Hasil untuk "History of Africa"

I. Lapidus

Mackenzie Ishmael Chibambo, Joseph Jinja Divala, Lemeez Fick

Educational inequality in the Sub-Saharan Africa has faced significant challenges since the colonial era. While many African countries have sought to increase access to quality education since independence around the early 1990s, the majority of these countries have very little to show when it comes to achieving epistemological access in education in which matters of quality, equality and justice are embedded notions. Of course, issues of inequalities in Africa just like in many developing countries worldwide are not new as they are foregrounded in the history of colonial exploitation, systemic marginalization, and imbalanced development priorities. More specifically so, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Malawi have served as unique examples in illustrating how the proponents of colonialism and apartheid had used education to enforce racial and class dominance through manipulation of the curriculum, educators, and all policies that guided socio-economic life. There these very historical inequalities that continue to influence present day social, economic, educational and political conditions of many countries in the Sub-Saharan Africa. This study therefore sought to explain and understand how colonial-era-like policies have continued to shape socioeconomic and educational conditions of modern African countries and how these policies and practices have recreated and sustained power-relations and inequalities among the peoples. Theoretically, the paper is guided by Epistemic Injustices as advanced by Mirander Fricker and Gaile Pohlhaus due to its ability to illuminate power-relations, domination and exploitation. Methodologically, the paper utilised qualitative research design especially document analysis since these events are naturally historical, and that over the years, research scholars have done several studies leading education reforms, policy and curriculum reforms all of which are in the public domain.

Manuel Dominguez-Rodrigo, Enrique Baquedano, Abel Moclan et al.

The role of megafaunal exploitation in early human evolution remains debated. Occasional use of large carcasses by early hominins has been considered by some as opportunistic, possibly a fallback dietary strategy, and for others a more important survival strategy. At Olduvai Gorge, evidence for megafaunal butchery is scarce in the Oldowan of Bed I but becomes more frequent and widespread after 1.8 Ma in Bed II, coinciding with the emergence of Acheulean technologies, but not functionally related to the main Acheulian tool types. Here, we present the earliest direct evidence of proboscidean butchery, including a newly documented elephant butchery site (EAK). This shift in behavior is accompanied by larger, more complex occupation sites, signaling a profound ecological and technological transformation. Rather than opportunistic scavenging, these findings suggest a strategic adaptation to megafaunal resources, with implications for early human subsistence and social organization. The ability to systematically exploit large prey represents a unique evolutionary trajectory, with no direct modern analogue, since modern foragers do so only episodically.

Graham A. Duncan

This article investigated the paradox between church response to apartheid and resulting action at the local level in the South African churches of European origin from the perspective of the Presbyterian Church of South(ern) Africa (PCSA). It indicated that this discrepancy arose between the reflections (cerebral faith) at the highest levels of church councils, which operated in an intermittent manner and at a distance, compared with the responses (praxis as faith in action) of local church members who lived at the coalface of the struggle and sought to witness in a society dominated by racism, where the tension between faith and politics was most evident. The primary focus was on two inter-racial congregations, one of the PCSA, the other a united congregation in which the PCSA participated. This study used primary and secondary sources. The theoretical framework of the article was Thomas Groome’s approach of shared praxis. Contribution: This article contributed to the history of the apartheid era in ecclesiastical contexts. It demonstrated the anomalies that arose within different constituencies within churches of European origin by investigating the situation in one particular denomination. This was a discussion of the relationship of faith and politics in the private and public domains, which takes account of developments within a shared praxis approach.

Radmila Nakarada, Jelena Vidojević

Against the background of the global crises and the urgency it created, the authors attempt to problematise the pathways to empowering the peripheries of the world – the victimised, excluded, humiliated and entangled. As assumptions relevant for the empowerment of the peripheries they discuss: the need to re-read one’s own history; “accurate reconnaissance” of the current local circumstances; understanding the “workings of the global neoliberal capitalism”; focusing on integrating, making use of new scientific insights, reinvigorating fundamental values and generating internal actors of change; establishing new transformative alliances of the peripheries. The assumptions are contextualized in relation to the process of transition taking place in post-apartheid South Africa and post-socialist Serbia.

Bekalu Getachew, Tilahun Alemayehu, Soressa Abebe et al.

Background: Congenital anomalies, also known as birth defects, are structural, functional and metabolic disorders that occur during intrauterine life and can be identified prenatally, at birth or later in life. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 270,000 deaths globally were attributable to congenital anomalies, and the aim of the study was to examine factors associated with overt congenital anomalies in Ethiopia in general and in Jimma particularly is currently inadequate. Objectives: To assess the prevalence of overt congenital anomalies and associated factors among neonates delivered at Jimma university medical center. Methods: An institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted from May 1 to June 30, 2018. Data was collected from 754 delivered neonates with their respective mothers using structured and interviewer- administered questionnaire. All data were cleaned, coded and entered into EPI data 3.1 and exported to SPSS software version 20:0 for analysis. Analysis included descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Multivariate logistic regression model was fitted to assess the association between the independent and dependent variables. Adjusted Odds ratios were calculated with 95 % CIs and considered significant with a p-value < 0.05. Results: A total of 754 neonates were delivered from 754 mothers. The study finding showed that the prevalence of overt congenital anomalies among live and still births neonates was 4.1 % (411 per 10,000 births). Majority of anomalies were isolated and major in 93.5 % and 96.7 % of cases respectively. Central nervous system anomalies had the highest prevalence (45.1 %) and followed by orofacial clefts (25.8 %) and musculoskeletal system defects (13 %).Unknown medication uses during early pregnancy (AOR = 15.18; 95 % CI: 5.51–40.27, p-value=<0.00), history of maternal khat chewing in early pregnancy (AOR = 3.41; 95 % CI: 1.46–7.95, p-value = 0.004), and maternal chronic illness before conception (AOR = 4.3; 95 % CI = 1.65–11.37, p-value = 0.031), were the factors associated with overt congenital anomalies. Folic acid use (AOR = 0.18; 95 % CI: 0.02–0.92, p-value = 0.003) during periconception had a protective effect from overt congenital anomaly. Conclusion: The Prevalence of overt congenital anomalies among the study participants was high. Unknown medication use, folic acid use, maternal chronic illness and history of maternal khat chewing were independent predictors of overt congenital anomalies.

E. Matovu, B. Bucheton, J. Chisi et al.

H3Africa is developing capacity for health-related genomics research in Africa Our understanding of genome biology, genomics, and disease, and even human history, has advanced tremendously with the completion of the Human Genome Project. Technological advances coupled with significant cost reductions in genomic research have yielded novel insights into disease etiology, diagnosis, and therapy for some of the world's most intractable and devastating diseases—including malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, cancer, and diabetes. Yet, despite the burden of infectious diseases and, more recently, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in Africa, Africans have only participated minimally in genomics research. Of the thousands of genome-wide association studies (GWASs) that have been conducted globally, only seven (for HIV susceptibility, malaria, tuberculosis, and podoconiosis) have been conducted exclusively on African participants; four others (for prostate cancer, obsessive compulsive disorder, and anthropometry) included some African participants (www.genome.gov/gwastudies/). As discussed in 2011 (www.h3africa.org), if the dearth of genomics research involving Africans persists, the potential health and economic benefits emanating from genomic science may elude an entire continent.

J. Rogers

Sabrina Mervin

Dominic Bachegejoa Apedani, Amankwah Koduah, Andrews Adjei Druye et al.

Background: Hospitalisation of a preterm baby presents significant burden to parents, especially mothers. However, little evidence on supportive services to improve self-efficacy for mothers on caring for their preterm babies exist. This study explored the experiences of mothers of preterm babies regarding the support services they received at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of a mission hospital in Ghana. Methodology: The study utilised the explorative descriptive qualitative case study design with purposive sampling of mothers of preterm babies admitted in the NICU. In-depth interviews were conducted on 16 mothers of preterm babies using a semi-structured interview guide until data saturation was reached. The interviews were audio taped, transcribed and analysed using thematic content analysis. Findings: The findings showed that mothers generally received some form of logistical support (sleeping room, mattresses, bath rooms and toilets), psychosocial support services (counselling, peer support, kangaroo mother care) and health education from various health professionals. However, these support services were not adequately available to meet their needs. Conclusion: Mothers of preterm babies experienced less support during hospitalisation of their babies in the NICU of a mission hospital in Ghana. The mothers expressed the desire that health professionals in neonatal care settings should offer physical and psychosocial support to parents of preterm infants to build their capacity in caring for the babies. There was the need for a multidisciplinary approach to organising support services at the NICU.

Tesfa Sewunet Alamneh, Achamyeleh Birhanu Teshale, Misganaw Gebrie Worku et al.

Abstract Background Globally, preterm birth is the leading cause of neonatal and under-five children mortality. Sub-Saharan African (SSA) accounts for the majority of preterm birth and death following its complications. Despite this, there is limited evidence about the pooled prevalence and associated factors of preterm birth at SSA level using nation-wide representative large dataset. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the pooled prevalence and associated factors of preterm birth among reproductive aged women. Methods The recent Demographic and Health Surveys (DHSs) data of 36 SSA countries were used. We included a total weighted sample of 172,774 reproductive-aged women who were giving birth within five years preceding the most recent survey of SSA countries were included in the analysis. We used a multilevel logistic regression model to identify the associated factors of preterm birth in SSA. We considered a statistical significance at a p-value less than 0.05. Results In this study, 5.33% (95% CI: 5.23, 5.44%) of respondents in SSA had delivered preterm baby. Being form eastern Africa, southern Africa, rural area, being educated, substance use, having multiple pregnancy, currently working history, having history of terminated pregnancy, and previous cesarean section delivery, primi-parity, and short birth interval were associated with higher odds of preterm birth among reproductive aged women. However, having better wealth index, being married, wanted pregnancy, and having four or more antenatal care visit were associated with lower odds for a preterm birth among reproductive aged women. Conclusion The prevalence of preterm birth among reproductive-aged women remains a major public health problem in SSA. Preterm birth was affected by various socio-economic and obstetrical factors. Therefore, it is better to consider the high-risk groups during intervention to prevent the short-term and long-term consequences of preterm birth.

Aldair Rodrigues

Este artigo analisa os impactos da presença dos grupos de línguas gbe na formação do léxico empregado no detalhamento das cicatrizes rituais da população africana presente no distrito diamantino da capitania de Minas Gerais em meados do século XVIII. O enfoque é dado sobre o processo histórico de difusão do termo “geja”, explorando tanto os seus significados ligados a padrões específicos de escarificações como o seu uso generalizado para marcas corporais africanas, independentemente da origem étnica. Examina-se a sua emergência como índice de uma cadeia mais ampla de significados atrelados à etnogênese jeje em um contexto de grande concentração urbana de povos da Costa da Mina. “With Two Gejas on Each Temple”: scarification and the process of visual translation in the jeje diaspora of 18th Century in Minas Gerais Considering the visual culture of the African diaspora, this article analyzes the effects of the presence of Gbe language groups in the formation of the lexicon used in detailing the ritual scarification of the African population present in the diamond district of the captaincy of Minas Gerais in the eighteenth century. It focuses on the historical process of spreading the term geja, exploring both its meanings linked to specific patterns of scarification and its widespread use for African body markings in general. Its emergence is examined as an index of a broader chain of meanings connected to the Gbe ethnogenesis in a context of great urban concentration of people from Costa da Mina. Jeje Nation | African Diaspora | Gejas | Scarification

Dietrich Schmidt-Vogt

Andrés J. Gutiérrez-Escobar, María M. Bravo, Orlando Acevedo et al.

The stomach bacterium Helicobacter pylori is one of the most prevalent pathogens in humans, closely linked with serious diseases such as gastric cancer. The microbe has been associated with its host for more than 100,000 years and escorted modern humans out of Africa. H. pylori is predominantly transmitted within families and dispersed globally, resulting in distinct phylogeographic patterns, which can be utilized to investigate migrations and bioturbation events in human history. Latin America was affected by several human migratory waves due to the Spanish colonisation that drastically changed the genetic load and composition of the bacteria and its host. Genetic evidence indicates that independent evolutionary lines of H. pylori have evolved in mestizos from Colombia and other countries in the region during more than 500 years since colonisation. The vacuolating cytotoxin VacA represents a major virulence factor of the pathogen comprising two domains, p33 and p55, the latter of which is essential for binding to the host epithelial cell. The evolution of the VacA toxin in Colombia has been strongly biased due to the effects of Spanish colonization. However, the variation patterns and microevolution of the p55 domain have not yet been described for this population. In the present study, we determined the genetic polymorphisms and deviations in the neutral model of molecular evolution in the p55 domain of 101 clinical H. pylori isolates collected in Bogotá, a city located in Andean mountains characterized by its high gastric cancer risk and its dominant mestizo population. The microevolutionary patterns of the p55 domain were shaped by recombination, purifying and episodic diversifying positive selection. Furthermore, amino acid positions 261 and 321 in the p55 domain of VacA show a high variability among mestizos clinical subsets, suggesting that natural selection in H. pylori may operate differentially in patients with different gastric diseases.

Pinchevsky Y, Raal F, Butkow N et al.

Yacob Pinchevsky,1 Frederick Raal,2 Neil Butkow,1 Tobias Chirwa,3 Larry Distiller,4 Alan Rothberg5 1Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, School of Therapeutic Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; 2Carbohydrate and Lipid Metabolism Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; 3Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; 4Centre for Diabetes and Endocrinology, Johannesburg, South Africa; 5School of Therapeutic Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa Purpose: With the realities of resource constraints existing in South Africa&rsquo;s public sector and the evidence of disparities in health care between populations, the study sought to compare the quality of diabetes care and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) receiving care within two specialized settings: one in the public and the other in the private sector. Particular emphasis was placed on complication rates at the two sites.Patients and methods: Quantitative and qualitative data were collected between June and October 2016 from existing patients&rsquo; records at each setting. Data included patient demographics, potential barriers to accessing care, medical history, laboratory results, pharmacological treatment and diabetes-related clinical, biochemical and HRQoL outcomes. With outcome measurements being the priority, methodology incorporated the Donabedian model in which &ldquo;structure&rdquo; of health care systems, access to care and processes of care are key to determine outcomes.Results: A total of 290 T2DM patients were enrolled. Analysis revealed that private patients were predominantly Caucasian with higher socioeconomic indicators (p&lt;0.01) and education levels (p&lt;0.0001) and experienced fewer access barriers to clinical services/care (p&lt;0.00001). Private patients also had more frequent consultations with dietitians (p&lt;0.0001), podiatrists (p&lt;0.0001) and biokineticists (p&lt;0.0001). In the important area of complications, which ultimately determine the course of T2DM, rates of micro- and macrovascular disease as well as HRQoL scores and sub-scores were similar between the sites, which were measured by the EuroQoL-5 dimension (EQ-5D) assessment tool. While results indicated that public sector care may be equivalent in terms of the latter outcomes, a smaller number of patients are treated in the clinic than would be ideal in terms of the public sector burden of T2DM.Conclusion: Contrary to expectation, despite differences in patient demographics and resources, the HRQoL and quality of care, particularly in terms of T2DM-related complications, were found to be similar across the two settings. Keywords: diabetes mellitus, quality, barriers, health-related quality of life

Sudarsan Padmanabhan

In recent debates on the theoretical framework of social sciences, Indian political scientist Gopal Guru mounted a critique that Indian social science is not representative and egalitarian. In the same breath, Gopal Guru sought to rationalise this lacuna. Guru claimed that the works of Dalit scholars and thinkers are more performance-oriented and less theoretical. This paper would raise several issues with reference to Gopal Guru’s claims: Does theory belong to an elite category? Does the lack of representation of Dalit scholarship present a theoretical conundrum for Indian social sciences? Is Gopal Guru falling into the trap of hierarchical complementarity between theory and performance/praxis? And, is there an intractable dilemma among the Dalit scholars between the politics of representation and the politics of ideas? This paper demonstrates that Guru’s insistence on the moral, existential and social necessity of the Dalit theory is valid. But he is wrong in what he denies.

C. Rotimi, F. Tekola-Ayele, J. Baker et al.

The trans-Atlantic slave trade brought millions of Africans to the New World. Advances in genomics are providing novel insights into the history and health of Africans and the diasporan populations. Recent examples reviewed here include the unraveling of substantial hunter-gatherer and 'Eurasian' admixtures across sub-Saharan Africa, expanding our understanding of ancestral African genetics; the global ubiquity of mixed ancestry; the revealing of African ancestry in Latin Americans that likely derived from the slave trade; and understanding of the ancestral backgrounds of APOL1 and LPL found to influence kidney disease and lipid levels, respectively, providing specific insights into disease etiology and health disparities.

K. McGlynn, W. London

J. Fourie

Confidence Alorse Atakro

Objective: The objective of this study was to explore differences and similarities of motivating and demotivating factors of emergency nursing care in selected rural and urban emergency units in the Volta Region of Ghana. Materials and methods: This study was conducted at selected rural and urban emergency units in the Volta Region of Ghana. The study utilised qualitative exploratory descriptive design. Purposive sampling technique was employed in selecting emergency units and nurses. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews of 30 nurses. Data saturation was determined after interviewing 30 participants. Data analysis was done through qualitative content analysis. Results: Twenty-six (26) out of a total of thirty (30) participants were between the ages of twenty-five (25) and twenty-nine (29). Nurses working in the emergency units studied general nursing at the Nurses Training Colleges (NTCs). None of the respondents studied emergency nursing as a degree programme. Twenty four (24) out of thirty (30) participants had worked for about two years in emergency units. Four thematic categories that represented differences and similarities of motivating and demotivating factors for nurses in rural and urban emergency units were extracted from data. The thematic categories are: a) Support from hospital management for provision of material resources; b) Task shifting to nurses; c) Stimulant for learning; d) Interpersonal relations. Discussions: Evidence available in this study suggests that there are differences as well as similarities of motivating and demotivating factors within emergency units of rural and urban settings in the Volta Region of Ghana. Differences in resource allocation and task shifting was identified. Stimulating environments of emergency unit for learning and excellent interpersonal relations were found to be common motivations for both rural and urban emergency unit nurses. Keywords: Motivating, Demotivating, Emergency, Differences, Similarities, Stimulant, Exploratory, Rural, Volta Region, Urban, Ghana