten years of schooling and operated on average farm sizes of 3 ha. The findings also indicated that farmers had access to extension services and were members of farm organizations contributing to their farming and building self-resilience. Farmers also indicated that financial support, distance to market outlets, and lack of transportation were among the challenges threatening their livelihood. Binary logistic regression showed that age, years spent in school, off-farm income, and farm size affected farmers’ access to extension services. Propensity Score Matching results showed that farmers with access to extension services had better sustainable livelihoods and self-reliance than farmers without access. The study concludes that extension services have a positive effect on the sustainable livelihood of farmers. The study recommends that governments and NGOs invest more in agricultural extension officers for farmers to reach their farming potential and ensure sustained livelihoods and self-reliance. Key words: Eastern Cape, Extension Services, Smallholder Farmers, Sustainable Livelihoods, Propensity Score Matching

Shallow Landslide Erosion Rates on Industrially Managed Timberlands: Key Factors Affecting Historical and Contemporary Rates

Abstract Timber harvesting and related management practices associated with industrial timberlands have changed dramatically in the last two decades. Industrial timberlands are now more carefully assessed and mitigated. Recent studies of mass wasting in northern California included a review of historical aerial photographs from the early 1940s through 2016 and field measurements of nearly 3,000 shallow landslides on industrially managed timberlands. Significant improvements have been seen in management practices over time that include but are not limited to reduced harvest unit sizes, increased streamside tree retention, reduced road density, and improved road-building practices. These improvements are a result of a variety of sources such as evolving state regulations, voluntary conservation plans, and increased professional oversight. Subsequently, significant decreases in management-related erosion are being observed across the area included in this study. Observations show that improvements in management practices have positively affected regional mass wasting. In this investigation, significant changes have been noted in both causal mechanisms and landslide erosion rates. The study data shows that before the year 2000, nearly 85 percent of landslide-related erosion was determined to be the result of historical logging, either by harvesting or from roads (generally poor design and/or location). Shallow landslide erosion rates have varied over the duration of time reviewed for this study, peaking in the 1970s. Since 2000, erosion rates across the study area have decreased to 20 m3/km2/yr, which is a 92 percent reduction compared with the historical rate.

Knowledge, attitude, and habits on solid waste management of students at Nho Quan C High School

Recently, along with climate change, solid waste management has become one of the environmental challenges that many developing countries, including Vietnam, are experiencing especially. Current status of knowledge and attitudes of high school students about solid waste management. For this reason, the research team conducted research on the current state of awareness, attitudes and habits of high school students at Nho Quan C High School, Ninh Binh province regarding solid waste management. In this study, we utilized an online questionnaire to conduct the survey of 800 high school students grading from 10 to 12. The data was then analyzed by the application of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. The study results show that 390 graders (accounting for 48.8%) recognized empty plastic bottles and more than one third of the total participants identified food packaging, milk containers, and used napkins as common types of solid waste present within the school campus. The data also illustrates that there is a certain difference among participants in terms of grade levels. Specifically, the higher graders are, the more pro-environmental activities they conduct and involve, for example, while almost all students at grade 10 (95.6%) felt satisfied or very satisfied with the waste treatment methods being implemented in the school campus, only about 86% students at both grades 11 and 12 had the same evaluation. The research suggests that it is important and necessary to continue and enhance the implementation of environmental education and communication programs at high schools on solid waste and related management practices.

Cooperative unmanned surface vehicles and unmanned aerial vehicles platform as a tool for coastal monitoring activities

To ensure the safety of near-shore activities, efficient coastal monitoring equipment must be installed. Coastal monitoring has become a priority in integrated marine management because casualty accidents occur frequently in coastal waters. In this paper, the residual module of a CenterNet network is modified in response to the degradation problem. And by replacing the original convolutional layer with several depth-wise separable convolutions, the accuracy of our model's recognition performance for ships and personnel improved. Then an improved CenterNet algorithm, which has a 4% increase in average precision over the original one, is adopted to identify vessels and participants at sea in the images returned from the cooperative unmanned surface vehicles(USV) and unmanned aerial vehicles(UAV) platform. A cooperative USV-UAV platform for coastal surveillance is built by merging with a CenterNet-improved identification network. Correspondingly, several related management practices and potential application areas are recommended on the basis of the platform. It provides a framework for inshore safety rescue operations as a distinct cooperative USV-UAV platform.

An Investigation into Major Sheep Diseases and Management Practices in North Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia.

Sheep have many advantages over large ruminants for most smallholder farmers: lower feed costs, quicker turnover, easy management, and appropriate size at slaughter can be mentioned. They produce in a wide range of agroecologies, from arid lowlands to extremely cool highlands. However, their productivity is hindered by disease burden and poor management practices. In the study area, information on the disease of sheep and related management practices is lacking. Thus, the study aimed to determine the major sheep diseases and management practices in North Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study design was used from October 2020 to July 2021 in the zone. A multistage sampling technique was used to select study districts and their respective kebeles, while the households were purposively selected. Questionnaire survey, in-depth interview, and physical clinical examination were conducted. A total of 400 households were involved in this study, a majority (32.8%) of whom were illiterates. Ovine pasteurellosis (55.8%) was the major bacterial disease in highlands, whereas sheep pox (54.5%) was the most challenging viral disease in the area. Mange mites (41.3%) were the major parasitic disease. The design of houses was medium (34.5%) which were bedded using sand floor (79.8%) and grass (5.75%), but the drainage system of the house was poorly designed (46.8%) in highlands. A majority of the owners (67.3%) used traditional medicines for the treatment of sheep disease. This study concluded that the burden of the diseases was higher and the management practices were poor in the area, deteriorating the economic benefit of farmers from sheep production. Thus, it urges for operating technical interventions.

Budget systems and post-pandemic economic resilience in developing countries

PurposeOver the years, public sector reforms in emerging economies have focused on improving national budget systems and financial management practices to promote sustainable development. In the context of the COVID-19 crisis, this article examines whether the strength or effectiveness of national budget systems and related financial management practices moderates the impact of fiscal policy measures on economic recovery and resilience.Design/methodology/approachThe article uses bivariate correlations and difference-in-difference analyses to examine the relationship between budget system effectiveness, government stimulus measures and forecasts of economic recovery and resilience. The analysis uses data from the Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability (PEFA) program, International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank.FindingsThe article finds that estimates of economic recovery and resilience are higher in countries with more reliable budget processes and more transparent public finances. Also, the strength or effectiveness of the budget system before the pandemic appears to moderate the impact of government stimulus measures on economic recovery and resilience over a medium-term forecast horizon.Research limitations/implicationsThis is a prospective analysis based on economic forecasts from the IMF, which are subject to change in the coming years. In addition, the analysis uses subjective budget system indicators, which present measurement challenges that often influence this area of research. Better comparative data in the future, for example, large administrative datasets, will enable researchers to explore these issues with less estimation bias.Practical implicationsThe findings are relevant for policymakers and budget officials in developing countries in Africa who are engaged in plans to improve national budget systems and enhance resilience to crises, such as the COVID-19-induced economic crisis. The findings also have implications for developing countries beyond Africa with similar economic and fiscal conditions.Social implicationsThe findings have implications for economic and budgetary planning for the social sector as well as the efficient delivery of public services in developing countries. Public managers have a critical role to play in adapting national budget systems and financial management reforms within complex and evolving economic circumstances even after the coronavirus pandemic.Originality/valueThe authors use novel and latest data on country responses to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as medium-term economic forecasts to examine the relationship between national budget systems and post-pandemic economic recovery and resilience in the African context. Previous research has only addressed these issues in the context of industrialized countries, and a limited number of empirical studies examine these relationships. The findings also have significant value for policymakers outside Africa who are facing similar challenges related to the coronavirus pandemic.

Factors Affecting Employees’ Turn over in the Hotel Industry a Case of Bahir Dar City

Employee turnover is that the major problems for business employing staff and it are not uncommon in hotel industry. Human Resources Management contains a vital role to play in managing the organization resources and the way employees are treated within the organization. Employees are a crucial asset to each company, business and organization. Because, the success of every company or business is entirely dependent on the effectiveness of its workforce. The first objective of this study is determining factors which influencing employee’s turnover in hotel industry. To attain this objective the researcher collects data from respondents through structured questionnaire. The survey prepared in 5 point likert type. Structural equation model was employed for data analysis and Amos graphics taken as statistical tools. Finally the researcher reach the finding of salary and related benefit, working environment and management practices are responsible factors for employee’s turnover in Bahir Dar hotel industry. Keywords: Employee turnover, structural equation model, Amos graphics DOI: 10.7176/RJFA/13-3-02 Publication date: February 28 th 2022

Peripheral health workers' knowledge and experience related to sickle cell disease: an in-depth interview study in six tribal-dominated districts of India.

This study reports the extent of sickle cell disease (SCD)-related knowledge and management practices of peripheral health workers located in tribal areas of India. This formative qualitative study used a grounded theory approach and collected data through in-depth interviews. It was implemented in six districts endemic to SCD. From each district, four primary health centre (PHC) areas, predominantly inhabited by tribal communities, were included. The participants were 120 peripheral health workers, in two categories-regular health workers (RHWs) and community health workers (CHWs), working in 24 PHCs. Most of the RHWs and a little lesser number of CHWs were aware of SCD, and most of them knew it as a blood disorder. About half of the health workers reported that SCD is hereditary; however, some attributed it to malnutrition and considered it anaemia. Many health workers could tell some typical symptoms of SCD, including anaemia and severe pain. None of the PHCs offered management/treatment of SCD. And none of the health workers has any expertise in managing SCD patients. However, some health workers dealt with SCD cases and provided symptomatic treatment. Though several health workers said that SCD is preventable, comprehensive knowledge on prevention was lacking. Some health workers mentioned mass screening, counselling, and creating awareness. Thus, this paper reports the inadequacy of SCD-related knowledge and management practices among health workers. Health workers should know their roles and capabilities in managing SCD. They should be provided in-service, regular, and structured training programmes as part of the comprehensive SCD programme.

Critical care nurses' perceptions and practices towards clinical alarms.

Muted or controlled alarms resulting from alarm fatigue have become a threat to patient safety and several institutions are aware of this risk. This study aimed to investigate critical care nurses' perceptions of medical device alarms, alarm fatigue, and alarm management practices. This descriptive study investigated 48 nurses working at two intensive care units (ICUs) within a single university hospital, in South Korea. They were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire about their perception of the ICU medical device alarm, alarm fatigue, and related management practices. The response rate was 100%. Critical care nurses experienced a moderate or higher level of alarm fatigue, scoring 29.1 out of 40. Participants identified the items "Frequent false alarms, which lead to reduced attention or response to alarm when they occur," and "Inadequate staff" as the most important issues for alarm management. The most frequently involved item in alarm management practice was "I only use infusion pumps for drugs that require precise dose." Alarm management practices among the nurses differed significantly according to ICU clinical career and experience of patient safety accidents. This study highlights the need to develop a standardized medical device alarm management protocol that can help identify different alarms correctly and respond to them rapidly and appropriately. It is necessary to reduce alarm fatigue and promote safe and effective alarm management practices among critical care nurses through sufficient education and steady training. Alarm fatigue should also be mitigated by employment of sufficient nursing personnel in ICUs.