Strategies for preservation of digital records in Masvingo Province of Zimbabwe

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) have been embraced by a number of public institutions in Masvingo province of Zimbabwe as part of the government’s drive towards e-governance and improved service delivery. This has resulted in the generation of large volumes of digital records that are invaluable for strengthening accountability, transparency, decision making and service delivery. Preservation of these digital records has been cited as a daunting task for most institutions especially in sub-Saharan Africa. The dynamic nature of information technologies, obsolescence issues, as well as media degradation require digital preservation strategies in place to ensure that digital records remain accessible and usable over time. However, the National Archives of Zimbabwe (NAZ) mandated to preserve all types of records is at the moment unable to ingest digital records from public departments for preservation due to lack of adequate digital storage facilities and skilled manpower. The records creating agencies in Masvingo have been left on their own to deal with the digital preservation conundrum yet they are also faced with similar challenges. This qualitative study utilised the Open Archival Information System (OAIS) reference model as the conceptual framework to explore the strategies for preservation of digital records in Masvingo province in Zimbabwe. Data was gathered through interviews with officials from 13 out of 15 public departments that preserved digital records in Masvingo province, augmented by observation and document analysis. Research data was manually processed and thematically analysed in line with the objectives of the study. The study established that the strategies for preservation of digital records in Masvingo province were failing to guarantee their long-term preservation and security due to lack of supportive legislation, standards, policy guidelines, budgets, adequate and conducive infrastructure and skills. This has resulted in swathes of digital memory being lost. The study recommended the adoption of trusted digital repositories (TDRs) that are compliant to the OAIS standard, close co-operation between records creating agencies, NAZ, information technology (IT) experts and the academia in tackling digital preservation challenges, and the development of preservation policies and guidelines, as well as continuous training and provision of budgets to cater for preservation of digital records. In the absence of infrastructure, the NAZ should consider cloud computing for preservation of digital records as an interim solution while observing legal obligations.Information ScienceM. Inf. (Archival Science

Introducing exploration geophysics to students using Ohm’s law: A case study of prospecting for groundwater by Hlangabeza high school students in Nkayi rural district of Zimbabwe

This study sought to explain how a familiar physics topic of Ohm’s law of electricity can be used to explore the interior of the earth. The paper gives the theory on the resistivity method of exploration and how it is used for constant separation traversing and vertical electrical sounding. A fieldwork done by physics students from Hlangabeza high school, in Nkayi district, Matebeleland north province, Zimbabwe is given in detail. This involved locating a drilling site for a groundwater borehole. The Schlumberger depth sounding data where interpreted using a computer freeware. This was used to computer a layered earth model using least square technique to match the theoretical apparent resistivity curve as close as possible to the field curve. This provided depth information of the weathered layer above the bedrock at selected site. The overall results suggest that teaching physics can easily be done through putting theory into practice. The fieldworks demonstrated that they prop up the development of expert science behavior in students

Perceptions of child death in Jigawa State, Nigeria: a mixed-methods study on how sociocultural nuances shape paediatric mortality reporting

BACKGROUND: Vital statistics are critical for effective public health and monitoring progress towards child survival. Nigeria has the highest global under-five mortality rate; however, deaths are often under- or misreported. OBJECTIVE: We explored perceptions of child deaths and socio-cultural factors influencing the reporting of child deaths in Jigawa State, Nigeria. METHODS: We conducted a triangulation mixed-methods study in Kiyawa local government area, Jigawa, including: four focus group discussions (FGDs) with 8-12 women, six key informant interviews (KII) with Imams, and process data from 42 verbal autopsies (VAs) conducted with caregivers of deceased children. Data was collected between November 2019-April 2021. Purposive sampling was used to recruit FDG and KII participants and two-stage systematic and simple random sampling was employed to recruit VA participants. Qualitative data was analysed using content analysis; VA data was described with proportions. RESULTS: Five categories emerged from FGDs: culturally grounded perceptions of child death, etiquette in mourning and offering condolence, formal procedures surrounding child death, the improving relationship between hospital and community, and reporting practices. Women expressed that talking or crying about a death was not culturally accepted, and that prayer is the most acceptable form of coping and offering condolence. Many women expressed that death was God's will. These findings correlated with VAs, in which visible signs of emotional distress were recorded in 31% of the interviews. Three categories emerged from KIIs: religion as part of formal procedures surrounding child death, communities support the bereaved, and multilayered reasons for unreported deaths. Imams serve a key role as community leaders, involved in both the logistical and religious aspects of their community, though they are not involved in mortality reporting. CONCLUSION: Religion plays a central role in burial practices, community mourning rituals, and expression of grief, but does not extend to reporting of child deaths. Imams could provide an opportunity for improving vital registration

Influence of egg shell as heterogeneous catalyst in the production of biodiesel via transesterification of Jatropha oil

The increase in energy demand together with the negative global environmental impacts of using fossil fuel for energy generations brings a question on dependability on it for sustainable economic growth. The way out is the use of renewable sources of energy such as biodiesel which has significant advantages over its counterpart (fossil fuel). Biodiesel can be produced through various methods such as transesterification, micro emulsion and pyrolysis. The influence of egg shell as heterogeneous catalysts in the production of biodiesel via transesterification of Jatropha oil was investigated. The physical and chemical properties of the catalyst were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Xray fluoroscopy (XRF) characterizations. The crude Jatropha oil was transesterified and 0.1 wt%, 0.2 wt%, 0.3wt%, 0.5wt% and 0.5wt% of egg shell were used as heterogeneous catalyst during transesterification process. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) was used to determine the functional group of the samples. SEM and FTIR characterizations indicate the presence of dispersed particles on the catalyst and ester (biodiesel) on the samples respectively. The maximum percentage of biodiesel yield is 94.3% at the application of 0.2wt% egg shell as catalyst using 1:6 oil to methanol ratio in 1hr at 60-65℃. This indicated that the egg shell has high potential to be used as catalyst in the production of biodiesel via transesterification of Jatropha oil

Introduction of household biogas digesters in rural farming households of the Maluti-a-Phofung municipality, South Africa

The study aimed to introduce biogas as an alternative source of energy for rural cattle farmers in the Maluti-a-Phofung municipality in the Free State Province, South Africa. To augment the rural farming community’s adoption of the biodigester technology the following initiatives were undertaken: (i) a situational analysis (or diagnostic survey); (ii) training on biogas production in an integrated crop-livestock-bioenergy system; (iii) installation of the biodigesters; and (iv) monitoring and evaluation of the biogas production. Results on the diagnostic survey showed that the main source of energy for cooking was wood in all the farms and availability of water was not a constraint. Prefabricated biodigesters of 6m3 -12m3 were installed in all the households and, after continual feeding of the units with cattle dung, the production of biogas increased gradually. Monitoring of biogas production showed that, in two-thirds of the households, 80% of their cooking needs were met in summer, while in winter biogas production was minimal due to extremely cold weather. Challenges faced included non-adherence to a feeding regime – resulting in a blockage of the biodigester – and lack of feeding. Generally, farmers in the study area showed a high appreciation of the biodigester technology

Integrated Sustainable childhood Pneumonia and Infectious disease Reduction in Nigeria (INSPIRING) through whole system strengthening in Jigawa, Nigeria: study protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Child mortality remains unacceptably high, with Northern Nigeria reporting some of the highest rates globally (e.g. 192/1000 live births in Jigawa State). Coverage of key protect and prevent interventions, such as vaccination and clean cooking fuel use, is low. Additionally, knowledge, care-seeking and health system factors are poor. Therefore, a whole systems approach is needed for sustainable reductions in child mortality. METHODS: This is a cluster randomised controlled trial, with integrated process and economic evaluations, conducted from January 2021 to September 2022. The trial will be conducted in Kiyawa Local Government Area, Jigawa State, Nigeria, with an estimated population of 230,000. Clusters are defined as primary government health facility catchment areas (n = 33). The 33 clusters will be randomly allocated (1:1) in a public ceremony, and 32 clusters included in the impact evaluation. The trial will evaluate a locally adapted 'whole systems strengthening' package of three evidence-based methods: community men's and women's groups, Partnership Defined Quality Scorecard and healthcare worker training, mentorship and provision of basic essential equipment and commodities. The primary outcome is mortality of children aged 7 days to 59 months. Mortality will be recorded prospectively using a cohort design, and secondary outcomes measured through baseline and endline cross-sectional surveys. Assuming the following, we will have a minimum detectable effect size of 30%: (a) baseline mortality of 100 per 1000 livebirths, (b) 4480 compounds with 3 eligible children per compound, (c) 80% power, (d) 5% significance, (e) intra-cluster correlation of 0.007 and (f) coefficient of variance of cluster size of 0.74. Analysis will be by intention-to-treat, comparing intervention and control clusters, adjusting for compound and trial clustering. DISCUSSION: This study will provide robust evidence of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of community-based participatory learning and action, with integrated health system strengthening and accountability mechanisms, to reduce child mortality. The ethnographic process evaluation will allow for a rich understanding of how the intervention works in this context. However, we encountered a key challenge in calculating the sample size, given the lack of timely and reliable mortality data and the uncertain impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN 39213655 . Registered on 11 December 2019

Effects of non-audit services on professionalism: case of PKF chartered accountants Zimbabwe

The Zimbabwean audit industry has been agonised by compromised auditor professionalism as a result of the joint provision of non-audit services and audit services. Based on this background, this study endeavours to investigate the effects of non-audit services on professionalism. A quantitative method and descriptive approach was adopted for the presentations and analysis of data and a review of literature of various scholars who also investigated auditor professionalism and non-audit service was conducted. A sample size of 35 employees (65) was used for the gathering of data used in this study. The results advocate that NAS provision affect professionalism though there is need to salvage its provision due to other positive effects

The Outcomes Evaluation Of the Adolescents Sexual Reproductive Health Program at Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC), Matabeleland North

Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) implemented the Adolescents Sexual Reproductive Health Programme (ARSH) in all its provinces. The programme is to enable young people to have access to comprehensive range of quality Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) information and services and to make informed and responsible decisions about their SRH, reducing their risk of HIV infection and be supported appropriately by their communities, development partners and other relevant stakeholders. This programme was implemented and operated within the Zimbabwe National ASRH strategy, 2010-2015, ZINASP II and the broader goals of ZNFPC strategy. To date various funding partners have made efforts to strengthen the ARSH program. ZNFPC have received funding from International Parenthood Federation (IPPF), National AIDS Council (NAC), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF). The program used the 3 approaches to address the needs of the adolescents and youth. These are i.) Youth Centre approach ii.) The health facility based i.e. the youth friendly corners at health institutions and iii.) The school-based approaches through the HIV clubs, guidance and counseling and peer education, edutainment, awareness raising activities, and social responsibility activities. Using the 3 approaches ZNFPC sought to reach out to the youth that are both in and out of school. With these activities the programme sought to improve and increase knowledge and skills on safe sexual and reproductive health practices amongst young people. Therefore the purpose and scope of this evaluation are to measure the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability of the ZNFPC’s adolescents sexual Reproductive Health Program to meeting the needs of the young people aged between 10-24-year-old in Bulawayo and Matabeleland North province. Specifically its main objectives were to determine whether exposure to the ZNFPC ARSH comprehensive, integrated program resulted in improved ASRH knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours among young people aged between 10-24 years in the 2 provinces. This was done in order to facilitate an understanding and broader appreciation amongst the stakeholders of the extent to which the envisioned change(s) was achieved during the project’s implementation and in the period immediately after and also to make recommendations for improving the programme. The evaluation focused on young people’s exposure to 6 program components of the program namely (i) Youth Friendly Clinical Services, (ii) Peer education and (iii) life livelihood skills training, (iv.) information education and communication services and (v) institutional capacity building (vi.) distribution and advocating for condom use. The programme was therefore evaluated against the five OECD/DAC evaluation guidelines of Relevance, Effectiveness, Efficiency, Outcome and Impact and Sustainability. Triangulation Methods were adopted for this evaluation and the findings

The models of democracy that can be suitably applied to Zimbabwe school education system

The study explored the models of democracy that can be suitably applied to Zimbabwe school education system. This was driven by the fact that most African countries have not adopted proper models democracy in their institutions including schools. The study was also necessitated by the fact that democracy has historically proved to be closely to human flourishing. (Glaeser, Ponzetto & Shleifer, 2006; Halperin and Weinstein, 2005; Mangu, 2004; Pinar, 2003; and Carr, 2000). In light of the foregoing, the study argued that there are many models of democracy that can be suitably applied to Zimbabwe school education system. The theoretical analytical approach was used to critically analyze the issues under study. The study established that six models of democracy can be suitably applied to Zimbabwe school education system and these are classical democracy, direct democracy, indirect democracy, protective democracy, deliberative democracy and cosmopolitan democracy. The study, therefore, recommends that the government ensure that democracy is a chief ingredient in the education system. Various models of democracy ought to be embraced in the Zimbabwean education and be implemented in an integrated approach. There is also a need to have ubiquitous workshops with all the stakeholders in the education system on the importance of democracy in school. Learners must be allowed to have their freedom freely expressed in the schools without threats from the responsible authorities. There is need by the government and other organizations to enlighten learners in the schools so that they are empowered in regard to democracy. The study also recommends that any change in the education system ought to be a brain child of all the stakeholders and not a reform from above. There is also a need to jealously guard the freedoms, rights and opportunities of teachers, pupils and other stakeholders from infringement by the government. Deliberation ought to characterize the education institutions in the country and every learning must be characterized by critical thinking and rationality by all and finally any decision in the schools must be rendered valid after having voted for it and the majority endorsed it