Miriam Kakai, Maria G.N. Musoke and Constant Okello-Obura
Given that repositories were proposed as one of the routes to open access (OA), this study sought to establish the achievements universities in East Africa had attained in…
Abstract
Purpose
Given that repositories were proposed as one of the routes to open access (OA), this study sought to establish the achievements universities in East Africa had attained in initiating institutional repositories (IRs), the challenges in providing OA and strategies for the way forward.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected through literature searches, using the internet, journal databases and university websites in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda for information about OA and IRs in East Africa. Some of the findings were based on the author’s PhD “The management and accessibility of OA IRs in selected universities in East Africa”, which used face-to-face interviews with six librarians and self-administered questionnaires responded to by 183 researchers at Kenyatta University, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences and Makerere University.
Findings
Universities in East Africa were still in the intermediate stages of embracing OA, and only 40 libraries out of 145 universities had implemented IRs. However, most of the repositories had less than 1,000 items, with this challenge attributed to the absence of institutional and government/funder mandates that affected the collection/provision of OA, in addition to the lack of awareness of IRs among researchers.
Originality/value
The value in this research was establishing the extent of IR initiatives in universities in East Africa and their contribution to OA, which is regarded as more visible and accessible to scholars and government personnel who could leverage the information for further development in the region.
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This paper aims to highlight the development of document supply services in Uganda, and Makerere University in particular, and the role they have played in increasing access to…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to highlight the development of document supply services in Uganda, and Makerere University in particular, and the role they have played in increasing access to and use of information resources.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper presents DSS at different levels and in different formats. Two major levels are discussed: The first is from international sources through collaborations/partnerships with Makerere University to benefit the Makerere University community; while the second type is within Uganda – from Makerere University to benefit other universities, rural institutions and practitioners/extension workers.
Findings
Improved document delivery service has played an important role in resource sharing, which has led to increased access and usage of information resources in Uganda
Originality/value
The paper is of value to librarians and other practising information professionals as well as library school students who may need to develop document supply services to under‐resourced areas and particularly remote regions.
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The purpose of this paper is to investigate the accessibility and use of health information among primary health care providers. The study focused on women and health workers'…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the accessibility and use of health information among primary health care providers. The study focused on women and health workers' experiences with information in rural Uganda.
Design/methodology/approach
Face‐to‐face interviews (82) were conducted using an interview schedule that consisted of open questions and one relating to health information critical incidents. A holistic inductive paradigm was used with a grounded theory analysis. An “Interaction‐value model” emerged from the study. The model was driven by the value and impact of information, unlike previous information models which have been driven by information needs.
Findings
The findings have a number of implications for improving information provision, and further research.
Originality/value
This study has demonstrated that, although an information need could trigger off an information activity, the subsequent information processes could only be sustained by the value of information. The study has also shown that health workers were generally active information seekers, whereas women were mainly passive.
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The purpose of this paper is to disseminate information about the IFLA pre‐conference in Chania, Crete, Greece on the subject of open access in libraries.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to disseminate information about the IFLA pre‐conference in Chania, Crete, Greece on the subject of open access in libraries.
Design/methodology/approach
Report on visit.
Findings
The main focus of the meeting was open access. Much information was shared.
Originality/value
This is an original work with some quoted material.
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The origins of librarianship in Uganda are indicated and the legislation affecting bibliographic control in the country described. Issues are discussed including publishing, a…
Abstract
The origins of librarianship in Uganda are indicated and the legislation affecting bibliographic control in the country described. Issues are discussed including publishing, a national library and national bibliographic agency, information technology, education and standards. Factors affecting the current state of bibliographic control in Uganda are examined and relevant agencies and publications listed. Strategies for further development are put forward and recommendations made.
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Violeta Alarcão, Pedro Candeias, Miodraga Stefanovska-Petkovska, Sónia Pintassilgo and Fernando Luís Machado
A growing body of evidence suggests that experiences of discrimination may affect physical and mental health through multiple pathways. This paper aims to characterize the extent…
Abstract
Purpose
A growing body of evidence suggests that experiences of discrimination may affect physical and mental health through multiple pathways. This paper aims to characterize the extent of everyday perceived discrimination among Brazilian and Cape Verdean immigrant adults in Portugal, to identify its forms and analyze its association with mental health.
Design/methodology/approach
This study draws on data from the EQUALS4COVID19 (Equity in health in times of pandemic) project that implemented a cross-sectional survey combining online and face-to-face questionnaires for data collection between February and November 2022.
Findings
Women were less likely than men to report no discrimination experiences and more likely to report combined bases of discrimination. While Brazilian women were more likely than Cape Verdean counterparts to report gender and nationality-based discrimination, Cape Verdean women and men were more likely to report experiencing race-based discrimination. Gender (being identified as a woman) and length of stay in Portugal were the main predictors of depression, while resilience and perceived social support were protective factors. Participants with higher levels of resilience showed a significantly diminished association between perceived discrimination and depressive symptoms.
Practical implications
This study highlights the need for further research on the interlocking influences of gender, race, nationality and other structures of power, on health and illness to increase our understanding of what would help meet the specific needs of migrants’ mental health and improve equitable health care.
Originality/value
The findings on the multiple and intersectional discrimination perceived by the Brazilian and Cape Verdean populations in Portugal illustrated the ways mental health can be affected by social structures, such as gender and ethnic hierarchies, and can be used to inform the relevance to design and implement programs on combating individual and institutional discrimination and improving the rights of all people.
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Girdhari Bora, Rajiv Kumar and Ajil Joseph
Community health workers (CHWs) are vital to addressing public health system limitations in developing countries. However, effective identification and support of underperforming…
Abstract
Purpose
Community health workers (CHWs) are vital to addressing public health system limitations in developing countries. However, effective identification and support of underperforming CHWs remains a challenge. This study develops a predictive model to proactively identify underperforming CHWs, facilitating targeted interventions for improved CHW programmes.
Design/methodology/approach
We developed a predictive model to identify underperforming CHWs in Uttar Pradesh, India. Data from 140,101 CHWs over a 12-month period was used to build, test and validate the model. Classification techniques, ensemble modeling and a model tuning algorithm were employed for accuracy optimization and early identification.
Findings
Logistic regression, decision trees and random forests yielded the best performance. While ensemble models offered no significant performance improvements over the base models, the model tuning algorithm effectively increased prediction accuracy by 19 percentage points. This enabled early identification of poor-performing CHWs and high-risk CHW clusters early in the year.
Practical implications
The developed model has significant potential to improve CHW programmes. It enables targeted support, feedback and resource allocation, leading to enhanced CHW performance, motivation and healthcare outcomes in the communities they serve. The model can provide personalised feedback to help CHWs overcome challenges and dynamic clustering facilitates proactive identification and tailored support for those at risk of underperformance.
Originality/value
This study is the first attempt to use predictive modelling to identify underperforming CHWs, advancing the nascent field of CHW performance analytics. It underscores the effectiveness of digital technologies and data in improving CHW programmes.
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Brajesh Mishra and Avanish Kumar
The regulatory framework may be construed as the existence of supporting infrastructure that assists in control, direction/implementation of a proposed course of law, rule or…
Abstract
Purpose
The regulatory framework may be construed as the existence of supporting infrastructure that assists in control, direction/implementation of a proposed course of law, rule or action. The regulatory order is now more formalized, expert-driven, transparent, independent and pervasive across countries and sectors. As a result, regulatory reforms enable markets to function efficiently by providing a supportive environment for increased investment, private sector growth and market-led economic growth. This study aims to review previous literature for understanding the impact of sectoral regulatory framework on sectoral performance.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper has adopted a systematic literature review to understand dynamics between the sectoral regulatory framework and sectoral performance. While seven multidisciplinary databases were used to identify 51 research articles, the bibliometric research profiling was executed to broaden academic research.
Findings
The results are organized into three broad categories: research context, research area and research methods. The identified articles exhibited association with 12 distinct sectors/industries, with maximum articles belonging to telecom, energy and finance industries. The study has focused on evolution of regulatory studies, impact of regulatory framework on sectoral performance and commonality in regulatory studies. Among the 15 distinct research contexts identified in this systematic literature review (SLR), the highest mapping was registered (from 23 articles) by the research context “impact of regulatory framework on the sector–institutions, infrastructure and performance indicators.”
Practical implications
Public administration researchers are increasingly using mixed methods research approaches to add diverse and novel perspectives on wicked problems. The qualitative approach (grounded theory, action research, phenomenology and participant observations) is appropriate for understanding the native viewpoints of regulatory practitioners and reducing the gap between rigor and relevance.
Originality/value
The study addresses lack of systematic review of articles covering the impact of regulatory framework on sectoral performance encompassing all sectors by, inter alia, collating important bibliometric profiles of the identified articles.