Knowledge, Attitude And Practice (Kap) Of School Teachers On Malaria, Helminthiasis And Associated Risk Factors In Primary Schools In Onitsha, Anambra State, South-Eastern Nigeria

Structured questionnaires were administered to 160 teachers from different Nursery and Primary Schools in GRA Onitsha, Nigeria to assess their knowledge, atttude and practices (KAP) on malaria, helminthiass and associated risk factors in the schools’ premises. Educational attainments of the teachers were Masters Degree (0.8 %), Bachelors Degree (39.2 %), Diploma Certcate (50.8 %), and Secondary School Certificate (9.2 %). There were more female (99.2 %) than males (0.8 %). A high percentage o the teachers (754 %) attributed malaria to eating too much oily food, hereditary (0.7 %), intense sunlight (2.1 %), drinking of dirty water (0.7 %), butter (3.5 %), and fried foods (1.4 %). On malaria prevention, about 64.2 % of teachers heard about insecticide treated net (ITN) but have never used it. Other preventive measures mentioned were use of clean environment (31.9 %), mosquito nets (20.2 %), and antmalarial drugs (12.3 %). KAP on helminthiass indicated that some of teachers attributed worm infection to eating sugary foods (19.2 %), drinking dirty water (9.3 %), natural occurrence (1.3 %), eating with diry hands (13.9 %), unwashed fruits and vegetables (10.6 %), unripe fruits (3.3 %), and over ripped fruits (2.0 %). About 48.33 % had seen worms in pupil’s stool., while 375 % had de-wormed pupils; 533 % of them using Ketrax®. Teachers’ perceved methods o preventing worm infection were avoidanceof sugary foods (27.9 %), washing hands before eating (10.46%), washing fruits and vegetables before consumption (26.2 %), and drinking clean water (10.46 %), while 22.1-30 % dd not knowhow to prevent nor treat helminthiasis Risk factorsfor parasitic infections observed in most of theschools included indiscriminate defecation, unhygienic lavatories, blocked drainages, container breeding habitats and open dumping of wastes. Health education for teachers in nursery and primary schools on transmission, prevention and treatment of malaria and helminthiass is hghly advocated. Keywords: Malaria, Helminthiasis, Parasitic infections, Risk factors, Primary schools children, KAP

Schaffung einer Basis für die kontinuierliche Qualitätsanalyse

Die Qualität der Software ist ein wesentlicher Faktor für den wirtschaftlichen Erfolg von Softwaresystemen, die langlebig und erweiterbar sein sollen. Sie hat vor allem entscheidenden Einfluss auf die Effizienz der Wartung und Weiterentwicklung. Erfahrungsgemäß nimmt aber die Qualität der Software mit der Zeit ab. Die kontinuierlichen Änderungen und Erweiterungen des Quellcodes, sich ständig ändernde Anforderungen und die Anpassungen der Software an unterschiedliche technische Umgebungen können zum schleichenden Qualitätsverfall führen. Um diesem Verfall der Qualität entgegenzuwirken, ist es notwendig gewisse Regeln zu definieren und durch eine kontinuierliche Analyse die Einhaltung dieser Regeln zu kontrollieren. Dabei soll nicht nur der Entwicklungsprozess, sondern auch das Produkt selbst analysiert und verbessert werden. Auf Grund der Größe heutiger Softwaresysteme ist es empfehlenswert solch eine Qualitätsüberprüfung sowohl durch manuelle Inspektionen, als auch mittels dafür geeigneten Werkzeugen durchzuführen. Die Werkzeuge, die zur Operationalisierung der kontinuierlichen Softwarequalitätsanalyse dienen, werden Software Quality Dashboards genannt. Diese Werkzeuge sammeln und liefern Daten über den aktuellen Qualitätszustand eines Softwaresystems in Form von Tabellen, Trends- und Übersichtsgrafiken. Mit Hilfe dieser Daten können später Aussagen über die Qualität und die Weiterentwicklungsfähigkeit des Softwaresystems gemacht werden

Evaluation of security and performance impact of cryptographic and hashing algorithms in site-to-site virtual private networks

The secure and efficient operation of Site-to-Site Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) is critical for modern data transmission, yet the current literature lacks a comprehensive analysis of the trade-offs between security and performance. This paper addresses this gap by evaluating the impact of various cryptographic algorithms and hashing functions on VPN performance. Evaluating the impact of cryptographic algorithms on network performance in a Site-to-Site VPN is essential for determining data transmission efficiency. Several factors, including encryption methods, hashing, bandwidth limitations and others could, influence VPN performance. Further, cyberattacks such as Denial of Service (DoS), Media Access Control (MAC) flooding, and synchronize (SYN) flooding can target VPN infrastructures. Therefore, it is crucial to assess cryptographic algorithms to identify the most suitable ones for different network characteristics and find balance that the end user needs. The paper's contributions are threefold. Firstly, it explores the complex relationship between cryptographic and hashing algorithms and their implications for security and network performance, aiming to enhance Site-to-Site VPN security without compromising efficiency. Secondly, we implement a dynamic VPN configuration tool and conduct performance tests in a virtual environment using Graphical Network Simulator-3 (GNS3) and File Transfer Protocol (FTP), Datafile transfers to measure the impact of various encryption pairs, including Advance Encryption Algorithm (AES), Data Encryption Standard (DES), Triple Data Encryption Standard (3DES), and hashing functions such as Secure Hash Algorithm 2 (SHA2) and Message Digest (MD5). Finally, we assess the resilience of VPNs to specific cyberattacks and evaluate the trade-offs between security and transmission efficiency. The findings show that 3DES with SHA2 offers an acceptable balance between speed and security, making it a solid choice when both are important

Enhancing the security of public key cryptography in addressing quantum computing threats

The potential of quantum computing to compromise traditional public-key cryptography (PKC) has led to a pressing need for more efficient and resilient cryptographic methods. Recent advancements, such as the 800x improvement in the logical error rate by Microsoft and QUANTINUUM, underscore the urgency of this issue. Post-quantum cryptography (PQC) offers a promising solution designed to withstand quantum attacks. This paper examines how PQC and other advanced cryptographic techniques can enhance the security and efficiency of PKC in the quantum era. Current PKC methods, despite revolutionizing secure online communication, are vulnerable to flaws in their underlying algorithms. The proposed hybrid model integrates PQC with traditional PKC, leveraging both technologies' strengths to mitigate quantum threats while preserving established security benefits. The investigation addresses critical research questions: how to enhance PKC key management for better efficiency and security, and which PQC techniques can protect PKC from quantum attacks. This paper's contribution includes identifying vulnerabilities in existing PKC, comparing RSA and post-quantum algorithms, and implementing a PQC algorithm between a client and server to analyze integration with existing protocols. Finally, the paper recommends security mechanisms to improve PQC protocols, ensuring robust protection against emerging quantum computing capabilities

Reconciliation

AbstractIn this article, the late Professor Efemie Ikenga-Metuh reflects on the basic message that Pope John Paul II delivered on the occasion of his 1998 visit to Nigeria. That message, says Metuh, could be summarized in two words: Reconciliation and Dialogue. It will only be when Nigerians begin to dialogue frankly and respectfully with one another that they will be able to come to reconciliation. And in reconciliation is the key to deliverance from the situation of corruption and injustice in which Nigeria is still so sadly held hostage. In diesem Beitrag überlegt der jüngst verstorbene Professor Efemie Ikenga-Metuh die Grundbotschaft, die Papst Johannes Paul II bei seinem Besuch in Nigerien 1998 anbot. Diese Botschaft lässt sich nach Metuh in zwei Worte fassen: Versöhnung und Dialog. Erst wenn die Nigerianer beginnen, offen und rücksichtsvoll miteinander in Dialog zu treten, werden sie fähig sein, sich zu versöhnen. Und die Versöhnung ist der Schlüssel, um aus der Situation von Korruption und Ungerechtigkeit herauszukommen, die Nigerien immer noch so schwer bedrückt. </jats:sec