Occupational Exposure to Blood and Body Fluids among Medical Laboratory Science Students of the University of Health and Allied Sciences during Vocational Internship in the Volta Region of Ghana

Medical laboratory science students (MLSS), likewise health care workers (HCW), invariably get exposed to blood and body fluids (BBF) of patients. The degree of exposure of these students is even worsened due to their inexperience, which is usually revealed during their vocational training programme. This study therefore determined the prevalence of exposure to BBF and its risk factors among MLSS at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS). A cross-sectional survey was employed using simple random sampling to enrol 178 students into the study. The study was conducted from February 1 to March 31, 2018, after the annual vocational training programme completed in August 2017. Self-administered questionnaires based on the objectives of the study were given out to participants to complete after their consent was sought. Descriptive data were reported as absolute number with percentages, whereas bivariate and multiple logistic regressions were done to describe relationship between risk factors and exposure to BBF. The study findings revealed that, out of 178 MLSS that participated, 90 (50.6%) experienced at least one exposure to BBF. Also, work experience before university education increased the chances of exposure to BBF (AOR = 7.37, 95% CI = 1.22–44.43, pvalue = 0.029) compared with those with no experience. In contrast, adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) reduced the tendencies of exposure to BBF (AOR = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.20–0.88, p value = 0.023) compared with students who had insufficient PPE. The study showed high, 50.6% (95% CI: 43.0%–58.1%), exposure to BBF. Work history and sufficient PPE were the most significantly associated risk factors. In view of this, there is the need to promote training and education on exposure to BBF particularly among experienced students and also encourage health facilities to continue providing enough PPE for students during their annual obligatory vocational internship programmes.

Impact of Vocational Training Courses Conducted by Krishi Vigyan Kendras of Punjab on Establishing an Enterprise

The attempts were made to assess the impact of vocational training courses conducted by Krishi Vigyan Kendras of Punjab on establishing an enterprise. All thirty long duration vocational training courses conducted by the Krishi Vigyan Kendras namely Bathinda, Ferozpur, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur and SBS Nagar from 2009-2013 were taken up for the study. A sample of 140 trainees was drawn by applying probability proportional to size (PPS) sampling method and data were collected personally from the selected trainees by using an interview schedule. The findings of the study revealed that the highest adoption status was achieved by value added household products & preparation and garment construction & enrichment training courses with 1.44 & 1.36 mean scores respectively. The lowest mean score of Management of family resources (0.68) and fabric painting & preparation of household products (0.62) indicated the low adoption status of these training courses. Major reasons for non-establishment of an enterprise after receiving training from KVKs as reported by the highest percentage of trainees were financial constraints and high cost of equipments. It can be concluded that the marketing components and linkages related to establishing an enterprise should be an integral part of the vocational training programme. KVKs should provide suitable facilities in the form of resource centre to their trainees for reducing the cost of initial set up of enterprise.

UNEMPLOYMENT CHALLENGE IN NIGERIA: VOCATIONAL EDUCATION THROUGH OPEN & DISTANCE LEARNING MODEL TO THE RESCUE

The paper reviewed the present status of unemployment situation in Nigeria with emphasis on university graduates. Effort was also made to examine the role vocational education through Open Distance Learning (ODL) can play to address this national problem. Included is recommendation of a vocational training programme developed for graduates seeking employment in areas as Fashion, Interior Decoration, Leather works, Accessories etc. The importance of this ODL based model of vocational education and training programme has great importance and relevance in countries where unemployment is a serious challenge and where there is a great need of providing training to multitude of unemployed youths at different levels to enable them have skills that will afford them the opportunity to contribute their quota to the economic advancement of their country.