Service Units Research Articles

Polish Firefighters' Participation in Interventions Related to Behavioral Disorders in the 2020-2022 Period: An Observation of Incidents.

Rescue service interventions for patients with behavioral disorders are quite common. The aim of this study is to analyze interventions of Polish State Fire Service units in incidents involving health threats to victims with behavioral disorders. This study used data from the Decision Support System of the State Fire Service. Events in the period of 1 January 2020 at 00.00-31 December 2022 at 23:59 were used for analysis. In the 2020-2022 period, firefighters were dispatched 321 times to interventions concerning injured individuals with behavioral disorders. Isolated emergency medical incidents most often concerned mental disorders (23%) and least often concerned suicide attempts (8%) (p = 0.033). It was shown that the duration of the intervention (emergency care time) was significantly longer in the case of interventions related to the autumn period (p < 0.001). Our results describe parameters associated with behavioral health responses within the Polish fire service.

Effectiveness of the National Health Insurance (JKN) Mobile Application in Improving Health BPJS Services at Puskesmas Medan Tuntungan

The influence of digitalization and the rapid development of technology is widely used in all aspects of life in society including in the field of health services. The health center as one of the health service units that spearheads public health services often faces challenges in providing effective and efficient services. The research method used in this research is descriptive qualitative. Based on data from the Medan Tuntungan Health Center, until June 2024 the number of BPJS health membership was 24,309 people. Furthermore, the number of people who registered JKN Mobile Application accounts in May 2024 was 14 people. The effectiveness of JKN mobile at the Tuntungan Health Center based on the results of research with health workers and the community who are also JKN Mobile user patients is still less than optimal in providing training to the field by BPJS officers who are responsible for this.

Parental Support in Psychological Rehabilitation of Child Victims of Sexual Violence: A Qualitative Study

Background: Sexual violence was the most common, Data from the Regional Technical Services Unit for the Protection of Women and Children (UPTD PPA) of Jember Regency showed that there were 75 cases of sexual violence against children in 2022 and 73 cases of sexual violence against children in 2023. This research aimed to analyse aspects of parental social support in the psychological rehabilitation of child victims of sexual violence in the Jember Regency. Methods: This research was qualitative research with a case study approach. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 3 main informants, which are parents of child victims of sexual violence with the age criteria of 7-18 years, 2 additional informants, which are family members or closest people from the victim's parents and 1 key informant, which the Regional Technical Services Unit for the Protection of Women and Children (UPTD PPA) of Jember Regency. Informants of this research are based on the willingness of informants to be interviewed in accordance with an ethical review of the confidentiality of informant information. Results: The results showed that parents had provided emotional support to child victims of sexual violence by reporting to the police; providing affection, instrumental support by fulfilling daily needs, informative support by giving advice to children, and providing appreciation support by accepting the child's condition, providing support to children to undergo rehabilitation so as not to experience prolonged trauma. Conclusion: Providing aspects of parental social support has been given to their children who are victims of sexual violence.

Evaluation of Reactor Laboratory Internet Services of Kartini Reactor Based on Regulation of the Minister of PANRB Number 14 of 2017

Kartini Reactor is one of Indonesia's research reactors that is used to learn nuclear technology. One of its services is the Internet Reactor Laboratory (IRL) with online Synchronous Learning-based implementation. To fulfill laws and regulations related to public services, meet the targets of BRIN agency work units, and evaluate to achieve excellent service, a survey is needed to assess the quality of IRL services in a Community Satisfaction Index (IKM) and Community Satisfaction Survey (SKM) using the guidelines of the Minister of PANRB Regulation Number 14 of 2017. The data collection method uses an e-questionnaire distributed to service users, which is then analyzed quantitatively. At the same time, the follow-up improvements use qualitative methods with interviews and observations. The survey results are used to evaluate and improve services to provide excellent service and fulfill community expectations and demands. The results of the quantitative analysis obtained that the results of the service IKM were 3.50 (maximum scale 4.00), and the service SKM value was 87.48 (maximum scale 100), which is included in the category of service quality B, which indicates the performance of the service unit is Good. As a further evaluation for service improvement, three service element values with the lowest values were taken: the system, mechanism, and procedure elements, service time elements, and service product specification elements. The practicum module will be classified based on the difficulty level of the system, mechanism, and procedure. In the service time element, the instructor will start and end the practicum on time, the Zoom admin will act as a time monitor, and students are directed to be present 5 minutes before the practicum. In the service specification product element, untidy practicum modules and unclear PowerPoint visualizations will be improved through synchronization of semester learning plans (RPS) with universities, adjustment of modules according to learning outcomes, standardization of visualization, and instructor training. Keywords: Internet Reactor Laboratory (IRL), Community Satisfaction Index (CSI), Community Satisfaction Survey (CSS), evaluation of practicum services

Bee Habitat, but Not Bee Community Structure, Varies Across Grassland Management in Four National Parks in the Mid-Atlantic, USA.

National Park Service units in the United States play a large role in providing habitat for native pollinators. In parks that are established to preserve cultural landscapes, park managers recognize an opportunity to improve pollinator habitat while maintaining historically accurate conditions. In this study, we document floral resources and native bees within managed park grasslands, with the goal of providing information to managers to help them maximize pollinator habitat while meeting other management objectives. The study was performed on 37 grassland properties in the mid-Atlantic region of the eastern United States, distributed across four parks; each property was managed with one of three management types: cool-season hayed, cool-season pasture, or warm-season meadows managed with multiple approaches. We surveyed bees and open flowers on 50-m transects twice each year in 2021 and 2022. Repeated-measures ANOVA models revealed that mean bee abundance, richness, evenness, and diversity did not vary among sites or management types. This finding was further supported by a principal coordinates analysis that showed that bee community composition was similar across management types. Nonetheless, we found evidence to indicate that the three management types did not produce equivalent habitat for bees. Species accumulation curves showed that the effective number of flower species was consistently lower in cool-season pastures, relative to the other two management types. Furthermore, we detected positive correlations between bee and flower diversity metrics in one of the 2 years, indicating that floral metrics are associated with bee communities, at least under certain conditions. Collectively, our study suggests that cool-season fields that are hayed and warm-season meadows have higher floral diversity than cool-season pastures within national park units of the mid-Atlantic region, and this higher diversity of forbs has the potential to benefit native bee diversity.

Analysis of Hemodialysis Service Unit Development in Sri Pamela Hospital Tebing Tinggi

Analysis of Hemodialysis Service Unit Development in Sri Pamela Hospital Tebing Tinggi

Age and serum Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) levels as predictors of time to return of menses after chemotherapy.

Chemotherapeutic agents result in the loss of growing follicles, which can manifest as amenorrhoea. Alkylating chemotherapy (AC) is known to be more gonadotoxic than non-alkylating chemotherapy (NAC). Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH), an indirect marker of ovarian reserve, and age have been investigated as predictors of ovarian function after chemotherapy, however little is known about the time to return of menses. This study aimed to assess how patient age and baseline serum AMH levels at cancer diagnosis affect the time to return of menses post-chemotherapy. This retrospective cohort study examined oncology patients (n=67) who underwent chemotherapy and were treated through the Reproductive Services Unit of two institutions in Melbourne, Australia. Primary outcomes included correlation between age and baseline AMH with time to return of menses after chemotherapy. Secondary outcomes include the change in AMH levels at 6- and 12-months post-completion of chemotherapy. Pairwise correlation of pre-chemotherapy AMH level and time to return of menses demonstrated statistical significance (Spearman's coefficient, ρ = -0.40) for patients who underwent AC. This analysis in breast cancer patients who underwent AC displayed a negative correlation, however, was not statistically significant. No association was found between age and time to return of menses for all cancer (NAC or AC) or breast cancer patients who underwent AC. Higher AMH level prior to AC was associated with an earlier return of menses after chemotherapy. Age at the commencement of chemotherapy was not associated with return of menses. Further prospective research is required to assess post-chemotherapy recovery of AMH.

ANALYSIS OF THE ISLAMIC BUSINESS ETHICS APPLICATION AND ITS URGENCY IN BUSINESS UNITS OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION

This research aims to analyze the application of Islamic business ethics in community organization business units and their urgency for the continuity of these business units, based on the perceptions of the actors and consumers, by taking case studies of business units within the DPP Wahdah Islamiyah in Makassar City. This research is field research using descriptive statistical analysis techniques. The research results show that Islamic business ethics, in the form of monotheism, justice, trust, and benevolence, have generally been applied to business units within the Wahdah Islamiyah DPP in Makassar City. Apart from that, the Islamic business ethics that have been implemented have great urgency in the management and service of business units, including as a factor that can bring blessings, create a work environment that is fair, inclusive, dignified, and in accordance with Islamic law, increase customer trust, and other parties so as to provide benefits to the company, improve, and provide excellent service to all parties because these ethics can support business management in accordance with company service guidelines, SOPs, and agreed rules. Keywords: Ethics, Business, Islam, Wahdah Islamiyah

HUBUNGAN DEPRESI DENGAN INSOMNIA PADA LANSIA DI UPT PELAYANAN SOSIAL TRESNA WERDHA (PSTW) JEMBER

Depression is a common mental disorder characterized by symptoms such as feelings of sadness, loss of pleasure or interest, guilt, or low self-worth. Depression can occur acutely or chronically, leading to disruptions in an individual's daily activities. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between depression and insomnia among the elderly at the Social Services Unit for Elderly (UPT Pelayanan Sosial Tresna Werdha, PSTW) in Jember. This study employed a correlational research design with a Cross-Sectional approach. The sampling technique utilized purposive sampling. Data collection was conducted using a questionnaire. The study found that the majority of elderly individuals experienced depression, 38 (56.7%), and the majority experienced insomnia, 57 (85.7%). Statistical tests showed a p-value of 0.020 &lt; 0.05 using Pearson Correlation test. These results indicate that the alternative hypothesis (H1) is accepted with a correlation coefficient (r) = 0.873, indicating a significant relationship between depression and insomnia at the Social Services Unit for Elderly (UPT Pelayanan Sosial Tresna Werdha, PSTW) in Jember. Healthcare professionals, especially nurses, can help provide education on how to manage depression in the elderly.

The specialization/collaboration paradox: Investigating specialization within child welfare as a barrier to collaboration

Abstract Existing research highlights the trend of organizing social services into specialized units, addressing specific areas such as child welfare. Further specialization within child welfare extends to target groups (youth vs child) and work task dimensions. The literature remains inconclusive about whether specialization enhances or hinders social work practice. Potential drawbacks of specialization, like gaps between services and a lack of a holistic view, are assumed to increase the need for collaboration. However, specialization might impede collaboration due to profession-specific tensions, such as differing cultures or turf issues. Empirical findings suggest challenges in collaboration both within and between specialized organizations. This study explores how various specializations in child welfare relate to social workers’ perceptions of collaboration within their workgroup, between different social service units, and with external organizations, considering factors like work demand, time spent with clients, and work experience. Analysing survey data from 2003 to 2018 with 895 social workers in Stockholm County, the present study uses generalized estimating equations to address clustering within organizations. The findings indicate a potential positive association between target group specialization and perceived collaboration functionality within the workgroup and with external organizations, challenging assumptions that specialization hinders collaboration and suggesting that target group specialization could facilitate collaboration.

The Effect of Procurement Contract Monitoring on Performance of Gicumbi District, Rwanda

The study evaluated the effect of procurement contract monitoring on performance of Gicumbi District in Rwanda. Gicumbi District, forming part of the Northern Province, is composed of 21 sectors. These sectors further divide into 109 cells and 630 villages. Positioned in the eastern region of the Northern Province, its geographical boundaries are adjacent to Burera district in the North, Nyagatare, Rwamagana, and Gatsibo in the East, Rwamagana and Gasabo in the South, and Gasabo Burera and Rulindo in the West. This study used Stakeholder Theory. The researcher conducted both descriptive and correlational studies. The population of this study was 127 people including Executive committee, Finance unity, administrative unit and Human Resources, Procurement Unit, Planning Unit, Agriculture and Natural resources Unit, Bureau of District Engineers (BDE) Unit, Good governance unit, social unity, One stop Center Unit, Health unit, Executive Secretary and Corporate services and Contractors of Gicumbi District. The study used a census inquiry method instead of sampling. This decision is based on the small size of the target population. Therefore, data were collected from every single individual or unit within the entire target population of 127. The researcher relied on document analysis and questionnaires to collect data. The statistical analysis of the collected data was conducted using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) which is a widely used tool for statistical computation in research. The researcher employed descriptive and correlational analysis in this approach. Descriptive and correlational research designs were used. Model Summary indicates a robust positive relationship, where effective contract monitoring is likely to enhance overall performance outcomes. The R Square value of 0.687 means that approximately 68.7% of the variance in performance explained by procurement contract monitoring activities. More crucially, the coefficient for procurement contract monitoring is 0.849, indicating a strong effect every one-unit increase in contract monitoring is associated with an increase of 0.849 units in performance. The t-value of 15.804 with a p-value of .000 further establishes the significance of this predictor, indicating clear evidence that enhanced contract monitoring is essential for improving performance of Gicumbi District. The significance level (Sig.) of 0.000 confirms that the procurement contract monitoring on performance of Gicumbi District in Rwanda is statistically significant. It is recommended that Gicumbi District conduct regular evaluation meetings with all stakeholders involved in contract execution, promoting accountability and enabling timely identification and resolution of any issues that arise.

Integration of family planning into the primary health care in Ethiopia: results from national assessment

BackgroundFamily planning (FP) is part of Ethiopia’s essential health service package. However, integrating FP into other health care services is a relatively new concept. Integrated service can minimize missed opportunities and allow health workers to provide FP services and Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent, and Nutrition (RMNCAH-N) services simultaneously. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess the levels of FP integration into maternal and child health (MCH) services at primary health care service delivery units in Ethiopia.MethodsThis was a facility-based cross-sectional study conducted from July to October 2022. We conducted a nationally representative survey of primary health care (PHC) facilities selected from seven regions and two-city administrations in Ethiopia to assess the current level of FP integration across four service delivery units (antenatal care unit, postnatal care unit, post-abortion care unit, and immunization unit) of the facilities. We collected data from selected health facilities through interview with health facility managers, healthcare providers in the selected service units, clients seeking health services, and extraction of data from facility records. We employed descriptive analysis, and categorized the degree of FP integration according to the FP information and services provided in the selected service delivery units.ResultsThis national FP integration survey included 122 health facilities (39 primary hospitals, 42 health centers, and 41 health posts) from seven regions and two city administrations. The study found a huge discrepancy regarding FP counselling given at ANC, PNC, PAC, and immunization service delivery units as reported by health care providers and clients. The proportion of PNC and immunization clients who received FP counselling was higher at health post compared to hospitals and health centers. Moreover, the proportion of PAC clients who received FP information was higher in primary hospitals compared to health centers.ConclusionData from facility records and provider interviews showed significant FP integration within ANC, PNC, and immunization units of PHC facilities. However, client exit interviews indicated low FP counselling integration. Facility records revealed few PNC and PAC clients received contraceptives in the past year. The study found high FP counselling and provision of at least one short- or long-acting contraceptive at PNC and PAC units. No facility offered contraceptives at immunization units, indicating missed FP integration opportunities.

Field determination of trace concentrations of hazardous metals in waters by portable EDXRF.

A new effective method has been developed for field determination of trace concentrations of cadmium, arsenic, zinc, copper, nickel, chromium, and lead in waters (e.g., surface and wastewater) using an energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) analyzer. Trace concentrations cannot be determined by EDXRF without preconcentration. Agar was used for the preconcentration of these potentially toxic elements (PTE). Metals are trapped in the three-dimensional network of agar gel. Subsequent swelling of the gel leads to more effective preconcentration. The swollen gels with PTE were analyzed by a portable energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence analyzer Delta Professional X (pXRF). The preconcentration factors for each PTE were determined. With pXRF, the detection limits were 7, 5, 6, 7, 9, 47, and 22 µg/L for Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb, respectively. A reference material was used to assess the methodology performance, and it has a very good agreement. The optimized and verified methodology was tested in practice at the special chemical unit of the Fire Rescue Service of the Czech Republic. PTE were determined by pXRF in a mobile chemical laboratory in field analysis. The measured values were compared with those determined via inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and were in good agreement. Our method was applied to real wastewater samples collected during after a fire of accumulation batteries of domestic photovoltaic power plants, allowing accurate real-time estimation of PTE concentrations. Obtaining reliable data during an ecological accident has a very important role in minimizing the subsequent environmental impact of the accident.

Supervision in Inclusive Islamic Early Childhood Education: Strategies Approach for an Integrated Program

The implementation of supervision in the field of education does not only focus on evaluation or assessment of weaknesses but rather on efforts to improve the quality of education. Supervision in early childhood education that implements inclusive programs needs to be continuously developed to adjust to the learning environment in schools. This study aims to describe the strategy for developing inclusive education supervision in integrated one-roof Islamic early childhood education institutions in Pati Regency. This study uses a qualitative method with a case study approach. The source of research data was obtained from informants of three school principals from each early childhood education service unit, namely TPA, KB, and TK. Data collection techniques include observation, interviews, and documentation. The data analysis process is carried out inductively by detailing empirical facts through direct activities in the field. The results of the study indicate that in integrated Islamic-based inclusive early childhood education institutions, educational supervision and coaching programs have been implemented by all teachers and school education personnel. The strategy for developing educational supervision that can be applied forms a solid foundation for optimizing inclusive learning practices. These strategies include an in-depth understanding of inclusion, teacher involvement and training, development of inclusive learning plans, utilization of resources, and continuous monitoring and evaluation. Overall, these findings continue to emphasize the inclusion program promoted by the institution.

Analysis of Planning for Health Workforce Needs at Lasinrang Pinrang Regional General Hospital

Hospital is a health service unit as a place where hospital personnel perform their main tasks and functions. Integration between hospitals and health workers is closely related in terms of health services. How the face of the hospital depends on the quality of its health workers. This research is descriptive research. Research location at the Health Service Office of Lasinrang Pinrang Regional General Hospital. The study was conducted from May 7, 2021 to July 7, 2021. The population in this study were all health workers at the Health Service Office of the Lasinrang Pinrang Regional General Hospital with a sample size of 22 respondents. The results of the study indicate that the Inventory of new health workforce resources is limited to the type and number, while others are not yet such as the skills and abilities of each existing health worker. The forecast of health workforce resources that has been carried out is only informal and immediate, and this is not a systematic planning effort. The suggestion in this research is that there needs to be team work or specialist planning staff or a section/department in the organizational structure. which deals with human resource planning and development and the need for the formulation of strategic plans to serve as a basis/reference for planning health workforce resources.

Evaluating the environmental and financial performance of additive manufacturing at scale in the consumer goods industry

As corporate sustainability commitments and environmental regulations intensify, additive manufacturing users must balance the technology's maturing economic value with its application- and process-dependent environmental impact. With limited methods to navigate this multi-dimensional variability at scale, additive manufacturing stakeholders face challenges when making growth and investment decisions. To bridge this gap, this study applies system modeling methodologies to a case study of an additive manufacturing service unit in the sporting goods industry aiming to improve its product portfolio's economic and environmental impacts and scale its capabilities. A tradespace model compares the value of additive manufacturing to injection molding across product characteristics and life cycle decisions, and a flexible design analysis evaluates additive manufacturing scaling strategies, considering market and technology uncertainties. The tradespace analysis reveals that additive manufacturing reduces product environmental footprint by 95 % and unit cost by 93 % for 1-to-20-part production volumes compared to injection molding, while injection molding lowers environmental footprint by 72 % and unit cost by 56 % for 100-to-50,000-part production volumes compared to additive manufacturing. This analysis also suggests that additive manufacturing's economic and environmental value increases when located in geographies with low-carbon footprint energy and when manufacturing very low production quantities or small parts that maximize build capacity. The flexible design analysis indicates that expanding internal production capacity to a larger facility with renewable power, once higher demand is confirmed, can reduce part environmental footprint by up to 49 % and increase Net Present Value by more than 600 % compared to maintaining current operations that leverage external service bureaus. The results demonstrate the potential of these system modeling methodologies in integrating financial and environmental impact assessments at the company level for strategic scaling decisions. Future model developments are recommended to incorporate additive manufacturing's unique design impacts on the product life cycle, more nuance in the impact analyses, and the social component of the technology's sustainability.

Organization and regulatory and legal basis of professional training of police officers

The article deals with topical issues of organisation and regulatory and legal framework for professional training of police officers, and direct functional, firearms, tactical and physical training, in particular, within the framework of training in higher education institutions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine which provide training for the National Police of Ukraine institutions and establishments that specialise and are authorised to conduct specialisation, retraining and advanced training classes, the study examines the peculiarities of interaction between teachers, instructors and other persons engaged in professional training of police officers, methods and approaches to training, organisation and conduct of relevant classes using interactive technologies that allow for practical application of all acquired knowledge. Special attention is paid to the approaches and principles to professional training of police officers who exercise their official powers under martial law, and those police officers who serve in rapid response teams, consolidated units of the National Police of Ukraine (in the territories of administrative jurisdictional units where, due to the security situation, it is impossible to function as permanent territorial police bodies with certain personnel) as well as professional training of police officers who exercise their powers as part of paramilitary police units (police rifle battalions within the Rapid Action Corps and the joint assault brigade «Rage», the consolidated battalion of the National Police of Ukraine «Volya»). The author additionally investigates the issue of the need to differentiate professional training of police officers depending on the specifics, powers and areas of service of police units (public safety and preventive activities; operational and investigative activities, taking into account the specialization of the criminal police unit; pre-trial investigation of criminal proceedings in certain areas: crimes in the field of economic and official activities, general criminal orientation, trafficking in narcotic and psychotropic substances, drugs and precursors). In particular, in the context of the need to distinguish between certain criteria of service compliance during the final training. Translated with DeepL.com (free version).

Clinical gerontological nursing competence among licensed practical nurses in healthcare services—A descriptive cross‐sectional study

AbstractAimThis study aimed to describe self‐assessed clinical gerontological nursing competence and its associated factors among licensed practical nurses.DesignA descriptive cross‐sectional design was adopted for the study.MethodsData were collected in Autumn 2023 from 394 licensed practical nurses working in healthcare services for older people in one well‐being services county in Finland. The nurses, recruited through convenience sampling, were surveyed using a 40‐item self‐assessment clinical gerontological nursing competence instrument (on a Likert scale from 1 = poor to 5 = excellent). Descriptive statistical methods were used to analyse the results.ResultsParticipants mainly assessed their clinical gerontological competence as good. Competence in using assistive devices to support functional ability was assessed as very good, while competence in postoperative wound care was assessed as the weakest. Participants working in 24‐h services assessed their competence as the weakest among the three clinical gerontological nursing areas. Participants under 40 years of age with 5–10 years of work experience self‐assessed statistically significantly stronger competence in disease‐specific nursing than those over 40 with less work experience.ConclusionThe self‐assessed competence of licensed practical nurses varies across different service and care units. Competence in wound care requires more focus and education in the future. Attention should also be paid to competence development in different educational areas, for example, through continuous education and competence development models. The results could facilitate licensed practical nurses' competence development and management in clinical gerontological nursing. The study's insights can also guide allocating resources and education to ensure high‐quality care in different service areas.

Officers’ Perceptions on Inf luence of Selected Factors on General Service Unit’s Capacity to Contain Terrorism in Kenya

Terrorist attacks have lately been on the increase with security officers being the main target. Despite the preparations that the GSU are undergoing, the intensity of terrorist attacks has continued pointing to the need to investigate the perceptions of officers regarding the various factors that influence their capacity to combat terrorism in Kenya, amid ongoing threats from groups such as Al Shabab. This study was carried out at G.S.U Training School Embakasi, Nairobi, Kenya. Utilizing theory of contingencies, despite various governmental initiatives, Kenya has faced persistent terrorist attacks, prompting a need to explore underlying issues that hinder effective counterterrorism efforts. The study specifically aimed to examine how intra and inter-institutional coordination and intelligence sharing affect the GSU’s operational readiness and response to terrorism. Employing a descriptive research design, data was gathered through questionnaires distributed to a stratified random sample of 120 GSU officers at the GSU Training School in Embakasi, Nairobi, supplemented by secondary sources. The analysis utilized both qualitative and quantitative methods, employing descriptive statistics and thematic narratives to present findings. Results revealed significant lapses in coordination and cooperation in information sharing among national security agencies, which impede the GSU’s effectiveness against terrorist threats. The study underscores the necessity for enhanced strategic intelligence and collaborative frameworks to improve counterterrorism operations in Kenya. Recommendations for developing a more robust counterterrorism strategy for the GSU are provided based on the findings.

The burden and trend of intestinal parasitosis among women at Berekum, Ghana: a 9-year retrospective study

BackgroundIntestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are serious global public health issues, especially in low and middle-income countries. These parasites can cause high morbidity and mortality, especially in immunocompromised individuals, and can easily be transmitted by consumption of contaminated food or water or by penetration of skin and mucous membranes.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed all archived data from stool examination reports at the Parasitology Unit of Precise Health Diagnostic Services, Berekum for the prevalence and trends of parasitic infections spanning a period of 9 years (2013–2021). The data was retrieved and exported to IBM SPSS v.26 for statistical analysis. Descriptive data was summarized as proportions and presented in tables and charts. Pearson Chi-Square test (χ2) or Fisher’s exact test was used to test for a statistical association between demographic factors and intestinal parasitic infections. P value was significant at < 0.05.ResultsA total of 9,217 records of stool examinations were retrieved. Almost half (48.45%) of the data were from patients aged between 20 and 29 years. An overall prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections of 21.20% was observed in this study. Patients aged 70 to 79 had the highest prevalence of the IPIs (44.44%). The parasites recovered in this study were intestinal flagellates, Entamoeba coli, Hookworm, Entamoeba histolytica/dispar, Ascaris lumbricoides, Enterobius vermicularis, Strongyloides stercoralis and Hymenolepis nana. The intestinal flagellates had the highest prevalence (98.31%) compared to the other intestinal parasites recovered. Intestinal parasitic infections had the highest prevalence in the year 2020 (28.56%) and lowest in 2018 (11.78%).ConclusionAn overall prevalence of 21.20% of intestinal parasitic infection was found. The majority of the parasites reported were intestinal flagellates (98.31%). The trend analysis revealed that the overall prevalence fluctuated across the entire period from 2013 to 2021.