ABSTRACT
Pectin-based edible film plasticized with glycerol has been developed, and the effect of pectin and glycerol concentration was optimized using response surface methodology for better mechanical properties and transparency. The upper and lower concentration of pectin (3-5 g) and glycerol (15%-25%) concentration ranges were considered in this study based on the preliminary experiment. The responses of the edible film determined were tensile strength, elongation at break and elastic modulus and opacity. The interaction effects of glycerol and pectin concentrations on edible film properties significantly affected the film properties. Tensile strength and opacity were positively affected by pectin concentrations; however, elastic modulus and elongation at break were negatively affected. Glycerol concentration negatively affected the edible film's tensile strength and elastic modulus. The decrease in the opacity of the biofilm was observed as the pectin concentration increased; however, glycerol had not shown a significant influence on opacity. The numerical optimization provided 4 g of pectin, and 20% of glycerol showed a strong and transparent edible film. The TGA curve showed that the maximum weight loss occurred between the temperatures 250-400 °C due to the loss of polysaccharides. From FTIR analysis, observed peaks around 1037 cm-1 represented the C-O-C stretching vibrations of the saccharide found in pectin and glycerol.
ABSTRACT
Enhanced Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) screening efforts are emphasized as opportunities to reduce premature mortalities due to the diseases. Nevertheless, the utilization of NCDs screening is affected by the knowledge of the risk factors. This study aimed to assess the relationship between knowledge of non-communicable diseases risk factors and screening service utilization. This community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among randomly selected adult residents of North Shewa Zone, Oromia Region, Central Ethiopia. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the background variables and multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the factors associated with screening utilization. A total of 823 respondents completed the survey. The proportion of screening utilization was found to be 34.5 %; 95 % CI: 31.3, 37.9. Age < 25 [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 0.10; 95 % CI: 0.04, 0.25] compared with age above 34, attaining secondary school [AOR = 5.28; 95 % CI: 2.28, 12.21], college/above [AOR = 3.41; 95 % CI: 1.53, 7.61] compared with those who had no formal education, presence of family member/s with NCDs [AOR = 1.85; 95 % CI: 1.14, 3.00] and knowledge of NCDs risk factors [AOR = 11.71; 95 % CI: 7.08, 19.35] were significantly associated with screening utilization. This study found that the use of NCD screening was very low. Knowledge of NCD risk factors was strongly associated with screening utilization. This highlights the importance of improving adult knowledge of noncommunicable disease risk factors in Ethiopia.
ABSTRACT
Background: Healthcare professional turnover and shortages are perceived as a global issue affecting the performance of healthcare organizations. Studies show that the coronavirus disease has physical and psychological effects on healthcare workers. This study assessed the magnitude of turnover intention and related factors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study of 402 healthcare professionals working in the North Shewa Zone was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic from 1 February to 28 February 2021. The data were collected using a self-managed structure questionnaire, entered into EpiData version 3.1, and exported to SPSS version 25 for further analysis. We performed a logistic regression analysis to identify factors related to healthcare professionals' turnover intention. Finally, the data were displayed in frequency, percentage, and summary statistics. Result: From the total of 402 study participants, 363 of them were involved in the study with a response rate of 90.3%. The magnitude of healthcare professionals' turnover intention was 56.7%. Single marital status (AOR: 3.926; 95% CI: 1.961; 7.861), completion of obligatory service years (AOR: 0.287; 95% CI: 0.152, 0.542), dissatisfaction with the training opportunities (AOR: 2.407) 95% CI: 1.232, 4.701), having no established family (AOR: 2.184; 95% CI: 1.103, 4.326), dissatisfaction with organizational decisions process (AOR: 0.483; 95% CI: 0.250, 0.932), low continuous organizational commitment (AOR: 0.371; 95% CI 0.164; 0.842), dissatisfaction with professional development opportunities (AOR: 2.407; 95% CI: 1.232-4.701), and a non-conducive work environment (AOR: 2.079; 95% CI: 1.199, 3.607) were independent predictors of turnover intention. Conclusions: Our study showed that 56.7% of healthcare professionals have turnover intention. Being unmarried, lack of training opportunities, lack of established family, having completed the obligatory service years, non-conducive work environment, low continuous organizational commitment, dissatisfaction with the decision-making of the organization, and dissatisfaction with professional development opportunities of the organization all contributed to a higher rate of healthcare professionals' turnover intention. Recommendations: Healthcare organizations and other concerned bodies should create strategies that enhance the working environment, foster continuous organizational commitment, improve organizational decision-making, and provide professional development and training opportunities to lower the rate of turnover intention.
