Evolving radiographic practice: Identifying possible skill requirements for future radiographers practicing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

AIM: This study aims to identify the prospective skill requirements for future radiographers practising in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Such information will inform educational institutions, healthcare organisations, and policymakers in developing effective strategies. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving currently practising radiographers, nuclear medicine technologists, sonographers, and radiation therapists in the UAE (n =74). A comprehensive survey questionnaire was developed and validated through piloting and expert consultations. Ethical approval was obtained, and data were collected through purposive sampling. Descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, Chi-square tests, and factor analysis were employed in the data analysis. RESULTS: The results showed that 73%, 47.3%, 43.2%, 40.5%, 39.2%, 33.8% interested in radiology safety, image interpretation, interprofessional and interpersonal skills, research and managerial skills, Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) administration and AI (Artificial Intelligence) and, clinical supervision and assessment, respectively. The factor analysis showed four factors factor considered for CPD training are training settings (15.12), training topics (1.88), CPD credits (1.72) and, presenter and expenses (1.49). CONCLUSION: This study sheds light on the CPD requirements and aspirations of radiographers in the UAE, offering insights into their preferences and challenges. These findings can inform strategies for improving CPD opportunities and ensuring that radiographers are equipped to meet the evolving healthcare demands in the UAE, including performing enhanced practice. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Development of flexible and comprehensive CPD programmes tailored to radiographers' career interests is required. Employers should provide financial support and flexibility in training options. Regulatory bodies should continue to mandate CPD, fostering a culture of lifelong learning. Supportive work environments, interdisciplinary collaboration, and technological fluency are crucial. Emphasising patient-centred care, research opportunities, and continuous assessment further enhances radiography practice.

Lichen - air quality association rule mining for urban environments in the tropics.

There are significant gaps in air quality monitoring across many low- and middle-income countries, which can be filled by bioindicators like lichen. This study examined the links between lichen and air quality across urban environments in Nigeria. Lichen surveys and air quality monitoring were carried out across four major cities focusing on NO2, SO2, PM2.5, and PM10. Association rule mining was used to identify robust rules defining the association between lichen and air quality categories. For the maximal frequent set with Lichen in the antecedent, 9 and 5 rules were identified by A priori and Eclat, respectively. These indicated that three genera: Diorygma, Pyxine, and Physcia are the most commonly associated lichen with poor air quality particularly NO2 and SO2. This showed that these lichens are viable indicators of long-term air quality due to their consistent occurrence across the rules from different algorithms.

Mining association rules between lichens and air quality to support urban air quality monitoring in Nigeria.

Urban environments represent the most intense human-environment interaction. This interaction can result in negative outcomes like air pollution and its health implications. There is a significant data deficit in air quality monitoring across many developing nations, which prevents effective policies and measures from being taken to promote the accomplishment of sustainable development. Around the world, lichens have been used to track environmental changes due to their sensitivity to changes and concentration of atmospheric pollutants. This study investigated the relationships between lichen and air quality across some Nigerian cities. Lichen surveys were conducted in four cities. At various periods during the day, NO2, SO2, PM2.5, and PM10 levels were measured. Association rule mining was carried out to investigate the relationship between lichen found and air quality categories. Results showed that the most prevalent lichen Genera are Pyxine in Abuja and Kano, Diorygma in Lagos, and Dirinaria in Port Harcourt. Out of the 40 rules found from the rule mining, 17 are important (lift values ≥ 1.1), capturing six of the fourteen lichen genera identified in the field. The findings indicated that there are important relationships between lichens and air quality indices, suggesting that some lichen species in Nigeria may serve as indicators of long-term air quality. To develop a network of urban environmental quality bioindicators across Nigerian cities, surveying and transplanting are advised. The use of lichen for air quality monitoring can provide information for sustainable management of air quality and environmental quality in Nigeria.

COVID-19 risks and systemic gaps in Nigeria: resilience building lessons for pandemic and climate change management.

Pandemics alter a lot of human activities and the COVID-19 outbreak of 2020 was no exception. The COVID-19 pandemic, like climate change, has far-reaching consequences that transcend geographical boundaries. The COVID-19-induced disruptions were global and rapid and so are emerging climate change impacts which are slow on set. The consequent closure of businesses and public facilities translated to economic grounding which invariably took a toll on people. The extensive impact across various facets of society highlights the complex interrelationship often overlooked by most people. Although most African countries escaped the wrath of the disease, the lessons from the pandemic must be learnt and mainstreamed into managing the impacts of climate change. This paper attempts to draw lessons from recent developments and gaps experienced in the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria and how improvements can be made in managing climate change. The analysis identified gaps in the management of COVID-19 in Nigeria. These gaps are evident in the current management of climate change impact and mitigation. The paper highlighted lessons from the pandemic in Nigeria that are vital in the management of climate change. The paper identified supply chain resilience and circularity, overhauling of health insurance programmes, diversification for growth, reorientation of priorities, and the building of agile and responsive institutions as practical approaches to mainstream lessons from the pandemic for climate change impact management. Furthermore, adequate investment in preparedness, risk education, research and development, and integrated data infrastructure is vital to ensure the lessons become part of the consciousness of the people.

Flood risk perception, disaster preparedness and response in flood-prone urban communities of Rivers State.

Rapid urbanisation is contributing to increasing societal vulnerability to disaster. This study aimed at exploring the perception on flood risk and ascertaining the determinants of disaster preparedness among residents in flood-prone urban communities. Descriptive statistics and discriminant regression model were employed on primary data collected from 240 urban households across five communities at risk of flooding in the study area. The results showed that most households had low awareness of flood risk and exhibit low levels of adaptive capacity, having adopted little or no measures to deal with disaster floods. Also, awareness of flood risk was observed to discriminate the most between the two groups of adopters and nonadopters of flood preventive and management measures (proxy for disaster preparedness), followed by flood risk perception, age, location and household size. Contribution: The study suggests an integrated approach (a combination of preventive, protective and control measures) by all stakeholders, including government and other relevant bodies, increasing public awareness of flood risk and its attending effects for greater responsiveness, supporting communities in regular clearing of drainage areas and strictly regulating the construction of buildings, particularly in flood prone areas.

Towards describing the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on clinical radiography education: A systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: The sudden onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has brought significant and rapid changes to the traditional ways of providing radiography education, including adaptations to teaching and learning styles as well as disruptions to students' clinical placement. This review explored the impact of the pandemic on clinical radiography education globally. METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted on relevant databases, including PubMed, Science Direct, CINAHL (Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and SCOPUS. All relevant articles were critically appraised for quality and subjected to information extraction and results-based convergent synthesis. RESULTS: A total of 17 articles met the inclusion and exclusion criteria for this review. The key findings are themed around challenges and benefits with the introduction of new teaching and learning approaches and resilience exhibited by students during the pandemic to overcome: inadequate support and mentorship while transitioning to fully qualified professionals, challenges with PPE usage, and impact on personal and academic life. CONCLUSIONS: Globally, radiography students experienced several challenges, especially during the initial acute phase of the pandemic. The pandemic-related challenges identified in this review could negatively influence the radiography student attrition rates, consequently worsening the existing radiography workforce shortage. Thus, urgent institutional level support systems and interventions would be necessary to mitigate the pandemic impact and improve the students' learning experience.

Movement and risk perception: evidence from spatial analysis of mobile phone-based mobility during the COVID-19 lockdown, Nigeria.

The emergence of COVID-19 across the globe prompted many countries to institute total lockdown or other models of mobility restrictions to mitigate the spread of the disease. On March 29th, Nigeria instituted a nationwide lockdown. It is pertinent to understand the pattern created by this lockdown. This could offer insights into how people perceive the hazard and the level of compliance across the States in Nigeria. Mobile phone-based mobility data and the number of new cases from the beginning to the end of the lockdown were utilised. The study examines space-time trends across different place categories at the state level. Place categories witnessed mobility reduction as high as 56%, 57%, 65%, 75%, 38% for retail and recreation (RtRc), Grocery and Pharmacy (GrPh), Park, and Transport Hubs (Trst) respectively. Most States recorded mobility uptrend towards workplace, retail and recreational areas. Multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) identified two dimensions from the Space-time trends. The first dimension (D1) accounted for 66% of the variance. Examination of the Object Scores from the MCA showed that there are two classes-two risk perception groups. The pattern of mobility recorded shows that there is a variation in mobility restriction compliance across the States. The trend groupings identified captured an aspect of risk perception within each State. Thus, pointing to difference in levels of risk acceptance. With the level of misinformation currently being experienced worldwide, concerted efforts should be made on improving risk perception to prevent the re-emergence of the disease.

Place-based modelling of social vulnerability to COVID-19 in Nigeria.

COVID-19, within a short period of time, grew into a pandemic. The timely identification of places and populations at great risk of COVID-19 infection would aid disease control. In Nigeria, where a variety of recommended and adopted non-pharmaceutical interventions seem to have limited effectiveness, the number of cases is still increasing. To this end, this paper computed a social vulnerability to COVID-19 index (SoVI) in Nigeria within the local government area (LGA) framework with a view to revealing vulnerable places and populations. The study relied on several data sources and factor analysis for the development of the index. SoVI values ranged from 2.3 (least vulnerable) to 6.8 (most vulnerable). Three percent of the 774 LGAs were extremely vulnerable while 2% of these LGAs were least vulnerable to COVID-19. The predictive power of the index was confirmed to be strong (r = 0.812). Hopefully, the visual representation of place-based vulnerability to COVID-19 index should guide and direct the relevant authorities in the containment of further spread and vaccination coverage.

The experience of diagnostic radiography students during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic - a cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: The rationale for this study was to ascertain the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Undergraduate B.Sc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography students at the University of Hertfordshire in the UK. This would provide an ideal opportunity for students to reflect on their experience and indicate if they required additional support from the University. METHODS: An online anonymous cross-sectional survey was deployed to all year groups (n = 283) during the first nationwide lockdown in May 2020, eliciting qualitative responses on questions about the effect of the pandemic; emotions experienced; support required and consideration of their choice of a career in the health sector. RESULTS: Two hundred and one students responded to the survey, with many having experienced the illness or loss of a loved one. Trying to balance family commitments and study was a concern to some students, as well as struggling with the financial burden of job losses or furlough. Many students commented that educational support was a requirement with the move to online teaching and assessment. The main focus of student responses was the emotions that they had experienced, many of which were negative. Anxiety and fear were commonly expressed feelings, along with sadness and feelings of isolation. A small number of students reported feeling grateful, happy and relieved. An overwhelming majority of respondents commented that they were proud to be healthcare students and they were resolute in wanting to continue the course and join the frontline of the NHS workforce. CONCLUSION: Some students have been deeply affected by their experiences of the pandemic, and University support mechanisms should be refined to better assist with their ongoing challenges.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on radiography practice: findings from a UK radiography workforce survey.

OBJECTIVES: Radiographers are key patient-facing healthcare professionals involved in many aspects of patient care. The working patterns and professional practice of the radiography workforce (RW) has been altered during the COVID-19 pandemic. This survey aimed to assess the impact of the pandemic on radiography practice in the United Kingdom (UK). METHODS: An online cross-sectional survey of the UK RW was performed (March 25th to April 26th, 2020). The survey sought information regarding 1. Demographics 2. Impact of the pandemic on professional practice 3. Infection prevention/control and 4. COVID-19 related stress. Data collected was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (v.26). RESULTS: A total of 522 responses were received, comprising n = 412 (78.9%) diagnostic and n = 110 (21.1%) therapeutic RW categories from across the UK. 12.5% (65/522) of the respondents were redeployed. Redeployment did not appear to contribute (p = 0.31) to work-related stress. However, fear of contracting the infection and perceived inadequate personal protective equipment (PPE) were identified as key contributors to stress during the study period. Compared to the therapeutic RW, a significantly higher proportion of the diagnostic RW identified fear of being infected as a major stressor (166/412 (40.3%) vs 30/110 (27.3%), p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: This survey has demonstrated changes to clinical practice, in particular to working patterns, service delivery and infection prevention and control were key contributors to workplace-related stress during the pandemic. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: Timely and adequate staff training and availability of PPE as well as psychosocial support during future pandemics would enhance quality patient and staff safety.

Geographic information systems-based expert system modelling for shoreline sensitivity to oil spill disaster in Rivers State, Nigeria.

In the absence of adequate and appropriate actions, hazards often result in disaster. Oil spills across any environment are very hazardous; thus, oil spill contingency planning is pertinent, supported by Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) mapping. However, a significant data gap exists across many low- and middle-income countries in aspect of environmental monitoring. This study developed a geographic information system (GIS)-based expert system (ES) for shoreline sensitivity to oiling. It focused on the biophysical attributes of the shoreline with Rivers State as a case study. Data on elevation, soil, relative wave exposure and satellite imageries were collated and used for the development of ES decision rules within GIS. Results show that about 70% of the shoreline are lined with swamp forest/mangroves/nympa palm, and 97% have silt and clay as dominant sediment type. From the ES, six ranks were identified; 61% of the shoreline has a rank of 9 and 19% has a rank of 3 for shoreline sensitivity. A total of 568 km out of the 728 km shoreline is highly sensitive (ranks 7-10). There is a clear indication that the study area is a complex mixture of sensitive environments to oil spill. GIS-based ES with classification rules for shoreline sensitivity represents a rapid and flexible framework for automatic ranking of shoreline sensitivity to oiling. It is expected that this approach would kick-start sensitivity index mapping which is comprehensive and openly available to support disaster risk management around the oil producing regions of the country.

Health Behavioural Theories and Their Application to Women's Participation in Mammography Screening.

The most effective method of detecting breast cancer among asymptomatic women is by mammography screening. Most countries have this preventive measure in place for women within their society; however, most of these programs struggle with attendance. This article discusses four health behavioural theories and models in relation to mammography screening that may explain the factors affecting women's participation, including the health belief model, theory of planned behaviour, trans-theoretical model, and the theory of care seeking behaviour. In summary, analysis of these theories indicates that the theory of care seeking behaviour has value for exploring these factors because of its sensitivity to socioeconomic differences that exist among women in society and because it has a broader construct (such as habit and external factors) compared to the other health behavioural theories.

Modelling social vulnerability in sub-Saharan West Africa using a geographical information system.

In recent times, disasters and risk management have gained significant attention, especially with increasing awareness of the risks and increasing impact of natural and other hazards especially in the developing world. Vulnerability, the potential for loss of life or property from disaster, has biophysical or social dimensions. Social vulnerability relates to societal attributes which has negative impacts on disaster outcomes. This study sought to develop a spatially explicit index of social vulnerability, thus addressing the dearth of research in this area in sub-Saharan Africa. Nineteen variables were identified covering various aspects. Descriptive analysis of these variables revealed high heterogeneity across the South West region of Nigeria for both the state and the local government areas (LGAs). Feature identification using correlation analysis identified six important variables. Factor analysis identified two dimensions, namely accessibility and socioeconomic conditions, from this subset. A social vulnerability index (SoVI) showed that Ondo and Ekiti have more vulnerable LGAs than other states in the region. About 50% of the LGAs in Osun and Ogun have a relatively low social vulnerability. Distribution of the SoVI shows that there are great differences within states as well as across regions. Scores of population density, disability and poverty have a high margin of error in relation to mean state scores. The study showed that with a geographical information system there are opportunities to model social vulnerability and monitor its evolution and dynamics across the continent.

Wasteful disposition: analysis of municipal household waste using geodemographic classification.

The continuous flow of resources through the economy is the origin of most of the environmental problems evident today. These problems are directly related to production and introduction of wastes and pollutants into the natural environment. The study investigated the relationship between household waste and geodemographic grouping (GDG) at the municipal level across England. A correlation analysis of the GDG and waste data revealed a positive relationship between waste and proportion of different GDG. A robust regression model generated represents 74% of the variation across the dataset, and it shows that there is a significant relationship between municipal waste and GDG. A higher number of GDG (e.g. 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8) displayed a very strong association with increasing total municipal household waste (TMHW). GDG such as 1, 2 and 10, despite their higher disposable incomes, displayed a weak association with TMHW. Furthermore, GDGs such as 8, 3, 7, 4 and 6 generated more household waste in comparison to GDG. This model provides an understanding that can influence the organisation of waste management programmes and forecasting of municipal waste. It also provides essential input for decisions in structuring promotion of sustainable behaviour and implementing local initiatives to support such activities.