International Journal of World Policy and Development Studies

Online ISSN: 2415-2331
Print ISSN: 2415-5241

Quarterly Published (4 Issues Per Year)





Archives

Volume 7 Number 3 September 2021

Effect of Community Health Support Systems and Technology Obsolescence on Utilization of mHealth Information by Teenagers Living with HIV/AIDS in Island Communities of Lake Victoria, Kenya


Authors: Olan’g Alfred Philip Bill Okaka ; Florence Ondieki - Mwaura ; Maurice Sakwa
Pages: 45-56
DOI: doi.org/10.32861/ijwpds.73.45.56
Abstract
The emergence of mHealth as an alternative access point for care and treatment is lauded by development agencies as ingenious innovation for bridging health care access for teenagers living with HIV/AIDS among detached communities like the islands of Lake Victoria. It is also presumed that mHealth transcends beyond teenagers’ concerns with location and unfriendly hours of operation of health facilities. mHealth is alleged to increase privacy and confidentiality, reduce the cost of service delivery, and loops over retrogressive cultural beliefs and attitudes exhibited by health care providers and caregivers, consequently increasing access to health information, care, and treatment. Specifically, the study sought to determine the technology obsolescence and explore community-based health support systems that facilitate suitable utilization of mHealth by teenagers living with HIV from the island communities of Lake Victoria and its effect on treatment access. To support this study, two philosophies: The theory of Reasoned Action and the Technology Adoption Lifecycle Model were applied. Anchored on cross-sectional study design, stratified sampling identified the psychosocial support groups of teenagers living with HIV. The probit model was applied to the study. With a study population of approximately 409 in Ringiti, Remba, Rusinga, Mfangano, and Mageta Islands, questionnaires were administered to 173 sampled teenagers living with HIV as a unit of analysis, and a control group made up of 30 percent of the sample ascertained effect of mHealth on treatment access. Five focus group discussions and key informant interviews of 10 and 3 were held on each Island. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to estimate the effect of the independent variables on the dependent variable. Further, the results showed that technology obsolescence and community-based health support systems had a significant effect on access to treatment by teenagers living with HIV/AIDS in the Island communities of Lake Victoria. Consequently, this study provides organizations promoting access to access to treatment by teenagers living with HIV/AIDS through mHealth. The study recommended that government and organizations involved in HIV/AIDS related activities should adopt a culture of enhancing mHealth by focusing on technology obsolescence and community-based health support systems. This could go a long way in ensuring there is improved access to treatment by teenagers living with HIV/AIDS in Island communities of Lake Victoria.

Challenges of Emergency Management in Nigeria: A Case Study of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) (FEMA)


Authors: Oruonye E. D. ; Dimas Anikemuah ; Ahmed Y. M.
Pages: 35-44
DOI: doi.org/10.32861/ijwpds.73.35.44
Abstract
The study examined the challenges of emergency management and response in Nigeria; a case study of FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), FCT Nigeria. The study assesses the nature and trend of disasters and emergency situations prevalent in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the effectiveness of FEMA’s response to emergency situations in the FCT, and highlights the challenges of the Federal Environmental Management Agency of FCT. Both primary and secondary methods of data collection were used. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. The findings of the study revealed that road crashes and flooding are the highest emergency situations recorded in the area. The trend shows that in 2014, 40 emergency situations were recorded, 26 in 2016, and 49 the highest in 2019. In terms of the effectiveness of FEMA’s response to emergencies, the study findings revealed that from 2014 to 2019, 215 emergency situations were recorded, 740 lives were saved as a result of FEMA’s response time of 3 to 15 minutes. The study also revealed that FCT FEMA synergies with other emergency stakeholders in emergency management and response. Training of staffs was periodically carried out to improve productivity and level of alertness of the staff. Some of the humanitarian services of FCT FEMA include the distribution of relief materials and school enrolment for internally displaced persons (IDPs). These notwithstanding, the activities of the agency have been constrained by inadequate funding, poor logistics, wrong address from callers, lack of proper maintenance of infrastructure and equipment, improper vulnerability assessment, and inadequate and ineffective legal and regulatory framework. Based on the findings, the study recommends adequate funding, use of other means of transportation, public enlightenment, and increase synergies among emergency management stakeholders.