Sensitization Workshops Research Articles

Community-based palliative care needs and barriers to access among cancer patients in rural north India: a Participatory action research

BackgroundThis paper aimed to explore the palliative care (PC) needs and barriers to access among cancer patients in a rural region of North India with a high cancer burden.MethodsA Participatory action research (PAR) approach was employed. Situational assessment, community sensitization workshops (CSWs) and door-to-door surveys were planned, conducted and developed over three PAR cycles. A parallel convergent mixed-methods approach was adopted wherein the quantitative data from door-to-door surveys and qualitative data from CSWs and investigator field notes were collected and analyzed to provide a comprehensive understanding of PC needs and barriers to access. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were used.ResultsA total of 27 CSWs involving 526 stakeholders were conducted. A total of 256 cancer patients were assessed for PC needs and symptom burden using the Supportive and Palliative Care Indicators (SPICT-4ALL) and the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) tool, respectively. Based on the SPICT assessment, all patients (n = 256) satisfied general and/or cancer-specific indicators for PC. The majority (56.6%) had ≥ one moderate-severe symptom, with the most common symptoms being tiredness, pain and loss of appetite. Analysis of qualitative findings generated three themes: unmet needs, burden of caregiving, and barriers and challenges. Cancer affected all domains of patients’ and their families’ lives, contributing to biopsychosocial suffering. Social stigma, discrimination, sympathizing attitudes and lack of emotional and material support contributed to psychosocial suffering among cancer patients and their caregivers. Lack of awareness, nearby healthcare facilities, transportation, essential medicines, trained manpower and education in PC, collusion, fear of social discrimination, faulty perceptions and misconceptions about cancer made access to PC difficult.ConclusionsThe study emphasize the need for and provide a roadmap for developing context-specific and culturally appropriate CBPC services to address the identified challenges and needs. The findings point towards education of CHWs in PC; improving community awareness about cancer, PC, government support schemes; ensuring an uninterrupted supply of essential medicines; and developing active linkages within the community and with NGOs to address the financial, transportation, educational, vocational and other social needs as some of the strategies to ensure holistic CBPC services.Trial registrationClinical Trial Registry of India (CTRI/2023/04/051357).

Introduction and Effectiveness of Early Clinical Exposure Among Dental Students in Pre-clinical Prosthodontics.

Lack of patient contact in the pre-clinical prosthodontics curriculum makes it difficult for the students to comprehend and correlate the series of complex steps involved in complete denture fabrication. Early clinical exposure in the second year of the undergraduate program will facilitate a smooth transition of dental students from pre-clinics to clinics, thereby helping to mitigate the lacunae existing in the present curriculum. A non-randomized prospective educational interventional study was conducted among 50 second-year dental students. Early clinical exposure in the form of clinical demonstration for complete denture steps of border molding and jaw relation was given subsequent to the completion of didactic and laboratory sessions. Pre- and post-multiple-choice question tests were conducted to explore students' knowledge. Student perception towards early clinical exposure was assessed using a self-administered anonymous questionnaire, while faculty perception was gauged with the help of in-depth interviews. A statistically significant difference was observed when pre- and post-multiple-choice question test mean scores were compared, showing an overall improvement in students' knowledge following early clinical exposure. Students and faculty held a positive perception towards the program and found it to be useful in enhancing the overall learning experience of the students.Faculty expressed their concern regarding limited manpower, paucity of time, and difficulty in integrating early clinical exposure into the present timetable. Early clinical exposure can be integrated into the traditional pre-clinical prosthodontics curriculum with appropriate time and manpower allocation. Faculty sensitization and training workshops need to be conducted before implementing this program.

Medical doctor's perception of artificial intelligence during the COVID-19 era: A mixed methods study.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has led to the development of various opportunities during the COVID-19 pandemic. An abundant number of applications have surfaced responding to the pandemic, while some other applications were futile. The present study aimed to assess the perception and opportunities of AI used during the COVID-19 pandemic and to explore the perception of medical data analysts about the inclusion of AI in medical education. This study adopted a mixed-method research design conducted among medical doctors for the quantitative part while including medical data analysts for the qualitative interview. The study reveals that nearly 64.8% of professionals were working in high COVID-19 patient-load settings and had significantly more acceptance of AI tools compared to others (P < 0.05). The learning barrier like engaging in new skills and working under a non-medical hierarchy led to dissatisfaction among medical data analysts. There was widespread recognition of their work after the COVID-19 pandemic. Notwithstanding that the majority of professionals are aware that public health emergency creates a significant strain on doctors, the majority still have to work in extremely high case load setting to demand solutions. AI applications are still not being integrated into medicine as fast as technology has been advancing. Sensitization workshops can be conducted among specialists to develop interest which will encourage them to identify problem statements in their fields, and along with AI experts, they can create AI-enabled algorithms to address the problems. A lack of educational opportunities about AI in formal medical curriculum was identified.

Knowledge and Perception Regarding Medication Error Among Nurses.

Patient safety is the major concern in providing quality care. Medication errors have been identified as the most common type of preventable errors. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and perception regarding medication error among nurses. A quantitative cross-sectional research design was used. The study was conducted in four different private hospitals in Lalitpur. A total enumerative sampling technique was used to select 302 nurses from these hospitals. Descriptive statistical methods were used to assess socio-demographic variables and inferential statistics methods such as the chi-squared test was used to analyse the association between knowledge, perception, and its socio-demographic characteristics. Most of the respondents 244 (80.8%) agreed the cause of medication error occurs due to unclear handwriting and 217 (71.9%) agreed prescribing the wrong route or dose and time. Mostly respondents 126 (41.7%) had inadequate knowledge, 101 (33.4%) had adequate knowledge and 75 (24.8%) had moderate knowledge on medication error. Mostly respondents 273 (90.4%) had positive perception and 26 (8.6 %) had negative perception. Most of the nurses had inadequate knowledge but has positive perception on medication error. Appropriate strategies for reducing nurses' workload, barriers to reporting, and sensitization workshops in a regular basis by the administrator should be developed to address medication errors and enhance patient safety in hospital settings.

Gender violence in media: A study of Kaduna state media corporation (ksmc)

Gender violence is a global pandemic that has permeated every sector of human life including the media. It is a major public health and human rights problem involving all ages and sexes however, women in media, have taken quite the hit in the form of threats or abuse in connection with their work, as victims of intimidation, sexual harassment, deprivations of liberty or certain rights. As a result, this research investigated gender violence in Kaduna State Media Corporation (KSMC). Amongst others, this study purposes to identify the various forms of gender violence and the causes of gender violence in Kaduna State Media Corporation. Anchored on the feminist theory, the research combines qualitative analysis of relevant literature with primary data collected through in-depth interviews in which 10 participants from both genders, were purposively selected media professionals in Kaduna State Media Corporation. The findings show that gender violence exists in KSMC against women, in very subtle forms of abuse of power, assault, psychological abuse, and discrimination however, they have put in preventive such as sensitization programs and workshops to combat gender violence. The study, therefore recommends that media organizations should try and employ more women in their organizations and also, anyone found assaulting his female colleague should be severely punished, as the workplace ought to be conducive for everyone.

Parenting Styles and Students’ Personality in Public Secondary Schools in Eastern Uganda

The study sought to establish the relationship between parenting styles and students’ personality in public secondary schools in Eastern Uganda. The study used correlational research design. A sample size of 368 students were selected from a target population of 9,143 using simple random sampling technique. A self-designed questionnaire was used for data collection. The content validity index was.83 and the Cronbach alpha coefficient of correlation was found to be 0.82. It was hypothesized that; There is no statistically significant relationship between parenting styles and students’ personality in public secondary schools. The student’s personality traits of extraversion, agreeableness and openness to experience were found to be high and conscientiousness and neuroticism personality trait were moderate. There was a weak and statistically significant relationship between parenting styles and students’ personality among students in public secondary schools (r =.283**, p= &lt; .000). It was recommended that parents adopt the authoritative parenting style as it facilitates good students’ personality traits as they pursue their education endeavours and the school administrators should organize an awareness and sensitization workshops on the influence of the educating families regarding awareness of the parenting styles and students’ personality traits.

Potential role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) mitigation efforts in low- and middle-income countries: A report from India

Antibiotic resistance (ABR) is a global health threat with the potential to cause mortality and morbidity on an unprecedented scale. In the past, civil society organizations (CSOs) have been successful in complementing the efforts of government health systems, thereby shaping the course of various public health programs, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This article reports the outcomes of a CSO sensitization workshop held by one of the regional nodes of ReAct and highlights the perspectives of CSOs on their role in supporting the implementation of national and sub-national action plans for AMR mitigation. CSOs can contribute to (i) redefining the AMR narrative, (ii) generating the data for action and policy change, (iii) advocating for policy change, (iv) promoting research and influencing decisions pertaining to research in AMR, and (v) undertaking behavioral change communication for different target groups, among others. Governments in LMICs could leverage the expertise of CSOs by playing the role of facilitator while ensuring that the interventions align with national priorities and are sustainable. Efforts to ensure diverse funding and capacity building among CSOs should happen in parallel to ensure maximum impact on communities.

Collective Leadership Competencies among Agricultural Researchers in Selected Agricultural Institutes in Oyo State, Nigeria

The study assessed the collective leadership competencies of agricultural researchers in selected agricultural institutes in Oyo state, Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select 177 agricultural researchers for the study. Data were analyzed using, percentages, weighted mean scores, and logit regression analysis. Results showed that 28.4% of the employee daily create and maintain clarity in their professional vision. Also, the result on the compass dimension of employees’ engagement showed that 47.7% invested their time in relationship building. In addition, for the compass dimension on innovation, 63.6% of the employees stated that they nurture creativity and stay open to new ideas. For collective intelligence, 38.0% of the employees revealed daily established structured dialogues that harvest different perspectives. There was a significant relationship between future possibilities (r=0.03*), innovation (r=0.001*), and collective leadership competencies. The agricultural researchers’ collective leadership competencies are very low. Sensitization workshops on collective leadership be organized by relevant institutions for agricultural researchers.

Contemporary Challenges Facing the Niger Delta Region in Nigeria: Areas For Legislative Interventions

The Niger Delta region of Nigeria is home to oil and gas exploration in Nigeria, and thus the mainstay of the economy. It comprises nine states of the Federation with a total population of 42.65 million people. According to the World Bank, oil accounts for 40% of Nigeria’s GDP, 70% of federal government revenues, and 95% foreign exchange earnings. Despite the economic benefit of the region, the adverse effect of oil exploration activities in the region poses socioeconomic challenges for the people. Our analyses identified some of the challenges to include: environmental degradation, high poverty levels, spiraling armed conflicts, poor infrastructure, and widespread unemployment, amongst others. This study discusses the extant legal frameworks aimed at addressing Niger Delta problems, and identified some gaps. Consequently, we proffered recommendations for the consideration of the National Assembly as follows: (1) The National Assembly should utilize its investigative hearing instrument to determine the level of compliance with the Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board Act, 2010, and the Niger Delta Development Commission Act, 2000 in order to ensure that they fulfil their respective mandates. (2) The legislators from the Niger Delta Region should organize sensitization workshop for community leaders and youth groups on the benefit in working together to support NCDMB in realizing the objectives for which it was established, which can reduce the level of unemployment in the region. (3) The legislators from the region should call on the executive to expedite actions on cleaning up of the Ogoni community and other exploration-ravaged communities in the region, to address the problem of environmental degradation. (4) The National Assembly should investigate the activities and operations of JTF through oversight function to curb their excesses. This study concludes that the collaboration of all stakeholders in the Niger Delta region is necessary to accelerate the socioeconomic development of the region.

PRINCIPALS’ INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP ROLE AND LESSON STUDY PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN KAJIADO COUNTY, KENYA

The study investigated principals’ instructional leadership role and lesson study program implementation in public secondary schools in Kajiado County. The objectives were to find out the role the principals played in supervising the implementation of the lesson study program and to find out the role the principals played in promoting collaborative practices when implementing the lesson study program. The study was anchored on Carrier’s instructional leadership model and Vygotsky’s social-cultural theory. A mixed-methods research approach was used with a convergent parallel mixed-methods design. The study’s target population consisted of 95 public secondary schools, 95 principals, and 651 mathematics and science teachers from Kajiado County, with a sample size of 29 principals and 248 mathematics and science teachers. This was achieved using probability and non-probability sampling techniques, which included purposeful, proportionate, and simple random sampling. The collection of data was done using an interview guide for principals and a questionnaire for teachers. A pilot study was conducted in two schools that had characteristics similar to those of the schools that were involved in the study. The research instruments were validated by experts with knowledge of instructional leadership from Tangaza University College and the Catholic University of Eastern Africa. The analysis of quantitative data was done using descriptive statistics, which included frequency distributions and percentages, and were generated using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. The data was presented in the form of bar graphs, pie charts, and frequency tables. Qualitative data was analyzed using a thematic approach and presented using narratives and direct quotes. The findings revealed that secondary school principals carried out supervision throughout the process of lesson study by attending lesson study meetings, observing lessons, and giving feedback. They also discuss challenges encountered by teachers during lesson study implementation, such as limited time, lack of funds, heavy workload, and competing programs. School principals were also found to be supportive in terms of collaborations such as teamwork, peer lesson observation, and team teaching. However, the study found some challenges that face such collaborations which include a lack of clear understanding of lesson study by newly employed teachers as well as uncooperative teachers, especially those with many years of experience. The study concluded that despite the challenges facing lesson study implementation, public secondary school principals in Kajiado County make an effort to supervise lesson study implementation. The study also concluded that secondary school principals promote collaborative practices that support the implementation of lesson study programs. The study recommends that Center for Mathematics Science and Technology Education in Africa (CEMASTEA) organizes training on lesson study for mathematics and science teachers with a teaching experience of less than five years as well as sensitization workshops on lesson study for secondary school principals who are newly employed. Also, the study recommends that the Ministry of Education (MOE) develops a clear policy for lesson study implementation. The study suggests that further research be conducted to investigate lesson study program and students’ academic achievement.&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt; Article visualizations:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="/-counters-/soc/0019/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

LEADER-MEMBER EXCHANGE AND ABUSIVE SUPERVISION AS PREDICTORS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING

This study investigated leader-member exchange (LMX) and abusive supervision (AbS) as predictors of psychological well-being (PWB) among bankers. Participants were 299 bank employees consisting of hundred and thirty (130) males (40.5%) and one hundred and sixty-nine (169) female (59.5%). Their ages ranged from 26-54years with a mean age of 40.5 and a standard deviation of 8.51. The study adopted correlation design and multiple regression statistics to analyze the data from structured questionnaires administered to 320 bankers selected from randomly selected banks in Awka South Local Government Area. Psychological well-being scale, Leader-member exchange scale, and Abusive supervision scale were used as instruments for data collection. Three hypotheses were tested anchored on psychodynamic theory to explain the relationship among variables under study. The results revealed that the first hypothesis confirmed LMX significantly predicted PWB at R2 = .156 (15.6%), F (16.41) = .001 p&amp;lt;.05. The second hypothesis confirmed that AbS which significantly predicted PWB at R2 = .156 (15.6%), F (16.41) = .001 p&amp;lt;.05. The third hypothesis revealed that LMX and AbS jointly predicted PWB. The study recommends that both private sector and public sector organizations should take proactive organizational measures to reduce the abusive supervision and embark on sensitization workshops to enlighten management on the dangers of the menace.

The driving factors facilitating non-medical use of tramadol: a qualitative study of Nigerian youths

Background: The paper explores the opinions of Nigerian youth regarding their reasons behind the use of tramadol for non-medical purposes and learns their preferences in choosing tramadol. Methods: We conducted In-depth Interviews (IDIs) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) among students in secondary schools, tertiary schools and out-of-school youths in Lagos, Ekiti, Edo and Delta states in Nigeria. A total of 20 IDIs and 6 FGDs were conducted among 92 Nigerian youths of age 15 – 25 years. Data was also complemented from school reports, participants’ feedback from youth drug abuse sensitization workshops and desk reviews. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis to describe emerging themes. Results: The sex distribution of the participants was 60.1% males and 39.1% females. The main findings for non-medical use of tramadol among the youths were; to enhance sexual excitement (prolong ejaculation), to feel less hungry (reduce the desire for and food) to sustain hard labor (reduce pain, withstand prolong manual labor). The respondents also revealed that tramadol in combination with other substances will give them a euphoric effect. However, many of youths are ignorant of the risk of the non-medical use of tramadol. Conclusion: Tramadol abuse has become widespread in the Nigerian environment among the youths. The findings from this study revealed that the choice of tramadol use for non-medical purposes is a result of different effects discovered in the use which could pose potential harm to the abuser. Therefore, public health approaches should be adopted in preventing the abuse of tramadol among the youth.

Relational practices and performance contracts in public organizations in Kenya: A case of Kenya revenue authority

Kenya adopted Performance Contracts as a tool not only to improve performance but also torefocus the mindset of the civil service from looking within to focusing on customers andresults. The push factor for introduction of performance contracts in Kenya is the assumptionthat institution of performance measurements, customer orientation and an increased focustowards incremental productivity and cost reduction can lead to improvements in servicedelivery. The purpose of this research was to examine the performance contracts applicationat the Kenya Revenue Authority as well as the efficacy of the instrument in improvingperformance. The main objective was to determine the influence of Performance Contractingprocesses on performance management. The study adopted descriptive design and targeted120 employees of the organization who were based in the Head office; stratified samplingmethod was used.Data was collected using a questionnaire which contained both structuredand unstructured questions. The data was analyzed by descriptive statistics such as mean andstandard deviation. Inferential statistics such as regression was also carried out. The dataanalysis process was aided through a Statistical Package of Social Sciences. The data waspresented using tables and graphs. The study found out that performance contract had helpedimprove service delivery in KRA and that majority of the employees had participated intraining/ sensitization workshop on performance contracting. However there was no clarity inunderstanding how training needs for individual employees were arrived at.&#x0D; The study also established that majority of the employees were not involved in the process ofperformance targets setting. The study concludes that KRA did not involve the employees inall stages of drawing work plans and this led to drawing targets that were not in line withindividual roles. It was also concluded that the follow up by the top management on theimplementation of the set targets was not extensive. The study recommends that theorganizations should establish and adopt performance contract system that provideopportunities to the management in identifying staff training needs, identify performancetargets, and improve employees‘ performance. There is also need for increased training andsensitization programmes and increased involvement of all the employees in the processperformance contracting.

Sensitizing first-year medical undergraduate students to principles of leadership

Introduction: Literature on implementation leadership program in undergraduate (UG) medical education is lacking in the Asian continent. We aim to describe our experience in sensitizing the 1st year undergraduate medical students (UGMS) toward the principles of leadership in a medical institution. Materials and Methods: Each year, one hundred 1st year UGMS were sensitized towards leadership principles and core domains through interactive sessions, focus group discussions, and short lectures. The students were asked to reflect on the sessions' activities as well as their follow-up usefulness in their day-to-day activities through a structured questionnaire shared through Google forms. Results: A high proportion (75%) of students reported an improved perception or knowledge toward leadership principles and practices. Leadership attributes such as team building, decision making, confidence building, motivation, and managing crisis were reported to be very useful by 77.8%, 74.1%, 69.1%, 64.2%, and 61.7% of students, respectively. On follow-up, students described this sensitization exercise to be useful in their academic (16/52, 30.76%), organizational (10/52, 19.2%), sports (6/52, 11.53%), short-term research (4/52, 7.7%) activities, and editorial responsibilities (3/52, 5.7%). Conclusion: The leadership sensitization workshop helps students adjust to the medical school's environment; and this may be incorporated in the UG curriculum to strengthen students' leadership potential. The following core competencies are addressed in this article: Systems-based practice, Interpersonal and communication skills, Professionalism.

Analysing farmers’ learning for socio-ecological stewardship in Eastern Uganda: A transformative learning ecology perspective

This paper analyses how smallholder farmers are learning for socio-ecological stewardship in a specific case study context in Eastern Uganda. The case under analysis is a watershed management project that uses an integrated farm planning (PIP) approach to strengthen farmers’ stewardship capacities within the Manafwa watershed through interactive and dialogic ways of engaging and teaching farmers. Utilizing a transformative learning ecology (TLE) perspective, this study investigated features of the PIP approach that support transformative learning for socio-ecological stewardship in a rural context. Data was collected by interviewing eighteen farmers from different villages and PIP generations and all three PIP trainers of the project, and by observing training sessions as well as sensitisation workshops. As a main result, the study yielded new insights that can help enhance PIP-like learning configurations consisting of interconnected learning tenets, dimensions and processes. This enhanced learning configurating comprises an organic learning system that facilitates farmers to change their mindsets and redefine their values, perspectives, routines, and practices towards those that encourage socio-ecological stewardship. The TLE fostered by the PIP approach represents a useful heuristic that can guide and inspire both scholars and educators engaged in processes of cultivating socio-ecological stewardship in similar contexts.

Evaluating Enrollee Perceived Benefit of the Contributory Scheme Post Implementation in Katsina State Contributory Scheme North-West of Nigeria

Background: The Katsina State Contributory Health Care Management Agency (KTSCHMA) is visualized as one of the single most powerful social security interventions in the State’s effort geared toward the attainment of Universal Health Coverage (UHC). The Agency is designed to provide a cost-effective comprehensive healthcare delivery system for employees of formal sectors, self-employed, poor, and vulnerable groups. This study was conducted to assess the perceived benefit, problems and suggested ways of improving the scheme among civil servants in Katsina state, Nigeria. Methods: The study was a cross-sectional study conducted among 393 state civil servants. Participants were selected using a multistage sampling technique and data was obtained using a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 2.5 to obtain frequencies, means, and standard deviation. Results: The majority 53.8% of the respondents had reported reduced out-of-pocket expenditure as the major perceived benefit of the scheme, 20.9% easy access to healthcare service delivery, 13.2% availability of quality drugs, 9.3% affordable healthcare delivery, 2.6% short waiting time and 0.2% reported the benefit of the scheme is to achieve universal health coverage. Regarding the scheme perceived problems, almost half 50.5% of the respondents indicated the unavailability of most prescribed drugs as the main problem, and the majority 54.4% reported regular monitoring of the scheme operations by the Agency as the main way of improving the scheme. Conclusions: Reducing out-of-pocket expenditure and easy access to qualitative healthcare service delivery is the main enrollee perceived benefit of the scheme and the finding in this study show the high level of out-of-stock of prescribed drugs. Major suggestions proffered by enrolees for improving the scheme covered were regular monitoring of Healthcare Providers, provision of drugs and consumables, sensitization workshops on the modus operandi of the scheme, prompt response to enrollee complaints, and continuous review of the policy.

Attitude and perceptions of the faculty toward use of LMS in a tertiary medical college: An interventional study.

E-learning has become a new technique of instructional strategy during the current instructional era where we are surrounded with the uncertainty of pandemic outbreak and unrest in the educational system. To analyze and modulate the attitude and perception of the faculty towards the use of the Learning Management System for teaching and learning. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 112 faculty members of Symbiosis Medical College for Women Pune. An elaborated research tool was designed to measure the attitudes and perception of the faculty members toward the use of the learning management system in teaching. The research tool was administered before and after the LMS sensitization workshop to all the participants. Workshop was planned to sensitize faculty regarding MOODLE (E-learning platform). Statically, significant change in the mindset of the faculty members was found after sensitization workshop regarding incorporating LMS as an instructional method. Statistically, significant variations were found in the attitude toward using LMS based on gender variation, (0.021, F = 5341), experience (0.033, F = 0.189), and discipline (0.052, F = 0.233). Based on the themes derived from responses faculty felt that training and sensitization will help them to use LMS more effectively. Use of blended learning strategies are need of an hour, there are lot of problems which can be faced by the faculty members while incorporating use of LMS in their routine teaching process. Training sessions for implementing any e-learning platform should be done on priority basis to increase its use more effectively.

Adult Education and Community Development as Strategies for Mitigating the Challenges of Family Life Education in Rivers State

Adult Education and Community Development compliments each other in the bid to ameliorate and alleviate the living conditions of people. In developing countries where many people are living in rural communities, they are veritable instruments par excellence for tackling illiteracy, ignorance and diseases. To this end, the collaboration of government agencies, non-government organizations, communities and community-based organizations toward development programmes is therefore inevitable. This paper examined the concept of adult education, community development, family life and their complimentary roles. It also looked at some programmes capable of stimulating and sustaining family life education. The paper recommended amongst others that, there should be full and active participation of family members and in extension community members in planning and execution of adult education programmes that will improve family life education and that Government at all levels should periodically organize adult education programmes and sensitization workshops for her citizens. It concluded that adult education and community development as strategies for mitigating the challenges of family life education can only be achieved when a deliberate attempt from community members to work together in order to guide the future of their communities and the design of a corresponding set of methods for assisting members of the community in such a process as to enhance their well-being and aspirations.

Social and structural determinants of health associated with police violence victimization: A latent class analysis of female sex workers who use drugs in Kazakhstan.

Punitive legal environments remain a challenge to HIV prevention efforts in Central Asia, and female sex workers who use drugs are vulnerable to police violence. Little is known about the heterogeneity of police violence against female sex workers who use drugs and factors associated with HIV risk in Central Asia, despite the growing HIV epidemic. We recruited a community-based sample of 255 female sex workers who use drugs in Almaty, Kazakhstan between February 2015 and May 2017. We used latent class analysis to differentiate women into distinct classes of police violence victimization, and multinomial logistic regression to identify individual-level health outcomes, HIV risk behaviors, and social and structural factors within the risk environment associated with class membership. A three-class model emerged: Low Victimization (51%), Discrimination and Extortion (15%), and Poly-Victimization (34%). Relative to Low Victimization, factors associated with Poly-Victimization included being positive for HIV and/or sexually-transmitted infections (STI) (aOR: 1.78 (95% CI: 1.01, 3.14)), prior tuberculosis diagnosis (2.73 (1.15, 6.50)), injection drug use (IDU) (2.00 (1.12, 3.58)), greater number of unsafe IDU behaviors (1.21 (1.08, 1.35)), homelessness (1.92 (1.06, 3.48)), greater drug use (1.22 (1.07, 1.39)) and sex work stigma (1.23 (1.06, 1.43)), greater number of sex work clients (2.40 (1.33, 4.31)), working for a boss/pimp (2.74 (1.16, 6.50)), client violence (2.99 (1.65, 5.42)), economic incentives for condomless sex (2.77 (1.42, 5.41)), accessing needle/syringe exchange programs (3.47 (1.42, 8.50)), recent arrest (2.99 (1.36, 6.55)) and detention (2.93 (1.62, 5.30)), and negative police perceptions (8.28 (4.20, 16.3)). Compared to Low Violence, Discrimination and Extortion was associated with lower odds of experiencing intimate partner violence (aOR= 0.26 (0.12, 0.59)), but no other significant associations with the risk environment upon adjusting for socio-demographic characteristics. Police violence against female sex workers who use drugs is pervasive in Kazakhstan. Patterns of police violence vary, with greater HIV susceptibility associated with a higher probability of experiencing multiple forms of police violence. Police sensitization workshops that integrate policing and harm reduction, and drug policy reforms that decriminalize drug use may help mitigate the HIV epidemic in Kazakhstan.

The Contribution of Community Forestry on Livelihood Improvement and Environmental Protection in Cameroon

The sustainable management of community forests in Cameroon is a success story for the achievement of Community-Based natural Resources Management (CBNRM). This approach empowers local communities to take the lead on natural resources management, giving them a sense of responsibility and ownership. This study was carried out in three community forest (Woteva, Bakingili and Bimbia-Bonadikombo community forests) in Fako Division, South West Region of Cameroon. The aim of this research was to verify the contribution of community forestry to the wellbeing of the local population, and how it enhances the conservation of biodiversity. In this study, 135 (45.8%) of the 295 respondents were from Bimbia-Bonadikombo, 109 (36.9%) from Bakingili and 51 (17.3%) from Woteva. From this total, 155 (52.5%) were female and the rest (140 or 47.5%) were male. 89.4% of the population use the forests for fuelwood collection, 25.7% for timber exploitation, 40% for farming, and 41.3% for non-timber forest products (NTFPs) harvesting. Interestingly, only 17.9% of the respondents reported an increase in community members income under community forestry, 53.9% perceived no change especially as not everyone in the community is committed to community forestry. However, an improved adoption of sustainable exploitation practices was noted, and this can be explained by the numerous sensitization and training workshops and field demonstration carried out by the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife through the Programme for the Sustainable Management of Natural Resources-Southwest (PSMNR-SW), as well as Mount Cameroon prunus africana Association (MOCAP).