scholarly journals Evaluation of Key Security Issues Associated with Mobile Money Systems in Uganda

Information ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guma Ali ◽  
Mussa Ally Dida ◽  
Anael Elikana Sam
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Personal Identification ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Baseline Survey ◽  
P Value ◽  
Mobile Money ◽  
Security Issues ◽  
Awareness Campaigns ◽  
The Government

Smartphone technology has improved access to mobile money services (MMS) and successful mobile money deployment has brought massive benefits to the unbanked population in both rural and urban areas of Uganda. Despite its enormous benefits, embracing the usage and acceptance of mobile money has mostly been low due to security issues and challenges associated with the system. As a result, there is a need to carry out a survey to evaluate the key security issues associated with mobile money systems in Uganda. The study employed a descriptive research design, and stratified random sampling technique to group the population. Krejcie and Morgan’s formula was used to determine the sample size for the study. The collection of data was through the administration of structured questionnaires, where 741 were filled by registered mobile money (MM) users, 447 registered MM agents, and 52 mobile network operators’ (MNOs) IT officers of the mobile money service providers (MMSPs) in Uganda. The collected data were analyzed using RStudio software. Statistical techniques like descriptive analysis and Pearson Chi-Square test was used in data analysis and mean (M) > 3.0 and p-value < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. The findings revealed that the key security issues are identity theft, authentication attack, phishing attack, vishing attack, SMiShing attack, personal identification number (PIN) sharing, and agent-driven fraud. Based on these findings, the use of better access controls, customer awareness campaigns, agent training on acceptable practices, strict measures against fraudsters, high-value transaction monitoring by the service providers, developing a comprehensive legal document to run mobile money service, were some of the proposed mitigation measures. This study, therefore, provides a baseline survey to help MNO and the government that would wish to implement secure mobile money systems.

scholarly journals Awareness and Perception Regarding Corona Virus Disease 19 Outbreak among General Public of Selected Area of Kathmandu

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 67-71
Author(s):  
Kiran Chhetri ◽  
Puspa Kumari Deo
Keyword(s):  
General Public ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
P Value ◽  
Positive Perception ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Negative Perception ◽  
Awareness Campaigns ◽  
The Government

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 is an upcoming contagious respiratory infection caused by a new coronavirus named severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV2) which is transmitted through the respiratory droplets produced by coughing or sneezing of an infected person. The behavior of the general public will probably have an important bearing on the course of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic. Human behavior is influenced by knowledge and perceptions. This paper aims to identify the awareness and perception regarding COVID-19 among general public. Method: A cross sectional descriptive design was used by using structured online questionnaire through Google form. The study was conducted at certain area of Kathmandu. Sample size was 423 with non probability convenience sampling technique. Result: The findings revealed that overall, 44.9% respondents had low, 34.0% had average and 21% had high level of awareness. Likewise, 56.6% had positive perception and 43.2% had negative perception about COVID outbreak. Also 62% respondents had positive and 37.7% had negative perception about prevention of COVID. There is an association between educational status and level of awareness with ‘p’ value lesser than 0.05 at 95% level of confidence. Conclusion: Majority of respondents were not aware about the outbreak of COVID19. Also more than half of respondents had positive perception about outbreak of COVID 19. The effective measures are being taken by the government and the public, still there remains a need for further awareness campaigns and knowledge of safe interventions to combat the spread of disease. Key words: awareness, perception, COVID19, general public.

scholarly journals Abortion: Still Unfinished Agenda in Nepal

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dirgha Raj Shrestha ◽  
Shibesh Chandra Regmi ◽  
Ganesh Dangal
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Health Care Cost ◽  
Abortion Service ◽  
Unsafe Abortion ◽  
Safe Abortion ◽  
Government Structure ◽  
Women And Girls ◽  
The Government

Unsafe abortion is affecting a lot, in health, socio-economic and health care cost of many countries. Despite invention of simple technology and scientifically approved safe abortion methods, women and girls are still using unsafe abortion practices. Since 2002, Nepal has achieved remarkable progress in developing policies, guidelines, task shifting, training human resources and increasing access to services. However, more than half of abortion in Nepal are performed clandestinely by untrained or unapproved providers or induced by pregnant woman herself. Knowledge on legalization and availability of safe abortion service among women is still very poor. Stigma on abortion still persists among community people, service providers, managers, and policy makers. Access to safe abortion, especially in remote and rural areas, is still far behind as compared to their peers from urban areas. The existing law is not revised in the spirit of current Constitution of Nepal and rights-based approach. The existence of abortion stigma and the shifting of the government structure from unitary system to federalism in absence of a complete clarity on how the safe abortion service gets integrated into the local government structure might create challenge to sustain existing developments. There is, therefore, a need for all stakeholders to make a lot of efforts and allocate adequate resources to sustain current achievements and ensure improvements in creating a supportive social environment for women and girls so that they will be able to make informed decisions and access to safe abortion service in any circumstances.

scholarly journals AWARENESS AND KNOWLEDGE OF TPO (ACT 172) AMONG CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS AND LOCAL PLANNING AUTHORITY PERSONNEL IN KLANG VALLEY

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nik Adlin Nik Mohamed Sukri ◽  
Wan Tarmeze Wan Ariffin ◽  
Noriah Othman
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Questionnaire Survey ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Local Planning ◽  
Local Authorities ◽  
Awareness Campaigns ◽  
Klang Valley ◽  
The Government ◽  
Industry Professionals ◽  
Awareness Level

The need to care for trees, especially in urban areas, has become increasingly important for countries like Malaysia which are developing rapidly. Recognising the fact that construction activities could put trees at risks of death and damage, the Malaysian government introduced Tree Preservation Order (Act 172) in 1996. However, there were cases occurred afterwards whereby matured trees had been cut down for development without consent of the local authorities. This situation has raised many questions about the effectiveness of the TPO (Act 172) implementation, including on how far the TPO (Act 172) has been publicised and understood by those related to the construction industry, a pre-requisite for successful legislative implementation. This study assesses the current awareness and knowledge of the TPO (Act 172) among 60 professionals in the construction industry (PCI) and 47 personnel in local authorities (PLA) within Klang Valley through a questionnaire survey. The results show that the awareness level of TPO (Act 172) among PLA respondents was higher than that of PCI. While most of the PLA got acquainted with the TPO (Act 172) through their organisations, most of the PCI learned it from friends and social medias. It is recommended that the government should be more active in publicising the TPO (Act 172) such as through mass media and awareness campaigns.

scholarly journals AWARENESS AND KNOWLEDGE OF TPO (ACT 172) AMONG CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS AND LOCAL PLANNING AUTHORITY PERSONNEL IN KLANG VALLEY

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nik Adlin Nik Mohamed Sukri ◽  
Wan Tarmeze Wan Ariffin ◽  
Noriah Othman
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Questionnaire Survey ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Local Planning ◽  
Local Authorities ◽  
Awareness Campaigns ◽  
Klang Valley ◽  
The Government ◽  
Industry Professionals ◽  
Awareness Level

The need to care for trees, especially in urban areas, has become increasingly important for countries like Malaysia which are developing rapidly. Recognising the fact that construction activities could put trees at risks of death and damage, the Malaysian government introduced Tree Preservation Order (Act 172) in 1996. However, there were cases occurred afterwards whereby matured trees had been cut down for development without consent of the local authorities. This situation has raised many questions about the effectiveness of the TPO (Act 172) implementation, including on how far the TPO (Act 172) has been publicised and understood by those related to the construction industry, a pre-requisite for successful legislative implementation. This study assesses the current awareness and knowledge of the TPO (Act 172) among 60 professionals in the construction industry (PCI) and 47 personnel in local authorities (PLA) within Klang Valley through a questionnaire survey. The results show that the awareness level of TPO (Act 172) among PLA respondents was higher than that of PCI. While most of the PLA got acquainted with the TPO (Act 172) through their organisations, most of the PCI learned it from friends and social medias. It is recommended that the government should be more active in publicising the TPO (Act 172) such as through mass media and awareness campaigns.

scholarly journals Knowledge, attitude and practice towards the novel corona virus among Bangladeshi people: Implications for mitigation measures

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alak Paul ◽  
Dwaipayan Sikdar ◽  
Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain ◽  
Md Robed Amin ◽  
Farah Deeba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Life ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Personal Hygiene ◽  
Public Confidence ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
Awareness Campaigns ◽  
Attitude And Practice ◽  
The Government ◽  
Knowledge Attitude And Practice

AbstractThe current novel coronavirus (nCoV) outbreak, COVID-19, was first reported in December 2019 in Wuhan, China has spread all over the world causing startling loss of lives, stalling the global economy and disrupting the social life. One of the challenges to contain the COVID-19 is making people adopt personal hygiene, social distancing and self-quarantine practices which are all related to knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of the people in respective countries. Bangladesh, the most densely populated countries with a fast-growing economy and moderate literacy rate, has shown many hiccups in its efforts to implement COVID-19 policies. Understanding KAP may give the policy makers to make informed decisions. Hence, this study aimed to make a quick assessment of KAP of people in relation to COVID-19 in Bangladesh. An online survey using a pre-tested questionnaire conducted in late March 2020 attained 1837 responses across Bangladesh. However, 1589 completed responses were included in statistical analysis to calculate KAP scores, their interrelations with socio-demographic variables. The overall KAP is poor with only 10% of the respondents showed good knowledge with parallel attitudes and practices. Socio-demographic factors have strong bearings on the KAP scores. Significantly higher KAP score is evident in female over male respondents, among aged (45 years and above) over younger respondents and among retired and homemakers above students and public service holders. The study indicated a panic fuelled by poor understanding of COVID-19 associated facts and the need for the government to ensure more granular and targeted awareness campaigns in a transparent and factual manner to gain public confidence and arrest more meaningful public participation in mitigation measures. The study provides a baseline of KAP among people in Bangladesh on COVID-19.

scholarly journals Two-Factor Authentication Scheme for Mobile Money: A Review of Threat Models and Countermeasures

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 160
Author(s):  
Guma Ali ◽  
Mussa Ally Dida ◽  
Anael Elikana Sam
Keyword(s):  
Service Providers ◽  
Personal Identification ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Authentication Scheme ◽  
Research Papers ◽  
Mobile Money ◽  
Scientific Databases ◽  
Descriptive Research ◽  
Security Challenges ◽  
Encryption Function

The proliferation of digital financial innovations like mobile money has led to the rise in mobile subscriptions and transactions. It has also increased the security challenges associated with the current two-factor authentication (2FA) scheme for mobile money due to the high demand. This review paper aims to determine the threat models in the 2FA scheme for mobile money. It also intends to identify the countermeasures to overcome the threat models. A comprehensive literature search was conducted from the Google Scholar and other leading scientific databases such as IEEE Xplore, MDPI, Emerald Insight, Hindawi, ACM, Elsevier, Springer, and Specific and International Journals, where 97 papers were reviewed that focused on the topic. Descriptive research papers and studies related to the theme were selected. Three reviewers extracted information independently on authentication, mobile money system architecture, mobile money access, the authentication scheme for mobile money, various attacks on the mobile money system (MMS), threat models in the 2FA scheme for mobile money, and countermeasures. Through literature analysis, it was found that the threat models in the 2FA scheme for mobile money were categorised into five, namely, attacks against privacy, attacks against authentication, attacks against confidentiality, attacks against integrity, and attacks against availability. The countermeasures include use of cryptographic functions (e.g., asymmetric encryption function, symmetric encryption function, and hash function) and personal identification (e.g., number-based and biometric-based countermeasures). This review study reveals that the current 2FA scheme for mobile money has security gaps that need to be addressed since it only uses a personal identification number (PIN) and a subscriber identity module (SIM) to authenticate users, which are susceptible to attacks. This work, therefore, will help mobile money service providers (MMSPs), decision-makers, and governments that wish to improve their current 2FA scheme for mobile money.

scholarly journals Mask Using Practice among Bangladeshi Population During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Video-Based Observational Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chowdhury Farheen ◽  
◽  
Md Maruf Haque Khan ◽  
Muhammad Ibrahim Ibne Towhid ◽  
Sabrina Mousum ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Transportation ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Vaccination Campaign ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression ◽  
P Value ◽  
Public Places ◽  
Rural And Urban Areas ◽  
Rural And Urban ◽  
The Government

Background: Although the government of Bangladesh made the use of masks mandatory in public settings during COVID-19, individuals have been reluctant to follow. We intended to know how many people used face masks in public settings during COVID-19. Methodology: This study was conducted in several public settings in Shahbag, an urban sub-district of Dhaka; and Sirajdikhan, a rural sub-district of Munshiganj in Bangladesh on November 2020. A total of 4011 people were identified from the video-graphic data captured from 20 public places for monitoring the use of masks. Finding: More than two-thirds of those observed had no face masks or did not utilize them properly. People in urban regions (43%) used mask more in an appropriate manner than those in rural areas (26%). Females wore masks comparatively more than males (53% vs. 35%, p-value <0.001). People used masks more in the morning than in the afternoon (39% vs. 34%, p-value <0.001). People were seen to use a mask more in hospital areas (60%) than in other places. However, in public transportation stands only one-fourth (25%) of the people wore a mask in an appropriate manner. In binary logistic regression male sex, rural area, public places and time of observation (afternoon) were found as risk factors for not wearing a mask. Interpretation: The general population of both rural and urban areas of Bangladesh is reluctant to wear face masks. Along with the ongoing vaccination campaign, people of Bangladesh need to wear masks for the prevention of COVID-19. Funding: This research has been partially supported by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University.

scholarly journals Baseline survey on functioning of abortion services in government approved CAC centres in three pilot districts of Nepal

1970 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-39
Author(s):  
C Karki ◽  
M Ojha ◽  
RT Rayamajhi
Keyword(s):  
Service Providers ◽  
Medical Abortion ◽  
Abortion Service ◽  
Baseline Survey ◽  
Trimester Abortion ◽  
Safe Abortion ◽  
Time Service ◽  
Abortion Care ◽  
Comprehensive Abortion Care ◽  
The Government

Background: Abortion has been legalized in Nepal since September 2002 and under this law, Comprehensive Abortion Care (CAC) service is being provided through listed service providers and listed health facilities from 2004. Nepal Government has prioritized the national safe abortion program and is working with many government and non government partners for providing this service. Till date medical abortion services are not made available at any of the health facility. Government is now preparing to introduce this service in six selected pilot districts. Objective: This survey was carried out to assess the functioning of existing abortion services in 12 Government approved CAC sites of three districts. Materials and methods: Direct observation of the functioning of these centers, assessment of physical facilities and service provider's skill was done. At the same time service provider's attitude and knowledge on CAC service and other abortion services were also assessed through semi structured interviews. Quality of record keeping and the feasibility of initiating the medical abortion service in these sites were also studied. Result: Number of listed centers in six pilot districts was twenty nine. Study districts have 16 listed centers. Visited sites were twelve; four managed by Government and eight by non government organizations. Thirty three thousand nine hundred and twenty women have availed this service so far: only 4.76% of them received service from Government facilities. Marie Stopes International (MSI) topped the list in providing service to the maximum number of clients (75.64%) and Family planning association of Nepal (FPAN) was the second. MSI centre was also first to initiate the service. Government facilities provide 24 hours service unlike private facilities which are open only up to 5.00 pm. Cost for the service varies from rupees 900/- to rupees 1365/- and is cheaper at Government facilities. Private sectors have separate setups and Government have allocated some space within their already existing infrastructure for CAC service. Private sectors were better in providing the information to public about the availability of service. There were total 20 trained service providers for first trimester abortion service. They are more at Government facilities. They seem to be positive to CAC service and had good knowledge and skill of service delivery. Complications were not recorded at most of the sites. Pain management and infection prevention practice needs improvement at the Government sites. All the sites had identified their referral sites and had one or the other arrangement for referral. Conclusion: CAC service has become accessible and affordable to Nepalese women even at peripheral level. CAC sites are functioning well. Initiation of medical abortion and second trimester abortion services at these sites are feasible and would expand the option and choices available. Key words: Comprehensive abortion care (CAC), medical abortion, unsafe abortion doi: 10.3126/kumj.v7i1.1762       Kathmandu University Medical Journal (2009), Vol. 7, No. 1, Issue 25, 31-39     

scholarly journals Cadastral Information and Erosion Modeling for Monitoring Gullies in Mpazi Catchment Area, Kigali City

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
J.P Bizimana, ◽  
E Ndahigwa
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Average Rate ◽  
Hydrological Modelling ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Urban Landscapes ◽  
Urban Context ◽  
Differential Gps ◽  
Ancillary Data ◽  
The Government

Due to the lack of sediment load monitoring system, erosion model calibration is challenging in Rwanda. Based on the reports of parcels boundaries corrections from Rwanda Land Management and Use Authority, there are quite consistent losses of land due to gullies development in Mpazi River watershed. This study analysed the possibility of integrating cadastral information, erosion and hydrological modelling data for identifying potential gullies development in hilly urban area of Mpazi catchment. The orthophoto of 2008 coupled with ancillary data were used to delineate the shifts of parcel boundaries from 2012 to 2016. Hydrological modelling based on DEM was also applied to investigate geo-physical characteristics and potential gullies. The differential GPS was used to locate the potential gullies that were then uploaded into GIS. Gullies intersecting with rectified parcels boundary were measured with tape meter. The gully length was measured using hydrological modelling tools and GPS coordinates captured during the field verification. The results showed that gully system expanded from 7.5 to 20 meters while neighboring parcels shift was between 3 and 12.5 meters. The highest average rate of soil loss ranged between 100 and 150 tons/ha/year. The research findings from this study are salient for policy- and decision-makers who need to review the current land and environment policies and laws so that gully erosion can be assigned appropriate mitigation measures for ecologically sustainable management of hilly urban landscapes within Kigali City. More periodic data are required to feed the model and validating this approach brings the government institutions’ responsibility. The developed methodology has the potential to quantify the gully systems in urban context with scarce hydrological, soil and geomorphological data availability and where urban planning and environmental protection are constrained by limited financial and human resources. Keywords: Cadastral Maintenance Data, Erosion Modelling, Gully, Urban Areas

scholarly journals Prevalence and associated factors of hypertension in selected urban and rural areas of Dhaka, Bangladesh: findings from SHASTO baseline survey

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. e038975
Author(s):  
Mehedi Hasan ◽  
Md Showkat Ali Khan ◽  
Ipsita Sutradhar ◽  
Md Mokbul Hossain ◽  
Moyazzam Hossaine ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Final Analysis ◽  
Baseline Survey ◽  
Dhaka City ◽  
Early Screening ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Government ◽  
Urban And Rural Areas

ObjectiveWe implemented this study to report the prevalence and associated risk factors of hypertension among adult men and women aged >30 years residing in selected urban and rural areas of Dhaka division, Bangladesh.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingTwo urban (Dhaka city north and Dhaka city south) and two rural (Narsinghdi and Gazipur district) areas of the Dhaka division.ParticipantsA total of 4856 male and female participants were included in the final analysis, of whom 2340 (48.2%) were from urban and 2516 (51.8%) were from rural areas.Primary outcomeHypertension was the dependent variable for this study and was operationally defined as systolic blood pressure >140 mm of Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure >90 mm of Hg, and/or persons with already diagnosed hypertension.ResultsThe overall prevalence of hypertension was 31.0%, and the prevalence was higher among urban participants (urban: 36.9%, rural: 30.6%). Age (across all categories), female (urban—adjusted OR (AOR): 1.3, 95% CI: 1.0 to 1.5 and rural—AOR: 1.7, 95% CI: 1.4 to 2.1)), higher educational status (urban—AOR: 1.7, 95% CI: 1.3 to 2.2 and rural—AOR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.5 to 3.1), inadequate physical activity (urban—AOR: 1.3, 95% CI: 1.0 to 1.7 and rural—AOR: 1.5, 95% CI: 1.2 to 1.9) and overweight/obesity (urban—AOR: 2.7, 95% CI: 2.1 to 3.3 and rural—AOR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.7 to 2.5) were associated with hypertension in both urban and rural areas. Women who were not currently married during the survey had higher odds of hypertension only in the rural areas (rural—AOR: 1.8, 95% CI: 1.3 to 2.4), and respondents who were not working during the survey had higher odds of hypertension only in the urban areas (AOR: 1.7, 95% CI: 1.0 to 2.6).ConclusionSince the prevalence of hypertension was high in urban and rural areas, the government of Bangladesh should consider implementing hypertension prevention programmes focusing young population of Dhaka division. In addition, early screening programmes and management of hypertension need to be strengthened for people with hypertension in both the areas.

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