West African University Research Articles

Contribution of Computed Tomography to the Diagnosis of Urinary Lithiasis in a West African University Hospital

Contribution of Computed Tomography to the Diagnosis of Urinary Lithiasis in a West African University Hospital

Challenges and Limitations of Moodle LMS in Handling Large-Scale Projects: West-African Universities Lecturers’ Perspective

Challenges and Limitations of Moodle LMS in Handling Large-Scale Projects: West-African Universities Lecturers’ Perspective

Nigerian Universities’ Sexual Harassment Policies: Palliative or Provocative?

ABSTRACT Sexual violence and sexual harassment have been perennial topics in higher education across the continent and beyond. In response to stories and scandals, including the 2019 “Sex for Grades: Undercover in West African Universities” documentary by the BBC’s Africa Eye series, Nigerian universities have instituted sexual harassment policies. This article draws on a feminist textual analysis of the BBC documentary and three Nigerian higher institutions’ sexual harassment policies, complemented by specialized literature on gender, history, and sexuality, to examine the value of the policies and their limitations. I argue that the fundamental limitation of most of the policies is the persistence of how coloniality shapes gender in education. The gendered influences on education date back to colonialism and need to be challenged and questioned. I argue that, while policies are vital for driving transformative education, inclusive learning and a safe environment, it is crucial to consider how colonialism shaped gender in Nigeria, and to reflect on the structural and cultural logics that perpetuate gender norms.

University Students’ Classification of Factors Affecting Their Well-Being and Psychological Distress

Background: Higher education has been undermined by a multitude of difficulties that have directly affected university students’ learning and quality of life in French-speaking West African universities. Among others, massification, student pauperization, high rate of unemployment, current living environments, university managerial systems, and university poor infrastructures alongside terrorism threats on education have affected students’ lifestyles, learning, achievements, mental health but also teaching, and learner-instructor interrelationship. Purpose: The present study aimed to gauge university students’ classification of factors that have significant impacts on their current studies and well-being, and aimed to gauge whether the classified factors predict students’ psychological distress Methodology: Participants included 348 male and female university students. Descriptive and regression analyses were utilized to assess significant factors that affect students’ learning and life quality. Major findings: The findings suggested that economic challenges, perceived unemployment, and difficulties relating to the students’ areas of study were respectively the three main factors that affect students’ life quality and cause psychological distress. The latter are followed by potential sicknesses and social factors such as loneliness, and attitudes pertaining to instructors, family members, and friends. General conclusion: The study revealed significant effects of economic challenges on students’ levels of depression and stress, and a significant effect of family members’ attitudes on students’ levels of anxiety. The researchers discussed the findings and made important recommendations.

Reproducibility of the brief religious coping inventory with African athletes' sample using ordinal factor analytical approach.

Previous studies have revealed that religious coping strategy is common among athletes due to the stressful experiences before and during competitions as part of the mental preparations they go through, the uncertainty of sporting outcomes, and other organizational issues they encounter. This research assessed the reproducibility of the Brief Religious Coping (RCOPE) instrument in an African setting using athletes' samples from different countries. Particularly, the research sought to assess the (1) factor structure of Brief RCOPE with an African sample, (2) construct validity of the RCOPE measure, and (3) measurement invariance of the RCOPE instrument based on gender and nationality. The study surveyed a convenient sample of 300 athletes, including 164 male and 136 female athletes, from 3 African countries (Benin, Ghana, and Nigeria) who participated in the 2018 West African University Games. The Brief RCOPE instrument was administered to the athletes for validation purposes before the competition. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted using the ordinal factor analytic approach. This validation study confirmed the two-factor dimension (positive and negative religious coping) of the Brief RCOPE measure. Further, all items for each of the dimensions of the inventory contributed significantly to the measure of the Brief RCOPE domains. The positive and negative religious coping dimensions contributed more than half of the variance of their respective indicators. Measurement invariance across gender and nationality was confirmed. Sufficient evidence was gathered to support the interpretation and use of the Brief RCOPE measure. Coaches and sports psychologists could adopt the Brief RCOPE measure to understand the mental or thought patterns of religious athletes based on existential concerns or stress accrued from impending competitions to inform appropriate religious coping interventions. This notwithstanding, the Minimum Clinical Important Difference (MCID) of the Brief RCOPE should be further investigated to enhance the utility of the instrument for use in intervention-based studies.

Examining the underlying latent structure of the sports emotion questionnaire: Insights from the bifactor multidimensional item response theory.

Despite the widespread use of the sports emotion questionnaire (SEQ) in several studies, it is surprising that only a few have explicitly tested the validity and utility of the instrument in non-western populations. Besides, the issue of dimensionality and the latent structure of the instrument remain inconclusive given that several authors have revealed different factor structures across diverse populations. The central concern is whether the items on the various dimensions, proposed for the original SEQ, offer adequate information to their respective expected subscale or otherwise. This study assessed the underlying latent structure of the SEQ using confirmatory and bifactor multidimensional item response (MIRT) models. Through a well-designed validation study 300 athletes from three West African countries, participating in the 2018 West African University Games were surveyed to respond to the SEQ. The data were analyzed using first, a 5-factor confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) via the MIRT model and second, a bifactor MIRT analysis. The results revealed that items on the SEQ were fairly good in measuring the construct under the respective domains of the instrument. However, the outcome of the bifactor model showed that the majority of the items on the SEQ explained common variance in relation to the general factor other than the specific domains (5-dimensions). Findings of the bifactor model question whether the sub-dimensions of the SEQ are needed since most of the items on the SEQ explained larger variances in the general factor than any of the five domains. It is concluded that instruments like SEQ should be scored for a general factor and not as sub-dimensions. Further investigations are encouraged by scholars within the area to probe the dimensionality of the SEQ.

Patterns of resting electrocardiogram of male college track and field athletes

This study sought to determine the resting Electrocardiogram of male college Track and Field athletes, with a view to identifying electrocardiographic changes attributable to cardiac adaptations and possible differences in ECG morphologies by the athletic event. A descriptive survey design was used in the study. The population was male track and field athletes of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Eighteen athletes; track (n=10) and field (n=8), were purposively selected from the OAU Athletics team that participated in the 14th West-African Universities’ Games, held at the University of Port-Harcourt, Rivers State Nigeria in 2018. Resting ECG was recorded with a 12-lead Electrocardiograph (SCHILLER-Cardiovit AT-2 plus), blood pressure was recorded with a digital blood pressure monitor (OMRON-M6 Comfort), weight, height, and BMI were recorded with an electronic BMI scale (SECA-220). Descriptive statistic of mean and standard deviation was computed and a paired-sample t-test was used to compare the resting ECG of athletes in the two divisions. Track and field athletes had mean RR-interval, P-wave, PR-interval, QRS-interval, QT-interval, and QTc of 993.22 ± 111.51ms, 97.12 ± 10.87ms, 157.00 ± 34.34ms, 120.67 ± 58.22ms, 376.94 ± 55.34ms and 416.78 ± 46.98mm respectively. With regards to voltage, athletes had mean voltages of 0.11 ± 0.09mm, -0.98 ± 0.77mm, and 1.54 ± 0.73mm for P-wave in lead II, S in VI, and R in V5 respectively. When athletes’ ECGs in the two divisions were compared, a significant difference was only found in the RR-interval (t = -3.08; P < 0.05). The study concluded that there were no distinctive morphological differences in the resting ECG of Nigerian collegiate track and field athletes.

Exploring the motivations and challenges West African female students experience engaging in university sport

ABSTRACT This study sought to explore the motivations and challenges to the engagement of female West African university students, whilst participating in competitive and non-competitive extra-curricular sport and physical activity (ECSPA). The study was situated at a university in the North West of England that has a culturally diverse student population. The ECSPA program that operates at the university seeks to enable individuals to embark upon activities away from their academic schedule, wherein engagement in such activities is thought to nurture health, well-being and social development. Drawing on the intersections of ethnicity, culture and gender, the study aimed to identify the dominant constructs that influence West African students’ motivations towards ECSPA. An online cross-sectional survey of 168 participants with an average age of 34 years complimented by two focus group interviews involving 15 participants, was the primary data source for this study. The women in the study evidenced their key motivations for engaging in ECSPA, such as enjoyment, affiliation and appearance. However, a range of structural barriers to participating in ECSPA was identified including cultural insensitivities, unrelatable marketing and the non-alignment of ECSPA scheduling to the academic timetable.

Isolated metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma in the right atrium: a case observed in a university hospital in West Africa (Bouake, Ivory Coast)

Intracardiac metastases from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are rare and have a poor prognosis. We report an observation in a West African university hospital in a 39-year-old black patient admitted with upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Clinical examination noted signs of cirrhosis, namely hepatocellular failure, portal hypertension, melena and signs of right heart failure against a background of deterioration in general condition (WHO-3). The CT scan showed a focal hepatic lesion with arterial enhancement and portal lavage compatible with HCC and a right intracardiac mass taking contrast. Doppler echocardiography confirmed the presence of a large heterogeneous mass occupying almost the entire right atrium. Palliative and symptomatic treatment was instituted in the patient improving his clinical condition. His death occurred two months after his release. The intracardiac localization of HCC, although rare, is not exceptional and of appalling prognosis. It should be sought in the assessment of the extension of HCC, especially in the presence of signs of cardiac involvement.

Utilization of Moodle in Teaching Undergraduate Students in West Africa

Introduction. Teaching pedagogy has become more advanced and techno friendly. The goal of this study is to inspect effectiveness of e-LMS (learning management system) prevalent for students of West African University, mainly at Private University Colleges. Materials and Methods. The samples were collected from Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Togo and Benin. The research design is based on a survey method. Data were collected from 435-undergraduate students using questionnaires out of which 410-were found useful. Results. The result hints towards enhancing infrastructure for technology, more seminars and encouraging students to use the same. Discussion and Conclusion. Efficient use of LMS ought to be on obligatory institutional objectives and policies. The study recommends integration of LMS in curricula of undergraduate students of West African countries. The study further recommends efficient and useful information technology education to be made mandatory institutional policy for students and criteria for getting accreditation for organization.

EFFECTS OF ANTHROPOMETRIC VARIABLES ON SPORT PERFORMANCE OF MALE UNIVERSITY CHAMPION-HANDBALLERS IN WEST AFRICA (NIGERIA)

This study focused on the effects of anthropometric variables on male handball champions in West Africa. An ex-post facto research design was adopted. The population of all male handball players in the West African University Games (University of Ilorin; University of Ghana and University of Abomey-Calavi) were participants in the study. Two research instruments were adopted in this study this includes measuring tape and a standard handball court. Census sampling technique was used to select all 37 players available during the contest. Census method is the method of statistical enumeration where all members of the population are studied . These players composed of (Wrist (cm) 18.88, Chest (cm) 17.78, mid-thigh(cm) 18.35, Wrist (cm) 91.96, Chest (cm) 95.02, mid-thigh 89.83, Wrist (cm) 49.37, mid-thigh 55.04, Wrist (cm) 49.26).
 
 To test a substantive difference between the groups determined at 0.05alpha significant levels, descriptive and inferential statistics for t test and ANOVA Scheffe post hoc, multiple comparison tests were adopted. The results of this study showed that men players had considerable differences in anthropometric measurements. As the men's players were significantly different in the handle circumference (f=4.624>3.32 (0.05) df36); chest circumference (f=.750<3.32(0.05) df36). Coaches were recommended to focus on these variables in selecting and coaching processes (Wrist circumference, Chest curvature, Thigh). This study also recommends that this profiling should be adopted in players’ selection and the development of sport specific programs.
 Key words: Anthropometric, Performance, Wrist girth.

African students’ emigration intentions: case studies in Côte d’Ivoire, Niger, and Senegal

ABSTRACT This paper addresses the drivers of migration intentions amongst francophone West African university students. We use an original dataset collected from more than 4000 students in Côte d’Ivoire, Niger, and Senegal. Multivariate methods allow us to link the intention to migrate with the characteristics of students, with their opinion regarding mobility as well as with the perceived situation of their country of origin. We analyze intervening factors such as ethnicity, financial resources, past migration history, and social networks, and put the results into perspective with migration theory. Our results show that migration intentions are complex processes: the national context plays a role, but family support and networks are important. Generally, only a minority of students wish to leave and then only temporarily, to improve their human capital upon return.

Toward the development of a model of student usage of MOOCs

PurposeThe study seeks to investigate the factors that influence MOOC usage by students in tertiary institutes in Ghana.Design/methodology/approachAs this study sought both to test existing UTAUT variables and potentially identify additional variables impacting MOOC usage, a mixed method approach was used. The quantitative study was used to test the significance of UTAUT variables on MOOC usage while the qualitative study was conducted to validate the quantitative results and potentially determine additional factors impacting MOOC usage.FindingsThe results of the quantitative data analysis showed that computer self-efficacy, performance expectancy and system quality had a significant influence on MOOC usage intention. Facilitating conditions, instructional quality and MOOC usage intention were found to have a significant influence on actual MOOC usage. The results of the qualitative data analysis showed that information-seeking behaviour and functional Internet access were dominant non-UTAUT factors that influence actual MOOC usage, while teacher motivation was a dominant non-UTAUT factor that influenced MOOC usage intention.Research limitations/implicationsThe study employed a non-probability sampling technique which imposes limitations on the generalizability of the findings. Additionally, the study was conducted in two out of the ten geographical and administration regions of Ghana; this also imposes limitations on the generalizability of the findings.Practical implicationsIt is important that lecturers and university management find ways of motivating students to participate in MOOCs. Lecturers can influence students to use MOOCs if they regularly and persistently spur the students on to use MOOCs. Lecturers can also adopt other innovative strategies such as posting MOOC information on student noticeboards, the formation of MOOC clubs and the commissioning of MOOC champions on campuses.Social implicationsThe significance of functional Internet access in MOOC usage implies that good Internet connectivity is critical for online learning in developing countries. Regulators of Internet service providers must enforce strict adherence to quality of service standards regarding the provision of Internet service. The Internet service pricing regime must favour the use of the Internet for learning purposes.Originality/valueThe study adopted a mixed method approach to explore MOOC usage in a West African university context. The non-significance of two key UTAUT variables (effort expectancy and social influence) points to a key difference between the application of adoption and usage models to information systems compared to e-learning systems. Additionally, three other variables, namely information-seeking behaviour, functional Internet access and teacher motivation, were found to impact MOOC usage. The study presents a model of MOOC usage (MMU).

Sex for Grades: Undercover in West African Universities produced by Africa Eye. 13 minutes. London: BBC News, 2019.

<i>Sex for Grades: Undercover in West African Universities</i> produced by <i>Africa Eye</i>. 13 minutes. London: BBC News, 2019.

Improving higher education standards through reengineering in West African universities – A case study of Nigeria

ABSTRACT This article examines the context of higher education (HE), policies and challenges in the West African context. A multi-level framework and analysis of reengineering, leading change in complexity, activity-based view of the University Business Model and Pedagogical Content Knowledge enable the development of deep connections between the macro- and meso-level and -micro challenges of Higher Education System (HES). These include elements of effective leadership, structures and curriculum and learning pedagogies. Drawing on the analyses of interviews from 25 overseas trained senior academics from Nigerian universities, a preliminary refinement of the philosophy of reengineering, re-thinking and revaluing the higher education system (HES) is offered. These have traditionally been addressed in a piecemeal perspective in HE policy and the academic literature; such a traditional approach has not been the systematic rethinking advocated in the philosophy of reengineering.

New models for geoscience higher education in West Africa

The challenges facing government-funded higher education institutions in West Africa in response to the demand for mineral resources require a spectrum of responses aligned with the multinational development programs. Efforts to meet the demands of industry and government organisations for skilled staff are undermined by the large numbers of students attracted to Earth Science courses in Africa. The African Union's African Mining Vision, the UN's Sustainable Development Goals and the New Education Model for Africa provide a framework for progress, however, there are only a few concrete examples that allow us to explore the strengths and limitations of different approaches. Two proactive initiatives based on locally-identified needs and that involve local and international collaborations are presented that allow such an analysis. The first, a public-private partnership entitled the West African Exploration Initiative (WAXI), provides graduate and professional training as a result of direct industry and partner government financial and in-kind support. The second initiative known as GEOLOOC is a new online training program supported by UNESCO and the International Mining for Development Centre that unites several West African universities in creating a common resource pool of Earth Science training materials. These activities are being carried out in collaboration with the local universities, and a new professional training centre based in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. In West Africa, by addressing locally-identified gaps in higher education delivery and by building local and international collaborations, the projects described here are starting to successfully implement new models to contribute to the enhancement of geoscience higher education. These new models complement existing government-funded Higher Education systems by providing them with much-needed support at a time of rapid change.

Twenty Years of Cooperation between Botanists of the Goethe-University Frankfurt (Germany) and of West African Universities

The year 1989 represents the starting point of the cooperation between botanists of the Goethe-University in Frankfurt (Germany) and of the University of Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso). Some years later, the University of Abomey-Calavi (Benin) joined the cooperation. This paper gives an overview on joint projects, resulting publications and theses, and on other achievements of this fruitful cooperation, which meanwhile also comprises partners of Ivory Coast, Niger and Senegal.

Profile of Physiotherapist Educators in Anglophone West African Countries: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: In the last two decades, physiotherapy profession in many countries has transitioned their entry-level education to a Master’s or doctoral degree levels. Given these changes, there is a new need to discern the profile of physiotherapist educators in different countries. Objectives: This cross-sectional study was designed to investigate the profile of the physiotherapist lecturers from Anglophone West African countries and to compare the data with their USA counterparts. Methods: The Head of Department of all the physiotherapy programs in West African universities (N = 14) completed a questionnaire that sought information on the University’s debut date and ownership, faculty gender, educational qualification and academic rank. Results: The vast majority (93%) of the physiotherapy programs surveyed are located in public universities. There were 126 lecturers employed in the programs surveyed (average of 9 lecturers per program). In Nigeria, 72% of the lecturers were men, but in Ghana there was an equal (50:50) split between men and women. Fifty-nine percent (59%) of the lecturers in Nigeria had a Ph.D. and 32% were with MS degree. Thirty-four percent (34%) were a Senior lecturer, 19% Lecturer I, 10% Associate Professor/Reader and 10% Professor. More Nigerian lecturers attained higher (p

EMERGING NETWORKS TO FOSTER AGROECOLOGY IN TROPICAL HORTICULTURE

Reduction of pesticide use is one of the main objectives in tropical fruit and vegetable production. To meet this objective, CIRAD proposed solutions based on the agroecological approach. The hypothesis is that increasing biodiversity in the agro-horticultural system will allow reduction of pesticide use by favoring ecological regulation mechanisms. To organize the research, CIRAD has set up different networks in the tropics. The first initiative, ATP OMEGA 3, has developed activities on okra in Africa, tomato in the Caribbean, and cucurbits in the Indian Ocean, focused on insect trap cropping control and soil borne disease service plant-based sanitation. In 2009, an initiative emerged from West African institutions and universities in 5 countries. This network, DIVECOSYS, aims to develop research and education programs in Sub-Saharan Africa and France on bio-aggressor managements on cropping systems from savanna area. Fruit flies on mango, Plutella xylostella on cabbage, weeds in rice-vegetables systems and Helicoverpa armigera on cotton are the biological models studied in view of pest control. In 2009, DEVAG, a regional project funded by European Commission, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of France with institutions from Cuba, Haiti and French West Indies has begun with the general objective to improve the agroecological horticultural systems in the cases of tropical islands. In 2011, the ECOHORT project was launched. This platformprogram proposes innovative horticultural systems based on ecological intensification. It brings together universities and research institutions from Europe and developing countries to promote the system approach in designing ecologically intensified systems in higher education and research. Some results from these networks are presented. (Resume d'auteur)

Self and Agency in Context: Ecologies of Abundance and Scarcity

This work considers sociocultural foundations of self and agency in material affordances associated with affluence and poverty. We first review work that links independent self-construal and disjoint agency to material abundance. We then report an experiment among students at North American ( n = 52) and West African ( n = 60) universities, in which we manipulated abundance and scarcity concepts and assessed effects on a pronoun-selection measure of self-construal. Participants in the North American setting and abundance condition selected first-person pronouns (particularly, I and me) with greater frequency than did participants in the West African setting and scarcity condition. In contrast to modernity accounts, which propose that individualism promotes prosperity, results are consistent with the alternative account: that abundance can promote independent or disjoint varieties of self and agency. Discussion focuses on the distinction between cultural and structural varieties of sociocultural influence and contributions of international perspectives to psychological science.