scholarly journals PhD Students’ Background and Program Characteristics as Related to Success in Kenyan Universities

10.28945/4467 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 057-074
Author(s):  
Hyrine Mueni Matheka ◽  
Ellen E.P.W.A. Jansen ◽  
Adriaan W.H.A Hofman
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Success Rates ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Program Characteristics ◽  
Students Success

Aim/Purpose: Kenya plans to be a middle-income country by the year 2030. To achieve this development target, the country has rapidly expanded its university sub-sector in order to produce the requisite skilled professionals. This has put a strain on the available PhD holders thus heightening the pressure on universities to produce more PhD graduates to meet the required larger pool of highly qualified professionals to service the academia and other sectors of the economy. However, the PhD graduation rate per year is very low and unexplained. This study sought to explain the factors influencing PhD success rates in Kenyan universities. Background: This cross-sectional study set out to establish how PhD students’ background and program characteristics are related to their success. This knowledge will inform policies and strategies to enhance PhD training and success in Kenya. Methodology: Data on 1,992 PhD students was collected from 10 universities by using the Microsoft Excel data tool to collect administrative data. The researchers utilized the data collection to construct a quantitative research design. The PhD students were enrolled in the following program domains/clusters: Humanities and Social Sciences, Business and Economics, Physical and Life Sciences, Applied Sciences and Medical Sciences. Contribution: PhD success factors have been extensively studied in developed countries. This paper builds on this body of knowledge with a specific focus on developing countries like Kenya. Findings: Students’ background characteristics (age, nationality, gender, financial support and marital statuses) were not related to PhD students’ success, however, full-time employed PhD students had better progression than their part-time colleagues. Program characteristics (program cluster and mode of study) were significantly related to students’ success. Students who had delayed for two years or more years had limited chance to graduate. Recommendations for Practitioners: To improve the PhD education system, practitioners should endeavor to monitor and track the progress of their PhD students. To do this, the researchers recommend that the universities collect and keep good records of these types of data. Universities should come up with strategies to build on or mitigate against the factors that have been identified to influence PhD success. Recommendation for Researchers: The researchers recommend further research, especially in developing countries, to understand the PhD study systems and inform effective interventions. Impact on Society: To identify, conceptualize or mitigate against the factors which influence PhD success lead to higher success in PhD training in order to enhance knowledge to solve societal problems. Future Research: Further research is recommended especially in the context of developing countries to establish how supervisor–student interactions, availability of infrastructural resources, and students’ motivation, efficacy and well-being relate to PhD success in Kenyan universities

scholarly journals Family Variables and Quality of Life in Children with Down Syndrome: A Scoping Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 419
Author(s):  
Anna Lee ◽  
Kathleen Knafl ◽  
Marcia Van Riper
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Down Syndrome ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Personal Development ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Children With Down Syndrome ◽  
Family Variables

The purpose of this scoping review was to identify the family and child quality of life variables that have been studied in relation to one another in children with Down syndrome, the frequency with which different relationships have been studied, and the extent to which family variables were the focus of the research aims. A literature search was conducted to find studies published between January 2007 and June 2018. The initial search yielded 2314 studies; of these, 43 were selected for a final review. Researchers most often addressed family resources and family problem-solving and coping concerning child personal development and physical well-being. Little attention to child emotional well-being was observed, with none considering family appraisal of child emotional well-being. The relationship between family variables and child QoL rarely was the primary focus of the study. Methodologically, most reviewed studies used cross-sectional designs, were conducted in North America and based on maternal report. From future research considering the issues found in this review, healthcare providers can obtain an in-depth understanding of relationships between children and family variables.

scholarly journals Perceived Control and Aging: A Mini-Review and Directions for Future Research

Gerontology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 63 (5) ◽  
pp. 435-442 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie A. Robinson ◽  
Margie E. Lachman
Keyword(s):  
Sex Education ◽  
Perceived Control ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Reciprocal Relationship ◽  
Control Beliefs ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
As Stress ◽  
Health And Well Being

This brief review on perceived control and aging is organized according to 3 perspectives of research involving description, explanation, and modification. An extensive body of literature has utilized cross-sectional and correlational methods to describe the sociodemographic variations and outcomes associated with perceived control. This work has focused on differences in perceived control as a function of age, sex, education, socioeconomic status, and culture and has identified positive associations with many aging-related outcomes involving health and well-being. With growing evidence regarding the health benefits of perceived control in the context of a declining sense of control with aging, there has been an increased effort to uncover the mechanisms involved, with the hopes of developing methods to maintain and/or promote adaptive control beliefs throughout adulthood. Through longitudinal and experimental work, researchers are beginning to clarify the directionality and elucidate the mechanisms to explain the associations. Recent evidence from longitudinal studies shows that control beliefs have an impact on subsequent changes in health. Yet, the findings suggest that it is not a unidirectional relationship. A conceptual model suggesting an ongoing reciprocal relationship between perceived control and health and well-being is discussed. Research examining the mechanisms that link perceived control to aging-related outcomes can help to inform and to develop effective interventions that are tailored to the individual's specific barriers and goals. We consider new directions for research, including more attention to intraindividual variability and reactivity to daily challenges, such as stress, with the goal of advancing our understanding of how perceived control contributes to aging-related outcomes. More work is needed to develop strategies to enhance control beliefs in later life. Although it will not always be possible to modify control beliefs, researchers can take these beliefs into account when developing interventions. A personalized approach is recommended as a way to tailor interventions that are compatible with individuals' beliefs about control to facilitate adaptive behavior change. Conclusions focus on selected issues and considerations for future research.

scholarly journals Elderly and caregiver demand: proposal for a care need classification

2018 ◽  
Vol 71 (suppl 2) ◽  
pp. 844-850 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniella Pires Nunes ◽  
Tábatta Renata Pereira de Brito ◽  
Ligiana Pires Corona ◽  
Tiago da Silva Alexandre ◽  
Yeda Aparecida de Oliveira Duarte
Keyword(s):  
Well Being ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Everyday Activities ◽  
Aging Study ◽  
Good Internal Consistency ◽  
Caregiver Demand ◽  
Guttman Scaling

ABSTRACT Objective: To propose a care need classification for elderly people by identifying their functional demands. Method: Cross-sectional study carried out in São Paulo, in 2006, with 1,413 elderly (≥ 60 years old), participants in the Health, Well-being and Aging study (SABE – Saúde, Bem Estar e Envelhecimento). For the care need classification, we used the Guttman Scaling method e the frequency of assistance required by the elderly. Results: The hierarchy of activities of daily living had good internal consistency (α = 0.92) and satisfactory coefficients of reproducibility (98%), scalability (84%) and minimum marginal reproducibility (87%). Care need was categorized into: no need (requires no caregiver), minimum need (requires caregiver sporadically), moderate need (requires caregiver intermittently) and maximum need (requires full-time caregiver). Conclusion: This classification will allow identifying elderly that need assistance in everyday activities and will orientante health professionals in the development of a line of care.

Hospital information systems in developing countries: a state-of-the-art systematic review

Kybernetes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jie Lei ◽  
Jianming Liu ◽  
Wu Li
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Information System ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Local Conditions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Government

Purpose Hospital information system (HIS) can be examined as a vital factor for developing the quality of health care and cost managing. There exists abundant literature on HISs, but implementation-based literature of HIS is rare, typically about progressive countries. However, a study that can comprehensively review published articles is scarce. Therefore, this paper aims to examine the systematic and comprehensive study of HIS in developed countries. Together, the benefits and harms relevant to HIS’s different mechanisms have been considered, and the fundamental challenges of them are addressed to design more efficient HIS in the future. Design/methodology/approach HIS has been used globally for numerous years and is now being used in a wide area. HIS is broadly used in clinical settings. Information technology (IT) and information system have been suggested as a required piece to solve the health-care-related issues. Hence, to improve HIS’s ability, this paper conducted a review method concentratating on research related to HIS until 2019. A total of 21 papers were recognized and examined as principal research for the summary. Findings The authors found that HIS can help in reduction of medical mistakes, enhancement doctors’ performance and increase in the quality of the care provided. HIS management can be used to provide better health-care services. Therefore, HIS must be sensible and use clear structures. The authors conclude that, generally, with an increase in awareness, acceptability and the need for HIS worldwide, there will be more strategies and approaches available. Research limitations/implications First, this paper provides an outline of the status of HIS. Second, it identifies some distinct research gaps that could be worth studying. Some flawless work may be removed because of applying some filters to select the original articles. Surveying all the papers on the topic of HIS is impossible, too. Practical implications Design and sustainability of HIS is still a big issue for most developing countries, despite its wide usage in the developed countries. The technology is changing rapidly, so the field should be reviewed regularly. This paper suggests a suitable framework that will guide HIS in the local conditions of developing countries. Social implications The government will be assisted by the suggested solving ways in its performance and design of electronic health-care projects. Originality/value The study brings the viewpoints on the state of HIS mechanisms in developing countries. The paper’s results can offer visions into future research requirements. By providing comparative information and analyzing the current growths in this area, this study will support researchers and professionals to understand the progress in HIS mechanisms better.

scholarly journals Wealth Inequality as a Predictor of Subjective Health, Happiness and Life Satisfaction among Nepalese Women

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. 2836 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhifei He ◽  
Zhaohui Cheng ◽  
Ghose Bishwajit ◽  
Dongsheng Zou
Keyword(s):  
Economic Status ◽  
Wealth Inequality ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Subjective Health ◽  
Household Wealth ◽  
The Body ◽  
Status Report ◽  
Wealth Status ◽  
Cross Sectional

Socioeconomic status has shown to be associated with subjective health, well-being, satisfaction with overall life and estimation of happiness. The body of research concerning the question of whether higher economic status leads to better health and well-being are mostly from developed countries. The present study was therefore conducted among women in Nepal with an aim to investigate whether household wealth status is associated with satisfaction about (1) self-reported health, (2) happiness, and (3) life overall. Methods: Subjects were 5226 Nepalese women aged between 15 and 24 years. Cross-sectional data were extracted from round 5 of the Nepal Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (NMICS), conducted in 2014, and analyzed using chi-square tests of association, bivariate and multivariable regression methods. Results: Wealth status was significantly associated with satisfaction about health, estimation of happiness and satisfaction. Compared with women in the poorest households, the odds of positive estimation about overall happiness were respectively 30% higher for poorer (p < 0.0001; 95% CI = 1.653–3.190), 80% higher for middle (p = 0.001; 95% CI = 1.294–2.522), 64% higher for richer (p = 0.006; 95% CI = 1.155–2.326), and 40% higher for richest households. The odds of reporting satisfaction about life were respectively 97% higher for poorer (p < 0.0001; 95% CI = 1.680–2.317), 41% higher for middle (p < 0.0001; 95% CI = 1.165–1.715), 62% higher for richer (p < 0.0001; 95% CI = 1.313–2.003), and 31% higher for richest households (p = 0.043; 95% CI = 1.008–1.700). Conclusion: Our results conclude that women in households with lower wealth status report poorer subjective health, quality of life and happiness. However, the findings need to be interpreted in light of the existing sociocultural conditions mediating the role of household wealth status on women’s lives.

scholarly journals Assessing COVID-19-related anxiety and functional impairment amongst nurses in Malawi

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Genesis Chorwe-Sungani
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Functional Impairment ◽  
Area Under The Curve ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Psychosocial Interventions ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Receiver Operating Curve ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Online Data ◽  
Cross Sectional

Background: Psychological well-being of nurses is crucial for them to effectively discharge their duties. However, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related anxiety can interfere with nurses’ performance and reduce their self-efficacy.Aim: The primary aim of this study was to assess COVID-19-related anxiety and functional impairment amongst nurses in Malawi. The secondary aim of the study was to determine reliability and validity of the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale.Setting: The study was conducted in Malawi.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that collected quantitative data from 102 nurses in Malawi online. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and receiver operating curve analysis.Results: This study found that 25.5% (26) of respondents had COVID-19-related anxiety and 48% (49) functional impairment. There were significant differences in the numbers of respondents who had functional impairment in relation to workplace (Χ2 = 8.7, p = 0.03), with many of those working in hospitals (58.6%, n = 34) having highest levels (mean = 20.6 ± 10.4). The Coronavirus Anxiety Scale proved to be an effective instrument (Sensitivity = 73.1%; Specificity = 60.5%; area under the curve = 0.73) for assessing COVID-19-related anxiety amongst nurses.Conclusion: It is necessary to screen nurses for COVID-19-related anxiety and functional impairment and provide them effective psychosocial interventions. Policymakers should place more emphasis on allocation of financial resources to mental health services and staff support programmes targeting nurses during pandemics. There is a need to conduct future research on mental health interventions that might be used to assist nurses with COVID-19-related anxiety and functional impairment.

scholarly journals Critical Success Factors of Hospital Management Information System (HMIS) Implementation in Developing Countries

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (10S) ◽  
pp. 394-398
Keyword(s):  
Information System ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Management Information System ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Swot Analysis ◽  
Hospital Management ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Success Factor ◽  
Management Information ◽  
Critical Success

Hospital Management Information System (HMIS) was a proficient tool to improve the quality of care by increasing the services effectiveness and efficiency in hospital. Unfortunately, the utilization of HMIS in developing countries was yet to be maximized when compared to that in developed countries. This study aimed to identify the critical success factor in implementing HMIS through SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, and Threat) analysis. SWOT analysis is a powerful approach for evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of an entity from internal perspective, as well as the opportunities and threats from external perspective. The analysis showed that HMIS have the ability to provide more accurate data, timely available, faster documentation retrieval compared to paper-based system, and those considered as the HMIS implementation strengths. Competition in the hospital industry and government policies open the opportunity for immediate implementation of HMIS. Despite the benefits from implementing HMIS, the transition from the old to the new system has been rather slow. The hospital readiness from extra funding need, lack of skilled personnel, inadequate infrastructure to support system were a form of HMIS implementation weaknesses. External factors such as existing culture, technologies providers which underestimated healthcare complexity, also lack of communication and collaboration across organization became an obstacle that threatens HMIS implementation.

scholarly journals Exploring the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on medical education: an international cross-sectional study of medical learners

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison Brown ◽  
Aliya Kassam ◽  
Mike Paget ◽  
Kenneth Blades ◽  
Megan Mercia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Education ◽  
Medical Training ◽  
Well Being ◽  
World Health ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The World ◽  
Geographic Regions ◽  
The Impact

Background: The evidence surrounding the impact of COVID-19 on medical learners remains anecdotal and highly speculative despite the anticipated impact and potential consequences of the current pandemic on medical training. The purpose of this study was to explore the extent that COVID-19 initially impacted medical learners around the world and examine global trends and patterns across geographic regions and levels of training. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of medical learners was conducted between March 25–June 14, 2020, shortly after the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Results: 6492 learners completed the survey from 140 countries. Most medical schools removed learners from the clinical environment and adopted online learning, but students reported concerns about the quality of their learning, training progression, and milestone fulfillment. Residents reported they could be better utilized and expressed concerns about their career timeline. Trainees generally felt under-utilized and wanted to be engaged clinically in meaningful ways; however, some felt that contributing to healthcare during a pandemic was beyond the scope of a learner. Significant differences were detected between levels of training and geographic regions for satisfaction with organizational responses as well as the impact of COVID-19 learner wellness and state-trait anxiety. Conclusions: The disruption to the status quo of medical education is perceived by learners across all levels and geographic regions to have negatively affected their training and well-being, particularly amongst postgraduate trainees. These results provide initial empirical insights into the areas that warrant future research as well as consideration for current and future policy planning.

scholarly journals ’We weren't checked in on, nobody spoke to us’: an exploratory qualitative analysis of two focus groups on the concerns of ethnic minority NHS staff during COVID-19

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. e053396
Author(s):  
Jehanita Jesuthasan ◽  
Richard A Powell ◽  
Victoria Burmester ◽  
Dasha Nicholls
Keyword(s):  
Focus Groups ◽  
Ethnic Minority ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Individual Risk ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Healthcare Staff ◽  
Cross Sectional

ObjectiveTo gain exploratory insights into the multifaceted, lived experience impact of COVID-19 on a small sample of ethnic minority healthcare staff to cocreate a module of questions for follow-up online surveys on the well-being of healthcare staff during the pandemic.DesignA cross-sectional design using two online focus groups among ethnic minority healthcare workers who worked in care or supportive roles in a hospital, community health or primary care setting for at least 12 months.ParticipantsThirteen healthcare workers (11 female) aged 26–62 years from diverse ethnic minority backgrounds, 11 working in clinical roles.ResultsFive primary thematic domains emerged: (1) viral vulnerability, centring around perceived individual risk and vulnerability perceptions; (2) risk assessment, comprising pressures to comply, perception of a tick-box exercise and issues with risk and resource stratification; (3) interpersonal relations in the workplace, highlighting deficient consultation of ethnic minority staff, cultural insensitivity, need for support and collegiate judgement; (4) lived experience of racial inequality, consisting of job insecurity and the exacerbation of systemic racism and its emotional burden; (5) community attitudes, including public prejudice and judgement, and patient appreciation.ConclusionsOur novel study has shown ethnic minority National Health Service (NHS) staff have experienced COVID-19 in a complex, multidimensional manner. Future research with a larger sample should further examine the complexity of these experiences and should enumerate the extent to which these varied thematic experiences are shared among ethnic minority NHS workers so that more empathetic and supportive management and related occupational practices can be instituted.

DISEASE PATTERNS;

2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (03) ◽  
pp. 570-574
Author(s):  
Muhammad Ashraf ◽  
Muhammad Zakria
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Hospital Admission ◽  
Hospital Stay ◽  
Average Duration ◽  
Gastrointestinal Diseases ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
Medical Ward ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Common Diagnosis

Communicable and gastrointestinal diseases followed by respiratory diseasesare the main reasons of admission in medical ward of developing countries. This is different fromthe developed countries where non communicable diseases are the main reasons of hospitaladmission. In developing countries the data of hospital admission are still lacking. Therefore thisstudy will help us to assess the common patterns of diseases admitted in a medical ward, theaverage length of hospital stay etc. Objective: The objectives of this study are to assess thepatterns and prevalence of diseases, the most common diagnosis and average duration ofpatient’s hospital stay. Design: Observational retrospective cross-sectional study. Patients andmethods: The record of 327 hospitalized patients in medical ward was analyzed for the period ofthirteen months from Mar 2013 to Mar 2014. Patient’s medical records were retrieved and dataanalysis was done to obtain age, sex, common diagnosis, the affected system and the duration ofthe hospital stay. The data was analyzed by using SPSSV 16. Results: After reviewing the data,the most common age of patients being admitted were between 46-65 yrs (37.6%), followed bybetween 26-45yrs (33%), < 25yrs (15.9 %) , between 66-85 yrs (12.5 % )and > 85 yrs were only1% . Among the admitted patients females were more than the males except in case of liverdiseases. The most affected system was gastrointestinal ( 22.63 % ) and the most commondiagnosis was Diabetes Mellitus (12.84 %). The next common system involved wascardiovascular (15.29 %), respiratory (14.37 %), endocrine / DM (10.70 %), neurology (9.48 %),heamatology (3.36 %), renal (2.45 %) , rheumatology (1.84 %) and others ( including pyschiarty ,poisoning, infectious , electric shock etc ) (5.81 %). The cause for hospital admission by infectionin different system was (20.48%) The average duration of hospital stay of the patients was 4 days.Conclusions: The gastrointestinal diseases and the infectious diseases are the most commondiseases. The communicable diseases still hold a greater position in developing countries, whilenon communicable diseases are main reasons for admission to the medical wards in developedcountries.

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