American International University West Africa

Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) also known as nosocomial infections have been a persistent public health challenge particularly in developing countries. HAIs are also referred to as healthcare-associated infections. Often times, greater priority has been given to invasive diagnostic or therapeutic medical and surgical devices while the non-critical medical devices have been neglected by healthcare providers. This study aimed at evaluating the ability of non-critical medical devices such as clinical thermometers and sphygmomanometers (blood pressure cuffs) in HAI transmission at Bingham University Teaching Hospital (BhUTH), Jos, Plateau State, North-Central Nigeria. A total of 27 swabs from clinical thermometers and blood pressure (BP) cuffs were obtained from various hospital units and analyzed in the microbiology laboratory of the same hospital using standard microbiological techniques. Obtained results revealed bacterial contaminations of clinical thermometers and BP cuffs at 66.7% and 86.7% respectively. Alarmingly, 92.3% and 88.9% of the hospital units showed contamination of clinical thermometers and BP cuffs respectively. The major isolated bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus (84.2%), Escherichia coli (21.0%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (5.2%). S. aureus and E. coli isolates were resistant to all the beta-lactam antibiotics such as amoxicillin and cefuroxime. However, all the isolates were susceptible to ciprofloxacin and streptomycin. Non-critical medical devices harbor pathogenic bacteria and can be transmitted to patients and healthcare workers. Therefore, there is an urgent need for quality control and contamination surveillance on non-critical medical devices. Frequent sanitization (in between patients), washing or replacement (at intervals) of the clinical thermometers and BP cuffs is also highly recommended.

<p><em>This study investigates the differing interpretations and applications of the hadith prohibiting women from traveling without a maḥram in Saudi Arabia and Indonesia. Through a comparative analysis grounded in historical, legal, and socio-cultural contexts, the research reveals that Saudi Arabia traditionally applies the hadith in a strict, textualist manner, rooted in the Ḥanbalī legal tradition and guardianship system. Indonesia, influenced by pluralistic scholarship and social realities, adopts a more flexible, contextualist approach through ijtihād by religious organizations. Despite these differences, the study affirms that the original ruling remains valid: a woman traveling without a maḥram is impermissible (ḥarām) unless in rare, necessity-based exceptions. The presence of a maḥram is not merely ideal but a critical safeguard upheld throughout Islamic legal history to protect women’s dignity (ʿirḍ) and safety (nafs). In modern contexts where security may seem assured, Muslim women must still prioritize obedience to Allah and His Messenger, over social convenience or personal autonomy. Modern adaptations must not override divine directives. Thus, the hadith's relevance continues, and contextual flexibility must remain within the bounds of Sharīʿah—aimed at upholding the protective purpose of Islamic law rather than promoting unrestricted freedom.</em></p>

Second language teachers face challenges to create classroom environments that cater to the needs of the diverse students’ needs and abilities. Some young second language learners in particular come to the classroom with difficulties such as communication and comprehension limitations. It is, therefore, essential to find ways to engage those students and provide a learning environment that is inclusive and ensures that all students are learning. This study explores the experiences of ten pre-service teachers in using digital storytelling (DST) combined with the language experience approach(LEA) in teaching English as a second language to K-3 students. The study follows a case study design and data was collected using a reflective form that included open ended questions. Data was analyzed using the qualitative thematic analysis method. Three themes emerged, which were: 1) the perceived benefits of implementing DST combined with LEA, 2) the perceived challenges of implementing DST combined with LEA, 3) and the need for adequate training. The findings revealed that pre-service teachers found using DST combined with LEA a useful approach to teaching reading and writing. The majority of participants, however, were not confident using technology to create digital stories which means that there is a need for adequate training to enable them to use it more effectively in the classroom.

This literature review examines the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity in the context of investigative journalism. The use of AI technologies in investigative journalism has revolutionized the way journalists analyze data and uncover stories, while also posing new challenges in cybersecurity and the detection of deepfakes. The academic literature highlights the importance of training journalists in cybersecurity best practices, investing in AI technologies, and detecting and debunking deepfakes to safeguard the integrity of journalistic work. By integrating AI and cybersecurity measures into newsrooms, journalists can better protect themselves against cyber threats and combat misinformation, ensuring the continued relevance and credibility of journalism in the digital age. Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Investigative Journalism, Deepfakes, Data Analysis, Misinformation, News Organizations, Cyber Threats, Journalism Integrity. Journal Reference Format: Ademola, O.E. & Somorin, K. (2024): AI and Cybersecurity in Investigative Journalism: A Literature Review. Social Informatics, Business, Politics, L:aw, Environmental Sciences & Technology Journal. Vol. 10, No. 1. Pp 9-18 www.isteams/socialinformaticsjournal. dx.doi.org/10.22624/AIMS/SIJ/V10N1P2

The objective of this study was to examine the influence of household socio-economic factors on maternal mortality and under-five survival in Nigeria. Consequently, data from 2005 to 2021 were collected from the World Development Indicators, and fully modified least squares and canonical cointegrating regression were utilised to implement the study. The results showed that for every 100,000 live births, at least 1097 mothers die in Nigeria. GDP per capita showed a positive but insignificant impact on maternal mortality, while adjusted net national income had a significant negative relationship with maternal mortality. Broad money supply reduced under-five survival in Nigeria, while social inclusion causes a reduction in under-5 mortality with 32 deaths per 1,000 live births in Nigeria. Hence, to reduce the high rate of maternal mortality in Nigeria, policy and programmes that will be socially inclusive for women and children should be implemented in the country.

The rampant of bank plecit in Indonesia as the country with the most Muslim population in the world is an irony in itself, because Islam actually has a solution for every problem, including poverty alleviation. In the Islamic economy there are good loan terms, which are a solution to the usury economic system. Sources of funds can be taken from Islamic philanthropic funds managed by zakat institutions. Of the several financial assistance institutions based on socio-religious funds in Indonesia, BankZiska is among those that survive to manage. The purpose of this study is to analyze the implementation of qardhul hassan based on Islamic philanthropy funds at BankZiska. By using descriptive quantitative methods, this study describes the implementation of qardhul hassan using indicators of increasing the collection of philanthropic funds, increasing the distribution of funds to partners, increasing the number of transactions, and increasing the number of partners who are free from loan sharks which is about 65%.

Background: COVID-19 is associated with poor pregnancy and maternal outcomes. COVID-19 vaccination is recommended all over the world, yet the vaccination rate during pregnancy in Nigeria is insignificant. The public health response to the global COVID-19 pandemic varies widely in different regions of Nigeria. Aim: To investigate the knowledge, perception and acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination amongst pregnant women in Adena, Kwara State, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Sample size of this study consisted of two hundred and thirty (230) respondents. Data including biodata and questions relating to the aim of the study were retrieved using a structured questionnaire. These data were analyzed using the Chi-square technique (χ2) of the SPSS version 23 statistical software. Chi-square tests were used for comparative analysis of the demographic information to perception and acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination amongst pregnant women, and to test the research hypotheses at a level of significance set at <i>p</i><0.05. Results: Mean age of the respondents (pregnant women) was 29.3±6.14 years and the mean parity was 2.3±1.6. 68.7% (<i>n=</i>158) of the women had a tertiary education. 40.9% (94) and 59.1% (136) of the respondents were Christians and Muslims respectively. 73.44% of the respondents had good knowledge about COVID-19 and 57.8% confirmed that they would accept the vaccine against SARS-CoV-2. From the research hypotheses tested, this study found that there was a significant difference in the perception of the pregnant women in Adena to COVID-19 vaccination based on their educational qualification (<i>p</i>=1.56624E-20) and age (<i>p</i>=8.53956E-18), but no significant difference was noticed based on their religion (<i>p</i>=0.05). There was a significant difference in the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination amongst the pregnant women based on their educational qualification (<i>p</i>=3.22221E-11) and age (<i>p</i>=0.001473), but no significant difference was observed based on their religion (<i>p</i>=0.23). Conclusion: The general public needs to be sensitized on COVID-19 and any related pandemic at every gathering, e.g., churches, mosques, hospitals, etc. Health systems need to develop national surveillance systems to collect up-to-date clinical, virological, and epidemiological information on trends in human infection with seasonal influenza viruses. Health systems are also advised to keep up-to-date on the latest information concerning pandemics from trusted global sources e.g. World Health Organization (WHO), national sources e.g. Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

The Muda Agricultural Development Authority (MADA) paddy estate project represents Malaysia’s national effort to enhance food security. However, the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) by Malaysia falls short of attaining the 10 MT/Ha paddy productivity potential. Amidst rising food insecurity, national efforts have focused on improving the efficiency of domestic productivity, this study specifically assessed factors influencing paddy productivity under the MADA estate project. Against the econometric technique, the causal loop diagram (CLD) in the system dynamics (SD) approach was used to analyse the systemic character of productivity and its drivers. The systemic relationship was explored using expert interviews and an extensive literature reviews. Findings established four major sub-systems of the rice value chain. These include paddy production, rice production, government subsidy and self-sufficiency level. The loop polarity feature was used to establish the causal relationships and directions of causality between the sub-systems. This study contributes directly to EPP10 and EPP11 of the ETP. As a result, it supports Malaysia’s effort towards strengthening food security and self-sufficiency.

This paper mainly explains about United Kingdom's membership to European Union during Brexit period. Regarding United Kingdom's membership to European Union, many studies had conducted in different parts of the World. But all these studies give a partial or one-sided views about United Kingdom's membership to European Union. There were different approaches had developed to understand the complete picture of the European Union’s origin, development and United Kingdom's membership. The study analyzes the reasons and the cause for United Kingdom's membership to the European Union during Brexit period. The whole study can be broadly divided into three stages. In the first stage, the study includes the basic ideas, theories and different models to know about the reasons behind the European Union’s formation. In the Second stage, the study includes the influence of European political, economic, social conditions after the Second World War in forming the European Union. In the third stage, the study involves the reasons behind United Kingdom's membership to European Union during Brexit period.