Security Staff Research Articles

Job Security as a Determinant of Academic Staff Performance: Evidence from Public Universities in Uganda

In today’s competitive higher education landscape, improving academic staff performance is essential for institutional success. This study investigated the relationship between employee job security and academic staff performance in three key areas: teaching, research, and community engagement at four public universities in Uganda. To understand how job security influences these domains, a cross-sectional survey design was utilised, with a sample of 350 participants selected through stratified random sampling. Data were collected using structured, close-ended questionnaires and analysed with IBM SPSS, employing both descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings indicated that job security has a statistically significant positive effect on academic staff performance across all three areas, with teaching (R = 0.260, R² = 0.067), research (R = 0.312, R² = 0.097), and community engagement (R = 0.278, R² = 0.077) demonstrating modest correlations. As a result, the study rejected the null hypotheses, confirming that improved job security can enhance academic staff performance in these critical domains. However, the modest effect size suggests that job security alone may not lead to substantial performance improvements. Therefore, it is recommended that universities prioritise enhancing job security through clear policies and institutional support measures, including competitive remuneration, comprehensive health insurance, and opportunities for career advancement, while also implementing innovative strategies to foster a stable and supportive working environment that boosts productivity and overall outcomes

SP1.12 - Who should manage recurrent foreign body ingestion? A questionnaire survey

Abstract Aims Recurrent foreign body ingestion (RFBI) associated with complex mental health illness is a common presentation to the emergency department. The aim of this study was to explore senior clinician’s experience and views on decision-making, support offered and management of patients with RFBI. Methods An anonymous survey, with questions on confidence in decision-making, support levels, and opinions on admitting specialty, was distributed to consultants and registrars in emergency medicine, gastroenterology, general surgery, and psychiatry. Results 189 responses with 166 complete surveys. 99% had encountered similar patients. 42% felt comfortable with decision-making. However, 35% felt stressed and 15% would delay or even avoid decision-making. Only 36% felt they received adequate support from legal and higher management teams and 84% were not aware of a management protocol. 60% were not confident in their knowledge of sectioning. 60% did not know when it is appropriate to call the police and 56% believe there is inadequate security staff support. 74% found difficulty referring to other specialties. 49% believe patients should be admitted under psychiatry, 29% believe admission should be under gastroenterology, and 22% believe they should be under surgery. Conclusion The majority of clinicians had encountered patients with RFBI but did not feel comfortable making management decisions for them. There is a lack of support, knowledge, and protocols surrounding management. There is difficulty referring between specialties and uncertainty on appropriate admitting specialty. There is a need for further research and guidance on management of these patients to increase collaborative teamworking and improve patient outcomes.

Response to workplace aggression in forensic and secure mental health services: Investigating staff confidence, associated factors, and training needs.

To evaluate forensic and secure mental health services (FSMHS) staff's confidence in managing workplace aggression, identify associated factors, and explore their workplace aggression prevention training needs. Through an online survey, staff rated their experience of workplace aggression, perceived effectiveness of current training, and confidence in responding to workplace aggression, and described training needs. Stepwise multiple regression was used to identify associated factors with statistical significance. Thematic analysis was used to generate themes describing their training needs. The staff perceived current training as low-to-medium in effectiveness, mirroring their confidence in managing workplace aggression. Nurses experienced more workplace aggression compared to other professions. Staff working at High Security perceived current training as less effective compared to those working at Medium Security or Low Security. Qualitative findings underscored the necessity for improved training content, methods, and supportive strategies. Recommendations for enhancing training include: tailoring training to FSMHS settings; equally focussing on both non-physical and physical intervention techniques; providing more scenario-based hands-on practice opportunities; delivering training in a reasonable trainer-trainee ratio; prioritising nurses and High Security staff and integrating other professions into the training framework; and implementing strategies that support staff, consumers, and environment to ensure training effectiveness and applicability.

The interdependence of caring, safety, and health in correctional settings: Analysis of a survey of security staff in a large county jail system

The health of incarcerated populations is intertwined with the health of security staff, but the social mechanisms, and especially the specific interventions, that might mitigate these health harms are underexplored. We examine one possible mechanism of interrelated health harms: whether and how jail security staff are willing and able to care for mentally ill detainees. We hypothesize that the attitudes of security staff towards care affect the well-being of everyone in a jail setting—staff, as well as detainees. Analyzing 539 anonymous respondent surveys administered to a stratified cluster sample of security staff working in a large U.S. county jail system, we (1) describe the prevalence of a perceived duty to care and availability of caring resources among security staff and (2) analyze whether variations in a duty to care and caring resources predict outcomes associated with staff and detainee well-being. Across five maximum likelihood models estimated, both perceived duty to care and availability of caring resources are significantly associated with collaborative relationships with medical staff, increased perceptions of personal safety, decreased frequency of hostile encounters, and better self-reported health outcomes. Our models explain 20 percent of the variation in self-reported health outcomes (R2 = .20), a meaningful effect of care on security personnel's well-being. Our findings suggest security staff have an often-overlooked duty to care akin to that experienced by healthcare staff. Among healthcare staff, dual loyalty trainings have successfully amplified caring duties relative to security duties; similar trainings for security staff might better leverage their caring duties to improve both staff and detainee well-being.

Nasogastric tube feeding under physical restraint of children and young people with mental disorders: a comprehensive audit and case series across paediatric wards in England

ObjectiveTo estimate the number of patients on paediatric wards in England who received nasogastric tube (NGT) feeding under physical restraint from April 2022 to March 2023, identify the demographics and...

Unmasking Job Satisfaction: Insights from Tribal India’s Nurses amongst the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract Background: Even prior to the pandemic, India’s nursing workforce faced a severe shortage, exacerbating the challenges they now face during the global health crisis. When compared to the WHO norm of 1:300, the lack of trained nurses is much worse, with a nurse-to-population ratio of 1:670. The level of job fulfilment experienced by healthcare workers on the frontlines is closely linked to how well strategies for preventing and managing significant emergencies are put into action and their overall impact. Aims: However, the job satisfaction status of Indian frontline healthcare staff during the fight against COVID-19 remains unexplored, so the present study was conducted to assess the job satisfaction during the pandemic of COVID-19 among the nurses. Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional, quantitative study was conducted for a duration of 1 month among 139 nursing staff currently working at hospital. A survey questionnaire was designed according to relevant guides, which gathered demographic details and job satisfaction using Job Satisfaction Scale (JSS) developed by Spector et al. The nurses were approached individually by investigator and were requested to complete the questionnaire on the same day. The MS Excel spreadsheet was used to enter the collected data. The Chi-square test was performed to find the association between poor JSS score and independent variables. An association was considered significant if the P < 0.05 for all tests (two-tailed) at a 5% level of significance. Results: The mean age for the 139 nursing staff was 27.37 ± 4.193 years. The overall mean score for JSS was 150.75 ± 31.591 and based on median (156 or less) as cut off for the poor JSS, nearly 47.5% of nurses were having poor JSS score. The Chi-square test analysis showed that the nurses of younger age (<25 years), staying at rented house, residing alone, working for more hours daily (6 or more) and having lesser night duties/month (<10 days) were significantly (P < 0.05) associated with the poor overall JSS. Conclusion: The findings of the study might be of great reference value for improving the job satisfaction level of nursing staff during public health emergencies, developing nursing staff security policies, and promoting the establishment of emergency response teams.

Spanish experts consensus on emergency psychiatric care in hospital emergency departments

BackgroundThe demand for urgent psychiatric care is increasing, but in Spain there are no clear recommendations for emergency departments (ED) on how to optimize care for patients with psychiatric emergencies. We aimed to provide expert consensus recommendations on the requirements for general hospitals´ emergency departments to treat patients with urgent psychiatric symptoms.MethodsWe used a modified Delphi technique. A scientific committee compiled 36 statements based on literature search and clinical experience. The statements covered the organizational model, facilities, staffing, safety, patient interventions, and staff training. A panel of 38 psychiatry specialists with expertise in psychiatric emergencies evaluated the questionnaire in two rounds.ResultsAfter two rounds of voting, 30 out of 36 proposed items (83%) were agreed upon. The panel agreed that psychiatric emergencies should be managed in a general hospital, with dedicated facilities for patient assessment, direct supervision of patients at risk, and an observation unit run by the psychiatric service. In addition to the psychiatrist, the ED should have specialist nurses and security staff available 24/7. Social workers should also be readily available. ED and consulting rooms should be designed to ensure patient and staff safety. A triage system should be established for patients with psychiatric symptoms, with medical evaluation preceding psychiatric evaluation. Guidance on supplies, equipment, and staff training is also provided.ConclusionAll ED in general hospitals should have adequate resources to handle any psychiatric emergency. This paper provides recommendations on the minimum requirements to achieve this goal.

USERS’ SATISFACTION WITH INTERCITY BUS TERMINAL QUALITY IN LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA

Globally, efficient intercity public transport relies on well-designed and high-quality terminal facilities and services to enhance accessibility, mobility, and safety for passengers and freight. Despite governmental efforts, bus terminals in Nigerian urban areas are becoming hotspots for unregulated activities and traffic chaos. In response, this study investigates users’ satisfaction with Lagos State's intercity bus terminal quality, analysing socio-economic profiles, satisfaction levels with quality of terminal facilities (QoTF) and services (QoTS), and challenges impacting terminal operations. Using a cross-sectional survey, 200 questionnaires were distributed to terminal users, employing a multistage sampling technique. Descriptive (weighted mean analysis) and inferential (multiple linear regression [MLR] analysis) statistics were employed for data analysis. Results indicate that the majority of respondents are male, aged below 40, and permanent terminal users. Satisfaction is noted with 13 out of 24 parameters of QoTF, with top-ranking parameters including parking space, restaurant facilities, and waste disposal facilities. However, dissatisfaction is expressed with 8 out of 14 parameters of QoTS. Least-satisfied QoTS parameters include staff attitudes, passenger safety, and bus service reliability. Top-rated challenges affecting terminal operations are security concerns, sanitation facility deficiencies and insufficient passenger amenities. MLR analysis indicates a significant influence of terminal facilities on overall service satisfaction (F= 2.899, p= 0.000 <0.05). In conclusion, enhancing both terminal facilities and services is crucial for efficient operations in Lagos State's bus terminals. Recommendations include improving security measures, sanitary infrastructure and staff training to address user concerns and enhance satisfaction.

Making logistics a central core in complex construction projects: a power-dependency analysis

In complex projects, such as hospital constructions, there are large interdependencies between the actors involved, especially relating to the flow of materials and resources. As new hospital buildings are often built on existing blocks and campuses, ongoing hospital operations may hinder logistics and construction operations and vice versa. To handle these issues, it has become increasingly common to implement construction logistics setups (CLSs). The purpose of the paper is to analyse how the centrality of the CLS in the project organization affects the coordination and conflict level in complex construction project management using a power dependency lens. The study is based on case studies of six hospital projects in the Nordic countries. Based on a cross-case analysis it is identified that: 1) from a logistics management perspective we identify three different foci of the CLS; i) security for hospital patients and staff, ii) on-site material flow coordination, and iii) flow coordination to and from site, and 2) from a project management perspective the main findings point towards the importance of centrality of the CLS in the project management organisation in order to ensure enough power to mandate enforcement of coordination.

The Elusive Promise of “Over-the-Horizon” Counterterrorism

Amid criticism on the United States withdrawal from Afghanistan, President Biden described the future of U.S. counterterrorism as “over-the-horizon.” This term is derived from long-distance radar technology. It implies that security forces will be postured outside a conflict. Once intelligence reveals a plot, they will cross international borders, execute a strike, and prevent the attack. This has been tried before. In the 1980s and 1990s, national security staff advocated for periodic strikes and raids against terrorists. They failed. This article explores these failures. It examines declassified sources to understand risk-benefit calculations by the White House and finds that the juxtaposition of perceived risks associated with a single strike weighed against benefits derived from cumulative strikes makes presidents reluctant to approve over-the-horizon operations.

Managerial Factors, School Security as Correlates of Academic Staff Job Effectiveness in Colleges of Education in Niger State, Nigeria

The study examined the managerial factors, school security and academic staff job effectiveness in Colleges of Education in Niger state, Nigeria. The study adopted descriptive research design of the correlational type. The population of the study comprised 926 academic staff in public Colleges of education in Niger state as at year 2024 of carrying out this study. The sample for the study was 615 academic staff selected from 2 Colleges of Education in Niger state, Nigeria. Multistage sampling procedures, involving simple random sampling technique and proportionate random sampling technique were used to select the sample for this study. Two sets of instruments tagged “Managerial Factors School Security Questionnaire (MFSSQ) and Academic Staff job Effectiveness Questionnaire (ASJEQ) were used for the study. The instruments were validated by experts in the field of test and measurement as well as Educational Management that ensured the face and content validity of the instruments. The reliability coefficients of 0.78 were obtained for the MFSSQ and 0.85 for the ASJEQ. The data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. All the hypotheses formulated were tested at 0.05 level of significance. The study revealed that the level of academic staff job effectiveness was high in Colleges of Education in Niger state Nigeria. The study equally revealed that the commonly used managerial factors in the Colleges of Education in Niger state were delegation of duties, committee system and decision-making. There was significant relationship between managerial factors, school security and academic staff job effectiveness in Colleges of Education in Niger state, Nigeria. Also, it was revealed that managerial factors made significance contribution to academic staff job effectiveness in Colleges of Education in Niger state, Nigeria. Based on these findings, the study recommends that the College authorities (Deans and HODs) should sustain the current high level of academic staff job effectiveness through the use of appropriate managerial factors. College authorities should always ensure that college environment that is secured for both lecturers and students for teaching, learning and research activities to take place among others.

Illicit drug use at licensed premises and the potential for prevention: A qualitative interview study of stakeholders.

Background: The aim of this study was to explore how stakeholders perceive illicit drugs at licensed premises, existing and potential prevention interventions, and to identify facilitators and barriers to reduce illicit drugs at these locations. Methods: Semi-structured interviews with police officers, licensed premises owners, security staff and municipality officials (n = 28) in seven counties in middle Sweden were conducted and analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results: The informants reported frequent illicit drug use and dealing at licensed premises, causing a negative influence on the restaurant environment. Efforts to prevent illicit drugs varied with respect to type and intensity but included environmental and situational changes as well as education and training, policy implementation and law enforcement. Facilitators for the reduction of illicit drugs are confidence that sufficient resources are allocated, motivated and skilled stakeholders who see benefits of prevention and collaborate closely, along with visible results. General societal prevention was also seen as important. Identified barriers were perceived drug-positive norms and high availability and use in the society, perceived lack of prioritisation and resources, difficulties to collaborate due to e.g., secrecy between organisations, lack of action among stakeholders due to financial considerations, perceived confusion about roles and mandate, and owner's and staff's fear of threats and violence from criminals or own involvement in crime. Conclusion: To maximise the potential of successful prevention, authorities should support owners of licensed premises to act firmly against illicit drugs by providing training, ensure that they apply a strict policy, work for increased stakeholder collaboration and provide appropriate police resources. Authorities should also investigate criminal activities among owners and staff as well as combat organised crime and availability of illicit drugs in the society.

Making airports attractive workplaces again: Perspective from the private aviation security services

Why is it so difficult to find the right people to work in aviation security jobs and retain them, especially post-COVID-19? And how can we make these jobs attractive (again)? While this paper focuses on security screeners, most of the points can be extrapolated to aviation security staff, and airport staff in general. This paper takes the view that most of the reasons why we are facing staff shortages in airports were already present before the pandemic but were accelerated and amplified by it, with an additional worsening factor due to the unexpectedly quick and steep restart in passenger flights. It discusses the ‘old’ mindset and the fact that it cannot continue to prevail and should be replaced by a more positive, quality-oriented, human-centric one. To substantiate these opinions, the paper uses the findings of a European Union (EU)-funded project on skills and labour shortages intelligence (the INTEL project1) led by the Private Security Social Partners, illustrated by three business cases and various sources of information on best practice in attracting the younger generation.

Improving Privacy and Security: Artificial Intelligence\'s Ability to Detect and Stop Threats with IBM SAAS SIEM

Abstract: Artificial intelligence has become a vital part of cyber security because of its capacity to assess security threats instantly and respond appropriately. AI currently has a greater influence on identifying and thwarting assaults that maintain companies' technological edge. AI's function in cybersecurity focuses primarily on detection and mitigation. Artificial intelligence uses predictive algorithms and sophisticated data analysis to find trends and irregularities in transmitted data and usage that may indicate a potential cyberattack. This enables security staff to react swiftly and proactively to possible assaults. Artificial Intelligence may be employed to stop assaults by using predictive modeling. The findings suggest that further research and development on the integration of machine learning and artificial intelligence into security platforms has a lot of promise. Among the most intriguing applications found are security for networks, detection of malware, and detection of intrusions and response. The poll indicates that 35% of firms intend to implement machine learning and artificial intelligence throughout existing cyber networks, while 45% of companies have already done so.

How Ohio public library systems respond to opioid-related substance use: a descriptive analysis of survey results

BackgroundPublic libraries in the United States have experienced increases in opioid-related substance use in their communities and on their premises. This includes fatal and non-fatal overdose events. Some libraries have adopted response measures in their branches to deter substance use or prevent overdose. A small number of libraries around the nation have decided to stock the opioid antagonist naloxone (Narcan) for staff to administer to patrons who experience overdose. This response measure has generated extensive media attention. Although Ohio ranks fourth in age-adjusted drug mortality rate in the United States, there has been no investigation of whether Ohio libraries are observing opioid-related transactions, consumption, and/or overdose events, or which measures they have adopted in response to these activities. We conducted a multimethod survey with Ohio public library directors to identify the response measures they have adopted. We present descriptive findings from the quantitative and qualitative items in our survey.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional 54-item multimethod survey of public library system directors (one per system) in Ohio. Directors of each of Ohio’s public library systems were invited to participate via email.ResultsOf 251 library systems, 56 responded (22.3% response rate), with 34 respondents (60.7%) indicating awareness of opioid-related transactions, consumption, and/or overdose on their premises. Most (n = 43, 76.8%) did not stock naloxone in their buildings. Over half (n = 34, 60.7%) reported implementing one or more non-naloxone response measures. These measures focus on improving security for staff and patrons, deterring opioid-related transactions (purchases and exchanges) and consumption, and providing educational events on substance use. Nearly half (n = 25, 47.2%) partner with community organizations to provide opioid response measures. A similar proportion reported adequate funding to respond to opioid-related substance use (n = 23, 45.1%), and most (n = 38, 74.5%) reported adequate support from their boards and communities. Few respondents have implemented evaluations of their response measures.ConclusionsOhio public libraries are responding to evidence of opioid-related transactions, consumption, and/or overdose on their premises with a range of measures that focus on substance use prevention and deterrence. Most Ohio library systems do not stock naloxone. Respondents indicated they prefer to call 911 and let first responders handle overdose events. The majority of respondents indicated their library systems have political capacity to respond to evidence of opioid-related substance use on their premises, but have limited operational and functional capacity. Findings suggest the need to revisit assumptions that public libraries are willing to stock naloxone to respond to overdose events, and that libraries have the resources to respond robustly to opioid-related transactions, consumption, and/or overdose on their premises.

The future of hospital at home: a qualitative interview study of healthcare staff.

Hospital at Home (HaH) services are expanding to provide acute multidisciplinary care in an individual's home. In this pilot study, we interviewed HaH staff to understand challenges and opportunities for service development. We conducted 23 semi-structured interviews with multidisciplinary staff working across three HaH services in Scotland. The questions focussed on service strengths and challenges. Four themes emerged: raising referral awareness, service design and efficiency, staff security on home visits, and sustainability. HaH staff described Emergency Department posters, experience days for non-HaH staff, and daily communication of virtual bed capacity to raise awareness for referrals. Ideas for maximising clinician time were prioritised to improve service efficiency and investment in electric vehicles was strongly supported to mitigate climate impact. We found high job satisfaction and engagement amongst HaH staff. Our interviews suggest enthusiasm for further development of HaH while raising important challenges to address during service expansion.

Guarding the Vulnerable: Perceptions of Security and Workplace Violence in Pediatric and Gynecological Care Settings of Karachi

Background: Violence in the workplace against medical professionals is a serious problem, especially in developing nations like Pakistan. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the opinions of medical professionals regarding Karachi's current hospital security protocols and pinpoint opportunities for enhancement.
 Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 414 healthcare providers from public and private hospitals in Karachi, Pakistan was undertaken. The participants' sociodemographic characteristics, encounters with workplace violence, evaluations of hospital security measures, and recommendations for enhancement were all encompassed in the questionnaire. The data were analysed utilising descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multinomial logistic regression.
 Results: A significant proportion of the participants expressed discontentment with security standards, citing insufficient staffing (71.7%), absence of monitoring systems (72.7%), and inadequate access control guidelines (64.7%). A greater frequency of reported workplace violence was substantially correlated with overall dissatisfaction with security (82.3% vs. 58.1%, p < 0.001). The results of multinomial logistic regression showed that being a nurse (OR = 1.73, 95% CI: 1.12-2.68) and being dissatisfied with security measures (OR = 3.21, 95% CI: 1.87-5.52) were independent risk factors for workplace violence. Increasing security staff, improving surveillance systems, and fortifying access control protocols were among the recommendations for improvement.
 Conclusions: Improved hospital security measures are essential to address workplace violence against healthcare providers in Karachi. Implementing the recommended strategies can create a safer work environment and enhance the quality of patient care.
 Keywords: Workplace violence, healthcare providers, hospital security, Karachi, Pakistan, perceptions.

A logging maturity and decision model for the selection of intrusion detection cyber security solutions

Many modern cyber attack techniques cannot be prevented. Logging and monitoring, however, offer a means to at least detect these techniques early, and therefore become increasingly important for defense. Many companies are unfortunately reluctant to invest more in cyber security logging and monitoring or hire additional security staff to operate detective solutions. There is a need for a methodology to pick appropriate cyber security solutions from the vast pool of available products. Our model takes requirements mandated by common standards from ISO, NIST, BSI and the like into account. While standards and guidelines remain at a high abstraction level and are applicable to different organizations over a long period of time, guidance on implementation becomes outdated comparatively quickly. We propose a novel logging maturity and decision model for the selection of the best fitting cyber security solutions for an organization. The novelty is that this model accounts for constraints in the selection process, such as cost, complexity, compliance, and relevance to the organization's assets. We validate the model with MITRE ATT&CK framework data and apply it to illustrative use cases based on our survey.

Toward more ethically oriented humanitarian logistics operations: An exploratory research

Ethical standards in humanitarian logistics have been frequently overlooked in the literature. This research aims to explore the interaction between logistics decisions and ethical standards implementation in the context of humanitarian relief operations. The paper adopts a data triangulation approach to collect and validate the primary and secondary data through a literature review, focus group, and interview. The results revealed that logistics decisions and processes affect the implementation of ethical standards. These decisions are physical distribution, facility location, procurement, outsourcing, deprivation cost analysis, visibility and information flow, supply chain collaboration, staff selection and training, types of relief items, staff security, and localization of logistics activities. This research can provide practitioners with insight into a complete set of ethical standards and inform their understanding of which factors affect their implementation. The novelty of this research comes from combining two disciplines, humanitarian logistics and social work, to compile a complementary list of ethical standards in humanitarian operations. It shows how logistics decisions can affect implementing ethical standards and hence achieving core values of social work.

Best practice guidelines for evaluating patients in custody in the emergency department.

Patients in custody due to arrest or incarceration are a vulnerable population that present a unique ethical and logistical challenge for emergency physicians (EPs). People incarcerated in the United States have a constitutional right to health care. When caring for these patients, EPs must balance their ethical obligations to the patient with security and safety concerns. They should refer to their institutional policy for guidance and their local, state, and federal laws, when applicable. Hospital legal counsel and risk management also can be helpful resources. EPs should communicate early and openly with law enforcement personnel to ensure security and emergency department staff safety is maintained while meeting the patient's medical needs. Physicians should consider the least restrictive restraints necessary to ensure security while allowing for medical evaluation and treatment. They should also protect patient privacy as much as possible within departmental constraints, promote the patient's autonomous medical decision-making, and be mindful of ways that medical information could interact with the legal system.